The most encouraging thing I've seen lately

That someone went from this in March of 2008:

First, my story: Like many of you, I tried to deny it. I lived deeply, and tragically, closeted, afraid to face my inner desires and tortured by the possibility that someone might find out. Trying not to look at [Obama] when he came on television – which, as you know, is often. I looked, of course, but only out of the corner of my eye, and tried not to swoon as those golden words melted the very air.

I even denounced him a couple of times right here in this space, just to cover my tracks: yes, I was an Obama-basher, because I just couldn't face the truth about myself. Yet I couldn't resist the siren song of my real desires, and, slowly but surely, I inched out of the closet and into the light.

To this in June:

I have to say I was wrong – dead wrong – about Obama. In my eagerness to find a bright spot in a rapidly darkening world, I grasped on to his alluring rhetoric and his at-times trenchant critique of the Bush foreign policy, like a sinking man holding on to a life-jacket.

And finally, a few days ago, to this:

Nader is the Eugene Debs of our times: he is brave, intractably committed to principle, and disdainful of the limousine liberals and their “conservative” counterparts who grimace in maidenly horror at the sight and sounds of such truth-telling populism. Most importantly, Ralph Nader knows who are the real enemies of the American people, and what is the source of their power. He, alone, is serious about breaking that power. While I may disagree with some of his more socialistic proposals, and probably wouldn’t last very long at a Nader-for-President meeting before getting into it with his commie followers, I don’t know of anyone in American political life, at the moment, who has more genuine good old fashioned integrity.

If you haven't figured it out already, "commie followers" might have tipped you off to who this is: Justin Raimondo, self-professed conservative-paleo-libertarian.  Which might seem surprising, but it actually makes two in a row for him.

So it's possible to shake off the hazy gauze of hopey change.  Not easy and not likely to be repeated on a wide scale, but possible.

(This is also the ultimate counterexample for those who say that Republican/conservative contributions to Nader prove he's just being used to attack the Democrats—a talking point that's never impressed me, since I've personally convinced a handful of Republicans to vote for Nader in the past.  One of the most telling comments in response to Raimondo's endorsement was, "When I heard Nader debate the constitution party candidate he was actually inspiring despite the contempt I have always had for him"...which just goes to show that if people had an opportunity to hear what the man is actually saying, he'd win.  When it comes to Nader, ignorance breeds contempt.)

Comments

[KDelphi]

I think you are right. Where is Nader polling?

[petey]

four years ago the american conservative gave its editors a page to argue for their candidate. iirc, one did argue for nader; this was not long after they had given much space to an interview with him. so it's not too too surprising that raimondo would endorse him. especially after paul's run this year, the divide will more widely be seen as state vs. antistate, and secondarily as left vs. right. (disclosure: i'm both an antiwar and DN contributor)

[KDelphi]

petey--what is a DN contributor?

john and all-- I am becoming very upset, and it is ridiculous...I have so many people calling me about Obama and yelling that he will lose of I dont vote for him, and do I want a repeat of 2000...this is so uncalled for. Youd think that I was in the electoral college or something!

I cant make this election for Dems!! They have to do that themselves!!

I just watched Nader on my DVR from C-Span, as well as Brian Moore, the socialist--WHY cant Obama and the Dems offer us what Nader and Moore do?? WHY do they have to shill for Wall St and the neo-liberal intelligencia? (I am so sick of hearing about everyone's damn PhD! I have an MS--but I dont go around talking about it all the time!)

Everyone calls in on C-SPAN with huge support, and then, when the Dems cant make the sale--they blame the Third Parties.

I just may not vote at all. I wouldnt want to sink the country! Jeez! I dont know whether to laugh or cry!

[cemmcs]

Jeez! I dont know whether to laugh or cry!

If you have a choice, laugh. There are going to be times when you can't help but cry.

[KDelphi]

True. And I have worn myself out. Everyone talks about how "great" this election has been, but, I say it has been devisive, manipulative, and mean. And it has lasted much too long.

I am going to vote as I see fit. If they care about me, they will live with that.

So--how's the weather where you are?? lol...seen any good movies lately? Oh, cant afford it? Me neither>

[petey]

"petey--what is a DN contributor?"

democracy now, a website and radio show

[cemmcs]

Vote your conscience and then don't worry.

The weather has been alright and I am enjoying it as long as it lasts.

I watched "Conversations with Other Women" last night. It was okay.

[cemmcs]

Vote as you see fit and don't worry about it.

The weather is fine where I live (in Chicago) for now.

I watched "Conversations with Other Women" last night and it was decent.

[cemmcs]

Sorry. I thought that first one did not post and I had to write it again.

[KDelphi]

S'ok..I have some movies on VCR--they are old, but I am going to go watch them.

I would still like to see "No Country for Old Men"--but I bet it is sad.

Ah...at least I am decided. The old changing of the guard!

Dont watch regular tv!--they are driving me absolutely crazy! LOL