Op-Ed Pieces Worth Reading

Because clearly, all I do is read the New York Times.

In any event, two recent op-ed pieces by David Brooks and Frank Rich make a similar point about the Palin nomination: That regardless of whether one supports her nomination (as Brooks does, largely on partisan lines) or oppose it (as Rich does), Palin's nomination raises serious doubts about McCain's decision-making process.

Brooks writes that one of McCain's weaknesses is his tendency "to substitute a moral philosophy for a political philosophy", ending by saying that Palin's nomination does not make up for McCain's political failings. She's an exciting pick, but not an encouraging one.

Rich's piece - a decidedly more pessimistic one - strikes a similar note about Palin's nomination: The speed (and resulting sloppiness) with which the search was effected suggests not so much McCain's maverick sensibilities as his own failings of judgment. And rather than take steps to correct McCain's mistakes, his campaign is out to make this election a referendum on character and image rather than the issues at stake, knowing full well that running on issues would put them at a decided disadvantage.

My own recent responses to Palin's nomination and the larger political process can be found here and here, but both articles are well worth a look.