Eugene David<br>...The One-Minute Pundit

Posted 2:09 PM by Gene

God, if only I could audition for Dave Weigel's job -- but to do that I'd have to be a) an Ivy Leaguer, b) an uppity snob, c) a member of JOURNOLIST and d) a worshiper of BROCCOLI. That said here's how I'd open my first post:

I am a conservative. By any measure I'm so. I hate PC; I deplore abortion on demand (excepting after rape and incest); I believe in fiscal rectitude, public and private; I oppose Obamacare, that quagmire to end all quagmires; I'm for a strong national defense; I back Israel and a foreign policy that can meet strength with strength. But I also endeavor to be independent in the best sense. Too often conservatives have let their mouths do the talking, with dread results; say the word conservative and even some on the right must first think wincingly of Rush or Glenn Beck, men more famous for their publicity-fraught bellowing than their reason. Rep. Barton's idiotic remark shows that too many conservatives worship big business and the hyperrich, the kind of worship that helped get us into trouble. Too often in wanting to persuade a hip young crowd the right apes the left; Jonah Goldberg is but a starboard Frank Rich, an uncritical pop culture savant who descends to glibness. Being a conservative should mean standing on principle, and conservatism's principles are good sound timber; it shouldn't mean having to stand against yourself. I hope that comes through in the posts ahead.