bipartisan interlude

Or, prominent Democrats who I actually like—in many instances, despite their social liberalism. The only order in what follows is alphabetical.

Pat Caddell. Pollster for the Carter campaign, and former consultant for The West Wing (which I have never watched). Remains a committed liberal, though an honest one: excoriated the Gore campaign for post-election Florida antics, and in his current consultant gig with Fox News often decries the tactics of the Kerry campaign and the DNC. Got truly pissed over the fraudulent Rather memos. Claims (contra CW) that in presidential elections, undecideds break for the incumbent. 2004 vote: Kerry (I'm guessing).

Orson Scott Card. Prominent science fiction author. Conservative Democrat, of Mormon persuasion. Has written weekly column World Watch since shortly after 9/11. Warhawk. An early critic of his party's descent to lunacy: “Some of my fellow Democrats are unpatriotic” was written last December. 2004 vote: Bush.

Victor Davis Hanson. Classicist and military historian; populist Democrat and raisin farmer. So prolific and artful a writer, makes me wonder why I even bother. Regular columnist for National Review (also see his personal site). Savage critic of the national Democrats' amorality and neglect of Western history. 2004 vote: Bush.

Ed Koch. Former NYC mayor and archetypal soggy liberal, though now a 9/11 Democrat. Actively lobbying for Bush reelection, especially before Jewish audiences, and especially in Florida. Latest effort a GOTV tag-team radio ad with Rudy Giuliani. 2004 vote: Bush.

Tom Lantos. Holocaust survivor and immigrant from Hungary. 12-term Democratic congressman from California. Tireless campaigner for human rights abroad (see, for example, here and here and here)—yet nonetheless another Democratic abortion absolutist. Supporter of Gulf War II, one reason why he is despised by progressivist rag Counterpunch (author of linked piece calls him “Gollum-like”). 2004 vote: Kerry (almost certainly).

Joe Lieberman. Sold out half his principles to be Al Gore's running mate in 2000; recovered most of them while running for the top job in the Democratic primaries. Was only D candidate to consistently defend Gulf War II. Sadly, Joementum failed of its promise. Two weeks ago praised President Bush before a Jewish audience in Florida. Regarded by some hopeful souls as a possible party switcher after a Bush landslide. Still creepily enthusiastic about third trimester termination. 2004 vote: Kerry (or not?).

Zell Miller. Conservative Democrat, legend in Georgia. Has Republican hair. Gave keynote address for nomination of Bill Clinton, 1992. Gave keynote address for nomination of George W. Bush, 2004. Sen. John F. Kerry unable to sit for a week after. 2004 vote: Bush.

Camille Paglia. (Perhaps like isn't the correct word in this case; she kinda scares me.) Another classicist. Also an atheist, though a damn sight more appreciative of our cultural heritage—including the religious aspects—than progressives generally. Brutally honest: calls abortion murder whilst supporting it fully (along with the death penalty). Well acquainted with Matt Drudge. An archive of her late 1990s essays still available at Salon. 2004 vote: Kerry.

Ron Silver. Yes, the actor, recently from The West Wing (which I still have never watched). Unapologetic social liberal. Unapologetic 9/11 Democrat. Gave stirring speech at Republican National Convention. Latest effort is the Michael Moore rebuttal FahrenHYPE 9/11 (with Ed Koch, see above). 2004 vote: Bush.

Roger L. Simon. Novelist and recovering leftist. Social liberal, but earnestly desires a Democratic flameout next week. Currently developing a screenplay with Michael Ledeen (paging all neocon conspiracy types). Also an A-list blogger. Left me my first, and thus far only, celebrity comment. 2004 vote: Bush.

Honorable mention (since today is the first time I'd heard of him): Brian Golden, Democratic state representative. Anti-abortion and anti-gay marriage, endorser of Bush in both 2000 and 2004. Serves by will of the people in Massachusetts.

And now back to regularly scheduled partisan hackery.

But how do u know Camille is voting Kerry? It doesn't surprise me, she voted Nader 2000. She's a wild card, like Hitchens

She's one of the commenters in the Reason poll that I bitched about a few days back. Really doesn't like Bush, although I got the impression four years ago that she liked Gore even less (hence the Nader vote).