David Brooks is, pretty much, the best columnist in the world, and he is particularly brilliant on the current president. Brooks, a conservative, is a big fan of Obama the man, and is drawn to his promise of a different kind of politics. But he frets that Obama will be captured by the traditional liberals that dominate the Democratic Party's leadership in Washington. Today's column is all about that conflict as it relates to the stimulus bill. Brooks argues that Obama should follow the lead set by moderates in both parties who are seeking to escape the polarised positions of their party leaders.
There's a yearning quality to Brooks's Obama columns - he so wants Obama to do the right thing and live up to the promise he sees in him. There's a personal note too. Brooks sought out the freshman senator when he came to Washington and the two men formed a mutually admiring relationship. If there's one column Obama reads each week it's probably Brooks. Indeed, one way of reading a Brooks column is as a fiercely felt - some times praising, some times scolding - weekly letter to the White House. (Brooks's fluctuating feelings about Obama were satirised by Politico during the election).
The Brooks-Obama story promises to be one of the compelling sideshows of the Obama years. Perhaps there will be a movie about it one day.
These are the most outrageously stupid words I've ever read in your blog: "David Brooks is, pretty much, the best columnist in the world, and he is particularly brilliant on the current president."
Please tell me you're being sarcastic and that I'm too doped up on cold medicine to see it.
I've long read your blog with admiration and respect. After this, I don't know.
Posted by: Russell | February 10, 2009 at 03:47 AM
Oh dear, Russell, I'm afraid I'm going to leave you confused and dismayed; I mean every word.
Posted by: Ian Leslie | February 10, 2009 at 12:23 PM