Public Option: Andrew Sullivan as Weather Vane

by: tremayne

Fri Sep 25, 2009 at 17:00

Prominant blogger Andrew Sullivan is often very in tune with mainstream public opinion. Here are some examples:

He was a fan of Ronald Reagan back when Reagan was popular

He endorsed George Bush Sr. in 1988

He endorsed Bill Clinton in 1992

He endorsed George Junior in 2000

He endorsed John Kerry in 2004 (very slightly ahead of public opinion there)

He endorsed Barack Obama in 2008

On gay marriage he was far ahead of public opinion but on most other issues his position evolves as does that of the American public at large. This is all a preamble to this development: Sullivan, after months of skepticicm on the public option, seems in this post to be leaning toward support.

Additionally, he cites this new NY Times poll showing widespread support for the public option. Hey, he's moving toward the prevailing public mood, what a surprise! Anyway, take that for what it's worth, a possible sign of the punditry moving toward public option support.

tremayne :: Public Option: Andrew Sullivan as Weather Vane

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Public Option: Andrew Sullivan as Weather Vane | 12 comments

Public mood! (0.00 / 0)

Public** D:

by: digitall565 @ Fri Sep 25, 2009 at 21:04:29 PM UTC

by: you @ soon

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fixed (0.00 / 0)

least i didn't do that in the title

by: tremayne @ Fri Sep 25, 2009 at 21:20:35 PM UTC

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by: you @ soon

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Hehehe, Sully as the American Oracle? (0.00 / 0)

Well, hmm, ok, why not? But let's not forget he was wrong in 2004. Even if it was close.

by: Gray @ Fri Sep 25, 2009 at 22:02:44 PM UTC

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You don't need a weatherman.... (0.00 / 0)

Couldn't we just read tea leaves, please? If I hear another word about that &@#$% Sullivan, I'm liable to do something I'll regret.

by: William Timberman @ Fri Sep 25, 2009 at 22:03:43 PM UTC

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Ok, we know he acted irresponsible regarding sex, but... (0.00 / 0)

...what else do you have against him? Imho he's still a better guy than many other right wingers...

by: Gray @ Fri Sep 25, 2009 at 22:11:33 PM UTC

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by: you @ soon

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I shouldn't, but if you insist. Just this once, though, okay...? (0.00 / 0)

How about narcissistic warmongering whiner? How using your position as influential columnist to piss on people you disagree with, and then when they turn out to be right, claim that you invented whatever position it was that they originally took. Honestly, I could go on and on, but out of deference to this clean, well-lighted place, and its gentle inhabitants, I'll forebear.

by: William Timberman @ Fri Sep 25, 2009 at 22:36:23 PM UTC

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by: you @ soon

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And for a little added context.... (4.00 / 2)

Someone once told me that if you want to know what Time magazine's smug omniscience is worth, read an issue from a year ago...or six months ago...or six weeks ago, for that matter. The same is true of The Economist, which taught Henry Luce everything he knew about superciliousness. Likewise with pick-your-major-media-pundit. Sullivan is by no means the worst, but he is -- to my ear at least -- the most cloying.

Billmon use to wipe the floor with these guys, just by quoting them back to themselves a year later. Sadly, that Billmon of blessed memory is no more. THe current champ is Glenn Greenwald, may he live forever....

by: William Timberman @ Fri Sep 25, 2009 at 22:50:35 PM UTC

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by: you @ soon

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Ok, right, he is a narciss who can never admit having been wrong. (0.00 / 0)

Still, could be worse - for a rightwinger. I can get along better with such people than with those lying haterz like Malkin and crazy Pamela...
However, yeah, I understand your stance, and we really don't have to discuss this guy in depth.

by: Gray @ Sat Sep 26, 2009 at 00:48:20 AM UTC

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never admit being wrong? (0.00 / 0)

He fully admits he was wrong about W and the war. He does it all the time.

Sure, he's kind of full of himself, but he's a) quite successful and b) on the internet. No surprise there.

by: ccarollo @ Sat Sep 26, 2009 at 01:02:14 AM UTC

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Plus there's this... (4.00 / 2)

The public option saves $85 billion, according to the CBO. In other words: the centrists arguments about costs have absolutely no grounding in reality whatsoever.

I don't know that anyone's ever gone broke betting against the punditocracy's ability to actually perceive reality. But if their eyes are even open just a little bit, they'll have to be blinded by the vacuity of the Blue Dog position.

by: Chachy @ Fri Sep 25, 2009 at 22:17:16 PM UTC

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George Jr and Kerry ahead in popular opinion? (0.00 / 0)

Gore was ahead in 2000, Bush Jr in 2004.

Also, his views on torture seem to be out of step with popular opinion as well. Not sure what theory is being advanced here, but it's not very well founded.

On the other hand, glad the public option is picking up steam.

by: frankenheimer @ Sat Sep 26, 2009 at 00:41:57 AM UTC

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F**k Sullivan n/t (0.00 / 0)

by: DrJ @ Sat Sep 26, 2009 at 15:16:58 PM UTC

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Public Option: Andrew Sullivan as Weather Vane | 12 comments

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