McCain gets it right in WaPo op ed

by David Safier

Seeing McCain getting it mostly right in today's WaPo op ed — I have a few quibbles, but they're tangential to his main point — gives me another glimmer of hope. It's rare I can read or listen to any of McCain's pronouncements without almost total disagreement, so this is a welcome change for me, and I hope it signals a change for him as well.

Here are a few excerpts:

President Obama gave a terrific speech Wednesday night. He movingly mourned and honored the victims of Saturday's senseless atrocity outside Tucson, comforted and inspired the country, and encouraged those of us who have the privilege of serving America. He encouraged every American who participates in our political debates – whether we are on the left or right or in the media – to aspire to a more generous appreciation of one another and a more modest one of ourselves.

[snip]

I disagree with many of the president's policies, but I believe he is a patriot sincerely intent on using his time in office to advance our country's cause. I reject accusations that his policies and beliefs make him unworthy to lead America or opposed to its founding ideals. And I reject accusations that Americans who vigorously oppose his policies are less intelligent, compassionate or just than those who support them.

Our political discourse should be more civil than it currently is, and we all, myself included, bear some responsibility for it not being so.

McCain implicitly defends Palin in part of the op ed, expressing sympathy for her being trashed in the media without acknowledging her regular trashing of others. But he states those views in a non-abrasive way that doesn't insult my intelligence or my integrity. Nice to hear.