Will the loser whining from Brooks on Obama never end? [updated]

OP-ED: Thinking About Obama, By DAVID BROOKS, New York Times, October 17, 2008

Along with his psychobabble analysis?

It's just pathetic. Now we're subjected to insinuations that Obama is emotionally retarded because he doesn't share McCain's freak-out nature.

Maybe, Dave, he's just one helluva lot more self-aware than you. Because while he controls himself well for all sorts of logical reasons, your columns get more fear-filled and hyperbolic by the day as the election draws near.

Brooks will be the new Krugman, and it will be an equally pathetic descent unless he reins it in.

(Thanks: Dan Hare)

Update: Tom's moderated his tone on this one: Going too harsh on Brooks

Comments

[Dirk]

Brook's McCain man-crush has clearly clearly entered its post rational phase.

[Gerry]

As a life long Republican and a long time addict of this blog, I'm a little dismayed at this post. I read the Brooks Op-Ed twice before this post and twice since and I can't see the emotionally retarded implication at all. If anything, his piece seems to carry a strong admiration for the calm cool thoughtful temperament of Obama, perhaps better than McCain's, with the caveat that sometimes you don't get a thinker and a doer in the same package. Will he stand up to Pelosi/Reid when he needs to, unlike Bush who rarely stood up against the excesses of his own party.

I've watched Brooks's analysis for sometime on PBS's News Hour and read many of his Op-Eds recently and find he is more likely to give credit where credit is due to opposing viewpoints than anyone of either left or right. This Op-Ed may go part way to sooth those on the right who are sure the apocalypse is coming if Obama wins.

I'm not sure who I'll vote for, but Obama scares me less than Pelosi/Reid.

[Jim Nutley]

Read your post before I read Mr. Brooks Op-Ed. Now that I've read both I believe your post is an over-reaction.

A bit less than half of the voting U.S. is desperate to believe in the Republican narrative. This post praises Mr. Obama on several points and postulates that he may be a fine president. If Mr. Brooks is in fact a Republican believer, this post is an example of the capitulation that will pave the way to a lower level of partisan competition (I dare not hope for cooperation).

I believe you've reacted to Mr. Brooks Op-Ed in an emotional vein. I recommend you pull back, observe the opportunities implied, and formulate a strategy to synchronize his compromises with your ambitions.

[Garrett]

I agree w/ Gerry. Seems like you (Tom) got a bit too offended with Brooks, or maybe read something that wasn't there.

[Tom Mull]

I have to say that I don't get Tom's beef with the article. It actually seems positive re Obama. I have to admit that I like psychobabble so I liked that part too. =)