The other side

Lately, every thread that gets started in the Alley usually degrades into a name calling fest in the vein of "my guy is better than your guy". Sides are taken, lines are drawn and the nastiness commences.

I'm hoping this thread will be a little different. I don't recall a thread like this before, but thought it would be an interesting concept.

Who on the other side of the political spectrum than your own do you admire? I have a feeling that there are many here who like no one from the other side, but I thought it would be fun to find out. It would also lend more credibility to those us who take definitive sides in all these political discussions.

And I'm hoping that this doesn't degrade into a negative thread.

So I'll start:

Alan Colmes-
Anyone who has the stomach to put up with Hannity's sometimes obnoxious and irritating style has got to have the patience of a saint. Alan is incredibly intelligent and persuasive. He never resorts to petty bomb throwing, and treats all of his guests with the same amount of respect and dignity. This man is a true patriot and quite passionate about his country and his politics. He has one of the most odd deliveries I've ever heard, but I really I appreciate his style. And he easily exposes Hannity for being the asshole that he is at times.

Sam Donaldson-
Don't know that I really have a lot to say about Sam. But he does have one of the most interesting voices on the air today. He is intelligent and well spoken and really gives you the impression that he truly believes everything that he says. A rare quality these days.

Congressman Anthony D. Weiner-
This guy is a total loon, but he has such a level headed approach that you can't help but like the guy. He is honest and isn't afraid to call things exactly as he sees them. This guy is no waffler.

Senator Zell Miller-
Ok, Ok, so he isn't really a democrat, but this guy just has a quality about him that just makes me sit and listen to him in awe. Truly a down home kind of guy, Zell kind of seems like some neighbor that you see while working out in the yard that you walk over and have a great conversation with. I think he would have made a fine President if it weren't for the fact that his own party can't stand him.




So? How 'bout the rest of youse?

[GoodSpeak]

Senator Robert Dole.

Why? Because as much as I disliked his politics, he was a guy who commanded respect from both sides of the isle and would do his damnedest to work out some kind of compromise. The man was a genius at finding a middle ground to all political difficulties.

Mike Chrisman.

A friend of mine and a member of The AH-nold's cabinet. He is a republican and former Under Secretary of Agriculture who remembers what the party USED to stand for and fights for the rights of all free men to voice an opinion....regardless of party affiliation. I'd vote for him in any election, for any office ANYwhere and on this or any other planet. He has my complete and undying respect....forever and always.

California State Senator/State Controller Bill Jones.

Though he was momentarilay blinded in the hate mongering 90s by the radical right shitheads of this state, he voted against Bush [then paid for it politically] and promised, then delivered a bipartisan body politic in this state. Against Senator Barbara Boxer, I'd vote Jones in a heartbeat.













Stop The Hate.

[al j]

I'm not on a side, unless you consider "Whitebread Anti-Globalization American Servicemen Who See No Immediate Hope for Their Children's Generation and Are Frustrated With American Foreign Policy" a side.

I confess to an admiration for Bill O'Reilly.

[crawjo]

I don't know what side I'm on, but since many people think or thought I was Republican, I'll admit to liking Hillary Clinton.

Why? She's incredibly intelligent, she's a good speaker, and I think her politics have become pretty practical. She got her nose dirty 11 years ago over health care, but has recovered nicely, I think.

[bluenoter]

Abraham Lincoln

I'll think harder.

Goodz, great post man!!!! Although a little bitter at times.

Joe, I like Bill. But being an Irishman(like myself)his temper and arrogance sometimes get the better of him(hmmmm, again, like me). But I do find him to be quite intelligent in an "everyday man" sort of way.

Crawjo, while I have no love for Mrs. Clinton, I agree. She is one of the most intelligent women on the face of the planet. She's driven, I really like that about her.

Rita, c'mon, play nice. I really hope that this thread will remain positive.

We don't seem to have enough of those here.

[bostontricky]

Given the current occupant of the corner office at the State House, I kind of miss Bill Weld...

(more later)

Oh, and Brother Goodz. I have to admit some surprise at your listing of Bob Dole.

I never thought he would make a good President, but he always did seem like a real down to Earth type, didn't he?

His appearance on Saturday Night Live is still one of the classics.

[moneyp]

I think both sides are about 30% truth and 70% bullshit. But hey, there is that 30%, right?

Thinking positive,
Moné

[bluenoter]

Originally Posted by Scott Dolan

Rita, c'mon, play nice. I really hope that this thread will remain positive.

What? What? Abraham Lincoln! You said, "I have a feeling that there are many here who like no one from the other side." Well, I may be one of them (except for Abe), but I'm thinking!

Aw Mone, c'mon, fess up.

[moneyp]

Originally Posted by Scott Dolan

Aw Mone, c'mon, fess up.

Okay. I like Abe, too.

Originally Posted by mone peterson

Okay. I like Abe, too.

Dirty bastard!!!

[crawjo]

Originally Posted by Scott Dolan

Oh, and Brother Goodz. I have to admit some surprise at your listing of Bob Dole.

I never thought he would make a good President, but he always did seem like a real down to Earth type, didn't he?

His appearance on Saturday Night Live is still one of the classics.

I liked Dole, too, but I never got the feeling that he actually wanted to be President. It felt more like his campaign was just the natural conclusion to his political career.

Other Democrats I admire: Joe Lieberman, Bill Richardson, Howard Dean (just for being blunt and stating what he thinks, even if I disagree with most of it), the late Daniel Patrick Moynihan.

[Tanager]

Richard Lugar
Charles McC. Mathias

[walto]

Repub. Sen. Richard Lugar (with Dem. Bob Graham, my favorite U.S. Senator.) Both intelligent, sensible, reasonably honest and forthright moderates.

BT: Weld was fun (Repo Man?!), but as a long-time Mass. employee, my favorite Gov. has been another Repub: Jane Swift. She introduced all the "family-friendly" stuff. Plus she was funny, self-deprecating, and, well...cute. Her staff (unlike Romney's) had a clue how gov't ran (without believing they already knew everything it was possible to know because they'd become rich in the PS), and made some important reforms without just turning everything upside down and shaking it to see what might happen. Too bad about the Swift/nanny stuff. Stupid, but it hardly made her the devil incarnate. OTOH, I suppose it's true that she was extremely lucky ever to have been gov. in the first place. Anyhow, the Romney gang dumped her like a rotten pear.

(BTW, I sent you a PM.)

[Tanager]

Walto, nice to see someone else on the Lugar train. I've long thought he'd make someone (of either party) a fine Secretary of State.

[Pete C]

I used to be a great fan of William F. Buckley's "Firing Line." As a moderator he was interested in civil, intelligent discourse with people of all ideologies.

[RBS]

John McCain -- more forthright than most politicians, and willing to lay it on the line. He has my respect.

Gerald Ford -- believe it or not. I saw him on an interview with Bob Costas years ago and was very impressed by his intelligence and compassion.

And Honest Abe.

[Uli]

Among the right, I admired Charles DeGaulle. Among the more benevolent dictatorial crowds, I still have a weak spot for Fidel.

[Root Doctor]

Bill Buckley was an early hero of mine. He was witty and usually gracious, plus he appreciated good writing and Rosalyn Tureck.

I also hold Richard Lugar in high regard. A sensible, knowledgeable guy, a real Republican. Bill Weld, too. You have to appreciate a man who was unafraid to have a few pops in public, particularly in an era of public faux piety.

Although an Englishman, I miss the late Auberon Waugh, who was wildly, brutally, often unkindly, funny.

[tippy]

Yeah John McCain is getting some good publicity particularly of late. He inspires hope.

[clinthopson]

From the past:
Abe Lincoln
Ben Franklin
Tommy Jefferson
Teddy R
FDR
HST
Hubert Humphrey
Earl Warren
Jacob Javits
Adelai Stevenson
Ike
Barry Goldwater (didn't agree with his politics but admired him as a man)
Danny Moynihan
Pat Brown

Current:
John McCain
Barbara Jordan
Mario Cuomo


A very thin field of candidates

Um, thats a nice list Clint. But how would Mario Cuomo qualify as being from the other side?

[Darryl G. Thomas]

John McCain
David Brooks
Lugar
Arlen Specter
Tom Kean
Susan Collins
Jim Leach
Jim Jeffords
Nancy Reagan

[clinthopson]

Originally Posted by Scott Dolan

Um, thats a nice list Clint. But how would Mario Cuomo qualify as being from the other side?

He's from New York, I'm in California.

Originally Posted by clinthopson

He's from New York, I'm in California.

Haha, good one!!

[Pete C]

Most of Clint's list is off the wall, unless he's interpreting "the other side" differently.

[Tanager]

Yeah, I forgot Arlen Specter - he's been fairly independent minded about "family values" issues.

[Pete C]

Originally Posted by Tanager

Yeah, I forgot Arlen Specter - he's been fairly independent minded about "family values" issues.

He lost my respect during the Clarence Thomas hearings.