While I think Conservatism is backwards and hurting our nation and a DEAD political movement, Brooks has another take on it. While I disagree with him on conservative principles, he is very measured. The irony of his short speech is it could have easily been made by a liberal. When he quoted James Baldwin at the end that is all I needed to know about a guy who struggles with his political leanings;
This debate between Baldwin and Buckley is worth the watch, Baldwin destroys Buckley and Conservatism, it is so brilliant, I often tell fellow progressives if you are feeling down about your political leanings just watch this debate, you will feeling better in a matter of minutes.
One of the more interesting moments was when Baldwin quoted JFK saying we will have a black president in 40 years (2005). Pretty crazy that Obama was inaugurated in 2008, only 3 years after the prediction. I think Baldwin said it best, ‘I guess a black man as president is not good enough until 40 years from now.’