David Brooks, "Pundit Under Protest": You Doth Protest Too Much

In his latest New York Times op-ed entitled "Pundit Under Protest" (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/14/opinion/14brooks.html?_r=1&ref=opinion), David Brooks bemoans the state of the union as we approach the 2012 U.S. presidential election:

"The election is happening during a downturn in the economic cycle, but the core issue is the accumulation of deeper structural problems that this recession has exposed — unsustainable levels of debt, an inability to generate middle-class incomes, a dysfunctional political system, the steady growth of special-interest sinecures and the gradual loss of national vitality."

Agreed.

Mr. Brooks also observes that he would favor a pro-market, pro-government Hamiltonian alternative to the tired, unsavory fare being offered to voters and concludes:

"In 2012, on the other hand, we’re going to see another clash of the same old categories. I’ll be covering it, but I protest."

David, your protest has been registered, but . . .

I find it appalling that the Republican Party is unable to offer any viable candidates capable of shaking up the status quo, unless Paul Ryan changes his mind and makes a bid for the presidency.

On the other hand, should Obama be reelected, I question whether we will be seeing more of the same. Has he indeed moved to the center, or, given another four years and unshackled by the need to be reelected, might he resort to the radicalism of those with whom he associated in years past?

There is more at stake than meets the eye.