# The New Yorker endorsement of President Obama **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [October 25, 2012, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-yorker-endorsement-of-president-obama/638865 "2012-10-25T20:31:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BigAppleBucky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigapplebucky/32/178_2.png) [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-yorker-endorsement-of-president-obama/638865/1 "2012-10-25T20:31:22Z")
A long thoughtful piece. It’s been out for several days, but is worth a reading. > **[The Choice](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2012/10/29/the-choice-8?mbid=social_retweet)** > > The choice is clear. President Obama has been progressive, competent, rational, decent, and, at times, visionary. Speaking of the president: > [@](#): > > Obama was determined to bring together warring tribes in Washington and beyond. He extended his hand to everyone from the increasingly radical leadership of the congressional Republicans to the ruling mullahs of the Iranian theocracy. The Republicans, however, showed no greater interest in working with Obama than did the ayatollahs. The Iranian regime went on enriching uranium and crushing its opposition, and the Republicans, led by Dickensian scolds, including the Senate Minority Leader, Mitch McConnell, committed themselves to a single goal: to engineer the President’s political destruction by defeating his major initiatives. Obama, for his part, did not always prove particularly adept at, or engaged by, the arts of retail persuasion, and his dream of bipartisanship collided with the reality of obstructionism. And speaking of the challenger: > [@](#): > > But holding foreign bank accounts is not a substitute for experience in foreign policy. In that area, he has outsourced his views to mediocre, ideologically driven advisers like Dan Senor and John Bolton. He speaks in Cold War jingoism. On a brief foray abroad this summer, he managed, in rapid order, to insult the British, to pander crudely to Benjamin Netanyahu in order to win the votes and contributions of his conservative Jewish and Evangelical supporters, and to dodge ordinary questions from the press in Poland. On the thorniest of foreign-policy problems—from Pakistan to Syria—his campaign has offered no alternatives except a set of tough-guy slogans and an oft-repeated faith in “American exceptionalism.” And conclusion: > [@](#): > > The reëlection of Barack Obama is a matter of great urgency. Not only are we in broad agreement with his policy directions; we also see in him what is absent in Mitt Romney—a first-rate political temperament and a deep sense of fairness and integrity. A two-term Obama Administration will leave an enduringly positive imprint on political life. It will bolster the ideal of good governance and a social vision that tempers individualism with a concern for community. Every Presidential election involves a contest over the idea of America. Obama’s America—one that progresses, however falteringly, toward social justice, tolerance, and equality—represents the future that this country deserves. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2012, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-yorker-endorsement-of-president-obama/638865/2 "2012-10-26T03:20:21Z")
It took them this long to endorse him? I thought the New Yorker had already endorsed the Democrat in the 2028 election. ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2012, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-yorker-endorsement-of-president-obama/638865/3 "2012-10-26T05:34:58Z")
If you ever doubt Joe Scarborough’s street cred as a tea party-watercarrier, see his interview with NYer editor re: this editorial, in which he attacks this man’s defense of the editorial with startling viciousness and contempt. I’ll see if it’s on You Tube. ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2012, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-yorker-endorsement-of-president-obama/638865/4 "2012-10-26T05:41:04Z")
[Link](http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/10/24/1149377/-Joe-Scarborough-Bullying-a-guest-at-its-finest-Video) ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2012, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-yorker-endorsement-of-president-obama/638865/5 "2012-10-26T06:26:15Z")
> [@BigAppleBucky](#): > > A long thoughtful piece. It’s been out for several days, but is worth a reading. > > [The Choice | The New Yorker](http://www.newyorker.com/talk/comment/2012/10/29/121029taco_talk_editors) > > Speaking of the president: > And speaking of the challenger: > And conclusion: Interestingly, the New Yorker’s long and thoughtful endorsements have always been the Democrat. What are the odds? ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2012, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-yorker-endorsement-of-president-obama/638865/6 "2012-10-26T06:35:15Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Interestingly, the New Yorker’s long and thoughtful endorsements have always been the Democrat. > > What are the odds? The odds against the GOP putting up a thoughtful, intelligent, consistent candidate who doesn’t pander to right wing lunatics? Pretty steep, I’d say. ---
**Author:** ![Randvek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a6a055/32.png) [@Randvek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Randvek)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2012, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-yorker-endorsement-of-president-obama/638865/7 "2012-10-26T07:07:59Z")
> [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](#): > > The odds against the GOP putting up a thoughtful, intelligent, consistent candidate who doesn’t pander to right wing lunatics? > > Pretty steep, I’d say. Maybe in 2028. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2012, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-yorker-endorsement-of-president-obama/638865/8 "2012-10-26T07:35:32Z")
> [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](#): > > If you ever doubt Joe Scarborough’s street cred as a tea party-watercarrier, see his interview with NYer editor re: this editorial, in which he attacks this man’s defense of the editorial with startling viciousness and contempt. I’ll see if it’s on You Tube. > [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](#): > > [Link](http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/10/24/1149377/-Joe-Scarborough-Bullying-a-guest-at-its-finest-Video) David Remnick comes across as a thoughtful, informed person. Joe Scarborough comes across as a douchebag spoiling for a fight. ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2012, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-yorker-endorsement-of-president-obama/638865/9 "2012-10-26T07:45:01Z")
> [@](#): > > Some, quite reasonably, are disappointed in his policy failures (on Guantánamo, climate change, and gun control); others question the morality of the persistent use of predator drones. And, of course, 2012 offers nothing like the ecstasy of taking part in a historical advance: the reëlection of the first African-American President does not inspire the same level of communal pride. But the reëlection of a President who has been progressive, competent, rational, decent, and, at times, visionary is a serious matter. Oh _really_? How the fuck is protecting torturers, prosecuting whistleblowers and fighting to indefinitely detain US citizens without trial “progressive” or “decent”? These are not policy failures, these are deliberate betrayals of what should be fundamental principles. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2012, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-yorker-endorsement-of-president-obama/638865/10 "2012-10-26T11:32:33Z")
I’m not overly surprised by the New York Times endorsement of Obama. I was surprised, however, by the [Salt Lake Tribune endorsement of Obama](http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/opinion/55019844-82/endorsement-romney-obama-president.html.csp). Are they a leftie paper? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2012, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-yorker-endorsement-of-president-obama/638865/11 "2012-10-26T13:38:28Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > I’m not overly surprised by the New York Times endorsement of Obama. No, this is _The New Yorker._ Magazine, not newspaper. > [@Gyrate](#): > > I was surprised, however, by the [Salt Lake Tribune endorsement of Obama](http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/opinion/55019844-82/endorsement-romney-obama-president.html.csp). Are they a leftie paper? I don’t think so, but they endorsed Obama in 2008. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2012, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-yorker-endorsement-of-president-obama/638865/12 "2012-10-26T13:48:43Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > No, this is _The New Yorker._ Magazine, not newspaper. Oops. Even less surprised, though. > [@](#): > > I don’t think so, but they endorsed Obama in 2008. Interesting. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2012, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-yorker-endorsement-of-president-obama/638865/13 "2012-10-26T15:08:48Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Interestingly, the New Yorker’s long and thoughtful endorsements have always been the Democrat. > > What are the odds? What is your point, precisely? Are you responding to the claim someone made that the New Yorker was a politically centrist magazine and that the fact that they chose to endorse Obama is evidence that Obama appeals to independent voters? Because you’re right, that is a somewhat relevant response… to a claim that no one in this thread made. If one of your favorite conservative thinkers writes a piece endorsing Romney that lays out the pro-Romney argument in what you think is a particularly succinct and elegant way, it’s entirely reasonable for you to link to that article and endorse its contents, and if you do, someone pointing out (the non-secret) that that’s a conservative thinker who presumably usually endorses the Republican is in no way relevant to the point you were attempting to convey. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2012, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-yorker-endorsement-of-president-obama/638865/14 "2012-10-26T16:51:03Z")
> [@Grumman](#): > > Oh _really_? How the fuck is protecting torturers, prosecuting whistleblowers and fighting to indefinitely detain US citizens without trial “progressive” or “decent”? These are not policy failures, these are deliberate betrayals of what should be fundamental principles. This is just the break the Nader campaign has been waiting for! ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2012, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-yorker-endorsement-of-president-obama/638865/15 "2012-10-26T17:38:59Z")
> [@MaxTheVool](#): > > If one of your favorite conservative thinkers writes a piece endorsing Romney that lays out the pro-Romney argument in what you think is a particularly succinct and elegant way, it’s entirely reasonable for you to link to that article and endorse its contents, and if you do, someone pointing out (the non-secret) that that’s a conservative thinker who presumably usually endorses the Republican is in no way relevant to the point you were attempting to convey. When do I ever do that? ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2012, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-yorker-endorsement-of-president-obama/638865/16 "2012-10-26T17:42:40Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > When do I ever do that? Maybe instead of saying, “What are the odds?” you could explain why your comment is relevant. Because I can’t come up with any way your comment is actually contributing to the discussion. Nobody here is expressing surprise that the New Yorker endorsed Obama. The news isn’t that they did so. The point is that it’s a (what word appeared in the OP?) thoughtful endorsement. In other words, rather than discuss the fact of the endorsement, this is a thread to discuss the content, and merit, of the endorsement. Edit: and because Bricker is certain to ask whether I’m being fair, I think it’d be better if everyone were talking about its content instead of horse-racing it. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2012, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-yorker-endorsement-of-president-obama/638865/17 "2012-10-26T19:30:29Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Maybe instead of saying, “What are the odds?” you could explain why your comment is relevant. Because I can’t come up with any way your comment is actually contributing to the discussion. Nobody here is expressing surprise that the New Yorker endorsed Obama. The news isn’t that they did so. The point is that it’s a (what word appeared in the OP?) thoughtful endorsement. > > In other words, rather than discuss the fact of the endorsement, this is a thread to discuss the content, and merit, of the endorsement. > > Edit: and because Bricker is certain to ask whether I’m being fair, I think it’d be better if everyone were talking about its content instead of horse-racing it. In your view, which of the posts thus far discusses “…the content, and merit, of the endorsement?” ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2012, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-yorker-endorsement-of-president-obama/638865/18 "2012-10-26T19:34:13Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > In your view, which of the posts thus far discusses “…the content, and merit, of the endorsement?” The OP. If your defense is, “but they started it!” you’re gonna make me go all third-grade-teacher on you. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2012, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-yorker-endorsement-of-president-obama/638865/19 "2012-10-26T19:39:33Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > The OP. If your defense is, “but they started it!” you’re gonna make me go all third-grade-teacher on you. Not really. OP quotes three passages, but apart from a general laudatory comment, does not discuss the merits in any kind of detail. The OP’s contribution boils down to, “I like what this guy says.” ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2012, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-yorker-endorsement-of-president-obama/638865/20 "2012-10-26T19:40:19Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Not really. OP quotes three passages, but apart from a general laudatory comment, does not discuss the merits in any kind of detail. The OP’s contribution boils down to, “I like what this guy says.” Do you disagree with specific parts of the endorsement? If so, which parts? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-yorker-endorsement-of-president-obama/638865.md?page=2)