He just died, but the first name that came to mind was William Safire.
Originally posted by Wolf Meister:
" I respect Bob Dole and John McCain.
They are part of that dwindling conservative contingent that doesn’t embrace creationism.
I also admire them because they both have a commendable military record."
I am a conservative (non-creationist kind). But I really respect Daniel K. Inouye (Bioguide Search) Hey, the guy wanted to be a doctor but the enemy blew off his arm . . . . “OK, only one arm. . . . I guess I’ll go into politics instead of medicine.”
I always liked John McCain, and when it became clear he would be the GOP nominee, I was quite pleased. I couldn’t see myself voting for him, but I figured that no matter who won the election, the US would be in capable hands.
Like some other people have said, his selection of Sarah Palin as running mate pretty much killed that.
**T. Slothrop **
You chose Daniel K. Inouye as someone on the opposite political spectrum that you admire. Quite a good choice.
He was part of the Nissei Batallion, a group of Asian-American volunteers who fought in World War 2.
While I don’t exactly respect him, he plays too fast and loose with the facts a lot of times for my taste, I LIKE Micheal Moore. He is funny and amiable. Years ago, before all the controversy, he had a summer replacement series that was pretty darn good. And he makes a few good points.
I’ll go with my local Senator, Dick Lugar. Extremely rational, has made a few extremely non-partisan topics his main goals (like nuclear disarmament), takes a non-conservative approach to others (the farm bill and food assistance). He’s an extremely capable man I’m proud to vote for every 6 years.
I won’t back up Student Driver’s nomination of Mitch Daniels, though. I can’t stand that guy.
Michelle Bach- no, I can’t even say it as a joke.
But, despite the fact that I disagree with Bush, Sr. (#41) on almost everything and loathe his progeny with every fiber of my being, I think he himself is basically a good man, and I admire the hell out of him for his military service in WWII. Also from his era, James Baker, his SoS.
Bob Dole, too, for reasons previously stated.
Although I’m not in California, I don’t think I’d feel too bad being governed by Arnold Schwartz… Schwazer… Shwortzer…Schnauzer…
Does Bricker count as a pundit? Aside from the “I was thiiiiiis close to voting for the other guy!” self-deceit nonsense, he’s easily in the group of brightest Dopers, and his arguments sometimes make me reconsider my own positions. Can’t think of anyone on the right I respect more, unless we go back a few years to people like Bush I.
I listen to Michael Medved on the radio in the afternoons and usually respect his opinion even when I disagree with it (which is the norm). I only really start losing respect for him in a hurry when he starts throwing around the ridiculous term “IslamoNazis”. Frankly, he’s better than that.
The morning drive is spent listening to a local AM show (John & Sisco on 580AM Chicago) which is usually pretty good. Again, I often disagree with their assessment but they generally manage to talk about it without making the show about “Those liberals are all stupid”. I’ve actually e-mailed them a few times about topics they discussed that morning and always received fair responses.
Politican-wise, I respect McCain to a point though that luster was lost some when his campaign went off the deep end in attacks last fall. Even if he helped rein it in as some say, it was his campaign and he’s ultimately responsible. Locally, I might be tempted to vote for Mark Kirk for Illinois Senator if he’s up against Alexi Giannoulias. I’m not in love with Kirk but he has enough points for me to say “Ok, I can get behind that” that I might actually prefer him.
William F. Buckley could turn a phrase. I loved listening to him, unless he was debating Vidal, then it got childish.
Ron Paul is someone I disagree with on a lot of things, but I admire his conviction and consistency.
John McCain I had a lot of respect for up until the 2008 election. I would have been interested to see what his presidency would have been like, had he beaten out G.W. Bush for the 2000 nomination.
I liked McCain up until he whored himself out to the GOPs plan. You know, back when he was really a mav’rick. I can’t think of a single Republican or conservative commentator that I have any patience for.
I disagree with Joe Lieberman on just about everything, but I think he’s one of the most honest people in congress (not saying much, I know). Same goes – probably double on both scores – for Dennis Kucinich.
I think Jane Harman (D-CA) is a pretty straight shooter, as is James Coburn (R-OK), both of whom I have pretty big disagreements (but also some big agreements) with.
I find Mike Huckabee likable and fair, but I would never vote for him.
Among the pundit class, I really like Juan Williams, Christopher Hitchens and a number of other writers, most of which I agree with on some things, not on others.
Lewis Black. Though he’s an admitted socialist, he spares Democrats none of his wrath, either. And he’s funny as hell.
Not really to the question, but in Nebraska, the conversatives hate(d) Sen. Hagel and the liberals hate Sen. Nelson. As a liberal, I really did respect Hagel, and Senator Hair Helmet? Meh, at best.
Kay Bailey Hutchison.
I wish she wasn’t running for Texas Governor so she could run for President.
Dick Lugar is one of my senators, and I respect him a great deal. He’s level-headed, more so than nearly anyone else in DC. When every GOPster was pressured to speak out against health care and parrot the ridiculous scary “reasons,” he was careful to only say that it “wasn’t the right time.”
I once respected Bob Dole. He seemed solid, logical, and honest. He lost most of that respect when he became the chief obsructionist in the Clinton years, blocking everything just for the sake of blocking.
Years later, when he joined the chorus of the Swift Boat Liars, I knew he had thrown away all decency.
This is what I term the McCain effect - respect for any Republican on the SDMB is in inverse relation to his proximity to the White House. McCain was fine - until he ran for President.
For me, I liked Michael Kinsley. Joe Lieberman is a Democrat, but impressed me mightily during his VP run. Even more now that he has pissed off the lockstep loonies.
Regards,
Shodan
That’s because he veered distinctly to the right when he ran for President, and repudiated several previous stances.
Colin Powel, untill he started parroting Bush’s lies and thereby became “Colon” Powell. Ditto with McCain till '08.