I embrace The New York Times’ increasing, but undeclared, status as a public relations arm of the Democratic Party. The paper’s politics are screwy—it’s likely that few remember its strange January 20th, 2020 twin endorsement of Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Elizabeth Warren—but all it takes is a spread-out map (of the old AAA vintage) and within 15 minutes of so, a reader can get the gist. Best of all: the Times’ positions are subject to change, which means that it’s better than the (paywalled) Wordle, with a new puzzle every two months. As the colloquialism goes (but probably not used by Times editors, leaving it for “ordinary” people like me), more fun than a barrel of monkeys!
A quibble, but I don’t embrace the Times’ refusal to fire or suspend reporters and columnists for willful dissemination of erroneous information. It’s a long list, but the star of the show today is op-ed writer Nicholas “Dog Rape” Kristof, who not only gets away with embarrassing sanctimony, antisemitism (granted, not unusual for the paper that’s now copied the early-Rolling Stone slogan, “All the news that fits”) and little coverage of his failed 2022 Oregon gubernatorial campaign, scuttled because he didn’t meet the residency requirement.
On August 22nd, Kristof all but endorsed Kentucky’s Gov. Andy Beshear for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination. The long and messy hummer probably didn’t elicit cries from the Beshear camp of, “We won the Kristof primary!” but it’s not like Andy and His Gang will complain. (Kristof also tossed an already-gnawed bone to Georgia’s newly-combative Sen. Jon Ossoff, but failed to mention that Ossoff and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shaprio aren’t allowed to even scratch & sniff the nomination because they’re Jewish, and in today’s DSA-infused Democratic politics—so pervasive that Chuck Schumer, a Jew, has embraced U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan—that’s five leagues beyond verboten.)
The headline of Kristof’s mash note is, “Is Andy Beshear of Kentucky the Next Bill Clinton?” and I’d counter that question with another one: Why would anyone—including Democrats—want another Bill Clinton? He explains: “I am drawn to a politician with a knack for speaking, as Clinton did, to ordinary Americans about their daily challenges and how he is going to make things better.” What horseshit, and I’ll note that in 2009, Clinton praised Kristof for “his work with poor people around the world…. I am personally in his debt, as are we all.”
Clinton was a brilliant politician, but there’s no evidence he gave a shit about “ordinary Americans.” Never mind his litany of personal indiscretions, Clinton in his two terms pandered to the public, “felt their pain,” “honored their sacrifices,” and then did whatever was necessary to win a second term. I can’t stand the guy, but ask former Labor Secretary Robert Reich about his stint with Clinton (resigning after the ’96 election, Reich said the Democrats were “owned by business”).
Beshear, says A Little Trick With Nick, is “intelligent, well spoken, telegenic… [and] possesses a certain magnetism, without quite the dazzle of Clinton or the obvious [not to me] intellect of Barack Obama.” But in 2028, again, when Jews aren’t allowed on the Democratic ticket, Kristof magnifies the New York hustler Al Sharpton (Tawana Brawley, Crown Heights) who, like Trump, was able to turn his liabilities into assets. (In 1992, it was inconceivable to me, a New Yorker, that decades later Sharpton would not only play a kingmaker, but also weigh about 125 pounds. On that latter score, I’ll take Al Roker any day).
Kristof: “When the Rev. Al Sharpton invited potential Democratic candidate to New York in April to speak to a largely Black audience convened by his civil rights group, Beshear stood out. Connecting with Black voters [so sorry, Sir Mayor Pete] will be crucial in the Democratic primaries, so Beshear could have an advantage there and in the fact that the party has decided that its first 2028 primary will be in South Carolina.”
Hoo boy. I’m open to presidential candidates of both parties in less than two years—I like Josh Shapiro, can’t stand J.D. Vance and Marco Rubio’s fine—but Beshear already has three liabilities: Kristof’s enthusiasm, Sharpton’s lack of dismissal and his draconian stance on Covid in Kentucky in 2020, when he encouraged citizens to report the license plate numbers of neighbors caught going to church for Easter services. Beshear, son of a former Kentucky governor, and worth about $5 million (not disqualifying), is a litmus-test Democrat but how he squares with the Party’s new “base” is a big question.
Kristof’s one glossed-over beef with Beshear: “He has little background in foreign affairs, and in our conversation he was weakest when I asked him about the Middle East and arms sales to Israel; his answer was earnest but murky.” That aside, Kristof, The Many of Many Passports, is enthused about Beshear because of his alleged appeal to “working-class” voters who can win swing states.
In the meantime, I’m waiting for his colleagues Michelle Cottle and Michele Goldberg for their unofficial endorsements. Early betting here is AOC, but I wouldn’t rule out Al Sharpton, who shed another five pounds while I wrote this.
The accompanying picture was taken decades ago in my family’s living room in Huntington, New York. I don’t remember who’s holding me, I assume a neighbor, but do spy the dog Plut on the edge. That wallpaper is really ugly, as is the lamp (which might fetch $400 on eBay today), but I love the clock on the table at the left.
Take a look at the clues to figure out the year: Work on the M1, Britain’s first full-length motorway begins; the Church of England gives its “moral” blessing to family planning; the first Miss United Kingdom beauty pageant is held in Blackpool; a Cod War breaks out between the UK and Iceland breaks out; Jools Holland is born and Julia Lennon dies; the Los Angeles Dodgers finish at 71-83; Ernie Banks has most homers (47) in the National League; The Bridge on the River Kwai wins Best Picture Oscar; Have Gun, Will Travel debuts on the radio; Charles de Gaulle is Time’s Man of the Year; the Iranian government bans rock ‘n’ roll; major record labels phase out 78’s; and Dr. Seuss’ Yertle the Turtle is published.
—Follow Russ Smith on Twitter: @MUGGER2023