Hat tip to Tyler Cowen .

Ben Casnocha summarizes a speech by the NYT's David Brooks. See link for Quick Time video version of speech.

* "I'll be brief because many of you are academics, and you're not here to hear me talk, you're here to hear yourselves talk."
* He likes Edmund Burke.
* People learn when there's an emotional connection.
* All factions of conservative movement united around distrust of government - this ain't enough.
* Obama's perceptiveness / self-awareness / stability is striking.
* McCain's morality is based on honor, not morality. #1 trait is aloofness - somewhat detached personality.
* Conservatism shouldn't have permanent policies (like tax cuts): don't get moral about a situational policy issue.
* Conservatism is about not knowing much; modest about what we can know/do.
* Conservatism is philosophy first, policy second. Liberalism is policy first, philosophy later.
* Conservatism values social mobility more than equality.
* Top issues in the election: bipartisanship, immigration, healthcare.
* People aren't solely self-interested economic rational creatures. If this were the case, why would 30% of students drop out of high school even though it's econ ruinous to do so?
* What's the point of being a democrat if you can't play the class card?
* Bush seems 40 IQ points smarter in private than in public.

Well, OK. To me, Brooks is a mixed bag. Sometimes I agree, sometimes not. And at times, even when I agree, I still disagree and vice-versa. I dunno.

Says Cowen:

I agree with many of these, although I am not sure that conservatism puts philosophy first. Does it not put experience first? Also, I think the main issue in the election is George W. Bush.

Perhaps. Personally, I think it's going to be mainly about gas prices/economic problems and assessing blame...and the war secondly. That doesn't mean I think it should be about that but that's just my take on the pulse of the nation...for better or worse.

But then again, what should we expect? Political satirist PJ O'Rourke has this to say hehehehe:

All politics stink. Even democracy stinks. Imagine if our clothes were selected by the majority of shoppers, which would be teenage girls. I'd be standing here with my bellybutton exposed. Imagine deciding the dinner menu by family secret ballot. I've got three kids and three dogs in my family. We'd be eating Froot Loops and rotten meat.

But let me make a distinction between politics and politicians. Some people are under the misapprehension that all politicians stink. Impeach George W. Bush, and everything will be fine. Nab Ted Kennedy on a DUI, and the nation's problems will be solved.

But the problem isn't politicians -- it's politics. Politics won't allow for the truth. And we can't blame the politicians for that. Imagine what even a little truth would sound like on today's campaign trail:

"No, I can't fix public education. The problem isn't the teachers unions or a lack of funding for salaries, vouchers or more computer equipment The problem is your kids!"

Hehehe, Oh, PJ. You're such a card....

Again, hat tip to MR .