Conservatives Turn Intelligent

Though I'm always wary of being too optimistic, especially in times when people are talking of a second Great Depression and without irony, I think McCain may have truly set himself back a bit this week. His "suspension" of his campaign seems to not have accomplished what he hoped; he will be appearing tonight at the first presidential debate; and Sarah Palin is losing a bit of her charm now that the novelty is wearing off and people are actually listening to her in interviews.

This has become evident by an increase in op-eds written by conservatives this week. It's exactly what we need to be seeing: People going beyond party lines, unafraid of being called "flip-floppers," realizing that we are in a dire situation and it's critical to make the right choice in November, no matter how uncharacteristic it may feel. This is not your average election, and we as a people need to look beyond black and white, red and blue.

Here are two enlightening pieces, one by former proclaimed Palin supporter and conservative columnist Kathleen Parker, who, after seeing Palin's recent TV appearances, has enlisted her intelligence and openmindedness to allow her to retract her support.

The other is from Wick Allison, lifelong conservative and editor in chief of D Magazine. Yes, the D is for Dallas, and yes, that is in Texas. But he begins by saying "Barack Obama strikes a chord with me like no political figure since Ronald Reagan. To explain why, I need to explain why I am a conservative and what it means to me."

Somehow, in the delusional political climate of the last decade, Americans were taught that voting for or agreeing with one thing and later changing your mind is a bad thing.

It is never wrong to critically reconsider something and decide what you think is right. Circumstances change; and the ability to recognize that and take action for what you believe in is far more important than stubborn, detrimental commitment.