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Just 213 Days To Go: The Simplicity of the Nuance Defense

By Mark Grueter

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“Firmness in decision is often merely a form of stupidity. It indicates an inability to think the same thing out twice.”   - H.L. Mencken

In the 1920’s Mencken coined the term “booboisie” to describe ignorant Americans - a term that can now aptly be used to describe rabid supporters of President Bush. This group is primarily made up of the Bible-thumpers, Nascar fans and cheap businessmen scattered about the country, but residing primarily in the south and midwest, in rural areas. These people read little beyond local news, sensational magazines and, perhaps, Sean Hannity books and the Drudge Report. These are, of course, generalizations, partly unfair, but true in essence. And I know, because I’m one of them.

It’s not a great secret that we live in a divided country; cultural wars are being fought on several fronts, the latest manifestation is the “debate” over gay marriage. The ongoing contest between Bush and John Kerry reflects this divide rather well I think.

Just look at how Bush and his ilk attack Kerry. First, Bush says that Kerry flip-flops on the issues, that he plays the role of both conservative and liberal wherever it suits him. “Senator Kerry has been in Washington for so long he’s managed to be on both sides of almost every issue.” Then his handlers flood the media with dark reports of how Kerry has “the most liberal voting record in the Senate.” More liberal than even (can you hardly believe it?) Ted Kennedy. Do I have to explain how these two angles of criticism cancel each other out? Which is it, Dubya? Is Kerry a hardcore, principled socialist or is he a gutless, cynical opportunist? Go on, take it both ways.

One ridiculous argument being whispered lately is that John Kerry is somehow incapable of leadership because he cannot explain his position on Iraq in two sentences (or whatever) - r his position on any other issue for that matter. Also, the fact that John Kerry has modified some of his views over the last twenty or thirty years suggests, not that he’s some sort of swindler, but that he’s open-minded and willing to grow and adapt. The fact that Bush (or someone like Noam Chomsky for that matter) has never altered his views is evidence of either stupidity or insanity.

Furthermore, Kerry’s explanation of his vote in favor of the infamous resolution that Bush exploited to invade Iraq has always struck me as entirely credible. But because Kerry doesn’t typically explain issues in black and white terms he’s painted as a waffler, a hopeless compromiser, and, for many on the left, a sellout or a pseudo-liberal. Lost on these critics, is, of course, an appreciation for and in some cases an awareness of, the term ‘nuance.’

There is something reassuring and also romantic about taking hard, clear, passionate and sometimes extreme positions on the issues. But there is also something dangerously naïve and reckless about it. It is no coincidence that Fascists are more likely to transform into Marxists than to political moderates, or the other way around. These people on the hard Left and the hard Right are so goddamn sure of themselves and their possession of The Truth that they've blinded themselves to reality. Little do they know that common sense tells those of us who exist outside of their respective cults that these fanatics are almost certainly, if not psychotically, wrong.

Bush can rally his base because, unlike his father, he’s not a pussy - he doesn’t mess around with cowardly things like bipartisanship and intellectual modesty. Meanwhile, Kerry faces a Leftist challenge from Nader because the Massachusetts senator is evidently not sufficiently pure on issues that concern Ralph. This is all old hat though, a story that never goes away. There is a fine line between sticking to your guns on the issues and making an ass of yourself, just as there is a fine line between being pragmatic and compromising to a point where little to nothing is accomplished in the way of reaching your ideals. I’ve always favored confrontation over compromise myself, so it pains me this year to recognize the limits to this approach.

And it is not nearly as fun to be a boring, political centrist, particularly when you hold many radical views yourself. So I’ll be voting for Kerry in November, even though my views are probably more in line with Nader’s. I’ll do so not because Kerry agrees with me that religion is evil, that marriage is a failed, antiquated institution soon to be overshadowed by civil unions for all, or even that health care and higher education should be free for all citizens. I support Kerry simply because he’s closer to me on those and other issues than Bush is, and he will - and this is the bet - do much more to fortify my own beliefs and values if elected; ideas that I believe, if implemented, would be beneficial not necessarily to me, but to the country as a whole. I also think Kerry is a man of character, unlike, say, Bill Clinton. And for me, Kerry’s personality is much more attractive than, say, Al Gore’s (Personality and character should not be trivialized as non-substantive reasons for deciding on a candidate, by the way).

This practical position I’ve taken has emerged after ten years of flirting with and often adopting almost every extreme and eccentric position on the map. Ideas are powerful and intriguing, especially for the young, impressionable mind, and I still think there’s something appealing about Bush’s Fuck You attitude, Nader’s ideological rigidity, or even Buchanan, the anachronism/historical curiosity. But ultimately, aren’t we responsible, as citizens, for making the decisions that we honestly believe are best for the country, for the American people as a whole, and for the world? 9/11 reminded me that presidential races are not abstract or irrelevant contests. I’m certainly not the first person to say this, but this election offers the American voter a historic and clear choice between two individuals who will take the country and the world in two completely different directions.

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Mark Grueter is a writer living in New York City.  He may be contacted at [email protected].

© 2004 Me Three