Christopher Buckley Reaffirms Obama-Love On The Daily Show

Last night former National Review back-page columnist Christopher Buckley was on The Daily Show to promote his new book, Supreme Courtship, and talk about how he became the former National Review back-page columnist (i.e. he endorsed Barack Obama on The Daily Beast, people on the right went mental, NR subscribers called to complain, Buckley offered his resignation 'sincerely', and it was sincerely accepted by NR editor Rich Lowry. And thusly the son of the magazine's founder was, just like that, evicted from the magazine of his father's legacy. Drama!). Did he have any regrets? Did he do it just to sell some books? Nope, said Buckley - Obama was his guy. And that was how the Daily Show audience came to explode with applause for a conservative guest, maybe for the first time ever. Watch it here:

Comments

[Dist50Dem]

Sure, I've always liked Christopher Buckley's novels. Headed down to the library for every darn one. But then I turn around and find him on the only place I trust for news, The Daily Show. How's that for luck? The guy's intelligent, funny AND has a clue. Then, on "Buy a Ticket, Take the Ride", I hear his dad say that Chris is a fan of HST. And just in case that's not enough, he's also left behind the Catholic dogma. If I weren't currently alive, I'd say I was he, in a previous life. I love this guy!

[BluePrideSMW]

it reminds me that there IS an intelligent right... the religious zealots obscure them within their own party.

This is a special Moms Mabley version: Abraham, Martin & John
http://current.com/items/89450598_obama_08_abraham_martin_john

[Tommygun264]

I do not always agree with Chris Buckley and I almost never agreed with his father, but unlike most conservatives I have always respected them and found them entertaining. William F. Buckley Jr. always lead a spirited, often humorous debate without straying from the issue at hand, going for the cheap shot or muzzling his guests, because he always honestly believed what he was saying - he didn't create conflict for ratings. In short, the man had integrity and the courage of his convictions. Happily it appears that the apple has not fallen far from the tree where honesty, integrity and intelligence are concerned. I would very much like to see him have a show like his father's, but think PBS would be the best venue for a high-end show.

[SpeedTriple]

I saw this last night; I was really impressed by Buckley. He didn't seem to be coming hat-in-hand like McClellan did, because he'd been "kicked out" for his honesty and had no where else to go. Buckley seemed more like a man who is genuinely surprised that his party has been taken over by ideologically bankrupt demagogues.

I would contend that he needn't be surprised: I could see Bush coming miles away. But there is a part of me that is willing to concede of late that conservatives aren't the enemy; criminal conservatives are. Conservatives are just like us (meaning liberals/l­ibertarian­s/left-lea­ning): they care about their families, their society, their country. We just have different ideas of how to go about protecting those things we care about.

Any man who can stand up for his beliefs, examine his conscience(even in this late hour) and speak up against tyranny deserves my respect.

[RobinSeattle]

Hello MSNBC, You give Buckley a show. He's freaking hilarious! I don't care if I would disagree with most of his views. I used to watch Firing Line every weekend just to hear what his dad had to offer even if I was, and continue to be, way to the left of him.

This barnyard brand of conservatism we have now has to be stopped. You can only take so much of it before you say, "enough!"

I never thought that I would be nostalgic for William F. Buckley (he did, after all, start the Young Americans for Freedom, who are a pretty reprehensible bunch and who have been described as a right wing analog for the Yippies). But there you go.

[lovethesinner]

I didn't know that Christopher Buckley wrote "Thank You For Smoking". (If you haven't seen it... do)

What was most enjoyable about Buckley's endorsement was his reasoning. I always loved his father's ability to ARGUE. Not his logic, or his views, but his love of language and its purpose. Gore Vidal didn't make me LOVE LANGUAGE. I love to hear him speak, I agree with him completely­... but that's the point.

William F. Buckley made me love to think, to challenge, to listen carefully. And to do it with love, and to completely reject rancor or rejection. To make the discussion the goal, not a means to an end.

[JScott]

That's why no matter what pol persuasion the Buckley's are they will NEVER be on Fox News.

[poobah]

Maybe he should have said the fecal matter hit the rotating oscillator. Or was that Ann Coulter?

[ptarantino]

I'd like to hear him be serious & talk more about how he didn't leave the Republican party, it left him.

That's how I feel, but I bet his angle is unique

[twiggy2writes]

it's wonderful to have some many people rise to the occasion of "truth"vs fantasy.

i will buy his book and support him -

he stood by his convictions and should be rewarded for such.

and i'm sure it's a good read!

[madprogressive]

I have stated this before and I will state again, the Palin hysteria in the base of the Republican party says more about them than it does Palin. The rationalist in the Republican party; Buckley, Noonan, Parker, Brooks, are understanding of what this means to their party and what it means for the future of their party. To rational people, Palin is a joke. She is clearly well out of her league, and as she showed once again with her answer to the 3rd grader about the VP position, has no idea of what she is to do if elected, less more any idea of the Presidency. The moderates and rational conservatives see their party being taken over by the anti-intellectual crowd, as witnessed by their love of Palin. No logical, informed, educated person can state clearly Palin meets any standard of a VP, I would argue even a Governor. So what does this clearly say about the base of the Republican. They have been overtaken by the radical, anti-intellectual, right wing Christians, the people who are narrow minded and have no understanding of the complex world we live in and the problems facing America and the world from a National Security and Economic standpoint.

[jollyelle]

I wish you would send this to our local paper.....­...as a "letter to the editor" !!!!!! I love this paragraph!

[jOke]

i agree.. very good "paragraph­." i actually copied and pasted this, it was so good.

[Archivist1000]

I had a sad moment for Hillary the other day when she said (paraphrasing) that nobody should 'assume' anything .... a lesson she learned the hard way, to be sure!

Hillary understands that while a candidate can be the frontrunner for a long time, at the end of the day, all that really counts, is the VOTE .... it would be a shame if Obama supporters took victory for granted, and stayed home on November 4.

GO VOTE EARLY if you can .... but VOTE ! Take NOTHING for granted, it aint over 'till it's OVER ....

GO VOTE EARLY if you can ... you or someone you love might get sick on Nov 3 or 4 and you might be unable to go!

GO VOTE EARLY if you can .... there may be problems at the precincts .... don't be caught out !


GO VOTE EARLY if you can ... Obama has been working his butt off for 2 yrs, just for this one DAY .... don't let him down, when he needs YOU

GO VOTE EARLY if you can .... elections are won one vote at a time, and the result lasts 4 yrs!

[RobinLandseadel]

I gotta say, this Chris Buckley ain't no Neo-Con. I'm not even sure he's a Republican [leastaways not anymore]. Whatever he may or may not be, he is a gifted comedian, with a brilliant sense of timing. I'm really glad his endorsement of Obama has raised such a stink: it illuminates the corner the Republcans have painted themselves into like nothing else that's taken place this election cycle.

Goodnight, and thank you for smoking.

[JeremyO]

What happened to the William F Buckley (his poppy) types in the party, the conservative intellects? Where are the moderates, and the balanced budget Republicans, the ones who are fiscally aligned with the Blue Dog Democrats? Colin Powell is an example of a moderate Republican and he has pretty much been pushed out of the GOP. The lunatic fringe is now in the drivers seat it would appear.

[Megaflow]

I think the problem is that as the Repubs have become radical anti-intellectuals, there is simply no room for intelligent conservative minds in the party. This is exactly HOW the "party left him", rather than him leaving the party. Buckley - and increasingly more thoughtful conservatives - have found that they are no longer wanted by a party built on class-war, willful ignorance, hatred and mooseburgers.

[BillORights1776]

Actually, I think it's more that the power in the party has the inteligence, and they believe they can use the dumb to get them power.

Cheney, for all his faults, ain't dumb. Nor do I think McCain is.

However, somewhere along the line they forgot that the dumb is supposed to be the fuel of the R-Car...no­t the engine, and thus we have Moose Girl.

[payos]

Well, let's not forget that his poppy, the wonderful Wm Buckley, intellectual though he was, was also a r@c1St of the first rank, a man who believed the White R@ce was superior to any other.

[LiquidJak]

Which sadly, was a view held by many intellectuals of the day.

[Progress08]

The sad part is that not only did WFB feel that way, but he knew it was a really powerful political tool which he encouraged the Repubs to use.

[nellie]

William F. Buckley may have had a wonderful vocabulary, but intellectually he was thoroughly bankrupt.

[tedbear]

I think Buckley came off pretty good. I remember his father, and am glad to see the son is more "human" in public appearances. Some of what he said was really funny coming from a person one might think is too "high-brow­." Of course, I am soooo delighted he has broken ranks and come over the clear thinking Obama supporters!!!!

[PeepingTom]

Saw it. Glad he sees the light. But he's awfully annoying.

But he says the exact same thing on every talk show, about how "be careful about offering your resignation to your publisher, they just might take you up on it." heh heh

And how he tries to be oh-so cutely behind on technology, and "oh, what's it called, a blog? Is that what they're calling it these days?"

The first time I heard that, I bought it. Days later? Tell me this guy doesn't know what a blog is, even after he wrote on one.

[JScott]

Jeez he's doing a press tour for his book, so if you see his appearances on several chat show that's what you get. You can be he'd be tired of repeating all that stuff all the time too.
Ya know it's just like a rock band touring, they play the same songs every night at different venues, I'll be they get pretty sick of that after a while.