THE PALEOCRAT TRIBUNE

My e-mail has been flooded with people wondering whether or not I will be voting for John McCain today. Some are recklessly sensationalistic, calling a vote for anyone other than McCain a vote for the culture of death. Others are more reasonable, but even these tend to be riddled with partisan devotion.

Then there came a phone call from a fellow on YouTube that I plan to meet up with at Congressman Tim Walberg’s victory party at Daryl’s Downtown in Jackson, MI sometime around 9:00 p.m. He brought to my attention an old Paleo Radio segment later turned into a YouTube video entitled “I Will Not Vote McCain.”

The question: Do you still stand by the declaration you made in early March of 2008?

To say that I was taken back by the question, or of even having been reminded of the video, would be an understatement. There may have been another individual who brought up a similar remark, but I am at a loss say one way or another. Still, the question was asked, and I was left having to answer.

My response was manifold.

First of all, I have decided since the primary that I would not publicly endorse any candidate, whether that be local, state, or national. Partisanship in the media is rampant, and it has been my conviction that endorsements from members of the media do more harm than good.

People have come to see the news through the red and blue lenses. The “mainstream media,” whether it be newspapers or television, is considered to be in the pocket of the Democrat Party. Talk-radio is considered to be a stronghold for the Republican party. Consequently, the tendency is to rely on one medium for news and commentary.

The results have been disastrous. Point-Counterpoint news programs, the blurring of commentary and hard-news, as well as the politicizing of what can or cannot be aired is just the tip of the iceberg. Belloc’s book entitled “Free Press” is sadly prophetic on these points.

Most importantly, and intimately connected with the aforementioned reasons, is my wish to be judged on the merits of my reporting and analysis rather than my party affiliation or public endorsements. It wouldn’t be hard to imagine people abandoning my blog or radio program on account of a public endorsement. On the other hand, it would be hard to fathom many people tossing me to the wind because I would prefer to endorse ideas rather than people, enabling the readers and listeners to vote in a way that is both well-informed and free from partisan allegiances.

But none of this answers Joe’s question. Will I be casting my vote for McCain today? Watch the video. Go back and read my material. And, if you are a betting man, take a guess. But know that what is done in that ballot box will stay in that ballot box.