Hollywood conservatives: Abandoning McCain? Part 2

Four years ago, in the days leading up to the 2004 Bush vs. Kerry election, I staged a debate between a Hollywood liberal and a Hollywood conservative in one of the back rooms of the Sony commissary. As they say at the U.N., they had a frank exchange of views; the charges and countercharges were flying. And even though I'm a liberal, I have to admit that if I were scoring it like a heavyweight fight, I'd have to say--perhaps as a portent of things to come that year--that the conservative won by a knockout.

The conservative was Michael De Luca, a former production chief at New Line who's now an independent producer, having made such recent films as "Ghost Rider" and "The Love Guru." Born in a working class neighborhood in Brooklyn, De Luca had been a moderate Democrat until the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers. The muscular Republican response to terrorism won him over, prompting him to pick Bush over Kerry in 2004. He's also been a longtime admirer of John McCain. But no longer.

"I'm inching toward Obama," he told me today. "There isn't anything unique about me. If you look at what Colin Powell has said and Peggy Noonan and Christopher Hitchens, you'll see this is a bigger thing with people who believe in the ideals of the Republican party, but are disgusted by what's happened during the past four years. After the Justice Department scandal, the Katrina [mess] ups, the Plame scandal, all of the catering to the religious right, this is about the narrowing of appeal for the entire Republican party. It feels like a collapse of a conservative movement that goes all the way back to Barry Goldwater. It's a perfect storm that is driving moderates like myself out of the party."

Like producer Eric Gold, the onetime McCain supporter who announced his support for Obama this morning, De Luca isn't starry-eyed about the Democratic challenger. "But after watching the debates, I think Obama has the temperament to sit in the Oval Office, which isn't something you feel as sure about with McCain. I worry that McCain today is more in league with the lunatic fringe of the right than Obama is with the lunatic fringe of the left."

De Luca certainly hasn't been swayed to Obama by any of his Hollywood liberal pals. Au contraire. "All they do is scream about Sarah Palin. I'm sure they'd happily embrace a socialist government. They basically have the Janeane Garofalo point of view, which seems to be that Republicans should be put in jail for being Republicans." He laughs. "I keep telling 'em, 'Shut up! If you want my vote, don't open your mouth. I'm almost there.' "

Having had a number of lively political debates with De Luca over the years, I asked him to write an essay about his anguish over this election. Call it "The Thoughts of a Conflicted Conservative." It's a good read, especially for Hollywood liberals who live in such an insular lefty world that they rarely get to hear a thoughtful conservative point of view. Here's De Luca's take on why he's having trouble sticking with the GOP ticket:

As much as I’ve been impressed by Barack Obama’s ascension, I was sure that this year would be an easy call for me. McCain would have been my choice in 2000 had he survived the South Carolina bloodbath and won the nomination, and I was looking forward to having a chance to vote for him this time around. Then a funny thing happened on the way to the election. The McCain of 2000 vanished, and the man on the left who was supposed to stand for a new kind of politics proved he could pander with the best of them, in a decidedly old style of politics. Where to go now? What to do? Anguish has set in.

After the incompetence and cronyism of the last four years, fours years that I admittedly voted for, I swore to myself that this time I would be extremely well versed in all the issues and every candidate’s positions. I watched every single primary debate on both sides, I’ve read every op-ed piece, seen every pundit, heard every radio talk show host and devoured issue after issue of the Economist and Foreign Affairs. Through it all I’ve watched McCain 2008 with increasing alarm. The move to the hard right, that convention, the stutter-step on the economic crisis, the robo-calls, Palin’s positions and lack of gravitas, they’ve all stopped me in my tracks. There’s something more emotional than policy at work on me here. It may be shallow, but it’s affecting my gut and it has to do with the “type” of leader these men are revealing themselves to be. Disappointingly partisan and not transformative  or maverick enough by half.

Obama’s initial painting of McCain as out of touch and caught in a perpetual “senior moment” insulted my intelligence and offended my sense of fairness, as has McCain’s shocking effort to paint Obama as anti-American. When I want to believe the myth of “Obama the messiah,” he opens his mouth and sounds an awful lot like the hell-spawn of Jimmy Carter and George McGovern. When I want to believe in the McCain of 2000, the man who decried the “agents of intolerance,” he then goes out and seeks their endorsements. Like many Americans, I operate out of a base of centrist common sense. It makes sense to me to not raise corporate taxes in the middle of a recession if you want to protect job creation and lower the risk of inflation. It makes sense to me not to give tax refunds to people who pay no income tax. It makes sense to me to not afford regimes like Iran the same treatment you’d give countries like the former Soviet Union.

On the other hand, common sense also tells me it is blasphemous to threaten something as sacred as the U.S. Constitution by suggesting we use it to deny people equal rights on the basis of sexual orientation. Common sense tells me it’s about time the right stops calling evolution a “theory.” It’s not. Common sense tells me not to trust the government to get between a woman and her doctor on reproductive rights, nor to trust it with the power of life and death in the form of the death penalty. I want the government to keep its boot off my neck, hands out of my pocket, eyes out of my bedroom, I want it to keep the playing field fair so people can achieve and not just collect handouts, and I want it to keep us safe. That’s it. That’s a common sense role for government. Where’s that candidate?

Neither of these guys offers that kind of balance. Obama engages in class warfare and McCain engages in cultural warfare and the rhetoric pisses me off. When did working for a corporation mean you’re less of a “true American” than being a construction worker? How can Obama criticize Palin for her “Real America” comments when he indulges in the same kind of divisive rhetoric, only over class and not culture? How is Obama claiming that blue-collar Americans are more American than white-collar Americans different than Palin telling me that the people I grew up around in Brooklyn, N.Y., are not as patriotic as rural, small town voters. What happened to “E Pluribus Unum”? “Out of many, one.” Ignoring that creed, the candidates divide and divide and divide us.

Obama’s camp belittles Palin’s small-town experience, McCain’s camp belittles Obama’s community organizing. Obama ridicules “Joe the plumber,” McCain’s camp accuses Obama of literally paling around with terrorists. One side mocks traditional values, the other side mocks excellence itself, as if being well educated and well spoken were somehow anti-American traits. The demagoguery on both sides has turned what should have been an easy call for me into something of a horse race. For all the independents out there who are socially progressive but fiscally conservative and strong on defense, the pandering on both sides turns us all off. The left continually forgets that it is the dream of most poor people to become rich, not to resent the rich, and the right keeps mistaking the role of government for the role of a  repressed headmaster at some kind of morality-camp boarding school.

I am deeply offended by the empty and shameful theatrics of the Terri Schiavo episode, as well as the betrayal of the taxpayer that went on during the 2000 and 2004 defense of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae by Barney Frank and his ilk. Maybe it is unrealistic of me to be a pro-choice, pro-school voucher, anti-affirmative action, pro-business, pro-environment, pro-gay marriage, anti-death penalty, pro-globalization, pro-universal health care, pro-tax cuts, anti-pork barrel spending, pro-war on terror Republican, but that’s where I am.

I’m going with whatever party comes closest to that common sense center and so far in this election neither has come anywhere near it. It’s all class warfare and cultural warfare. Will Obama be able to resist the Pelosi/Reid agenda once he’s bestowed with democratic majorities in both houses? Can he keep an eye on a second term and posterity rather than an extremist legislative initiative? Bush couldn’t. Will McCain reach across the aisle and buck his party as he did on immigration reform and campaign finance? Will the spirit of the eminently sensible “gang of 14” prevail or will he owe payback to the extremist base that put him in office?

I want to believe in both men, but I have to pick one, yet they both continue to pander. Obama on class, McCain on culture. Don’t we deserve better? Where is our President for ALL the people. This year, in this election, with American seen in the world the way it has been for the last eight years, with a dependence on foreign oil that MUST be broken, and with a seemingly never ending fight against violent extremism threatening to stretch across half this new century, it may be time to turn the page.

It’d be easier if they just stop picking on Joe the Plumber.

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Los Angeles Times photo of Michael De Luca

Comments

[Amy]

Quite a thoughtful analysis by DeLuca. I find myself in a similar position as a fiscal conservative/social liberal moderate--whatever you want to call me. After being for most of Ron Paul's ideals during the primary and being disappointed by his marginalization and outright mockery, I've done a lot of research and a lot of thinking and decided on Barack Obama about a week ago. Another nail in the coffin for McCain was Palin's mockery of research into autism. I'm a scientist and am absolutely mortified by her backwards view on science, technology and, to a lesser extent, on the environment. Another factor is that my mother is just about to retire and we simply can't keep spending money overseas when we need it here. It's selfish, in a sense, but I do occasionally look out for my own interests.

Thankfully, I'm not surrounded by shrill, thoughtless Hollywood types to sway me either way.

[Janig Epstein]

I don't quite understand why you think Obama denigrates the well educated and ambitious when he obviously enchants college students. How is this class warfare. The well-heeled did VERY well under Clinton and have had two hard bumps under Bush. Why are you afraid that a Democratic administration will harm your economic future? And if it doesn't, why are you so concerned that some 'undeserving' lower class person might benefit as well? The Republicans have had 8 years to run things and have pretty much run the country into the ditch. Considering at least half of your pros are in line with Democratic policies, I would think it would be an easy decision. You think it is hard to listen to overzealous liberals. I am sick of watching our institutions, from the civil service to the FBI treated as the private playground of Bush and his cronies. I try to respect all people and assume that they want the best for this country. But unlike Alan Greenspan, I am not shocked to find that some folks don't KNOW their best interest and therefore can't act on it. Fortunately there is still enough democracy left in this country to allow the people to yank the reins of power out of their hands and try something else. Democrats had to swallow a questionable election that has led to another election which I dare say many people like you would like to replay. Think about that when you are irritated at their ranting.

[alex]

It's a good read to see the views of a moderate who is relatively well-informed about politics and economics, but whose views are ultimately based on "common sense." He seems misinformed on a few issues, but it's nice to see that the man is thinking.

That said, he voted for Bush in 2004. Not 2000, but 2004. Enough said about his judgment.

[Shelley]

Thank you for this article! This is one of the most refreshing and honest articles that I have read about our candidates for a while. I can really relate to De Luca’s position. I am a very socially liberal but fiscally conservation person. I think there are many of us out there.

Interestingly enough, I thought that Obama was more to the center but his talk of income redistribution, and ongoing populist claims of throwing the 5% of Americans who are successful under a bus really turns me off. The democrats also seem really hostile to businesses with their new union proposals and rhetoric of how businesses need to pay… With democratic majorities in all levels of government there will be no checks and balances so Obama will become a figurehead of the same Democrats that looked the other way when Fannie and Freddie were running amuck because of their leftist agendas.

So I have no choice but to support the Republicans. But their culture wars and morality camp is a big turn off. Its too bad Obama really isn’t about change. And It’s even more tragic that the Republicans don’t modernize their social positions on abortion and environment because when they do, they will really be positioned to kick some leftist ass!

[Che Nadel]

I consider my self a working man. I've been a small business owner in the information technology industry for 20 years, and will probably never make more than the $250,000 mark that has "joe the plumber" so worried about paying a few extra bucks in taxes (even though he will never make anywhere near that - does anyone else think he's lying about his real agenda?). What an arrogant, slimy SOB!

I currently make over $60,000 a year. I feel lucky and grateful to my country to be as well off as I am, although by the standards of this discussion I am far from "rich".

"The left continually forgets that it is the dream of most poor people to become rich, not to resent the rich"? No. Frankly that's offensive and simplistic. I work hard to make a good life for my family, but the truth is I consider paying taxes my patriotic privilege. We pay taxes so our elected government can maintain a positive environment for us to live and work in. It isn't charity - it's fundemental to our own success. I think it's more important to make the world a better place than to get rich by stepping on everyone else.

To any "joe the plumber" fans: you are NOT patriots. You are selfish and will ultimately destroy yourselves, along with everyone else, by being everything BUT "country first.

[sbnative]

This all so Deja Vu. I'm old enough to have been around during the Radical 60s... it FAILED, FOLKS. Yes, the gov't is corrupt, and corrupt politicians suck--but take a look at Obama's "pals." WAKE UP - don't be a PAWN. (And PS - universal healthcare is a PIPE DREAM -- sssssp -- inhale now.) CHECK THIS: Incredibly, we have no definitive explanation of why a global financial crisis suddenly materialized just six weeks before U.S. elections. IF SUBPRIME loans hadn't happened in the FIRST place there wouldn't have been PRODUCT to bundle, sell and mutilate. DEMOCRATS headed the FINANCE committees that fought reform. The CRA was “revised” during Clinton’s reign leading to SubPrime abuses—which ultimately abused low-income people, esp. Hispanics here in the West.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/oct/24/whitewashing-fannie-freddie/
Then left-leaning hedge fund operators who profited off Mortgage-Backed-Securities (i.e., THIEVES with offshore accounts to avoid taxes) poured their profits into Obama & the Democrats—who want more government because THEY need jobs!
http://www.aim.org/aim-column/soros-bets-on-us-economic-collapse/
Beyond the Dems, Who Is the Economic Meltdown REALLY benefiting?
HAMAS PRAISES OBAMA AGAIN -- and Biden, Too. Ahmed Yousef says that the terrorist group would send Obama a congratulation letter "the moment he will win the election." BIDEN warns us to “gird our loins.”
AL-JAZEERA FOR OBAMA http://www.aim.org/aim-column/al-jazeera-for-obama/
From The Audacity of Hope: “I will stand with the MUSLIMS should the political winds shift in an ugly direction.”
Before you VOTE please visit: http://www.actforamerica.org/ & see VOTER GUIDE. Act for America is dedicated to educating the West about the spread of radical Islam.

[Jeff in Portland]

This is the best thing I have read all election season. I have always voted Republican but cannot vote R or D in good conscience this year (and feel like it doesn't matter much which one). I will vote third party, Obama and McCain have not earned my vote. To bad De Luca's not running.

Jeff

[D. Williams]

Gee, how can a poor, middle-class American like myself feel anything but sympathy that a rich, white guy finds out John McCain is just like all the other rich, white guys? I, too, resent the idea that being educated in this country is some kind of crime. I resent people who want to interfere in the rights and lives of others and want the government to do it for them. Just as I resent well-to-do Americans trying to pass themselves off as sympathetic to the problems of the average working American. Give it a rest, guys, and be honest. You could care less if everyone in this country, with the exception of you and your wealthy friends, was as poor as church mice, just as long as you can continue to flaunt your wealth and live in the life which you feel you so richly deserve, having decided you're the Chosen People.

And Obama might change that in some magical manner, having Congress on his side. Well, whose side was Congress on for the majority of the last 8 years? Who was it that picked this country clean? Who let Wall Street and Greed, Inc. run loose? And, guess what else, the Supreme Court is NOT elected. Which means the arch conservatives that Bush packed the court with will probably not see eye-to-eye on any attempt to give a fair break to the ordinary folks. Sorry, guys, I ran out of sympathy for you when both my sons had to take out expensive loans so they had a chance to get through college. When friends and neighbors jobs were out-sourced so the company could continue to make obscene profits. When CEOs got 'golden parachutes' while people lost jobs they'd held for 25 years like they were robots in the system. If that's too liberal for you, so be it. It can't be any worse than living in poverty. And maybe, just maybe, a few people can live decently and have a roof over their head and food on the table. The trouble with me is I always thought THAT was the American dream!

[nagamas]

I don't think Michael de Luca is being fair with his criticism of Obama. Throughout the whole campaign Obama/Bidden reacted with dignity, refusing to go into personal slanging match. They have repeatedly refused to comment on the personal issues of Palin/McCain. They brought this on themselves and the media took them on. He treated Joe the Plumber courteously, even when the latter addressed him in deragotary terms (eg, tap dancing like Samy Davis Jr). I think he is still viewing from his conservative mind, which I have no problem in understanding.
Finally, I would like to mention that 80% of our allies (yes, we do need allies), feel more comfortable dealling with Obama, rather than McCain, as Obama would work on concensus rather than trying to do things alone, or change the rules if things do not go his way. (Forming a 'league of nation' to counteract the UN - does that ring a bell?). Its exactly the "do it alone" by Bush that has got our country into financial and political troubles. McCain wants to continue this path; he does not want to leave leaving Iraq until the war is won. Just like LBJ (democrat) who keeps saying that he can see the light at the end of the tunnel in Vietnam.

[teacharepublicantoread]

This is for De Luca----go ahead & vote for McCain---& shut your smug mouth; you don't think people should be furious with idiots like you for putting a retarded criminal like George W. Bush in the White house---twice? What the matter with you?