Politicians will be able to endorse McCain and survive; they only need play to their demographic.

Pundits can endorse McCain, though not without a hit to their credibility. Remember, where are a lot of the true, diehard McCain-supporting pundits? On Fox News (although, they really ain't too happy with him right now, either). And, of course, outside of conservative circles, FNC's credibility is already shot, so they may as well endorse him.

:<)

A guy like Hitchens, in my estimation, doesn't believe there's a nickel's worth of difference in the two candidates. In fact he says so. He believes in Western Imperialism, period. Secure in the fact that Obama is likely to only challenge that at the margins, if at all, the ONLY reason to support McCain at this point would be blind loyalty or race prejudice. He just wants everyone to know he's not either one of those things.

Bully for him, but that doesn't make him profound. McCain, despite the generally narrow differences between Democrat and Republican platforms, is a dominated alternative. The Republicans were probably going to lose this year almost no matter what, but they are going out in spectacular fashion, starting with him. Bob Dole wasn't going to win, but he didn't embarrass himself.

One only wishes that the election could be over now and a proper and dignified verdict rendered, so as to spare democracy and civility the degradation to which they look like being subjected in the remaining days of a low, dishonest campaign.

I agree it's not an embrace of Obama, I doubt that will EVER happen. I am happy he recognizes ugliness when he sees it, as in the McCain campaign, and has the courage to tell the truth. I am most disgusted by the Returd surrogates who come on tv and smile and lie about how terrific Palin is.

I agree with evie (above) that this is more of a repudiation of McCain than an embrace of Obama. Hitchens has become a one issue man (and remains so, IMO), and that he is going with Obama does say something about his view of Obama as perhaps another style of democrat–one who isn't hawkish for its own sake but who also takes national security seriously. I'm not sure what that says about Hitchens or Obama, but it certainly is an interesting endorsement.

Obama 08!

Though the Brits are known for tossing back alcohol, you know Hitchens had to be the worst kind of drunk for them to call him out. That's why I wanna know is he on the wagon? ***eyebrows raised***

peace, Villager

Of couse, the New Yorker's was one of the others.

I found his assessment of Palin to be spot on and I say “Jolly good one ole chap!”

Hope aboard the change express!

What's better is that it is another sign that the republican machine is falling apart.