Charles Pierce talks me off the last left limb

Earlier today, in a blooming burst of whimsy, I flirted with the notion of voting for Green party candidate, Jill Stein for President. Oh, I might not have actually pulled her lever, but when a simplistic on line survey compared my positions with that of the candidates and concluded that Ms. Stein was my one true champion, how could a simple fellow such as I resist?

On the other hand, I don't even know Jill Stein. Now those other two Jaspers; them, I know. One has been turning up on my TV every night for the past 4 years and has always seemed to me a decent, intelligent, thoughtful and caring fellow albeit a less resolute dog in a fight than I would have preferred. That aside I have great regard for the President and therefore refrain from reaching for the clicker when he flickers across my tube.

And then there is the Willow. I have said again and will apparently say it until I am gone or his roots stand revealed. I have been watching this guy for eighteen years. After all that time, I still have not got a single clue what he truly believes, what he will fight or when he will bend other than in service to his unyielding and resolute conviction that he was immaculately conceived for the sole and singular purpose of realizing his Manifest Destiny of becoming CEO of the World. Feh, I say. Feh!

But this afternoon, while still considering casting my lot with the Greenies I happened upon the writer, Charles Pierce's endorsement of the President, in which Pierce articulated with far greater skill than I possess, why the appeal of Ms. Stein and the Greens must give way to a less quixotic and more practical lot casting.

Mr. Pierce has long been one of my favorites back to his days as a staff writer and I suspect, floor sweeper, for the long defunct Boston alternative rag, The Real Paper and later, in the Boston Herald sports pages. He has since emerged as a premier essayist and all around wise guy whose work frequently appears in the pages of Esquire and on ESPN/Grantland's online edition. Most recently, he has been blogging on the election for Esquire.

I am reposting Mr. Pierce's endorsement both in appreciation for convincing me to creep away from the last left wing standing and rejoin the party and because he's a helluva good read.

Ladies and Gentlemen, here he is: the great Charles Pierce endorses Barack Obama for President of the United States!

November 2, 2012