I recently listened to a debate between these two about the nature of conservatism. Brooks had reviewed Sullivan's book, The Conservative Soul and they had an interesting conversation about where conservatism is right now.
I also listened to two podcasts this weekend of Brooks speaking to two different groups, the World Affairs Council of Northern California and at the 2008 Aspen Ideas conference.
Brooks as a political pundit can sometimes make me crazy. I think he forces himself to be the "house" republican when he is commentating at PBS. It is an unnatural role for him and it shows. I don't think that he is really that interested in the horse race aspects of politics, yet that is really what political commentary is all about.
I really enjoy him in other venues (these podcasts). He excels at speaking in a longer forms. He has the time to articulate ideas, and he has a lot of them. He mentions his political affiliation on these podcasts, but if he did not, it would be difficult to guess what it was.
In a way I envy Brooks, Sullivan and other disillusioned conservatives. I believe they will try and reinvigorate their brand of conservatism. To do so will require conversations and debate about new ideas -- or at least a resolve to get back to old ones. It is refreshing to listen to them, and will be interesting to see how they react to the new president.
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I've watched Brooks evolve this year and believe he has come a long way. Certainly not as strident as I once thought him to be. A good change.
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