The Bosque Boys

I wish I had heard that!

Probably, we got there because Hannity tends to stay on the Bush/RNC talking points, and they have strayed from conservatism in the sense you describe it. Of course, I say this not having heard this particular interview...

I also think Hannity's not getting enough sleep.

A very astute observation, Farmer. Sean Hannity is philosophically sloppy and often conflates politics for principle.

Wilsonianism has run amuck in the GOP, which is a far cry from Bush's 2000 campaign for an end to peace-keeping and nation-building. The most thorough and persuasive critique of the Wilsonian strain in American history is Walter McDougall's "Promised Land, Crusader State." McDougall's guiding spirit is John Quincy Adams, who, by way of refuting the heretical doctrine of a crusader America, formulated once and for all the orthodox dogma of American Exceptionalism in his July Fourth address of 1821:

"America does not go abroad in search of monsters to destroy. She is the well-wisher to the freedom and independence of all. She is the champion only of her own. She will recommend the general cause by the countenance of her voice, and the benignant sympathy of her example. She well knows that by once enlisting under other banners than her own, were they even the banners of foreign independence, she would involve herself beyond the power of extrication, in all the wars of interest and intrigue, of individual avarice, envy, and ambition, which assumed the colors and usurped the standards of freedom.... She might become the dictatress of the world. She would be no longer the ruler of her own spirit."

FTR: I like Hannity. I like that on any given day you can hear Rangel or Lanny Davis or Susan Estrich. McCain has been a friend of the program during his exile from other conservative forums. Lieberman is a regular, and Zell Miller is a fading favorite.

Of course, there is also a healthy dose of Ann Coulter and David Limbaugh.

But, all in all, I say Hannity presents an incredibly informative show (if you know how to listen).

Having said all that, I do believe that Sean is depressed and confused right now. His push to reelect the GOP House at any cost took its toll.

I agree with Gossenius. I think Sean has overextended himself between the daily TV show, daily radio show, lots of live appearances, and occasional book. If he were in my spiritual care, I would tell him to know his limits and focus. (If wonder how much his family sees of him.) He needs to take more time to read (not just news items, but books) and to reflect. I also agree with Farmer that he has an interesting and informative show.

btw, how about we spin the JQA address into a post and discuss whether this is possible in the modern world with its communication and transportation and movement of peoples.

A bit more context on JQA and July 4, 1821:

JQA speaks as James Monroe's secretary of state (according to Samuel Flagg Bemis, and others, the very best to ever hold that position).

The context is the unraveling Spanish Empire in Latin America. The other component is Henry Clay, who, outside the administration, is calling upon the government of the USA to lend military assistance to the fledgling republics.

Henry Clay, in fact, takes a Wilsonian position nearly 100 years prior to Wilson. And JQA is promoting a rock-ribbed realism that he inherited from his political hero, George Washington.

A belated nod to Tocqueville for the excellent JQA quote. Also, I think the Gardener has a good idea in re a separate post examining the speech in light of the modern American predicament. I will work on it--or I will comment on it, if the Gardener or Tocqueville want to pursue it.

One more bit of historical irony:

The stark differences between Clay and JQA blur considerably in the aftermath of the election of 1824 (less than four years later), when JQA, elevated to the presidency on the strength of what Andy Jackson calls the "corrupt bargain," asks Clay to lead his state department.

I'm pretty sure I'm incapable of creating a separate post on here.