Now Is the Time [Peggy Noonan is taking three months off from column and WSJ to help GOP]

Opinionjournal.com ^ | Thursday, August 5, 2004 | Peggy Noonan

[Lonely Bull]

Life should be fun. It should be satisfying and exciting. As much as possible one should do what one's heart dictates, as long as it is constructive and helpful. (If it is not, one should take one's heart to a minister, rabbi or therapist, and get one's heart in order.)

In this spirit, a slight swerve is announced here.

--SNIP--

In the past four years I have written about and given advice to both parties in this column. But a week ago, while watching the Democratic convention, I made a decision.

I am going to take three months' unpaid leave from The Wall Street Journal and attempt to support the Republican Party in the coming and crucial election. (Every four years everyone says "this is the most important election of my lifetime," but this year I believe it is true.) I'm going to give whatever advice and encouragement I have in terms of strategy, approach, message--I hate that word--and issues. No one has asked me to do this, and I do it as a volunteer, not for a salary but simply to give my time to help what I think is the more helpful side. This will take a bite out of my finances but I can do it. Actually most of us, when we die, wind up with a few thousand dollars in the bank. We should have spent it! I am going to spend mine now.

--SNIP--

[lainde]

Ditto bump. I WISH she'd help with the speechwriting. She is usually very eloquent with clear thoughts!

[ladyinred]

Peggy, the word artist. The WSJ's loss will be the Republican's gain. She is terrific, and although she modestly says she isn't sure she will be wonderful at this, She will.

[moodyskeptic]

Peggy will be a stealth force for good. Freepers will be able to identify her words when they surface, because we know her well.

GOP hotshots: be smart and include Peggy on the inside, she has much to offer, and a smart organization utilizes its talent.

[CaraM]

I just wrote her a nice response on the website where the article is. When I tried to read other responses, nothing had been posted yet.

[Vision Thing]

Folks, it sounds like some of you are having doubts about Team Bush.

Read the article. Peggy gives Team Bush the highest praise, comparing it to Team Reagan and Team Kennedy in terms of efficiency and preparedness. She emphatically says that Team Bush does not need her help.

Furthermore, she said that she will be helping people "lower on the totem pole."

It sounds like she's not joining Team Bush, but she will be helping other Republicans around the country.

[Rokke]

Actually, I have no doubts about team Bush. I've learned that just when I think they're down, they are really just about to make bigger gains than ever. I am a political junky, and I love watching them work. Adding Peggy to the mixture will be like adding a sprig of parsley to the plate. You don't really need it, but it makes the whole presentation that much nicer.

[smoothsailing]

If she performs well in the minor leagues, she'll get a call up to the BIG SHOW.

Just a little inside baseball lingo for you.

My call? I think Peggy's on her way back to the BIG TIME!

[mitchbert]

I saw this while in a budget meeting that lasted until almost 1AM. Probably wouldn't have seen it otherwise until I checked OPJ tomorrow morning.

Made my evening. Now the game becomes "Spot Peggy!"

Notice she didn't allude to a speech writing role. Heh heh.

[bpjam]

All right, I'll say it.

And Peggy is hot. Aside from her stellar intellect and verbal acuity, she is a hottie. Not some teenage Britney wannaba, a real woman. God love her.

[Ruth A.]

Yes! Now if we could get Steyn to write for the vice-president...

[goldstategop]

Peggy Noonan is doing something important. Giving her all to her party. Hopefully she can help us celebrate a big night in November.

[mitchbert]

All right, I'll say it.

No argument there, my FRiend ;-)

[ambrose]

A personal note. My colleagues at the Journal have been sterling. This is the third time in four years they've allowed me to take a leave, the first two to finish books. They appropriately decided I cannot write for them during this time even now and then, because it is not the business of The Wall Street Journal to employ Republican or Democratic operatives. (I hate that word because it sounds so John Le Carre; but if you are trying to help a party you are operating in its favor, so there you are.) My personal thanks to James Taranto, my wonderful editor of four years;

Do you think he threatened to tear her apart, limb by limb, over this?

[I'm ALL Right!]

I wish I had the money to send her to help cover her costs...Go get 'em, Peggy!

[wardaddy]

i'd like to have known her when we were both younger

[Tamzee]

I thought of you when I read this article... any chance you'll take a 3 month unpaid vacation to come on down and follow in her footsteps? ;-)

And Spot Peggy will be fun, you're right! Now I can't wait for the political speeches :-)

[kingattax]

only in their dreams do the demoRATS have anyone with 1 % of the talent and class of Peggy Noonan.

and she knows what chili is .

[Truthsearcher]

Nitpick, she's not "give her all to her party", she's giving it for her country.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Bump!

[jslade]

All hands at the helm

We only need ONE hand at the helm. George W. Bush. God Bless Peggy Noonan.