In which The Gay Recluse scores selected opinion pieces in The Times.

Bob Herbert/With a Powerful Speech, Obama Offers a Challenge

The Short Version: I’ve been on vacation, but let’s pretend I wasn’t because I still want to talk about Obama’s speech.

In his words: “Racial prejudice, ignorance, hostility — whatever — has caused millions of Americans to vote against their own economic interests, and for policies that have damaged the country.”

Score: C (Cocoon)
We don’t necessarily disagree with anything Herbert has to say here, although we’re annoyed that he writes as if he’s the only person in the world and time froze while he went away. Obama’s speech is officially over, and the question is not whether he was right or not — or even if he’s a thoughtful, gifted orator — but how he’s going to win the election. Here’s a clue: it won’t happen by suddenly changing the minds of racist voters.

David Brooks/The Long Defeat

The Short Version: Hillary Clinton should withdraw.

In his words: “In short, Hillary Clinton’s presidential prospects continue to dim. The door is closing. Night is coming. The end, however, is not near.”

The Score: B- (Belligerent)
We agree that things are not looking good for Clinton — and we’re not sorry about that — but we’re still not convinced that the Clinton-Obama battle is really going to help McCain in the long run. Politicians fight: it’s their job. It will only help Obama in the general election for voters to know that he took out Clinton (or vice versa) to get there, whereas McCain took out…Romney? Huckabee? 9iu11iani?