The True Vanguard

I've been pleased to see many prominent Republicans come to their senses and come out in support of Kerry (or, at the very least, against Bush). I ran across a story about Jack Bogle, founder of mutual fund giant Vanguard Group. Although it's very brief, he gives a very clear and rational argument of why he's supporting Kerry. Here's an excerpt:

But "there's a fine line between boldness and recklessness," cautions Bogle, a Republican who intends to vote for John Kerry. Boldness must be tempered by foresight and deliberation, Bogle says.

"We can't have a country run by philosophers," says Bogle, who chairs the board of the National Constitution Center. "But a good leader is thoughtful. He seeks the counsel of others and is capable of introspection. Before making a decision, he walks around it and tries to see it from all sides."

A sense of fallibility helps a leader, Bogle says. It inhibits arrogance, tames boldness so it doesn't lapse into recklessness.

"If you can't admit you're wrong, you have a problem," Bogle says, "because we're all wrong so often. Why is admitting it so awful?"

If only all conservatives were so rational.