For my first post in the New Year, I want to go for something of a "love thine enemies" type of thing.

To that end, let me say that I dig Pat Caddell. He's a pretty curious cat. His original professional background is as a pollster- which is where I generally expect some of the highest level of cynicism. He worked for George McGovern and Jimmy Carter way back when. Yet he's now a fairly emotional liberal ideologue, with some knowledge but only a limited interest in the horse race. For being a pollster by profession, he lashes out at Democrats who disappoint him like only a wounded idealist could.

He's a frequent guest on Hardball, and a vigorous supporter of Howard Dean. He was staunchly opposed to the Iraq war, and really doesn't like President Bush. He's pretty much of a cheese eating pinko.

Yet I find myself feeling warm fuzzy feelings for him- and it sure ain't because he's cute. I've noticed this repeatedly over the last year.

Partly, he really strikes me as honest. He might tend to put his own spin on stories, but he doesn't deny plain facts, or just make up stuff. He has a strongly different outlook on the world than me, for one, but he always seems to be very carefully trying to speak truth. He's hard nosed, but won't deny hard facts.

He speaks with an honest passion, and a careful respect for reason. Often he speaks harshly of Democrats who he thinks are screwing up. Maybe once in a year he might say just a word or two in favor of a Republican, as unnatural as it must feel to him.

Unlike many political operatives, Caddell seems to be a remarkably straight shooter. He's cool.