Conservative Author P.J. O'Rourke Reluctantly Backs Clinton

By Scott Detrow

Published May 9, 2016 at 10:37 AM CDT

P. J. O'Rourke, speaking in 2004. The conservative author says he's reluctantly backing Hillary Clinton this year, now that Donald Trump is the expected Republican nominee.

Hillary Clinton snagged another endorsement over the weekend, but don't expect her to trumpet it on the campaign trail.

"I have a little announcement to make ... I'm voting for Hillary. I am endorsing Hillary," noted conservative author P.J. O'Rourke said on NPR's Wait Wait ... Don't Tell Me . The episode aired over the weekend.

If the Clinton campaign wants to tout O'Rourke's support as it tries to woo moderate Republicans who supported Jeb Bush and George W. Bush, it might want to end the quote there.

She's wrong about absolutely everything, but she's wrong within normal parameters.

"I am endorsing Hillary, and all her lies and all her empty promises," O'Rourke continued. "It's the second-worst thing that can happen to this country, but she's way behind in second place. She's wrong about absolutely everything, but she's wrong within normal parameters."

While many Republicans are falling in line — however reluctantly — behind de facto GOP nominee Donald Trump, O'Rourke is joining other prominent conservative authors like Bill Kristol, George Will and Erick Erickson in continuing to oppose a Trump candidacy.

"This man just can't be president," O'Rourke said, alluding to the nuclear codes the commander-in-chief takes control of upon assuming office. "They've got this button — this briefcase. He's going to find it."

"That is a ringing endorsement," fellow panelist Tom Bodett said after hearing O'Rourke's pitch.