Regular readers know that I consider George Soros one of the most detestable characters on the political horizon.

So, I was quite upset to read that he is supporting a cause I also support.

George Soros, the multibillionaire investor who helped bankroll three initiatives to change drug laws in California, endorsed the marijuana legalization initiative Monday and plans to make a major financial contribution to the campaign.

Soros, who invested $3 million in the medical marijuana initiative and two other measures, made his announcement in an opinion piece published online by the Wall Street Journal. "Proposition 19 already is a winner no matter what happens on election day. The mere fact of its being on the ballot has elevated and legitimized public discourse about marijuana and marijuana policy in ways I could not have imagined a year ago," Soros wrote. The article is scheduled to appear in Tuesday's print edition.

Ugh.

I've talked about this before in the context of Pat Buchanan, but there are few things more disturbing than agreeing with someone you can't stand. Knowing that this feeling is profoundly illogical only makes it worse.

From a strategic standpoint, however, Soros is doing the left a much-needed favor whether they realize it or not. His huge donation to the Prop 19 campaign will (because of the kneejerk hatred he inspires) do much to inject ugly and divisive culture war politics into an election which had otherwise been about economic issues. But most importantly, there has been talk about opposition to the war on drugs in Republican, Tea Party, and conservative circles -- specifically in relation to Prop 19. I can think of few things more calculated to hijack the issue and put it into the left wing camp than big-time backing from Soros. Regardless of whether the initiative wins, the Soros money will do much to place it on the left.

Soros is basically buying a potential right wing issue right from under their noses. Theft through financial contamination. I don't think he really cares whether it passes, though. In fact, I think if he really just wanted it to pass, he would fund it covertly and quietly, while keeping his highly inflammatory name out of it.

The man is truly sinister. But I have to admit that psychologically, it's a brilliant move.

(So much for the idea that Soros was sitting things out....)

UPDATE: Thanks to Memeorandum for the link.