First Read, which often has smart takes on the news -- it's far better than the Note -- has a smart take on John McCain's new status as partisan point man on foreign policy:
For those of us who followed nearly every minute of the 2008 presidential campaign, it's fascinating to watch how John McCain has become the GOP point person in arguing that July 2011 is a date certain that will embolden the enemy. For starters, McCain never called for more troops to Afghanistan until July 15, 2008 -- nearly a year after Obama; for McCain, Iraq was the center on the war on terrorism, not Afghanistan. Second, he never put up much a fight when the Iraqi government and Bush White House established a "time horizon" to withdraw from Iraq. And third, he himself talked about timetables during the campaign, saying that Maliki’s 16-month timeframe was “a pretty good timetable” and also saying that all U.S. forces would be home from Iraq by 2013. McCain would argue -- rightly -- that his talk about timetables was always tied to conditions on the ground. But that's also true for Obama's July 2011 date. Here’s what the president said on Tuesday: “Just as we have done in Iraq, we will execute this transition responsibly, taking into account conditions on the ground.”
Of course, McCain is also doing the same thing on health care.
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COMMENTS (7)
But McCain is WITH the President on his Afghanistan policy, no? When do you go after all those Dems who oppose him? Jeez.
But McCain is WITH the President on his Afghanistan policy, no? When do you go after all those Dems who oppose him? Jeez.
Most curious that the GOP has decided to make McCain a point man on health care. Other than being the oldest major party Presidential candidate in history, what has he done in his legislative career on health care in general or Medicare in particular that would give him any insight, credibility or popular support on the issues? As others have pointed out, his health care plans in 2008 basically amounted to major cuts in Medicare expenses, which is on par with the rest of his votes on health care issues. Even in his liberal phase from 2000-06, McCain hardly spent time on health care issues. And it's not like the Republicans are bereft of elderly Senators who have expertise on health care ... view full comment
Most curious that the GOP has decided to make McCain a point man on health care. Other than being the oldest major party Presidential candidate in history, what has he done in his legislative career on health care in general or Medicare in particular that would give him any insight, credibility or popular support on the issues? As others have pointed out, his health care plans in 2008 basically amounted to major cuts in Medicare expenses, which is on par with the rest of his votes on health care issues. Even in his liberal phase from 2000-06, McCain hardly spent time on health care issues. And it's not like the Republicans are bereft of elderly Senators who have expertise on health care issues -- for starters there is Chuck Grassley, or Mike Enzi, to push the talking points forward for the media to regurgitate. If McCain is doing this to establish his conservative bona fides in a primary, Grassley has the same concerns as he does about the bill and actually more public credibility on this issue. Maybe McConnell decided to throw McCain out there because, like most other Republican Senators, he can't stand the guy and will let him twist with an amendment that he knows will be mocked and shot down.
butchie - not that what McCain says has any credibility anymore, but he was the first one to gasbag on and on about giving the enemy an exit date. McCain tries to lecture Obama on warfare in his one dimensional hectoring way (the way to win is to break their will, yadda yadda) and I just feel embarrassed for him. Obama calmly clobbered McCain in the debates whenever he tried any of that "you don't get it kid" stuff.
It's not an unfair point, just a fatally incomplete one in a Catch-22 from hell situation.
The Dems opposing Obama haven't been impressive at all in their rebuttals. I think someone in Congress said "we have better things to do than sending 30,000 troops to Afghanistan."
Deep huh ... view full comment
butchie - not that what McCain says has any credibility anymore, but he was the first one to gasbag on and on about giving the enemy an exit date. McCain tries to lecture Obama on warfare in his one dimensional hectoring way (the way to win is to break their will, yadda yadda) and I just feel embarrassed for him. Obama calmly clobbered McCain in the debates whenever he tried any of that "you don't get it kid" stuff.
It's not an unfair point, just a fatally incomplete one in a Catch-22 from hell situation.
The Dems opposing Obama haven't been impressive at all in their rebuttals. I think someone in Congress said "we have better things to do than sending 30,000 troops to Afghanistan."
Deep huh?
I know there has to be some point person out there who is tasked with making more of a case than that, I just haven't heard anything yet. I supported a surge, could not be more pleased. So I'm not too popular around the office today as you can imagine butchie ;)
It seems that McCain's tendency to vindictiveness is back in charge of his psyche and on full display.
Arabs have been fighting Jews for more than 100 years, Sunni have been fighting Shia for more than 1400 years. It is hardly a secret that America's commitment to fight in Afghanistan is shorter than the Taliban's ability to hold a grudge (or for that matter just about any indigenous movement's ability to wait out an occupying force.) Just what is the downside to announcing a date to begin transitioning?
It seems that McCain's tendency to vindictiveness is back in charge of his psyche and on full display.
Arabs have been fighting Jews for more than 100 years, Sunni have been fighting Shia for more than 1400 years. It is hardly a secret that America's commitment to fight in Afghanistan is shorter than the Taliban's ability to hold a grudge (or for that matter just about any indigenous movement's ability to wait out an occupying force.) Just what is the downside to announcing a date to begin transitioning?
Actually, I think Moses led the Jews from Egypt more than 100 years ago. But what's a few thousand years when the universe is only 6,000 years old.
Actually, I think Moses led the Jews from Egypt more than 100 years ago. But what's a few thousand years when the universe is only 6,000 years old.
Yes, wnadrey, you always have been a closet hawk. Which in the social work world is pretty rare, I would imagine.
Yes, wnadrey, you always have been a closet hawk. Which in the social work world is pretty rare, I would imagine.
I'm open about it butchie - they all think I'm a militaristic lune. So fine.
I'm open about it butchie - they all think I'm a militaristic lune. So fine.