Former Governor of Texas Rick Perry recently said: “ISIS represents the worst threat to freedom since Communism”. It seems when he gets to the White House he is going to be surprised that there is no “since Communism.” It is still around. It happens to be running the show in Red China, Vietnam, Cuba, and other places as well as making a disguised come back in Russia.
Former Senator Rick Santorum came up with a brilliant idea: “If these folks want to return to a 7th century version of Islam, then let’s load up our bombers and bomb them back to the 7th century.” In the meantime Santorum wants to send ten thousand (10,000) American troops to fight for the people who won’t fight for themselves.
He told a story of an Israeli senior adviser telling him, “In 2016, America needs to elect a war time President.” That’s what he proposes to be. Isn’t that just what we need in America at this time more wars? It gives one sort of a warm feeling. The good thing with our volunteer army most Americans will not be affected by these new wars even if they are even aware they are happening.
To show he has the right stuff to command the troops he laid out his qualifications: “I have eight years of service on the Senate Armed Services Committee.” Too bad General McArthur is not around. Santorum could have at least weaseled a Bronze Star or perhaps a Purple Heart out of him. He gave Lyndon Johnson a Silver Star for sitting in a plane on a runway in the South Pacific. Johnson acted as if he really deserved it wearing the pin representing it on his lapel in his official portrait.
And what about 47-year-old Scott Walker? He’s a governor in Wisconsin who achieved fame by cutting the benefits of state union workers. He’s a little weak on foreign policy experience having been running for elective office in Wisconsin since he was 22-years-old. I’m not sure whether he has ever left the United States but I’d guess he needs to have some foreign policy experience if he wants to be seriously considered for president.
You will be happy to know that he has summoned the best foreign policy minds in America to come and meet with him next week. Nah, he didn’t do that. I’m just kidding.
He’s doing something else, if you can believe it. In a recent speech in South Carolina it is reported: “Walker also repeatedly referred to his trip to Israel, scheduled for this weekend, where he will undergo what the Washington Post described as a “crash-course in foreign policy.” What country is he running for president for?
Then we have 43-year-old Marco Rubio. Whenever I hear of him I think of the game my kids used to play in the pool called Marco Polo when they made an enormous amount of noise but no sense. He too like Walker has spent his life as a politician while criticizing government as if he had nothing to do with it. Like Walker it is questionable if he ever left the United States but like Santorum he can boast of his service on a Senate Committee to make up for that deficiency. He was on Foreign Relations Committed.
Lindsey Graham considered a military expert because he served as a lawyer in the Air Force and National Guard. When he received his most recent ribbon he is pictured with a chest full of ribbons as if he was a front line warrior. He has a similar problem as LBJ fooling himself into thinking he’s some sort of hero.
Never having been close to combat himself, he wants 10,000 more boots on the ground in Iraq. His folks owned a bar/pool room in called the “Sanity Café” in Central, South Carolina population 5,000. The other day he made this profound statement: “I ran the pool room when I was a kid and I met a lot of liars, and I know the Iranians are lying.”
Deciding whether people representing a nation are telling the truth based on having heard guys boast over a few beers while playing pool seems somewhat reminiscent of how the last Republican president judged people. He told us about Putin, “I looked the man in the eye. I found him to be very straightforward and trustworthy. We had a very good dialogue. I was able to get a sense of his soul; . . . ”
I’ll skip Donald Trump since he is too close to a buffoon to be taken seriously. Jeb Bush seems confused relying on generalities and avoiding specifics. Asked about the Baltic States and NATO at a speech at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs he answered: “I don’t know what the effect has been, because, you know, it’s really kind of hard to be out on the road, and I’m just a gladiator these days, so I don’t follow every little detail.” The columnist reporting that after setting out other vague answers he gave said: “Why show off his ignorance of foreign affairs at a foreign affairs luncheon? Unless he thinks his Bush name absolves him of having to do research or prepare with consultants. Which means he’s got as scary a sense of entitlement as his brother did.”
You know I cannot stand the Hill-Billy act but looking at the Republican lineup I am dismayed. Have the Republicans no person of stature with serious foreign policy credentials not controlled by Israel to vie for the office? Is there no Dwight Eisenhower or Teddy Roosevelt with military experience and clear courage? Are there no large oaks but only small bushes?
I see Jeb Bush was in Berlin yesterday, where he called Putin a “ruthless pragmatist.” (Am I wrong in saying many US businessmen would consider this a compliment?) He got a photo op with Angela Merkel, though no sit – down meeting with her. Bush also exploited the popularity of his father with German people and dealt with his brother’s unpopularity by simply failing to mention his existence. I’d give round one in the foreign policy fight to Bush, though mainly because there doesn’t seem to be another fighter in the ring.
My requirements for President are pretty basic. 1: Honesty & Integrity and a true desire to execute the duties of the office as outlined in the Constitution, 2: Intelligence coupled with the ability to think on their feet, 3: Courage , Conviction, and Decisiveness. I will always vote for an honest candidate regardless of party or whether or not they represent my political views as opposed to one who’s integrity I doubt. At least then I know where I stand. I have been blessed through my life experiences and education to have acquired a built in Bull Shit detector. Just by listening and watching I can rather quickly assess whether someone is honest , sincere and intelligent. Only a few of the people in the discussion even come close to the basic requirements. That is the sad part. On a positive note there are millions of courageous Americans out there. Perhaps someone can come forth and provide true leadership. Experience can certainly be helpful but a wise leader seeks and evaluates counsel from others with more experience and can compensate for a lack of it. Enough B.S. on my part. I suggest everyone read “What Every Body is Saying” by Joe Navarro. Take Care All.
Hank
Hi Matt: I agree with your analysis, but maybe one of the GOP candidates will step up as the campaign unfolds. I also get the impression you’d like to see a candidate with gravitas. That’s missing too. We differ on Russia, though it’s of no practical importance. I think communism in Russia is dead. I see Putin as an ardent nationalist, an authoritarian leader who had modernized Russia’s nuclear forces. I see him as our No. 1 problem and I’m eager to see how the candidates in both parties plan to deal with him. This is a guy who has a pet motorcycle gang, the “Night Wolves.” This is where his head Is at. But wherever he’s coming from, he’s a major problem for the U.S.
Matt, now that we’re almost family (see my comment on policing the seaport), i feel bad correcting you, but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with saying it’s the “worst threat since communism”. After all, people still say something is “the greatest thing since sliced bread”, and that is still around as well! I agree that there are many things to criticize these guys for, but I don’t think that is one of them!
It has really become the opulent Ruby in the Rajah’s turban hasn’t it ? We remember our vaunted ” Seaport District ” in grittier days. But that time is past. The City’s orphan is now resplendent and everbody wants ” A Taste” as Tony Soprano might say. Only the cake eaters can afford it, but they bring in a lot of cake. As we are all well aware. So, divvy it up. Share the police details equally down there. Give the Staties strict shoreline jurisdiction and Boston, Northern Ave.and interior. Boston will have jurisdictional supremacy, but the State retains the face saving majesty of State; Pomp and Circumstance and look who’s here to greet the Queen Mary when she docks and all that. The Staties handle ceremonial function well. They are also highly capable operators, and more importantly, law enforcement partners throughout the State. They are a bulwark. The real Devil in the ” Seaport” is in the ” Details. ” I am certain he can be placated. Just make the proper tribute . 🙂
Webb would be a credible alternative to the Clinton crime organization. He has echoed Rand Paul in calling for an alternative approach to foreign policy. We’ve had twenty five years of incoherent foreign policy and change is needed. What Webb offers on the domestic front is unknown. Most Repubs support reduced taxes and less government. Remember Detroit, Baltimore, Greece, Amtrak and the MBTA are government projects. Do we need more of that? The country can do better.
Democratic candidate Jim Webb has a great resume. He has served as a United States Senator from Virginia, Secretary of the Navy, Assistant Secretary of Defense, congressional staffer, and a highly decorated Marine Corps combat officer. In the private sector he has been an Emmy-award winning journalist, a filmmaker, and the author of ten books. In addition, he taught literature at the United States Naval Academy and was a Fellow at the Harvard Institute of Politics. Source Wikidpedia
But Webb seems too modest and introverted as a candidate thus far. Ironically, what Webb needs right about now is a miniature drill instructor on his shoulder yelling into his ear: “I CAN’T HEAR YOU!” from time to time for about three months, then he might be okay.
As a Southerner he could cause real headaches for the Republicans. I think of Webb as like Bilbo Baggins in the Hobbit. He is going go along unnoticed and then At some point he is going to play a surprisingly central and significant role in the 2016 election.
Wa-llahi! You’d think they were running for high office in Liliput.