Finally got around to reading the Op-Ed written by former Democratic Senator Bob Kerrey in the WSJ today – you should too:
American liberals need to face these truths: The demand for self-government was and remains strong in Iraq despite all our mistakes and the violent efforts of al Qaeda, Sunni insurgents and Shiite militias to disrupt it. Al Qaeda in particular has targeted for abduction and murder those who are essential to a functioning democracy: school teachers, aid workers, private contractors working to rebuild Iraq’s infrastructure, police officers and anyone who cooperates with the Iraqi government. Much of Iraq’s middle class has fled the country in fear.
With these facts on the scales, what does your conscience tell you to do? If the answer is nothing, that it is not our responsibility or that this is all about oil, then no wonder today we Democrats are not trusted with the reins of power. American lawmakers who are watching public opinion tell them to move away from Iraq as quickly as possible should remember this: Concessions will not work with either al Qaeda or other foreign fighters who will not rest until they have killed or driven into exile the last remaining Iraqi who favors democracy.
(For clarity’s sake by the way, because he sometimes gets confused with another homonymic senator [not that there's anything wrong with that] this Senatory Kerrey was the naval officer and Vietnam veteran who didn’t throw his medals over the White House fence in support of an eventual communist victory in southeast Asia.
Of course, one of the medals this Senator Kerrey earned was the Congressional Medal of Honor, so it probably would have been, you know: Harder to do.)
I don’t much like the idea of paying higher taxes, but I’ll do so if it comes to it. And I don’t like the notion of a national single-payer health care plan, but I’ll live if it gets enacted. Nor am I wild about carving the polis up into increasingly larger number of smaller, single-issue, identity politics grievance groups allied only by their will to conjoined power, but hey – divide and conquer, I guess – it’s worked before.
Neither, frankly, am I fond of the idea of penalizing success, subsidizing failure, class warfare, increased regulation of every last nook and cranny of both industry and the private sector or the waging of trade wars overseas, but whatever: I’m a citizen. I’ll deal.
But it really browns me out that leading contenders of one of our two national parties are running an increasingly competitive campaign of accelerated national defeat overseas as a way of achieving partisan victory at home. Oh, maybe that’s not the explicit goal, but it’s certainly the wink and the nod given to the “netroots” and a brave way of leading people where, based on poll numbers driven by a disaster obsessed media, they’re already inclined to go.
What if one of them wins?
“Buy now, pay later,” because when those particular chickens come home they aren’t going to choose where to roost by party affiliation. They didn’t do it last time.
So I repeat myself: Why isn’t this man running for president?
Most likely because he did not fair well in his prior attempt(s?).
Also given the state of the Democratic party and the intolerant positions of it’s netroots, this opinion piece would have killed his chances.
Dave
He’s a smart guy. He should run, but he knows first-hand what candidates experience when going through the campaign meat grinder. He would make a good cabinet secretary. Defense or State.
Hold your horses. He’s a guy who looked at the Senate, and his party, then left, instead of sticking around to be a voice of reason. Did you ever in your life think that the Democrat Party wasn’t top to bottom a collection of dolts or traitors? The only surprise here is that he gave voice to these thoughts.
Oh, I’m not saying I’d vote for him. But I’d love to hear the others have to debate him in Iowa.
They’re going to write some pretty steep checks out there on the hustings. But we’re all going to have to cash them, I fear.
He was not repudiated his CMH. He has repudiated his participation in the Thanh Phuong massacre, for which he recieved the Bronze Star.
He supports Chuck Hagel, whose views on Vietnam and Iraq he generally shares.
It is my view that he is too honest and honorable to ever be elected President. I’d vote for him. The guy used to date Deborah Winger. If she’d do him, he’s probably not too twisted.
I’ve met the man. I’d trust him to keep his word with a handshake and I’d let him marry my sister. I’m not terribly excited about some of the company he keeps, you understand, but one thing about Bob Kerrey is you knew not only where he stood but why, and generally the why made good sense.
Which, of course, is part of the reason he’ll never run for president.
– Max
Kerry points out the dilemna that faces both parties today. To win in the primaries you have to appeal to people you would not give the time of day to in the general election. In the Democratic party it is the Fags and Feminists. In the Republican party it is the Fiscal conservatives and the so-called “social conservatives” (e.g.) the religious right.
His key quote in the piece though is Sen Webb’s:
“Finally, Jim Webb said something during his campaign for the Senate that should be emblazoned on the desks of all 535 members of Congress: You do not have to occupy a country in order to fight the terrorists who are inside it. “
Skippy
Fags, feminists and the fiscal and social conservatives all in the same boat, huh? Boy, I bet you do make friends fast
And before the
snarksretorts start, I have no idea if I fit in any of those categories, definition and perspective being everything.With Casca on this one.
In essence,what he’s written is common sense re the WOT. All of us NepLex denizens have that..well most of us. While impressed I ain’t all a twitter..
Beware the Pale Rider. He ain’t Dean of New College for nothing.
My $0.02- he’s a McCain- different flavor.
b2
“…a collection of dolts or traitors?” What about corrupt? Kerrey & Lieberman’s stance on the GWOT is a glimmer of light/hope from a party that has little to offer America’s future, unless, as you stated, “penalizing success, subsidizing failure, class warfare, increased regulation” not to mention a de facto continued eroision of social values, are your idea of a future. I think we can do better for our children & grandchildren.
It would be enlightning to see Kerrey or Lieberman debate the Democratic Party’s Presidential candidate’s, might even change a few minds, but they have no chance of raising enough support from the electorate that gave us our current Congress.
BTW, I heard Lieberman may “resign” his membership as a Democrat, but can find nothing on it, which is probably due to a limited/stunted understanding of the search function of Gore’s creation, can anybody back that up?
Heh. Dude. You just rewrote my post with less angst and better grammar.
Plllpppptttt!
;^)
Skippy – gezackly.
Sorry to be nit picky Lex, but it’s the Medal of Honor. Congress isn’t in the title.
Just an annoyance that I poke at.
I did like his Op/Ed though. Very well written and points out a few flaws on the left, like that’s hard to do.
Here’s an interesting take on it at NRO.
Preoccupied with Democracy in Iraq
G’day sir.
Mark, since you asked, the D’s are a party of interests, much like the R’s, but all of the D’s interests are centered on either moral or fiscal corruption, so the dolts are their mindless followers, and the traitors are their leaders. You can find some of the same in the Republican Party, but as Borat would say, “Not so much.”
Michelle,
The two political parties are more alike then people realize. Each has their own “litmus” test for a candidate. Otherwise why is Giuliani going through such ordeals about abortion? And God help the Republican who thinks that tax cuts in a time of increased spending are not the right thing to do.
In the Democratic party they are having to put up with the strong anti war faction and you still have to say the right things on gay rights and other things. Its their “litmus test”.
They both have their good people and bad people.
Just something to think about. If you think that Bob Kerrey could run for President as a Democrat without changing his tune on the war, think again.
Remember, Joe Lieberman’s stances during his VP run resemble neither his positions before or since. He had to kowtow to the far left, and lost his soul in the process. The same thing would happen to Mr. Kerrey.
Sad, but true.
I respect Bob Kerrey …for his service in RVN, during which he lost a lower leg…for his service as a Navy Seal when it sure wasn’t cool to be a snake eater…for his Medal of Honor which speaks for itself…and for his demeanor which I’ve only observed in the media. Seems like I guy I’d like to have a beer or two with…calm, collected, bright and not overly impressed with himself. As far as bailing on the Senate…that’s a sign of great good common sense and plus in my book…I don’t think he has that burning fire in the belly to be in politics.
Re The New School, of which he’s President, NOT DEAN, B-2…hey he’s a F**king Liberal Democrat weenie…right at home with his people…
Re doing the nasty with Deborah ( she’s sooooo over ) Winger… we all make mistakes as horn-dogs in the flush of youthfull lust… hear tell she was and still is a real bitch… hope Bobby the K enjoyed it. Best
Snake,
My point exactly, eloquently said o’course:
“hey he?
Snake,
My point exactly, eloquently said o’course:
“hey he’s a F**king Liberal Democrat weenie…right at home with his people…”
Didn’t want to pull a gun in here to make a point (me of soft, persuasive skills…)..you have no such problem eh amigo?
I thought Debra Winger married Gopher on the Love Boat? ..ah never matter….What about that Barbara Eden of I Dream O’Genie..we never did finish talking about her did we Snake?
b2
b2
B-2, Barbara Eden is NEVER… EVER over… as we used to say in the way back…She Num-baaa One #%$*ing Cuo… G.I!… hasta luego Amigo. Best
“They both have their good people and bad people.”
Gasp! Heresy!
I wouldn’t want to be caught agreeing with you too often Skippy, it might just *soil* my reputation around here, but…
Barbra Eden,Yum! she is STILL a hottie
Agreeing with me is a silent pleasure. You can’t tell your folks about it, but you can enjoy it nonetheless.
Just don’t let B2 catch you doing it!
?
“They both have their good people and bad people.”…more accurately, they both have people “who do good and bad things”. Phrases with “good people & bad people” tend to assign a moral equivalence often used to justify otherwise untenable positions.
Like the current DNC for example…(-*