| 30.09.2008 |
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| We recently wrote here about the battle for influence within the McCain campaign between neoconservatives and realists. How deep the rift and how intense the struggle between the two Republican camps is exemplified by an open letter to Sarah Palin by the editors of The American Conservative magazine. The letter, dripping with disdain for John McCain and well-known neoconservative figures, in a sarcastic tone, lists the main foreign policy grievances realists have with George W. Bush and his neoconservative agenda. Here are a few of them: Russia: - Realists don't think the U.S. and Russia are headed for a repeat of the Cold War. They feel that Russia's behavior doesn't constitute a major threat to the U.S. - "Russia is not an expansionist, ideological empire. It's a traditional, semi-authoritarian great power intent on preserving its influence in its own backyard and its prestige on the world stage." - "Putin, far from being a totalitarian ideologue, is an economic nationalist, as the leaders of great powers traditionally have been." Middle East: -"Israel's problem isn't external threat so much as internal security and demographics." -"The task before the Israelis is not to defend themselves against aggressive neighbors but to give justice to the Palestinians already in their midst — to suppress terrorism without suppressing civil liberties and human rights, which only leads to more bloodshed." -"The most helpful role the United States can play is that of impartial mediator in the conflict." Iran: -"Iran does not have nuclear weapons and is far from attaining them." -"Instead of boxing Iran into a corner, we should engage with Ahmadinejad, unsavory fellow though he is. Even with nuclear weapons, Iran would not pose an existential threat to Israel, let alone America." Towards the end of the letter, the writers directly appeal to Sarah Palin to eschew the neoconservative agenda: "You prize localism, their vision is grandiose. You value fiscal discipline, neocons will ruin the country to finance endless war. You honor life, and they think nothing of killing hundreds of thousands in the service of ideology. But they'll tell you this alien vision — imported from the Left — is coherent and conservative." Sure, The American Conservative, founded by Pat Buchanan, is not the official mouthpiece of realism. And some of the specific points made in the letter, i.e. the stance toward Israel, will be considered too extreme and won't be shared by other outlets with a realist bent. Nevertheless the main thrust of the letter provides an interesting insight into the fierce struggle that is waging within the Republican party. The outcome of this fight for the soul of the GOP will definitely have consequences for the future of the Republican party and possibly the world. |
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| 1 Comment |
| I'm sorry, the more I hear Sarah Palin when she is not reading a script, the more I have been persuaded to conclude that she is indeed NOT ready for the job. I'm seriously wondering how she became Governor. I have to say, I believe now more than ever that McCain has gambled with America's future and has put his campaign and personal ambitions before his country. I echo the call for her to gracefully bow out. |
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| ken | Homepage | E-Mail | 01.10.2008, 03:53 | ||