posted March 26, 2008 05:51 PM            

Over the years, Washington has inserted itself into potential flash points in different parts of the world. The Republican Party is now about to put forward a natural incendiary as the man to deal with those flash points.

The problem that McCain poses stems from his ideology, his policies and, above all, his personality. His ideology, like that of his chief advisers, is neoconservative. In the past, McCain was considered to be an old-style conservative realist. Today, the role of the realists on his team is merely decorative.

Driven in part by his intense commitment to the Iraq war, McCain has relied more on neoconservatives such as his close friend William Kristol, the Weekly Standard editor. His chief foreign policy adviser is Randy Scheunemann, another leading neoconservative and a founder of the Committee for the Liberation of Iraq. McCain shares their belief in what Kristol has called "national greatness conservatism." In 1999, McCain declared: "The U.S. is the indispensable nation because we have proven to be the greatest force for good in human history. ... We have every intention of continuing to use our primacy in world affairs for humanity's benefit."

McCain's promises, during last week's visit to London, to listen more to Washington's European allies, need to be taken with a giant grain of salt. There is, in fact, no evidence that he would be prepared to alter any important U.S. policy at Europe's request.

Reflecting the neoconservative program of spreading democracy by force, McCain declared in 2000: "I'd institute a policy that I call 'rogue state rollback.' I would arm, train, equip, both from without and from within, forces that would eventually overthrow the governments and install free and democratically elected governments." McCain advocates attacking Iran if necessary in order to prevent it developing nuclear weapons, and last year he was filmed singing "Bomb, bomb Iran" to the tune of the Beach Boys' "Barbara Ann."

McCain suffers from more than the usual degree of U.S. establishment hatred of Russia, coupled with a particular degree of sympathy for Georgia and the restoration of Georgian rule over Abkhazia and South Ossetia. He advocates the expulsion of Russia from the Group of Eight and, like Scheunemann, is a strong supporter of early NATO membership for Georgia and Ukraine. Scheunemann has accused even Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice of "appeasement" of Russia. NATO expansion exemplifies the potential of a McCain presidency. Apart from the threat of Russian reprisals, if the Georgians thought that in a war they could rely on U.S. support, they might be tempted to start one. A McCain presidency would give them good reason to have faith in U.S. support.

McCain's policies would not be so worrying were it not for his notorious quickness to fury in the face of perceived insults to himself or his country. Even Thad Cochran, a fellow Republican senator, has said: "I certainly know no other president since I've been here who's had a temperament like that."

For all his bellicosity, Bush has known how to deal cautiously and diplomatically with China and even Russia. Could we rely on McCain to do the same?

McCain exemplifies "Jacksonian nationalism" -- named after Andrew Jackson, the 19th-century Indian-fighter and president -- and a Scotch-Irish military tradition from which both men sprung. As McCain's superb courage in North Vietnamese captivity and his honorable opposition to torture by U.S. forces demonstrate, he also possesses the virtues of that tradition. Then again, some of the greatest catastrophes of the 20th century were caused by brave, honorable men with a passionate sense of national mission.

Not just U.S. voters but European governments should use the next nine months to ponder the consequences of a McCain election and how they could either prevent a McCain administration from pursuing pyromaniacal policies or, if necessary, protect Europe from the ensuing conflagrations.

Anatol Lieven, a professor at King's College, Cambridge, is author of "America Right or Wrong." This comment appeared in the Financial Times.

posted September 14, 2008 11:50 AM            

So Matt Damon, please make an informed decision before you vote.

He may not have style but he has the substance. And he is not the only hot headed person. Geore washington, Truman etc...comes to mind.

This is one of those threads where I started on the left side and eventually came to the center. Now its time for me not to play either good cop or bad cop. You know what I mean

Allright out of here.

posted September 14, 2008 11:02 PM            

In any contest between O'Bomber and Palin as to their executive experience, Palin wins that contest hands down.

posted September 14, 2008 11:30 PM              

we could have a field day, if they did that!

posted September 15, 2008 12:31 AM            

Palin is new to washington , I agree. But she has real achievements on her resume. And she did plan to be in washington some day. Who would have thought it would happen so soon? Well life is unpredictable. Every one thought 2008 was Hillary's. Two years working with McCain she will be where Obama is today. I don't think that McCain will croak before that.

Everytime I read about Obama's I go thru a DL. He seems to be brainwashed with everyone he met on his way. Even the church he goes to, was suggested by Michelle. He seeks validation and so many others who vote for him seems to resonate his feelings. I am out of that drama, as i have my own cross to carry. For many it has become a fad to vote for a liberal without knowing what change he will bring. God knows what insecurities they have to vote for this man. His economics is marxist , as he himself agrees he was having associations with marxist professor since his college days. Its all in his book. And

I find Palin exciting : fiscally conservative, socially conservative (but still a maverick in her party because she believes in science to be taught in schools as well as believing in creationism when you go to church)

On McCain: I also had the pleasure for working for a Virgo boss. Hehe...a president is a type of Boss you would like to have, so please forgive me for getting into that thought process. Generalization apart, virgos I believe are ethical, and they would never leave a task incomplete. Its hard to see thru McCain's vision. Americans could leave Iraq to their own fate ASAP and focus back home on their struggling economy. But then that would mean leaving the task incomplete in Iraq, something that a virgo would never do. I too believe that leaving any task incomplete, incurs negative karma. So it is bad for America in the longer run.

posted September 15, 2008 04:17 PM            

>>>Why don't they make fun of Obama?

Check this out. Some of repubbers went off limits. But heh this is just a political satire.