I consider Den Beste to be one of the keenest thinkers out there, so when he writes so confidently about the Bush campaign, it really boosts my spirits. This election is not only the first one I've followed closely, but it has a direct effect on my life. The president is my husband's boss, and whoever is elected will determine what my husband does for the next four years. With President Bush, I see continued efforts in Iraq, and Iran on the horizon. It certainly won't be an easy four years, but at least I know where we stand. With Kerry, I don't know what I see; I think he'd leave the troops in Iraq, but for how long? I see my husband roped into doing more of the UN's work around the world, being sent on "peacekeeping missions" if Kerry is president. That means instead of the fear of being killed by an insurgent, we can worry that he might get killed by one of his own teammates...
Wives around here seem to be more and more anxious to talk about the election; I keep finding myself roped into conversations with people who somehow think that if Kerry is elected, their husbands will come home from Iraq on Nov 3. If only it were that simple. I sorta fear the military wife vote this year, because so many of them will be voting with their hearts, hoping that a vote for Kerry is a vote for an exit strategy. I think they'll be sorely mistaken and disappointed with the result.
I hope Den Beste is right and the Bush campaign has a suckerpunch coming. I see a lot of ammo piling up that should be used (i.e. Sandy Berger, Joseph Wilson), so I hope President Bush really is waiting for the masterstroke. I don't want this election to be as close as I fear it's going to be.
Posted by Sarah at July 22, 2004 07:56 AMJudging from this post, I'd say you get most if not all of your political info from right-wing blogs.
In reverse order: Sandy Berger and Joseph Wilson are great fodder for the already converted (if you look around on meme-o-randum, you'd think the pope just ate a baby. Man, are those guys vitriolic), but have actually little bearing on the important issues. Sandy Berger, who has been under investigation for 9 months, has stepped down from the Kerry campaign (stiil, a little late if you ask me) and whether Joe Wilson is a liar or not (I believe he hyped his own role) has nothing to do with the the fact that a NOC was outed.
But why do you so fervently hope that Bush is waiting for the masterstroke? What exactly has Bush done to deserve your vote?
You're right that electing Kerry will not change much for your husband, mainly because the current administration didn't leave many options. However there is one way in which Kerry has a big advantage; a big sigh of relief by most of US allies, and if Kerry plays his cards right, a greater goodwill, essential for the WoT.
On a last point: I understand tragedies like the one you link to, can be worrisome, but the casualties resulting from the invasion of Iraq and a potential invasion of Iran will be hundreds of times greater.
Posted by: Sander at July 22, 2004 11:57 AMSander, the people who would be sighing in relief are not people I consider our allies. I don't care what they think or if the US is liked in the world. And though the casualties from Iraq number greater than those at the UN, I see the reason for those deaths as being more important. Servicemembers in Iraq are fighting so that the situation in the Middle East stops affecting us (a la 9/11); those in "peacekeeping" missions are not there for the US's military advantage. The role of the military is to protect Americans, not make sure other countries don't beat each other up. I firmly believe that fighting in the Middle East can protect Americans in the long run...
What has Bush done to deserve my vote? Represent many of the things I think are important in this world. Kerry simply hasn't.
Posted by: Sander at July 22, 2004 12:27 PMSarah,
I admire your lucidity under fire in dealing with the likes of Sander. But the Kerry future you see is worse than you imagine. Kerry would continue the war on terror half-heartedly – which is the most dangerous possibility of all, for your husband, and for the rest of us.
The likes of Sander? I like that. Anyway, David, halfheartedly like letting Osama slip away to deal with a non-threatening country? Halfheartedly like firing translators because they were gay? Halfheartedly like doing nearly nothing to secure our ports? Halfheartedly like... you catch my drift, I hope, at least I want to, but the problem is this: The tough guy / my way or the high way attitude is not working anymore. Resentment is up, both in our enemies, would-be enemies and allies. I know, you don't care, but in the end, we'll be all alone and the rest of the world won't care.
Posted by: Sander at July 23, 2004 04:06 PMDemocrats like to complain about how we're not safe because of Bush, even though there has been no terror incidents here since 2001. Even though thousands of terrorists have been killed or imprisoned.
Democrats are the fear mongers.
The Democrats want to get the UN's permission to react to future attacks. The UN can't even pass a tough resolution on the Sudan where thousands of people are being slaughtered on a daily basis. They did 17 resolutions against Saddam and didn't want to pursue any actions because they were making money off the oil for food program.
Kerry doesn't have any convictions. He's an empty suit. Bush has freed millions of people. Kerry told lies about US policy during the Vietnam war, helping millions of South Vietnamese get conquered by the northern Communists.
There is no comparison.
Posted by: James Hudnall at July 31, 2004 01:54 AM