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Probably correct in large part, too. And I certainly understand and respect your views about the Iraq war. I agree with many of them.
But I look at the race a little bit differently. Whether McCain, Obama, or (unlikely) Clinton enters the White House next year, there will be the reality of Iraq. That reality will likely differ -- probably even materially -- from the static, campaign cartoon of Iraq that everyone is drawing to suit his or her purpose to become elected. I believe Senator Obama is sincere when he says he wants to end our involvement over there and soon. But I believe the circumstances he will inherit will make that difficult, if not impossible. It has taken us over 5 years to create the issues that exist in Iraq. I think it is somewhat naive to think they will be solved in 16 months. The notion that McCain wants to pursue policies that will keep U.S. troops in Iraq for 100 years is ridculous on its face, unless the Constitution is amended and McCain is immortal. McCain has some greater appreciation and experience of what troops reasonably can and cannot achieve compared to the current administration (damnation via faint praise), so I think it is a mistake to assume that a McCain presidency will mean 4 more years of the GWB approach. Should Obama become president, I would also expect some adjustment of goals and policies with respect to Iraq. Frankly, I would not begrudge him those adjustments, if they were based on real world and good faith based factors. I fully expect those adjustments to delay his campaign time table. The fact of the matter is that we will be involved over there for some time: I think McCain will ultimately seek an exit strategy. It will be politically necessary.
I will pick McCain over Obama because when one examines his positions in the cold light of reason and discards the very attractive packaging of "change," what you have is not very different from the classic New Deal Democrat who is beholden to Big Labor and who really, really knows what is best for you and is prepared to finance that knowledge.
Been there, done that.
McCain has many, many warts as well, so it is not a joyous selection for me. But I got over expecting joy from my presidential candidates a good while back.
to beat Obama . . . He will blow Hillary out of the water.
The race for me still remains as it always was . . . it has nothing to do with race, or Rev. Wright, or anything like that . . . it is Federal nannyism verses Iraq 100.
