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I ran across another interesting piece by Jeffrey Hart, former speech writer for both Nixon and Reagan as well as a book reviewer for William F. Buckley's conservative journal National Review.
One thing I know is that both Nixon and Reagan would have agreed with Obama’s speech against the Iraq War… But all the organs of the conservative movement followed Bush over the cliff—as did John McCain.
The above reference is to Obama's 2002 speech on Iraq that had the famous passage:
“I know that a successful war against Iraq will require a US occupation of undetermined length, of undetermined cost, with undetermined consequences. I know that an invasion of Iraq without a clear rationale and without international support will fan the flames of the Middle East, and encourage the worst, rather than the best, impulses of the Arab world, and strengthen the recruitment arm of al Qaeda. I'm not opposed to all wars. I'm opposed to dumb wars.”
And this is a good deal of what the article discussed. I'm sure that I am not the only one who noted that the two issues Obama focused on were fiscal responsibility and our foreign policy (notably Iraq and Afghanistan) which are traditionally areas were liberals have gotten trounced. He took it to the contemporary Republican Party and won.
As I said in a another post and based on nothing more than a hunch, that a year from now, moderate Republicans will be more happier than big L coastal liberals with Obama. I am going to hold Obama to the line in his speech where he said, "To those who's vote I did not get, I will still be your President". We shall see.
I really hope Obama reaches out and picks some moderate independents and Republicans to fill some of his personnel. It would bode well for setting the stage for a new kind of politics. Yes, he will need some Washington insiders (and who better than people who were in the Clinton Admin where they skillfully passed many worker friendly policies like Family Leave and American With Disabilities Act as well as fixed a looming deficit) and he will reward some who helped him achieve his victory but if he wants to make the "normal" thinking people that did not vote for him feel like he will represent them too, this would be the start. For those on the radical far right fringe, forget it. These folks can't be appeased.
Interesting discussion thus far. Seems to fall in line with some of the sentiments I made during the election season....
The statement above made laugh....
Sorry if I missed them Waldidm, was hard to find much other than the sea of charges such as.. socialist spreader of wealth... destroyer of the universe... its Conan the Barbarian's brother Obama the elitist...
As mentioned, I don't believe him to be a conservative anymore than Andrew Bacevich does but compared to what has passed for the contemporary Republican these days, I think the way he was being portrayed was much ado about nothing other than to get the mouth frothers worked up.
Sorry if I missed them Waldidm, was hard to find much other than the sea of charges such as.. socialist spreader of wealth... destroyer of the universe... its Conan the Barbarian's brother Obama the elitist...
As mentioned, I don't believe him to be a conservative anymore than Andrew Bacevich does but compared to what has passed for the contemporary Republican these days, I think the way he was being portrayed was much ado about nothing other than to get the mouth frothers worked up.
I know we've had some in depth discussions of what constitutes liberal and conservative and the historic context vs. what they are today and it was probably somewhere in there.....good governance rarely fits within the extremes of either and in the end it's the art of compromise in a society that wants a happy medium of both.
And this is a good deal of what the article discussed. I'm sure that I am not the only one who noted that the two issues Obama focused on were fiscal responsibility and our foreign policy (notably Iraq and Afghanistan) which are traditionally areas were liberals have gotten trounced. He took it to the contemporary Republican Party and won.
As I said in a another post and based on nothing more than a hunch, that a year from now, moderate Republicans will be more happier than big L coastal liberals with Obama. I am going to hold Obama to the line in his speech where he said, "To those who's vote I did not get, I will still be your President". We shall see.
Some of you may remember that I have said on a number of postings that Obama is nowhere as liberal as people think he is. He came from a verrrrrrrrrrrry liberal district and represented those constituents in the Illinois Legislature. He continued to represent his core Illinois base in the Senate. If you look at his advisors you will see a social moderate and a more slightly right of center on economics and foreign policy you will find him global and willing to chat but with a hammer under the table.
Some of you may remember that I have said on a number of postings that Obama is nowhere as liberal as people think he is. He came from a verrrrrrrrrrrry liberal district and represented those constituents in the Illinois Legislature. He continued to represent his core Illinois base in the Senate. If you look at his advisors you will see a social moderate and a more slightly right of center on economics and foreign policy you will find him global and willing to chat but with a hammer under the table.
Where is he going to differ with Nancy Pelosi? What proposals has she prepared that he will not support?
I am amazed. For the most part, this has been a very civilized, somewhat intellegent thread throughout. Surprising for this forum, lately. Good job people. I hope I didn't jinx it.
Where is he going to differ with Nancy Pelosi? What proposals has she prepared that he will not support?
Work in Congress :: Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, California, 8th District (http://www.house.gov/pelosi/workincongress/workincongress.html - broken link)
This response may be verbose but bear with me.
As I am sure you are quite aware of my views that the Executive branch, namely Dick Cheney will be known as a man who spent much of his career consolidating power into the Executive branch, even as far back as when he worked for Nixon. Couple this with both a Republican and Democratic majority Congress in the past many years, who have not only ceded their oversight responsibility to the Executive Branch but have almost thrust it upon them. One only has to look at the laissez-faire manner in which the recent Democratic majority in Congress has resisted the Bush administration on the occupations in Iraq and Afghanistan. What many considered a mandate by the people for their opposition to the war by electing Democrats over Republicans, they have done little and Pelosi has apathetically divested her responsibility to her own constituents.
Drawing a distinction between how Pelosi would vote or operate to that in which Obama may vote or operate is a little more difficult thing to do now. Being one is a legislator with a responsibility and duty to those functions and an executive who's function is now to administer the legislation.
I don't know about the rest of you folks but after seeing the manner and tone of Obama after being briefed on the economic conditions, I'm concerned, deeply. The days of his looking at the world through the scope of a writer of laws to an executor of them have fallen like a ton of bricks.
I have this sense that you feel Obama will be more liberal or true to this characterization of him and you very well may be right. While at this point we are talking a lot of speculation, and I have a sense that if the nation were in a more sound state, that we would see a more liberal Obama. I'm just going to have to disagree that this aspect of him will be present in his first two years due to the state of the nation he is inheriting. I base this on nothing but opinion, feeling, and a handful or articles of folks who tend to agree with my position and who don't really know either.
Quote:
Originally Posted by oscottscotto
I am amazed. For the most part, this has been a very civilized, somewhat intellegent thread throughout. Surprising for this forum, lately. Good job people. I hope I didn't jinx it.
Once in a while and out of the blue an actual discussion will break out. I know it is hard to believe but it does happen. psssssst buy a lotto ticket, its a sign!
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