Some people just don’t get it — that invading Iraq was a bad idea. John McCain is one.
Unfortunately, Hillary Clinton is another one, though she does at least have a plan to end the occupation.
It really amazes me that such otherwise smart people still declare that invading Iraq was a good idea, given that all of the available, objective evidence demonstrates that it wasn’t. Even a self-serving political agenda, which both of these people have, should not take a back seat to sound reasoning.
The only thing harder to stomach than being wrong is having to admit it. Please understand (and of course YOU do, Grumpy) that it would be political suicide to do any apologizing this early (or ever?) in a campaign. In an ideal Country, small town heroes would have a chance to run for office on firm platforms of reason. However, we are stuck with America, and the main key to "victory" is having a broad platform. Please excuse the fact that Hilliary isn't willing to throw away the "patriotic" (pronounced brainwashed) vote just yet, or likely ever.
I think we can all easily get carried away wanting to like or trust a candidate. When we hear someone say all or most of the right things, we'd love to think that they truly believe what they say and aim to follow through with their positions. Unfotunately, straightforwardness and consistency amount to political suicide, especially if you want to fit into a major party. Most successful politicians have gotten where they have through plenty of shrewd, soulless maneuvering. They've checked their integrity at the door the moment they forayed into politics, and that integrity has little chance of resurfacing.
Cynical, I know. But taking a politician's message with doubt and scrutiny (as all of us here do) saves us a lot of disappointment and keeps us from getting played like a fiddle, the way much of the voting public does.
McCain and Rodham-Clinton are cut from the same cloth. Both are political opportunists, first and foremost. Granted, calling a politician an opportunist is redundant, but these two define the breed standard.
Further to Ben's, Erika's and Edgar's comments, indeed, politicians presumably say what they think they need to say to get themselves elected, but that is why McCain's and Clinton's support for the Iraq invasion is so remarkable: most voting Americans no longer support the Iraq invasion. These candidates are thus stuck between the Scylla of being a "flip-flopper" and the Charybdis of supporting an invasion that has already cost many career politicians their jobs. That both candidates have chosen to steer this same course is revealing: apparently, they are both more afraid of being accused of flip-flopping than they are of supporting an unpopular invasion that has clearly proven to be an election-losing position. I don't know about anyone else, but I am deeply bothered by a political candidate (or any other leader) who remains wedded to bad ideas in the face of overwhelming contrary evidence. There comes a time when one must put truth ahead of personal ego and ambition, and I, for one, will not support a political candidate who refuses to do so. Not because I believe the Iraq invasion was bad for America, but because I believe such a politician would be. Indeed, one of Bush's worst character flaws, and one that has been most costly for America, is his refusal to admit his mistakes. WHY ON EARTH would we want another four years of that with McCain or Clinton?
You had me at Scylla.
(see Jerry McGuire "you had me at Hello")
Fortunately, there is an alternative, John Edwards. Go to johnedwards.com
John Edwards will restore America as compassionate, concerned and committed to peace.
Not for me Tim, the only alternative is Clinton, Clinton, Clinton. Of course, my dad went to school with both Bill and Hill, so I am likely to be unfairly biased. Plus I do not yet see a better choice who has a chance, athough Obama has my full attention. Edwards is the scum on Hilliary's heel, IMHO.
Unfortunately, John Edwards is a moron. He would do for America what George Bush has done for America: prove that a fool with power can do great damage to a nation. Look at his website: lots of dreamy ideas and absolutely no clue how to achieve or pay for any of it. He is one of those pathetic people with good looks and no common sense — the Ken doll of American politics. He would destroy this country's economy and, what's worse, I don't think he would care. Before he entered politics, he made his fortune as a plaintiff's lawyer extracting money from big corporations. As president, I think he would continue doing so, just as Bush has used the office to continue doing what he did before: support the oil industry, the neo-cons and the evangelical Christian agenda.
Reminder: McCain is a pro-lifer. Not that he was getting any consideration from me. Billiary For Pres!
Dear Mr. McCain:
With your money running out, your approval rating approaching single digits, and your presidential campaign tanking, don't say I didn't warn you about your foolish stance on Iraq. Better luck next time.