Letters to the Editor
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Campaign Rhetoric Vs Policy
The outcome in Iraq is probably going to be the same regardless of which candidate is elected. Yes, Obama wants to pull out of Iraq, but he also wants to step up the fight in Afghanistan. The Reagan like war of words, a Cold War against Islamofascism, is the new Republican policy. In reality Reagan negotiated with Iran to free the hostages, and he did the cut and run in Beirut. Democrats were forced to follow the Republicans rhetorical lead in this regard, all through the Cold War, and you can make the point that they never understood it was a game, and got hopelessly mired in Vietnam.
But to the minds on the far right that sort of denouement is victory; Democrats and Communists, they are all the same. The Democratic party has not been a force since 1968. In many ways this election turns the clock back fifty years. I was so hoping Al Gore would run as the anti-Nixon, to complete the cycle. 60'-68' plus forty, and then for Gore to actually end the war, which Nixon only promised. For that Nixon paid heavily.
The political entrapment continues, as Bush trapped the Democratic Congress, and now perhaps the Democrats can trap McCain. The war against terrorism is a war of convenience, and will probably be quickly forgotten, although the rhetoric may have more staying power. McCains posture may represent also, the last gasp of a party whose policy wing has been too long at the fair.