Obama or Palin: The Neocons Win Either Way
By David Beito • Tuesday September 8, 2009 8:33 AM PDT • 3 Comments
If you think that Obama and Palin are polar opposites, think again. As Mark Brady points out, Obama has pretty much endorsed their world policing agenda through his Afghan surge. So too has Sarah Palin.
In an open letter, the heroine of the town-hall rabble rousers embraces Obama’s Afghan policy, albeit adding some gentle criticism. Co-signed by such neocon stalwarts as William Kristol (her debate coach), David Frum, and Max Boot, the letter asserts that Obama needs to do even more to escalate the war in Afghanistan:
“we urge you to continue on the path you have taken thus far and give our commanders on the ground the forces they need to implement a successful counterinsurgency strategy. There is no middle course. Incrementally committing fewer troops than required would be a grave mistake and may well lead to American defeat. We will not support half-measures that repeat the errors of the past.”
Last year, it seemed that spectacular failures in foreign policy had finally discredited the neocons. The reality this year could not be more different. The neocons not only landed on their feet after Obama’s victory but are stronger than ever before.
If the Republicans nominate Palin in 2012 (even if they don’t), we can look forward to a non-debate on foreign policy comparable to the Cold War harmonies of Kennedy v. Nixon in 1960. It looks like the advocates of muscular Wilsonianism have safely co-opted the town halls for the cause.
Tags: Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq 
That is depressing but I don’t think the Executive is the path to peace. If enough members of Congress adhere to a non-interventionist foreign policy, they can prevent the Prez from war-mongering via the “power of the purse.” I know that’s highly unlikely but voter will question the US empire more as the economic situation worsens.
AntiPartisan | Sep 8, 2009 | Reply
With the U.S. economy struggling, we need policies that will spark immediate business investment and encourage capital investment. We must continue to create overseas opportunities for American companies and chip away at the deficit by taking steps to control wasteful governmental spending. Read and learn about policies that need attention at here.
mld | Sep 8, 2009 | Reply
This is sad to say the least, especially at a time when we need to take care of so much business here at home. It is this interventionist foreign policy that has resulted in our country being hated by so many, when we are SUPPOSED to be representing freedom throughout the world.
shill | Sep 9, 2009 | Reply