Posted on 10/03/2004 9:04:00 AM PDT by Taft in '52
A critical reason that John Kerry's once-assured election is going up in Deweyesque smoke is Kerry's inability to pass the Commander-in-Chief test: Can this candidate be trusted to ensure our security in a manifestly insecure world? In the three previous presidential contests, voters could ignore that question. But they can't now, not after 9/11. Yet Kerry comes across as though he thinks he can deal with mortal, major foreign policy issues by senatorial fudging and "nuancing."
• Iran. The mullahs will soon have nuclear weapons. What should the U.S. do? Europe has tried its ineffective diplomacy and has, predictably, come up empty-handed. Yet Kerry thinks that a big bribe (known in diplomatic parlance as "assistance" or "energy development aid") will stop Iran's impending nuclear capacity. But Iran's hardheaded clerical hoodlums won't take that bait, figuring they'll shake us down for even more once they have the actual thing.
• China/Taiwan. There's a power struggle going on within the Chinese government. One side is emphatically brandishing the nationalist card with its get-tough attitude toward Taiwan's independence-minded government. When President Bush took office, he made it clear that an unprovoked attack on Taiwan by mainland China would mean war with the U.S. Will Kerry make such a commitment? So far, no. This could invite real trouble if Beijing interprets his "nuancing" as a de facto green light for it to deal with Taiwan using force.
• Iraq. The Senator has been all over the map on this. The impression he leaves, however, is that he will pull us out as soon as he finds a shred of a fig leaf. Our withdrawal will encourage Iran to step up its support of dissidents in Iraq, and in the Middle East and elsewhere it will be seen as the terrorists' having triumphed over a weak-willed Uncle Sam.
• Venezuela. The country's ruler, Hugo Chávez, is a Castroite thug who rigged the recent recall election. Chávez is supporting neighboring narco-guerrillas while suppressing his domestic opponents. Does Senator Kerry really believe "dialogue" will make Chávez see the sweet light of democracy?
The perception that John Kerry is soft on national security is why he can't credibly attack President Bush for mistakes the U.S. has made in Iraq, such as our failure last spring to secure Fallujah when the Marines were on the verge of doing so; the leathernecks were pulled back on the eve of victory.
All the talk on domestic issues won't get Kerry into the White House without his overcoming the Commander-in-Chief hurdle. Even with all the setbacks and disappointments in Iraq, voters will go with an incumbent who has clearly demonstrated that he understands the true stakes involved in our war against Islamic fanaticism and who has the resolve to see the conflict through.
bttt
Mr Rogers could lay out an impressive case against Kerry.
The ulitimate John Kerry ad.It is hilarious, but it points out the very serious contradictions of Kerry's comments.
"Steve Forbes lays out a powerful case against Kerry."
He does lay out a powerful case. But the Dems are signing up millions of voters who wouldn't know Iran and Venezuela are countries, much less what the foreign policy issues might be. These arguments are very persuasive, but most people who are capable of being persuaded by them are already in Bush's corner.
I have to admit to considerable discouragement when I think that this election might be decided by teenyboppers who are voting the way their favorite rapper tells them to, irrational feminists, Hollywood elitists, union thugs, blacks who vote the way Kweise Mfume and Al Sharpton tell them to, and various groups who care only about their entitlements and special interests.
Global tests are not in the Constitution... If Iran nukes Paris will there be a Global Test to determine response?
BTTT
That's exactly what he would be. Heaven Forbid. Keep Hanoi john out.
Millions? Are you sure the number is that high? Where do you get this?
I too admit, not only to discouragement, but to fear, regarding Democratic voter registration fraud, as well as registering uninformed people.
We all need statement yard signs, like Friends don't let friends vote democrat. or Know who you are voting for, be informed.
The prospect of John Kerry and THK in the white House, is a terrifying prospect, to put it mildly!
They just threw his nuclear fuel offer back in his face.
"We have our own technology to make nuclear fuel....why should we beg for it" ...said Iran.
Hey J F'n....nuance that
sorry.....need more coffee
Bump for Bush:)
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