[George W. Bush]

Let’s throw millions of dollars into a project. Then, before we have enough data to conclude whether its a success we abandon the project and spend millions more on a different project. See any similarities here to Iraq?

No. Education policy, a local matter, is not and cannot be a federal matter by the Constitution.

Defense is. The Founders spelled it out clearly and many of the early presidents fleshed out that vision in various ways when they served in Congress and as president.

Whether you agree with the Iraq invasion and occupation (depending on which of the shifting war aims and causes we've had over time), there is no serious debate over whether national defense is a legitimate federal responsibility. Period.

[firebrand]

When education becomes a matter of national defense, it is constitutional.

[asparagus]

I’m talking about short-term thinking. It is in the process of destroying the left in their obsession to end the war. We need to bring strategic, long-term thinking to Washington.