The most generous way to interpret this is that Bush is so certain that Obama's strategy on Iran will be inadvisable that he won't even give him a chance to play it out. Whether or not that sentiment is justified (I, obviously, think it is misguided), I think it is at least intermingled with the political gamesmanship and (let's call a spade a spade) spite that has characterized how President Bush has combined partisan politics and national security throughout his administration.
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Monday, June 23, 2008
Leaving a Mess
Bill Kristol thinks that, if Obama is elected, President Bush will might leave a "mess" for him in Iran. If McCain is the President-elect, Bush may be willing to leave the situation to the incoming President to address, but he might want to force Obama's hand in a more belligerent direction.
The most generous way to interpret this is that Bush is so certain that Obama's strategy on Iran will be inadvisable that he won't even give him a chance to play it out. Whether or not that sentiment is justified (I, obviously, think it is misguided), I think it is at least intermingled with the political gamesmanship and (let's call a spade a spade) spite that has characterized how President Bush has combined partisan politics and national security throughout his administration.
The most generous way to interpret this is that Bush is so certain that Obama's strategy on Iran will be inadvisable that he won't even give him a chance to play it out. Whether or not that sentiment is justified (I, obviously, think it is misguided), I think it is at least intermingled with the political gamesmanship and (let's call a spade a spade) spite that has characterized how President Bush has combined partisan politics and national security throughout his administration.
Too bad Clinton didn't do it.
ReplyDeleteI note the verbal alchemy by which you've transformed Kristol's "I do wonder ... if President Bush thinks ..." to "Bill Kristol thinks that ... President Bush will ..." If the words that come out of Kristol's mouth don't quite fit your purposes, you seem willing to put different words into his mouth.
ReplyDeleteA bit of a fine distinction, but I'll update the post to clarify.
ReplyDeleteAfter I posted the comment, it occurred to me that, if Bush goes ahead and does it, my fine distinction won't much matter.
ReplyDelete