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Why War in Georgia is Good for McCain
I see the Georgian conflict working out in McCain's favor for few different reasons.
First, beating the war drums enables him to bolster the notion that he
would be a stronger Commander-in-Chief than Obama. Much of the
electorate will still equate McCain's professed willingness to engage
in force with "strength" and "resolve," all the while ignoring that
very similar decisions by the current Administration have led to our
present troubles.
Second, McCain will, directly or
indirectly, contrast his stance with President Bush's, who has
denounced the use of violence in the region. A perfect counter to the
Obama campaign's assertion that McCain would continue Bush's failed
foreign policies. The contrast shows McCain to be more experienced
than both Bush and Obama when it comes to making decisions about where to send US troops. McCain is a war hero, after all.
Lastly, the fact that the fighting is (was?) taking place in the former
Soviet Union puts McCain in somewhat more familiar (read: Cold War)
foreign policy territory. He's shown his ignorance of the situation in
the Middle East. But even if he accidentally refers to Czechoslovakia
a few times, surely McCain can still let loose about the Russian menace
to Western democratic values if he's called upon to do so.
I don't think that highlighting the links between Randy Scheunemann and
the fighting in Georgia will hurt McCain one bit. The "attack the
advisors" tactic only works when Republicans use it against Democrats.
Democrats don't buy into that type of politics. Hillary's attacks on
Jeremiah Wright did nothing for her with Democrats, but McCain sure won
over Republicans by attacking Obama with similar lines.
Comments (8)
I disagree with everything here, but I'd especially like to rebut this:
Obama did slump in the polls after the Wright fiasco, and after Wrights NAACP speech. It just wasn't enough of a slump to overcome Hillary's embarrassing theatrics.
August 12, 2008 3:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree with Josh and a whole host of super smart analysts who have dissected what is going between Georgia and Russia. Josh and Co. are on point, but unfortunately a lot of folk will never grasp the finer details of how this war came to pass, particularly since it remains murky even for seasoned observers.
So McCain is taking advantage of an opportunity to rake in voters who he may not otherwise have had a chance to impress.
McCain getting agitated about Russian tanks may seem absurd and comical to many of us. But Liberals and Progressive have failed to learn such lessons before.
Obama must eventually come strong with his Caucus policy (whatever it is). And he or a member of his prospective cabinet must translate the details and minutia into something voters can comprehend and identify with.
We're for THIS because THIS means THAT and THAT means America will soon be be under new management and ran by some strong, forward thinking MFs who can secure America's future.
Obama can't seriously walk into a debate and say we weren't for THiS or THAT because we were waiting to see what happened to THIS and THAT. We are comfortable now because THIS and THAT got sorted, so we are now for THIS, or THAT.
For the moment, McCain can keep running his mouth until eventually he hits the note that resonates with folks. The quality of mercy is not strnen...
August 12, 2008 4:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think it showed McCain is looking to pick a fight and find "his war", and that will scare a helluva lot of people.
I also am dying to hear the MSM call chide him fro being "presumptuous" for talking to a foreign leader during an international crisis, I mean he's not the firggin President. And then he even says to said leader "I'm speaking for all Americans..."
August 12, 2008 4:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually, it would be a dumb line of attack, because if it shows anything is that Sen. McCain already has good standing relations with our allies and is willing to engage them in times of trouble. As an American Senator, its not presumptuous of him to do so.
As for this helping Sen. McCain. I do agree, and made a similar argument in my own post on the subject. Sen. Obama in his comments came across as too meek and irresolute at a time when most people felt Russia needed to be treated far more harshly. I don't mean a war footing or anything of the sort, but simply making it clear that they should not expand the war beyond South Ossetia or attempt to overthrow the Saakashvili administration. Sen. McCain, to his credit, did this and look like a leader. Most analysis I've seen tracks along this line, and most agrees that Sen. Obama needed to step up and not be overshadowed by Sen. McCain.
The sad part about that is that Sen. McCain has the wrong world view when it comes to Russia, seeing it as nothing more than the reincarnation of the Soviet Union. Yet, in this one instances he got the response that people wanted, largely right. Sen. Obama on the other hand, despite his 300+ foreign policy advisors fumbled badly. If I was in his inner circle, I would tell him to look to Sen. Biden for guidance on issues such as these. Sen. Biden did not sound meek, and indeed crafted a set of policy prescriptions to address the crisis and to draw lines in the sand for Russia that would effectively force them to cease fighting, if diplomacy failed; none military, but equally effective. What helps Sen. Biden here is that he alone among the former presidential contenders warned about this very thing a few months back.
August 12, 2008 5:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
I know you are but what am I?
The McCain camp has been mocking Obama for meeting with "our allies" in Germany, France, Britain not two weeks ago.
And while McCain was all bluster and foaming at the mouth to pick a fight with Russia, who was doing the real work? France's Sarkosy.
Obama's release was right in line with all other European ally releases, McCain went off the deep end.
August 12, 2008 6:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain has no choice but deep end and if he pulls off a higher degree of difficulty dive or beats his chest hard enough he could impress the voters.
I am sure I would go so far as to suggest the war in Georgia is good for McCain, but it's potential game changing opportunity. Given that, McCain is going to continue kissing dead Georgian babies.
Obama didn't recognize the seriousness right away or else he would have said something before he boarded his plane to Hawaii.
That Obama subsequently came out with a statement better reflecting the gravity of the situation is good. (This business of yapping on about a McCain staff having a Georgian lobbyist gig last Friday was amateur hour and knuckles need to be rapped at the campaign.)
If what our European allies are saying is smart and constructive then ultimately Obama may have placed himself well here. But it's not clear our European allies can contribute or influence here. The fact is this: Parts of Georgia have been annexed. McCain is not accepting Putin's fait accompli. Obama's position is developing.
August 12, 2008 7:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
I disagree. Americans are wary and tired of foreign entanglements. It's in our nature. George Washington's final address to the nation warned of this, and the US was even reluctant to get involved in WWII.
People may not like Russia, but there are no good options short of restarting the Cold War. Especially given the fact that people know jack about Georgia and the conflict over South Osetia, and Georgia may not be totally innocent here, I see most people wanting to stay out of it. It's an unwanted headache more than anything. Putin's a bad guy. We get it. But at the end of the day, it's not OUR problem.
August 12, 2008 4:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Weary and tired? The United States are regularly entangled in foreign wars, and folks, with the exception of the late 60s, haven't seemed too perturbed about the concept.
I have nothing against Russia. But Putin is a creep. To suggest there are no good options is highly unimaginative and only invites further aggression from characters like Putin. There are all number of creative ways to bring some peace and security to that region. It's just a matter of having the will to engage.
But if you think it's not our problem, I guess the message for folks in Kiev is to get down to their nearest arms bazaar and shop some for heavy armour anti tank piercing mines? And the Serbians may as well fuel up and have a crack at taking back Kosovo. Why not? It's all the rage.
August 12, 2008 5:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
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