Beginning the Politics of Fear
June 30, 2008
Courtesy of Joe Lieberman. When your pal is trailing in the polls, resort to scare tactics.
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How is this the politics of Fear? Sounds like the politcs of relaity that any President will have to face.
Surely the Obama people are not afraid of such talk since they too realize the threat
That’s what most in the comments section seem to think.
My comments were to the original post.
I guess I disagree with most comments sections then. IF the former VP nominee of the Democrat party that came withina hair of being VP, the Chairman of Homeland security cannot talk about valid threats where are we at?
I don’t think Obama is shy about saying that he is ready and it is a issue.
HE said “”our enemies will test the new president early. Remember that the truck bombing of the World Trade Center happened in the first year of the Clinton administration. 9/11 happened in the first year of the Bush administration.” ”
Again people can differ if this will happen or not. However I think most Obama supporters and Obama himself think that he can handle it
Though one might argue the politics of fear began with these comments from Obama himself:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080620/pl_nm/usa_politics_obama_race_dc_1
This to me is a strong argument for Obama, given that McCain stands for a continuation of the codpeice diplomacy that made the world a far more dangerous place.
What makes McCain diplomacy or FOreign policy view cod piece? From what I read European and Latin AMerican countires feel they could have a constructive relationships with the Mccain and a McCain administration.
How is this the politics of Fear?
“Our enemies will test the new president early.” This is a prediction and purportedly a statement of fact.
Sounds like the politcs of relaity that any President will have to face.
Politics of reality would admit that it is possible that there will be a terrorist attack today, tomorrow, next year, or next decade. Politics of reality do not dictate that a terrorist attack will happen days or weeks after a president takes office.
Ok here is the fuller quote
“But we need a president who is ready to be commander in chief on day one. Senator McCain is. Incidentally, Senator [Hillary] Clinton said that over and over again. And she’s right. She was ready to be president on day one. Why? Because our enemies will test the new president early. Remember that the truck bombing of the World Trade Center happened in the first year of the Clinton administration; 9/11 happened in the first year of the Bush administration. John McCain is ready to take the reins on January 20, 2009. He doesn’t need any training” (CBS, 6/29).”
Later Wesely Clark who is of course supporting Obama said
“Clark: “In the matters of national security policy making, it’s a matter of understanding risk. It’s a matter of gauging your opponents and it’s a matter of being held accountable. John McCain’s never done any of that in his official positions. … He has been a voice on the Senate Armed Services Committee. And he has traveled all over the world. But he hasn’t held executive responsibility”
It seems that both people are making arguements that their Guy is best suited when the next attack happens
Be not afraid.
If the former VP nominee of the Democrat [sic] party that came within a hair of being VP, the Chairman of Homeland security cannot talk about valid threats where are we at?
His intention is not to “talk about valid threats” but rather, as Obama would put it, to scare up votes. Lieberman is destined for richly-deserved ejection from the Democratic Party after November.
Matt
It’s quite possible Lieberman is using this as his attempt to get a VP position….
Henry – I actually expect that McCain will pick Lieberman, and for the pitch to be something like, “Democrats and Republicans United For Change.”
Matt, the Good Senator from Conn is not longer a Democrat but a independent and thus cannot be ejected from the Democrat party.
He is one of those that often many people say they want. That is someone not chained to the Two party system!!! Except of course when it goes against what they want :)
As for good ole Joe being VP that will not happen. Though he I respect him and also repsect the fact he reaches accross the aisle in diffuclt situations and stands up in the heat of the moment to try to issue calm he will not be VP
Needless to say Mccain is not going to put a pro-choice moderate liberal on the ticket that just 4 years ago was running in the Democrat Primary for President.
Talk about dampering the base and the prolife folks. Joe knows this
JH – the Good Senator from Conn is not longer a Democrat but a independent and thus cannot be ejected from the Democrat [sic] party.
Fair enough, but he still has committee chairmanships due to the kindness of the Democratic leadership in the Senate, assignments which will be ending after November.
rom what I read European and Latin AMerican countires feel they could have a constructive relationships with the Mccain and a McCain administration.
WHO within those countries could have a “constructive” relationship w/ a McCain administration.
Lieberman is not only shameless, but also a shameless war mongerer.
Yes the divorce between Lieberman and the Democrats is one divorce I will be cheering.
Michael as to Latin America as well as Europe I do think many believe Obama is a tad protectionist and close minded on trade. Trade is always one of those basic things that helps lead to other agreements.
Elements in the GOP , especially our Protectionist” wing is raging it Tusk again so it is not really by itself a pure manner. Howver McCain is getting credos for being perhaps a consistent lonely voice despite it not being popular on these issues.
I also think many appreaciate his work on Immigration Refrom despite taking a lot of arrows and for talking Guest Worker which might return us to some sanity that we saw when we had Circular migration.
From what I can gather from European Papers , the Govts in Europe are not frightful of a McCain administration and their interest.
He will be going to COlumbia and elsewhere before the 4th(and by the way I look forward to VOX NOVA posting on that day :) ). We shall see if the media covers it. I am doubtful since the media seems to find Latin American as remote as Easter Island. This trip will be a politcal mindfield for him but it is important to go
I would be watching his remarks the next few days to gleam what his possible vision is. Of course it will be delicate because of the long standing policy that a Presidential Candindate does not go abroad and too much differ with the present Occupant in the White’s House policy. However I think we shall be able to gleam more.
Mark and MM,
I think yall are a tad tough on Lieberman. Besies the issue of IRaq and perhaps facets of his Israeli view what else is there about him that leads to rejoicing about a big divorce?
I often see this on the GOP side with people that so much want to divorce the RINOS and such. It is gets so overblown
jh – You didn’t directly answer my question about WHO in Latin American countries would favor a McCain presidency. You did allude to European governments possibly favoring McCain. Even if you are talking about the governments of these countries, that’s a far cry from your initial statement that “European and Latin AMerican (sic) countires feel…” You’re glossing over countless communities of people when you make statements like that.
Yes the divorce between Lieberman and the Democrats is one divorce I will be cheering.
You and me both, bro.