All Things To All People: Notes On Another Unprecedented Speech
I watched another masterful performance by Obama and came away with a couple of thoughts.
He presented as an odd blend of a traditional Realist and a Neo-Con. The Realist angle is that we must do this for world security, but we won’t nation-build. That’s their problem. The Neo-Con was the guy who noticed that the United States has provided much of world security and freedom over the 20th century and we haven’t been properly thanked for our efforts. Freedom good - tyranny bad. We are a great and powerful nation and a force for good. He described September 11th in stirring rhetoric. I was surprised that he was able to recall 9/11. He worried out loud that the public won’t be roused to action. They’ve largely forgotten. It sounded like vintage George W. Bush. But, like I said, he mixed it up. This way, he will be able to pull quotes from that speech to support any future policy stance that polls well.
He also threw a bone to his base. We’re getting out soon. We need to nation-build at home. We didn’t pick this fight. He’s back to Iraq bad - Afghanistan good.
After the speech, John McCain was interviewed. Naturally, he supports the build-up of troops. I say naturally, because he’s been clear and consistent. But he sure isn’t as pretty as Obama and he doesn’t speak as thrillingly. He doesn’t stand with his chin aimed toward the ceiling. McCain repeatedly said that he supported the action but not the withdrawal plan. You either plan withdrawal around winning or around a specific date. (Maybe Obama’s birthday would be a fun withdrawal date?)
The media is still on his side, although they are getting nervous.
PS Michael Moore is unhappy And Code Pink did our work at BTL for us. Obama is the new Bush!
Obama: 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan
Obama: “We Did Not Ask for This Fight”
Bush: “We Did Not Seek This Conflict”
Obama: “New Attacks are Being Plotted as I Speak”
Bush: “At This Moment … Terrorists are Planning New Attacks”
Obama: “Our Cause is Just, Our Resolve Unwavering”
Bush: “Our Cause is Just, Our Coalition [is] Determined”
Obama: “This Is No Idle Danger, No Hypothetical Threat”
Bush: “The Enemies of Freedom Are Not Idle”
Obama: “We Have No Interest in Occupying Your Country”
Bush: “I Wouldn’t Be Happy if I Were Occupied Either”
I liked Bush and agree with Obama here; I simply don’t trust him. When it comes to Obama, as we used to say, back in ancient history: There’s No There, There.
- Aggie