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OP-ED: Choose principle over plastic
by Michael Goldman
Op-Ed | 2/5/08
Posted online at 1:45 AM EST on 2/5/08
With the world at war, a recession approaching and the political order of both the Republican and Democratic parties in turmoil, the United States is in need of a strong leader. John McCain, the maverick senator fromArizona, understands the challenges the planet faces and tells the nation clearly what has to be done about them.
McCain stands in strong contrast to former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney and Sen. Hillary Clinton, who have disgraced themselves through negative campaigning and position packages woven from attention to polling. America needs a president who will govern based on conviction, not on the whims of our 24-hour news cycle. We must prefer authenticity to artifice and principle to plastic.
Gov. Mike Huckabee must be praised for his common human decency and Rep. Ron Paul for his tenacious dedication to unpopular views. However, both maintain positions that are simply irresponsible. Huckabee, a Christian populist, seems to support regulation of the economy and our culture. Paul, a libertarian isolationist, would apparently withdraw as much as possible from foreign commitments. An end to U.S. hegemony would only encourage dangerous actors troubling the international arena.
Sen. Barack Obama, who has (along with McCain) received this publication's endorsement, has also remained unflinchingly true to his core beliefs. However, he has failed to present a clear plan to achieve the "change" he advocates. It is the nature of our political process to expect a messiah with every election. The cautious voter will take note that former President John F. Kennedy, who shared many characteristics with Obama as a candidate, may have been inspiring, but to my knowledge, was not tremendously consequential in the historical eye.
Obama has not served a full Senate term and expresses a certain na'veté about our dangerous globe. Of sending forces to stop the genocide in Sudan, he has said, "Those of us who care about Darfur don't think that would be a good idea." He has famously threatened to unilaterally send forces into Pakistan in pursuit of Taliban guerrillas, which would surely increase the instability of that unfortunate nation. Obama is simply too much of a risk in a troubled era.
McCain stands in strong contrast to former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney and Sen. Hillary Clinton, who have disgraced themselves through negative campaigning and position packages woven from attention to polling. America needs a president who will govern based on conviction, not on the whims of our 24-hour news cycle. We must prefer authenticity to artifice and principle to plastic.
Gov. Mike Huckabee must be praised for his common human decency and Rep. Ron Paul for his tenacious dedication to unpopular views. However, both maintain positions that are simply irresponsible. Huckabee, a Christian populist, seems to support regulation of the economy and our culture. Paul, a libertarian isolationist, would apparently withdraw as much as possible from foreign commitments. An end to U.S. hegemony would only encourage dangerous actors troubling the international arena.
Sen. Barack Obama, who has (along with McCain) received this publication's endorsement, has also remained unflinchingly true to his core beliefs. However, he has failed to present a clear plan to achieve the "change" he advocates. It is the nature of our political process to expect a messiah with every election. The cautious voter will take note that former President John F. Kennedy, who shared many characteristics with Obama as a candidate, may have been inspiring, but to my knowledge, was not tremendously consequential in the historical eye.
Obama has not served a full Senate term and expresses a certain na'veté about our dangerous globe. Of sending forces to stop the genocide in Sudan, he has said, "Those of us who care about Darfur don't think that would be a good idea." He has famously threatened to unilaterally send forces into Pakistan in pursuit of Taliban guerrillas, which would surely increase the instability of that unfortunate nation. Obama is simply too much of a risk in a troubled era.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 3
Pablo Escobar
posted 2/05/08 @ 6:00 AM EST
If you encounter an Obama supporter who thinks that Barack Obama doesn't take money from lobbyists, please inform them of the following research from the Centre for Responsive Politics:
http://www. (Continued…)
JC
posted 2/05/08 @ 7:55 AM EST
Have your history professors not taught the difference between isolationism and non-interventionism?
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