Aravosis linked to
this Washington Post article describing what is essentially hostility in the Bush-town base due to a stagnant and unproductive foregin policy. The article outlines discussion from conservative think tanks and how those discussions have helped shape the administration's response, so far, to threat and action. Like Iraq.
But then we get down to a part about Newt Gingrich and Kenneth Adelman and I'm utterly beside myself, although not surprised.
Former House speaker Newt Gingrich, who is considering a bid for president, called the administration's latest moves abroad a form of appeasement. "We have accepted the lawyer-diplomatic fantasy that talking while North Korea builds bombs and missiles and talking while the Iranians build bombs and missiles is progress," he said in an interview. "Is the next stage for Condi to go dancing with Kim Jong Il?" he asked, referring to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and the North Korean leader.
"I am utterly puzzled," Gingrich added.
Kenneth Adelman, a Reagan administration arms-control official who is close to Vice President Cheney, said he believes foreign policy innovation for White House ended with Bush's second inaugural address, a call to spread democracy throughout the world.
"What they are doing on North Korea or Iran is what [Sen. John F.] Kerry would do, what a normal middle-of-the-road president would do," he said. "This administration prided itself on molding history, not just reacting to events. Its a normal foreign policy right now. It's the triumph of Kerryism."
There's two problems with this statement.
First off, John Kerry isn't the President so nobody knows for sure exactly how he would respond to the same situation with regards to Iraq, Iran, North Korea, Israel, Lebanon, etc.
Secondly, this is the Bush administration. This is on their time. This isn't Kerryism, this is Bushism. And the Bushism foreign policy is marked by smug assertions that only it knows best what can be done, that they'll do it alone if they have to, and that they won't listen to facts.
Yet what they've demonstrated with their foreign policy is that they won't level with the American people when things don't go as planned, they'll dismiss those who don't present a view that is in line with their plans, they'll criticize and smear those who point out that those who were discharged were right, they'll criticize and smear those who question the legality of certain programs drawn up under the guise of "protecting Americans," and when the American people, including some in their own party and base start to question their motives and actions, they throw a little red meat their way in the form of gay marriage and flag burning amendments, immigration reform, stem cell bill vetoes, and otherwise hope it buys them some time to get everyone to forget about the negative aspects.
And how else? By attacking those who aren't in charge, like Kerry, for their own misgivings, mistakes, and missteps.
It's time to accept responsibility. This is Bush country, not Kerryism. And it's been Bush country for 6 years now.