The headline reads:
McCain: Clinton's North Korea policy 'a failure.' Let's see, what else can the repugs blame on the Democrats and Clinton? Oh, I know -- the E-coli contamination of spinach and now, possibly lettuce!! Yes -- of course -- it's the Democrats', particularly former president Clinton's, failed agriculture policies that were responsible for that. How could I have been so blind?
In a front page
cnn article, Mr. McCain parrots the
first repug line: "it's Bill Clinton's fault." The opening paragraph reads:
SOUTHFIELD, Michigan (AP) -- Republican Sen. John McCain on Tuesday accused former President Clinton, the husband of his potential 2008 White House rival, of failing to act in the 1990s to stop North Korea from developing nuclear weapons.
"I would remind Senator [Hillary] Clinton and other Democrats critical of the Bush administration's policies that the framework agreement her husband's administration negotiated was a failure,..."
Let's see Clinton gets North Korea to sign a nuclear non-proliferation agreement, communications between the US and North Korea dissintegrated under the Bush regime, administration, yet it's Clinton's failed policy that is to blame when, 6 years after he leaves office, North Korea tests a nuclear bomb. The line of responsibility is so clear! How could anyone possibly think that what happened on this president's watch is in any way this president's responsibility?!
John Kerry hits the nail on the head when he says,
He must be trying to burnish his credentials for the nomination process," said Kerry, who labeled McCain's comments "flat politics and incorrect."
"The truth is the Clinton administration knew full well they didn't have a perfect agreement. But at least they were talking. At least we had inspectors going in and we knew where the [nuclear fuel] rods were. This way, we don't know where the rods are. The rods are gone. There are no inspectors. Ask any American which way is better," Kerry said.
Instead of recognizing that the current North Korean policy is not working, McCain says, "The worst thing we could do is to accede to North Korea's demand for bilateral talks." He is, in effect, parroting the repug line -- "stay the course."
Do you know the definition of insanity, Mr. McCain? Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Not talking to the North Koreans has brought us where we are, yet Mr. McCain insists we continue that failed policy. We should be very wary of Mr. McCain in 2008 -- apparently, he is willing to prostitute himself and say anything to get (perceived) voters on his side.
Stay strong!