I support Jennifer Brunner for the US Senate. I don't support being pandered to, which Jennifer did to me, point blank, in February when she announced her candidacy.
Because I support Jennifer for US Senate, I went searching for instances where her primary opponent, Lee Fisher, spoke in support of our 2008 presidential nominee's Afghanistan policy, which Lee certainly must have done, despite now claiming to not support it.
Why does this matter? Because every prominent Democrat in the country would have spoken in support of Barack Obama's Afghanistan policy in 2008, a policy which he just implemented in full. The standard line was that Iraq took our eye off the ball in Afghanistan. Remember? Sure ya do.
It would have been unthinkable for a Democrat to make it through the primaries WITHOUT such a policy. In fact, Hillary Clinton would have DESTROYED Barack Obama had he advocated the withdrawal policies now being advocated by opportunists like Lee Fisher. How far did 2008 Democratic presidential candidates get in that primary who advocated withdrawal? About as far as the Des Moines airport on primary night, that's how far.
To my surprise, turns out I asked Jennifer a question about precisely this topic, when Jennifer Brunner announced her candidacy in February in a thread at Buckeye State Blog. I asked Jennifer point blank about a troop increase in Afghanistan.
Jennifer, as a US Senator, you will be an integral part of the foreign policy decision making of the country. What is your vision of the US role in the world going forward, and specifically, how would you vote on troop increases to Afghanistan?
Here's Jennifer's February 24, 2009 answer, titled "The Resurgence of Al Qaeda"
The resurgence of al Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan is the greatest threat to our national security. I would support a troop increase in Afghanistan and work with the White House and Congressional leaders to expand our NATO allies’ troop presence in Afghanistan. We must also work with the Afghan government to help revitalize Afghanistan’s economy and provide more opportunities for Afghani citizens.
So who got pandered to, Jennifer? Me in February, or the pacifist crowd now? What was so different in February? Were Al Qaeda and the Taliban MORE resurgent in Afghanistan AND Pakistan in February than they are now? Were there more Al Qaeda in Afghanistan AND Pakistan in FEBRUARY than there is now?
A friend of mine just asked me if I was done with Brunner now. No, I said. Just time for some tough love. Homey don't like gettin' pandered to. My friend then asked, "does any politician survive tough love?" Good question.
Because we're about to find out.