[TheFederalist] As former secretary of Defense Robert Gates said at a recent talk, the Middle East and North African are on fire and are probably going to burn for the next 30 years. We had better well have a plan--a consistent one that can endure beyond a single election cycle. This will require the general support of the American people, which is not an easy task.
We can only hope that these problems, which are now spreading beyond Syria and Iraq, are on every candidate’s radar, and that voters think carefully about who is the right person to take them on." Article tilts towards Sec'y. Clinton but, aside that, is a pretty good summary of international threats.
That's former Secretary Clinton, thank goodness. And if that plan relies on nobody knowing the details but the president and a few key members of our military and intelligence departments, she may not be the president we are looking for.
Posted by: Vast Right Wing Conspiracy ||
03/18/2016 00:00 ||
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#1
Rip the nukes out of Iran's and Nork's hands and stay out.
#3
...ignoring that their hated American "imperialism" had largely kept the lid on much of what is normal human history for the last 70 years, now breaking out with abandon around the world.
Peace is that relatively short interlude in history as everyone reloads their guns.
#4
Ahhh yes. The person that ushered in Libya and ISIS and turned Egypt over to the MoBro is just the person we need to straighten out MENA................NOT!!
#6
All the meddling the United States and Europeans have done over there has led to where it is now. It's time to back off and let the locals figure it out for themselves. Let it burn and disengage. We don't go there. They don't come here.
#9
I'm guessing that if things keep going as they are the European far-right will be running the show in Europe and Imperialism might be back on the table as some of these areas sure appear ungovernable.
[VanityFair] ...And, of course, they plan to highlight his fiery, unpredictable temperament as a major national-security threat. According to the Times, the Clinton campaign is counting on both Bill Clinton and Barack Obama to carry that message forward, with the president employing his bully pulpit to argue Trump does not have the seriousness required to lead the country. Coming from Presidents Slick and Urkel, this will be quite a statement.
Posted by: Vast Right Wing Conspiracy ||
03/18/2016 00:00 ||
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#1
When you take a step back and look at it on face value, it is just breath-taking, worthy of Pakistani politics
#4
Given that Trump is not a hand wringing whining apologist that so many GOPe are, I expect something on the level of Mutual Assured Destruction. Pass the popcorn.
#5
Maybe Slick has it right - Days after the Nevada Republican caucuses, Bill reportedly shot down the belief that Hillary could easily beat Trump in a general election, arguing that the reality-TV star had a keen understanding of the electorate’s mood, coupled with a rhetorical style best suited for what Bill has allegedly called an “Instagram election.” Hillary, on the other hand, is the exact opposite: policy-oriented, pragmatic, and slightly too detailed on the stump.
I hope Willie is the consummate politician everyone says he is!
Posted by: Bobby ||
03/18/2016 7:57 Comments ||
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#6
What ya wanna bet Hillary won't take any advice from Bill?
Posted by: Deacon Blues ||
03/18/2016 10:34 Comments ||
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#7
Media is pushing Trump right now. Once he has the nomination they will burn him alive. Hillary won't have to do or say a damn thing.
#8
She will destroy Trump?? I wouldn't bet on that. As Trump says he is a counter-puncher. That doesn't mean he can't lead with a good punch. She is ripe and has much baggage. If you remember, Trump sent a team of investigators to Hawaii to check into Obama's birth certificate. I don't know that he ever revealed what he found.
How much is 'pushing' and how much is really 'yanking'? His recent decision not to debate was as much a notice that he knows he draws the ratings that the media lives and dies for. They can't help themselves. They can't afford to ignore it.
#13
His decision to dodge (just like he dodged Vietnam) was a tacit admission that Cruz would probably beat him rather convincingly, and without having to go with the Rubio insult style of things. Not that it would matter - the media that is carrying him now with billions in free publicity will turn on him. And he will fail based off all those polls Trumpbots like to cite that show him favorably in the GOP but losing in the general, giving us President Hillary, unless she gets indicted.
#15
The Dems will vote loyal, evan against their own interests, and in a bloc, they have proven that time and again. Thats the main thing Hillary has going for her - the Dem machine keeps their herd in line and moving.
The problem isn't the press, that doesn't affect Trumps followers as can be seen by posters here - they are True Believers. Thats pretty much proven by his numbers not going down in spite of gaffes and walkbacks that would have cratered any other candidate except perhaps Obama.
The problem is how is Trump going to get beyond 40% or so (he has yet to top 50% in any major state) of less than 40% the voters (registered GOP). Thats 16% of the general electorate as a core. Pretty weak as a starting point.
Now add to that, there are 1/4 to 1/3 or so of the GOP that simply will not vote for the guy. And large numbers as well of independents as well driven off by his liberal background, and the high negatives and abrasiveness not only of Trump but his acolytes as well.
So how does Trump sell himself to those people, without whom he will lose the general election in a landslide? How does he build a coalition that will vote for him in sufficient numbers, in enough states to win?
#16
This from Instaprof -
THEY PROBABLY HAD IT COMING: How Donald Trump Bent Television To His Will.
Two network sources also confirmed the unprecedented control the television networks have surrendered to Trump in a series of private negotiations, allowing him to dictate specific details about placement of cameras at his event, to ensure coverage consists primarily of a single shot of his face.
Network officials say the ratings have born out commercial incentives to devote their campaign coverage to largely unfiltered streams of Trump talking. CBS CEO Les Moonves quipped that Trump “may not be good for America, but it’s damn good for CBS, that’s all I got to say.”
But many inside the networks are growing increasingly disturbed with what they’ve helped create.
“As a programmer, it’s an easy decision, people watch it,” said one producer. “As an American, I’m sort of troubled by it, because I feel like we contribute it.”
And this:
According to two sources familiar with the call, the Trump campaign, citing security concerns from Secret Service, dictated to the networks that their camera crews can only shoot Trump head-on from a fenced-in press pen.
Under the Trump campaign’s conditions, camera crews would not be able to leave the press pen during Trump’s rallies to capture video of audience reactions, known in the industry as “cutaway shots” or “cuts.” Networks would also not be able to use a separate riser set up to get cutaway shots.
The terms, which limit the access journalists have to supporters and protesters while Trump is speaking, are unprecedented, and are more restrictive than those put on the networks by the White House or Hillary Clinton’s campaign, which has had Secret Service protection for its duration.
You don’t have to be enthusiastic about Trump to enjoy watching him beat Clinton at her own media game.
Ignore it? No, they are not ignoring it. Trump is getting more MSM air time than all the other R candidates combined. The number I saw for CNN was 78% of their coverage.
Two take aways from this.
1. It is incredibly easy to manipulate a sizable number of Republican voters.
2. The MSM does not want Republicans to do well. If they are flogging Trump - and they are - then they are convinced Trump will hurt Republicans.
#18
Everything from now until November will be based on scaring the minority factions into showing up and convincing Bernie fans (wealthy whites and college age) she's not the establishment. The Democrat coalition is badly fractured.
All the Republicans have to do to clean their clock is avoid this brokered convention foolishness. Get on the Trump (or Cruz) train and hang on. If the none establishment Republicans play their cards right the union vote might be yanked from the Democrats for good.
#19
Am I the only one who notices the increase in ad hominem attacks lately on this site? Procopius, a long time poster, is referred to as "Proctopius" as in Proctology. Is it a new group of churlish dolts being attracted to the site? Just trolls trying to take up space and ridicule people who think differently? I hate thinking that this will last through the election.
#23
Is it a new group of churlish dolts being attracted to the site?
A multiple anonymous-nymed group of one thus far, Sgt D.T., but he was persistant. Some of our regulars also become excitable -- elections have mattered a great deal more since 9/11. It's easier to avoid if you stay away from Page 6: Seedy Politicians, and choose your op-eds carefully.
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Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
