John McCain and Wes Clark seem to agree

by: Alex Gallichon

Sat Jul 05, 2008 at 20:08:55 PM EDT

In the dying hours of the daylight, I'm sitting on my deck in the middle of reading Feingold: A New Democratic Party by Sanford Horwitt, which is, maybe, a bit of a puff piece detailing the ascent and political style of my favorite contemporary Senator, Russ Feingold from Wisconsin.

Feingold, as most people here are probably aware, worked with John McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, on campaign finance reform.

Read the following excerpt and follow it to its logical conclusion:

Indeed, the first time McCain and Feingold crossed paths shortly after Feingold came to the Senate, an unpleasant confrontation seemed to be in the making. As McCain recalls, "When I first noticed him ... he was arguing on the Senate floor to cut funding for an aircraft carrier. I asked him in debate whether he had ever been on an aircraft carrier. When he answered in the negative, I suggested that he learn a little more about them before he decided the country needed fewer of them." It was the kind of acid-tongued dressing-down that John McCain was known for in the Senate, the style not universally appreciated. Feingold, however, responded in a way that impressed McCain. "He reacted with typical good humor and observed, correctly, that he didn't need to see a carrier to understand their purpose," McCain writes in his memoir. "As I've come to know him, I realize that my remark was as unfair to him as it was discourteous. Russ didn't take positions that he is not well-informed about. Even when I believe his judgment to be mistaken, it is not for his lack of diligence in studying the issue."

Now, let's get back to Wes Clark, who commended McCain's military performance, but in response to Bob Schliefer's remark that, "I have to say, Barack Obama has not had any of those experiences either nor has he ridden in a fighter plane and gotten shot down," Clark appropriately responded that he doesn't "think riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to be President." Which, is not an insignificant statement coming from the former NATO Supreme Allied Commander.

Essentially, having the "right" or "best" policy views for our country's security does not come from sitting in a fighter cockpit or touring an aircraft carrier, it comes from diligent study, hearing out varied analyses and advice, and using sound judgment to come to one's own critical conclusions.

No one on this website has argued that Wes Clark's remarks were wrong in and of themselves. Criticism of Clark has been mostly on the political correctness of his remarks, in the sense of of whether they advance Barack Obama's electoral position. No one, including Clark, has suggested that John McCain's experiences in the Navy during the Vietnam War do not give him a unique outlook on policy issues.

The basic problem is that the foreign policy positions John McCain has taken should not be above criticism simply because of those unique experiences. I think, and I say this with the utmost sincerity because my view is that John McCain is a pretty reasonable and pretty normal guy, that John McCain would agree on that. As an individual and a Presidential candidate, John McCain has put forth his views on foreign policy and national security issues as part of his commitment to American democratic ideals: he has put these views forward not merely to increase his chance at electoral victory, but also to inform us voters of the policy choices that will be influenced with our votes in the Presidential election.

He's not going to get my vote, because I disagree with the policy choices that McCain has indicated will occur under his presidency. And I'm uncomfortable with some of the other uncommon elements of his foreign policy background, such as chairing the interventionist and largely antidemocratic International Republican Institute.

To me, what's interesting about this election compared to others in recent memory, is both John McCain and Barack Obama seem more committed to winning on the merits of their policies and their ability to see them carried out, than on the fluff of who has a more compelling personal narrative, which has been the focus of the media and the supporters of both candidates.

Nashua House Delegation: Republican Victories by Default?

by: Alex Gallichon

Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 15:33:58 PM EDT

In 2008, this is not the case.

General George Stark

by: Alex Gallichon

Thu May 08, 2008 at 20:01:12 PM EDT

In the remarkable development of the railroad traffic in this country within the last fifty years, many prominent men of our state identified with this interest have achieved an enviable success. A leading position among these representative men will be accorded to General George Stark, who, within the last forty years, has been associated with the successful organization and management of several of the most wealthy and influential of these corporations.

Bob Clegg and Grant Bosse on Iraq

by: Alex Gallichon

Thu Apr 10, 2008 at 19:15:02 PM EDT

Never mind for a moment that Bob Clegg doesn't include issues positions on his website. Bob Clegg recently put out a press release criticizing Paul Hodes's opposition to the Iraq war. In it, Clegg's views begin to become clearer.

America has a job to do, we have made substantial gains but the progress could easily be reversed if we take the wrong course of action now. We all know an immediate withdrawal would leave in its wake genocide, and a military which wonders why it is now a pawn of political campaigns and not the defenders of freedoms as they had been recruited to be.

Cutting through the fluff, he essentially says,
1. America has to stay in Iraq.
2. Immediate withdrawal will make things worse.
3. Uh oh, the military has been drawn into political debate.

Clegg says that, "Paul Hodes offers retreat."

I couldn't find the press release Clegg is criticizing in whole, but it's quoted in an Associated Press article.
What does Clegg offer?

If Paul Hodes offers "retreat" for saying that "an indefinite military occupation will not lead to the political solution we seek," I guess Bob Clegg's views are in accord with John "100 years in Iraq" McCain.

I'll stop short of saying McCain's views make sense, but it is much more understandable for McCain to support the White House position, when he's aiming to be George W. Bush's successor. It doesn't make sense for a Republican challenger.

After the 2006 elections, the New Hampshire Republicans were calling Democratic victories at both federal and state levels a fluke attributable to public displeasure with the Iraq war. If they think all other issues notwithstanding, they lost the election over Iraq, why on earth would Bob Clegg take the same view on the one issue the Republicans think cost them the last election?

Grant Bosse's position is more ridiculous. He gets some credit for stating it outright, along with his positions on other issues. Basically he agrees with Bob Clegg, John McCain, and George Bush that we need to stay in Iraq. But he goes on to say, "Our Congressmen have the easy job here." Yeah, fork over unlimited amounts of taxpayer money for something they, by and large, don't support. I don't think there are too many Congressmen, Republican or Democrat, that would call their role in the matters of war and peace "easy."

Jennifer Horn and Jim Steiner don't mention Iraq at all on their websites. Even if they disagree with Bosse or Clegg, by not mentioning it, they get no credit. If they agree, and they're just ignoring it so people like me don't criticize them along with their rivals, they're just being sleazy. Obviously I'll put more effort into finding out their views in the future.

Do these Republican candidates think it's better not to be distinguished on this issue in the primary? Do they really think continuing to support our occupation of Iraq is going to fly with independents? I mean, what are they thinking?

Reader Poll: City Slicker or Townie, Are you voting on Nov. 6th?

by: Alex Gallichon

Wed Oct 31, 2007 at 15:36:36 PM EDT

I thought it would be interesting to see whether Blue Hampshire readers live in cities or towns and remind people that live in the cities to get out and vote.

If anyone has anything interesting to share about their local issues, candidates, or elections, this would be about as good a place as any to do it.

Our Moral Obligation to Iraqi Refugees

by: Alex Gallichon

Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 21:53:54 PM EDT

I wish the saying were true. Today in Iraq, we have a humanitarian catastrophe. We have an unimaginable number of people out of work, a total lack of infrastructure in many areas, inadequate health services, and a population living in fear and mourning because of continual bloodshed with no end in sight.

There are, of course, refugee camps set up for those families forced to flee their community after their homes have been destroyed or so many of their neighbors have been killed over ethnicity or religious beliefs that they have finally been compelled to leave for lack of safety.

Those refugee camps are full and turning people away (Video: BBC).

We have failed to take ownership over this issue. We have a litany of excuses why we, the world's only superpower, the richest country in the world, a melting pot of nations cannot take in the 8,000 refugees the United Nations has referred to us, let alone the 110,000 Iraqis who "may be targeted as collaborators for helping U.S., coalition or foreign reconstruction efforts." ("The Refugee Crisis: Helping Iraqis who Help Us", Washington Post)

While Sweden takes in 1,000 a month and neighboring countries like Syria, Jordan, and Iran have taken in over 2,000,000. (Ibid.)

I don't mean to write this as a stirring to action, though action is needed. Senator Kennedy has been visibly active on this issue for some time now. Others have introduced legislation in the Congress dealing with the refugee crisis either directly or tangentially.

No -- I write this so as you hear about the latest National Intelligence Estimate, and the President looking for more free money for our Iraq adventure, you might ask not only are we doing all we can to bring our troops home from Iraq, but are we doing all that we can for those Iraqis whose lives we have so terribly upset by this war of choice? Of course, these are both rhetorical questions, because both you and I know the answer is no.

Gonzales Resigns

by: Alex Gallichon

Mon Aug 27, 2007 at 11:14:35 AM EDT

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Embattled U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales announced his resignation Monday in a brief statement at the Justice Department.

...

Bush will likely nominate Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff to the position, senior administration officials said.

Chertoff has headed Homeland Security since 2005. He served as a federal appellate court judge, a federal prosecutor and as special counsel for a Senate committee investigating President Clinton's involvement in the Whitewater land development.

Solicitor General Paul Clement will serve as acting attorney general, the White House press office said.

President Bush is expected to make a statement about Gonzales at 11:50 a.m. from his ranch in Crawford, Texas, where he has been vacationing, but will not announce a replacement, two senior administration officials said...

Will Chertoff be worse? Will the press go wild about Gonzales like they did about Rove?

Daniel Webster and Imminence

by: Alex Gallichon

Sun Feb 18, 2007 at 00:15:35 AM EST

Webster was also Secretary of State during the short-lived administration of William Henry Harrison. He attracted some controversy by staying on in the cabinet of Harrison's successor, President John Tyler, because opposition to Tyler's views on the National Bank led to the resignation of most of the cabinet officers.

Webster was engaged in important work as Secretary of State...

Chris Dodd working to restore Habeas Corpus

by: Alex Gallichon

Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 00:16:50 AM EST

The law Congress passed to remedy this is just plain scary. I don't want to go through the details of the law here, but essentially it gives the executive branch the authority to determine who is  and who isn't allowed to challenge their detention through a writ of habeas corpus. The text of the law makes clear that this only applies to aliens, including resident aliens (green card holders), and not to United States citizens.

That looks all well and good, if you believe resident aliens should not have...[Click There's More for the rest of this article]

Boston Globe: Kerry to bow out of '08 race

by: Alex Gallichon

Wed Jan 24, 2007 at 13:20:34 PM EST

WASHINGTON --Senator John F. Kerry plans to announce today that he is bowing out of the 2008 presidential race, and will instead remain in Congress and seek reelection to his Senate seat next year, according to senior Democratic officials.

Kerry, a Massachusetts Democrat, plans to say he will remain in the Senate to recommit himself to efforts to extricate the United States from the war in Iraq. His decision to stay out of the presidential race reflects a realization that he would have had an uphill climb in capturing the Democratic nomination, given the other party heavyweights who are already in the race, according to the officials, who spoke to the Globe on condition of anonymity.

Kerry plans to make his plans known with a speech on the Senate floor this afternoon, and is taping a message to e-mail his supporters to explain his decision.

This isn't particularly surprising, but while everyone else is saying they're 'in', our previous nominee is 'out'. There was an article several weeks ago about Sen. Kennedy and the rest of the Massachusetts Congressional delegation urging Kerry to make up his mind. Looks like he has.

Union Leader: Buckley quits race for state Dem Chair

by: Alex Gallichon

Sat Jan 06, 2007 at 00:46:33 AM EST

MANCHESTER - Party vice chair Raymond Buckley, facing a criminal probe, withdrew this afternoon as a candidate to succeed Kathy Sullivan as chair of the New Hampshire Democratic State Committee.

...

Buckley said this afternoon that "an outstanding public servant" would enter the race to succeed Sullivan. Former House Minority Leader Jim Craig of Manchester is that replacement candidate.

Craig issued a statement announcing that he has the backing of Lynch, Larsen and Norelli.

State Rep. Betty Hall, 85, is the only other announced candidate. The party election will take place Saturday, March 24, at the Institute of Politics at St. Anselm College in Manchester.

Full article: http://www.unionlead...