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Evening Topic: John McCain in the Wonderful Land of Oz |
So what are we to make of John McCain's speech about what he hopes to achieve in his first term in office?
By January 2013, America has welcomed home most of the servicemen and women who have sacrificed terribly so that America might be secure in her freedom. The Iraq War has been won. Iraq is a functioning democracy, although still suffering from the lingering effects of decades of tyranny and centuries of sectarian tension. Violence still occurs, but it is spasmodic and much reduced. Civil war has been prevented; militias disbanded; the Iraqi Security Force is professional and competent; al Qaeda in Iraq has been defeated; and the Government of Iraq is capable of imposing its authority in every province of Iraq and defending the integrity of its borders. The United States maintains a military presence there, but a much smaller one, and it does not play a direct combat role.
The threat from a resurgent Taliban in Afghanistan has been greatly reduced but not eliminated. U.S. and NATO forces remain there to help finish the job, and continue operations against the remnants of al Qaeda. The Government of Pakistan has cooperated with the U.S. in successfully adapting the counterinsurgency tactics that worked so well in Iraq and Afghanistan to its lawless tribal areas where al Qaeda fighters are based. The increase in actionable intelligence that the counterinsurgency produced led to the capture or death of Osama bin Laden, and his chief lieutenants. There is no longer any place in the world al Qaeda can consider a safe haven.
The speech goes on and on about the amazing things that will be achieved by the end of his term, including an end to the Darfur Crisis, strong economic growth from lower taxes, fantastic new trade deals, an end to the world food crisis, workers who have lost their jobs are retrained for the new economy, public education has improved greatly, health care is more accessible and higher in quality, independence from foreign oil is around the corner, the borders are secure, and illegal immigration has been brought under control.
Whew! So how will he achieve all this? Ummm — simply by being President it seems. That's right — if you elect John McCain as President all you have to do is click your heels three times, wish upon a star, have him get his bills through Congress, and repeat after him, "Victory is the only outcome… Victory is the only Outcome…" There may never have been a more bizarre speech by a presumed major party nominee for President. Despite all of these incredible claims there are no specifics, except that he will work in a bipartisan way and end the "permanent campaign." How will energy independence achieved? How will all those great new job training programs be created while we have these high, high deficits? And most importantly, how is stability and prosperity achieved in Iraq in just four years? Simply by having John McCain take the oath of office — what, you wanted more than that?



