Ed Morrisey posts about media coverage of the “leadership” shown by John McCain on the issue of Georgia, which contrasts favorably with the lack of presence shown by Barack Obama while vacationing in Hawaii.
It is true that Obama is a non entity on the issue, but McCain’s leadership this week is proving ample reason not to vote for him. McCain is giving an ample illustration to Bolton’s contention that the US has exhibited the “very definition of a paper tiger” (which means Bolton in supporting McCain is contradicting himself, of couse). Grandstanding such as McCain has indulged in, against the background of the facts here–namely, that there is nothing which the United States can do immediately to force the Russians to back down, short of actually going to war on Georgia’s behalf–merely makes it more obvious that we are no position to do anything effective, and makes the climb down that much bigger when it will come.
And then there is McCain pretending to be president–sending envoys to Georgia, having daily phone conversations with its president. One can almost hear George W. Bush muttering, “What am I? Chopped liver?” Were Obama doing this, charges of presumption and meddling beyond his place would be hurtling at the speed of light around the blogosphere. Even Allahpundit was mildly put out by McCain’s behavior.
So if that’s leadership, I much prefer to be not led at all. Obama’s relative silence at least makes it harder for people to prove that he’s a fool.
To show a more tempered response, I’ll pimp my candidate.
“The purpose of alliances is to defend America,” says Barr. “We should not create or expand alliances where the U.S. does not have vital interests. If the Europeans want to defend distant countries like Georgia, they can do so—after all, the European Union has a larger population and bigger GDP than America, without any of Washington’s other global military commitments. It is time for Europe to accept responsibility for its own security.”
“Any war is tragic, but not every war requires American intervention,” explains Barr. “We can do our best to mediate between Russia and Georgia, but we should avoid any military involvement. It is time to put the defense of America back into America’s defense policy.”
Tags: Barr, Georgia-Russia war, McCain
