Wanted: Leadership

[muckefuck]

Fantastic op-ed piece from Paul Berman (who knows a thing or two about terrorism and totalitarianism) in the NYT today. He says that if the Bush administration can't make a coherent case for war in Iraq and garner the support of world leaders...well, then the Democrats should give it a go--not later, but now. It's so nice to see someone out there more concerned about constructive solutions than scoring partisan points. Personally, I would happily vote for Kerry if I saw (1) that he realised what kind of war we're in and (b) that he has the resolve to pursue it. He shows glimmers, but nothing strong enough so far that I'm willing to risk putting him in charge. Bush has the resolve, but at the price of a pig-headed refusal to learn from his mistakes. Is it too much to wish for a president with the best characteristics of each?

Oh, speaking of foolish partisanship, I'm again hearing people pledge to leave the country if Bush gets re-elected in November. I wasn't paying attention to all the promises I heard in 2000, but this time I'm taking names. Rest assured, if next year there's a Shrub in the White House and y'all are still here, I'm going to be asking you "What gives?"

Comments

[lhn.livejournal.com]

Personally, I would happily vote for Kerry if I saw (1) that he realised what kind of war we're in and (b) that he has the resolve to pursue it.

Given his record for, ah, nuance (both in general and specifically regarding the war), could he persuasively demonstrate that resolve between now and November? If so, how? (Since I think that Kerry's odds of becoming president aren't terrible, I'd really like to know this, even if it's hard to imagine my voting for him.)

[muckefuck.livejournal.com]

He'd have to change his tune pretty quickly and keep humming it consistently until then. Hanging with a "shadow cabinet" of less wishy-washy Dems would also be a must. He's never going to be a steely pillar of resolve, but if he showed a willingness to abide the judgement of someone else who is, that would be tremendously reassuring.

[snowy-owlet.livejournal.com]

I agree. We hates the Shrub, but I'd dearly like to see some actual statements from Kerry and not pandering rhetoric (NOT THAT I'M BITTER ABOUT ISRAEL).

For the record, I won't be leaving the country. I used to threaten to emigrate if Roe v. Wade ever gets overturned, but now I'm too old and tired for that sort of thing.