With that in mind, I offer the following the question: Is President Bush intent on wrecking John McCain's presidential campaign? Yes, you read that correctly.
McCain's campaign in the Republican primary and the presidential campaign has taken on the theme of experience and being ready for the commander in chief title from day one. As part of that, he has highlighted the importance of winning the War in Iraq and how he supported the surge, which has shown signs of success. McCain has taken the torch of foreign policy expert and national security warrior, until recently when gas prices have dominated the national discussion.
With this in mind, I ask the following:
• Why did Bush flip-flop on Iran after seven years of tough talk and demands for them to end their nuclear program? The administration is heavily engaged in negotiations now and could be considered appeasing the enemy, under his own definition. If diplomacy continues, does that not eliminate the talking point McCain can use against Obama since his own president is doing the same thing Obama's suggestion took heat from? It is not one-on-one with Ahmadinejad, but it is officially meeting with Iran. Better yet, if there is a deal, does that not eliminate the issue of a nuclear Iran as a whole? This could damage McCain heavily.
• Does not the recent "head nodding" between our administration and the Maliki administration on the need for a timetable for our exit in Iraq completely undercut McCain's argument for a permanent need of American soldiers in Iraq? The senator has compared the situation to a Germany and Korea, as we would have soldiers in the Middle East for years. Say a timetable agreement happens before November. Again, not a positive for the McCain campaign.
• Finally, after McCain and Bush rightfully destroyed the Clinton Administration's policy on North Korea the past seven years, why the hell does Bush essentially do the same thing with North Korea that Clinton did? Are you kidding me? (In a related note, watch Sean Hannity make a fool out himself on the issue.)
With these three developments the past two months, these are three criticial issues and news developments that have isolated McCain from his own president and party. Now compared to Obama and Bush, McCain looks like the war-mongerer, which in my opinion is a bit unfair.
A possible motive: for years, the Bush and McCain people have HATED each other, going back to 2000. McCain also thought about joining John Kerry on his presidential ticket in 2004, which could have sunk Bush's political career. After elected in 2000, Bush was criticized oftenly by McCain for the first two years of administration and McCain went out of his way to do it. Could this be a instance of political revenge on Bush's part? Or does he just want a legacy?
Granted, like any conspiracy theory, it is weak on thoughts and evidence. It is probably not true but I have no idea why the Bush Administration has did a complete 180 on the Axis of Evil in the past two months. I could buy the Iraq one since the surge has worked in a number of ways, but nothing can explain Iran and North Korea and appeasing them.
As one McCain aide said:
Via e-mail, a prominent Republican strategist who occasionally provides advice to the McCain campaign said, simply, "We're f---ed." No response yet from the McCain campaign, although here's what McCain said the last time Maliki mentioned withdrawal: "Since we are succeeding, then I am convinced, as I have said before, we can withdraw and withdraw with honor, not according to a set timetable.Please note, I am not advocating for World War III. If we could successfully eliminate a nuclear program in either Iran or North Korea, the world is a far better place. But I just wonder the timing of it. It is not like Kim Jung Il has suddenly became Mr. Peace and communism has been eliminated from the country. It is not like Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the mullahs are suddenly celebrating Hannukah or Christmas.
These last two months have been odd. Just a theory on putting the puzzle together.
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