Home > Jay Bookman > Archives > 2008 > October > 26
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Will ‘Country First’ extend past Nov. 4?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Robert Zoellick, a former deputy secretary of State in the Bush administration who is now president of the World Bank, makes an obvious but important point in today’s Washington Post: Our next president, whoever it is, faces so many important challenges in so many arenas that he has the potential to leave his mark as one of our greatest presidents ever, a “21st century FDR.”
Here’s a partial list of Zoellick’s to-do list:
“The new administration will need to recapitalize banks … helping homeowners manage their mortgage debts while staying in their homes … overhaul a failed financial regulatory and supervisory system … (champion) quality schools, basic health-care choices and worker assistance … immigration rules that let the United States attract talent and regenerate its spirit … reintroducing the United States to the world… modernizing multilateralism and markets … negotiate a new climate-change treaty … A successful wind-down in Iraq, a path of progress for Afghanistan and Pakistan, and a push for peace and development in the Middle East … the courage to stand up to the challenges of isolationism at home…
While some might be tempted to condemn aspects of that list as liberal and activist, Zoellick is a strong McCain supporter and was slated to serve as McCain’s top domestic and foreign policy campaign adviser until taking the World Bank job. He is often mentioned as a likely secretary of State should McCain win.
That daunting list also poses an unstated challenge to many on the right. John McCain today said he guaranteed that the race would tighten and that he would emerge victorious late into Election Night. The numbers continue to say otherwise. The numbers say this race is over and the only remaining question is how large the margin will be.
McCain and his backers have run on a slogan of “Country First,” country over politics. The sincerity of that claim is now likely to be tested in ways they will not like. Will they support a President Obama and back him when they can? Given the critical challenges we face, it is essential that the next president has a successful administration.
“Country First.” Is that a heartfelt sentiment or a cynical slogan?
We shall see.
UPDATE: I should have included this in the original post — my bad: If this campaign ends as it appears it will, a little humility and magnanimity on the part of the winning side will be important as well.
Permalink | Comments (100) | Post your comment |
‘Two less Obama voters….’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’m sure the person who posts as “Dagny and John’s Love Child” won’t be bothered if I do this. His comment from the thread below is such a perfect distillation of a certain attitude that it just had to be highlighted where all could admire it.
“One good thing about Jennifer Hudson’s family tragedy - two less Obama voters.”
A 57-year old grandmother is killed in her home, as is her 29-year-old son. A seven-year-old child is missing and there is every reason to fear for his survival as well.
And “Dagny and John’s Love Child” expresses pleasure that two Obama voters are now gone. Presumably, the possibility that seven-year-old Julian King is also dead is also cause for pleasure, because he too might have grown up to be an Obama voter.
I’m thinking Love Child ought to come back on line and apologize, or be banned from this blog. Any comments?
Permalink | Comments (72) | Post your comment |
Staring into my crystal golf ball….
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The swami says that if I can break 80 today, then miracles really do happen and John McCain really does still have a chance.
But otherwise….
In the meantime, amuse but don’t abuse each other.
.JPG)
-1.JPG)
Services »
