by Damozel | Taylor Marsh discusses McCain's statements about Georgia (which I really haven't bothered with).
The Georgian people have suffered before, and they suffer today. We must help them through this tragedy.... This small democracy, far away from our shores, is an inspiration to all those who cherish our deepest ideals. As I told President Saakashvili on the day the cease-fire was declared, today we are all Georgians. We mustn't forget it.
We Are All Georgians, by John McCain (quoted from Taylor Marsh)
She says, "If you liked the last seven years, you'll love a McCain presidency, especially where foreign policy is concerned." (Taylor Marsh)
You know, I'm not sure that even Bush is this clueless. (Taylor Marsh) His gross oversimplifications and blindness to facts that don't fit his agenda is cynical. (Taylor Marsh) McCain's is more just...pathetic. I mean, his "strong sound bite" isn't even original.
Andrew Sullivan said of McCain, and I think this is exactly right too:
For him, it is always 1938 somewhere; America's duty is to control, occupy or intervene wherever any rival seeks influence and any group does not share our alleged values. And so American power must be brought to bear in Georgia and Iraq and Iran and Burma and Darfur and Bosnia and anyplace else where American interests are threatened or democratic allies seek help. And for militarist American exceptionalists, this all makes sense. This is the higher purpose McCain lives for: the glory of liberation, the thrill of conquest, the adoration of the soldier, the defeat of evil. (Daily Dish)
But Taylor Marsh is right about this:
This is exactly what's wrong with U.S. foreign policy wrapped up in one single sentence. Our interests are absolutely not the same as the Georgians. By walking into Saakashvili's trap, McCain has not only been played, but he's also arrogantly implied that the America's interests are tied to Georgia. Playing president without the people's vote is hubris at its most alarming level.
Joe Biden has it exactly correct. Russia has a lot to lose here, but instead, John McCain is putting the emphasis on America's solidarity with Georgia, ignoring the implications of such a hinted promise that extends beyond humanitarian aid, with some rearmament already hinted. The focus, again, must be on Russia and the repercussions financially....as well as the legitimate questions about Russia's actions....
America cannot continue being the world's policeman without collapsing in financial ruin. McCain's no genius on economics, but his basic ignorance of our current challenges is frightening.
Neocons are trying to paint Georgia in simple shades of black and white. But as my colleague observed, nobody in this fight has completely clean hands or is completely disinterested. Furthermore---and most important---any decision will affect the safety and stability of many civilian lives.
This isn't an issue on which anyone should be posturing. What's at stake is too grave.
Which is why I am pretty appalled at his presumptuousness in assuming a sort of co-presidential or alternpresidential role with respect to Georgia. Surely there's something wrong with this?
Teh Nutroots comments:
John McCain is speaking every day to Georgia's loose cannon-in-chief, his friend "Misha," despite "Misha's" calling him out the other day ('very cheering...Words, not deeds." Doesn't Bush mind?..... I'd mind. For once I kind of admire Bush's restraint.
I'd be like, "Dude? Excuse me; I believe I am still president here?"
Consider this:
Standing behind a lectern in Michigan this week, with two trusted senators ready to do his bidding, John McCain seemed to forget for a moment that he was only running for president.
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili says he talks to McCain, a personal friend, several times a day. McCain's top foreign policy adviser, Randy Scheunemann, was until recently a paid lobbyist for Georgia's government. McCain also announced this week that two of his closest allies, Sens. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) and Joseph I. Lieberman (I-Conn.), would travel to Georgia's capital of Tbilisi on his behalf, after a similar journey by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
The extent of McCain's involvement in the military conflict in Georgia appears remarkable among presidential candidates, who traditionally have kept some distance from unfolding crises out of deference to whoever is occupying the White House. The episode also follows months of sustained GOP criticism of Democratic Sen. Barack Obama, who was accused of acting too presidential for, among other things, briefly adopting a campaign seal and taking a trip abroad that included a huge rally in Berlin. (WaPo)
In other words, the man is exploiting an extremely serious situation that will affect US and Russian relation for years to come in order to score political points.
And they called Barack "presumptuous"?
Memeorandum discusses McCain's role in Georgia here.
PREVIOUS POSTS
Conflict Over Separatist Enclaves Continues Amid Claims of Atrocities Against Ethnic Georgians
A "Turning Point" in the Georgian Conflict?
Russians Continuing to Push Into Georgia?
Irony Alert: Bush Lecturing Putin
Do our Media Understand the Russia-Georgia Conflict?
More on the Russo-Georgian Conflict (Opinion Round-Up)
Georgia Declares Itself to be in a State of War Against Russia; Conflict Expands
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