Topic: Presidential Campaign 2008
John McCain And Mitt Romney Demonstrate Their Foreign Policy Prowess By Mocking Ron Paul In Debate. What the debates tell us about the men on the stage...by Scott from Oregon
(Libertarian)
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
As I watch the Republican horserace of this primary season, I am struck by how even the smallest of behaviors can demonstrate so much.
In gambling they are called "tells".
Tells are give-aways. They are small signs that broadcast larger tendencies.
In politics, the tells are most easily observed during the televised political debates. Candidates need to interact with others in opposition and solidarity simultaneously. This makes for some very revealing interactions between the candidates.
The GOP debates, if I am being honest, have actually frightened me.
You see, America has suffered greatly in the eyes of the world under the stewardship of G. W. Bush. Like it or not, America's reputation has been tarnished. Once held aloft for our tolerance and morality, America's star has fallen and we are now known as an aggressive nation that tortures.
Under G.W. Bush, America has earned the reputation of being arrogant and ignorant of others outside of ourselves. "The Ugly American" has become the perception of America abroad. And the biggest reason for this is because, quite frankly, America has acted arrogantly and ignorantly overseas. Our leaders have disregarded the sentiment of much of the world and have pretty much had their own way. We cruise our warships throughout the globe. We posture. We swagger. We make demands.
The one thing we don't do well is acknowledge that other nations don't see the same things we see. Other nations have cultures that are different than ours. Other nations have unique histories and indigenous attitudes that are not centered around America, believe it or not. The interests of the world are not always in America's interests. Which is as it should be.
Watching the GOP debates, I noticed that Mitt Romney and John McCain have demonstrated this same willful ignorance coupled with arrogance.
The instigator of these tells is none other than the diminutive Ron Paul, a long time congressman who truly does see the world differently than these two front running candidates.
Now I am not going to choose positions on any issues here. All I want to do is point out that the way these two men treat Ron Paul and his views is very telling in how they will treat the rest of the world.
Watch the debate tonight and you'll see what I mean.
Their ignorance and arrogance will be very telling.
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2008 Scott from Oregon, all rights reserved.
Published: Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Last modified: Wednesday, January 30, 2008
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"The instigator of these tells is none other than the diminutive Ron Paul, a long time congressman who truly does see the world differently than these two front running candidates. "
He sees the world so differently that 90% of the voters don't agree with his vision.
Scott is right. If certain candidates can't be respectful and professional with other candidates with whom they disagree then they prove they would be disrespectful and unprofessional in foreign policy.
Oh yeah, I've noticed it in every debate. It's just amazing that grown, professional men would 1. laugh at another merely because of different views and 2. support policies of a president who has consistenly had a mega-failure 30% approval rating.
The amazing part is that people support and vote for these guys.
"Under G.W. Bush, America has earned the reputation of being arrogant and ignorant of others outside of ourselves. "The Ugly American" has become the perception of America abroad."
That perception has actually been there for a very long time. The only difference today is we have more access to the opinions and thoughts of other nations' citizens. "The Ugly American" was born a long time ago. We took over for our big brother a long time ago. That information just wasn't available to the American people then.
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2008 Scott from Oregon, all rights reserved.