First, we must support the Iraqi forces...
Second, we must give these forces the consistent advantage of American air power, to cover their operations and to strike with fierce precision...
Third, we must make better use of the limited forces we have by giving them a greater range of action.
Fourth, we should provide more support to the Kurds, giving them decisive military power against ISIS.Other that some questions about that third point, one might have assumed that this came from President Barack Obama. But it didn't. It came from a Republican candidate for president who called Obama's strategy, "a halting, ineffective effort against them" that "has only emboldened these terrorists, leaving the pandemic unchecked."
And finally, our strategy in Iraq has to restart the serious diplomatic efforts that can help that country move in the right direction. Only Iraq’s Shiites, Sunnis, and Kurds can decide if they will live together and share power and resources in a way that will serve their interests, assuring the survival of their country.
Similarly, another Republican candidate for president wrote about what needs to be included in any plan to reform our healthcare system:
1. Fix the decades-old problems of rising medical-care and health-insurance costs,
2. Support economic growth,
3. Ensure affordable coverage for those with pre-existing conditions, and
4. Remove the fear that something as simple as changing jobs could result in loss of coverage.
Of course, he fails to note that we already have healthcare reform (i.e., Obamacare) that is doing all that...and more.
So what's going on here? Aren't we living in an era of massive partisan polarization? Yes! But when it comes to Republicans, that polarization comes mostly in the form of fear-mongering rhetoric. As Steve Benen has been saying for awhile, the obstructionist strategy they adopted has led them to be post-policy. Republicans want to avoid talking about actual policies because they have none...and when they do, they are often cheap imitations of what this President is already doing.
These comments must come from "Republicans For Obama".
ReplyDeleteIf only the national press would challenge the Republican presidential candidates like Jeb ...
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing to continuously watch the miserable failure of purported "veteran journalist". They simply have become stenographers for the Republican Party talking points ... fearful for every being labeled with "liberal media bias".
But can you imagine how ridiculous Jeb would sound if one single reporter/journalist ... just one brave soul ... had the audacity to do their job and actually challenge him on his supposed policy proposals. Or actually force him to acknowledge that he's simply adopted what Obama has already said and done.
Meanwhile, they'll continue to salivate over the "Clinton email scandal" ... Because you know ... something about Obama secretly plotting with Hillary to kill Americans via Benghazi, after he takes their guns, and makes Mike Hukabee's children have an unwanted abortion, while invading Texas with the US military.