E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSNEW ORLEANS -- The biggest news out of Gary Johnson's speech isn't going to be any measure of where Johnson stands in his quest to get the Republican presidential nomination. The former New Mexico governor is decidedly lower tier, and the polite listening here for the most part is proof of that.
But there is a growing Republican split emerging on foreign policy, especially on Afghanistan. Johnson and Rep. Ron Paul's brand of Libertarian, non-interventionist foreign policy is becoming more mainstream, and that was evident here as well with this socially conservative crowd.
"Let's get out of Iraq and Afghanistan tomorrow," Johnson boasted. About half the crowd applauded. One man whistled. But he's the same man who did so when Johnson called for the legalization of marijuana.
That Johnson or Paul calls for getting out of conflicts places is one thing, but Gov. Haley Barbour (R-MS), when most thought he was running for president, called for an end to the war in Afghanistan. Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, who is going to announce his bid for the presidency Tuesday, is the latest to take up the mantle. And Mitt Romney, the presumed front-runner, seemed to open the door to it as well during the GOP debate Monday.
Leave a Comment:
Outstanding insight FR!
And to hear all of them tell it the other night, this foreign policy stuff is so easy-peasy. Whatever President Obama is doing, just do the opposite.
You'd think they'd all agree, wouldn't you?
Would that be the opposite of what he is doing now, or what he said then?
Remember there is a split with in obama's brain. HE used to be against the wars, but now, now so much. He was against Gitmo, now... And of course this is just foreign policy stuff, unlike the debt ceiling and tax stuff that Obama has always been rock solid on.
But hey, I happen to think it is easy, so easy a libbie like you AM, or a cheese-ball conservative like me could do it. End the wars NOW. Get all of the troops back here. And pull all the foreign aid as well.
Agree?
Then let's put them all along the border and end the frigging drug and immigration war.
Right?
See, easy, peasy, fresh and easy. And just think we are just a couple of dumb lawyers.
What's he's doing now. I've given up hope on what he said then.
Absolutely. Put diplomacy to work overseas. Put the money to work here. Work on infrastructure. Using soldiers for that would be perfect. Put soldiers on border patrol, as you say. Use the apparently corrupt ATF money for that. Let the national guard go home.
But I wonder, Spanky. If the REAL reason we stay in Afghanistan is that trillion or more dollars worth of rare minerals I hear tell that we covet, will Republicans REALLY want to change that, either?
And will Halliburton and Blackwater really let them change anything?
But I wonder, Spanky. If the REAL reason we stay in Afghanistan is that trillion or more dollars worth of rare minerals I hear tell that we covet
--------------------------------------------
I can't remember the source or vouch for its credibility, but I read somewhere that the Chinese already have first dibs on those minerals.
So AM, you agree that Obama flip flops like a catfish out of water?? Does this mean that he is still in training?? I didn't know that the POTUS job was a trainee position.
One thing he has down pat is how to take a dynamite vacation. Yessiree.
Ron Paul is right.
Trade with all, alliances with none.
You are so funny, Edward. So does Mitt Romney, and it's even funnier to watch the rest of the Republican chickenhawks scrambling to prove they're really doves on Libya. The need to be a bleeding heart even forced Michele Bachmann to vote for a resolution sponsored by one of those radical Congressional liberals (Dennis Kucinich) that she told Chris Mathews should be investigated as unAmerican. Talk about strange bedfellows. What does her vote on that resolution make her?
Seriously?! As it relates to military policy, not to mention foreign policy, POTUS was certainly a "trainee position" for George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter, and Richard Nixon.
I'll bet lack of significant military experience didn't stop you from voting for George W. Bush. And look how that turned out. Your great granchildren will still be paying for his mistakes, not to mention the descendants of all those who died unnecessarily because of his total incompetence both as leader of the free world and as CIC.
Does Halliburton know? Of course, Halliburton knows. Could be war, either way. ;-)
Seems like Huntsman would be the most experienced in foreign policy.
His service as ambassador to China (no less), has given him a much more worldly outlook than the other contenders. Those relief missions were not to swill the Guiness, and stay in luxury hotels. He is genuinely concerned with the third world and it's problems.
He is one who should be at, or near, the top of the list of fine Republican contenders.
Huntsman doesn't "swill the Guinness." Progressives know more about GOP candidates than Republican voters do--that's the problem.
What foreign Policy? These are the guys who couldn't find Ben Laden hiding in A Rich Neighborhood near The Biggest Military #1 Site! Republicans are in no position to talk Foreign Policy to anyone, our current Administration is cleaning up their mess.
Burn the poppy fields and get the hell out of Afghanistan. Karzai spends part of his time criticising us and and the rest stealing our money. Let them have their civil war.
Spanky,
What do you think of the President's argument regarding the War Powers Resolution Act?
He says its probably unconstitutional and yet leaves it to the President to define degree of hostilities required to invoke the act.
If it is unconstitutional, under what power does he have the right to deploy troops into a combat situation? Only other way is a declaration of war.
Have a good night.
It is stunning, particularly from a libbie like him.
It really boils down to Cowboy diplomacy. Really, no problem because no hostilities? Those Tomahawks tipped with roses and get well cards?
All he has to do is get approval. It ain't like the monkey republicans will fight him. So why won't? It really is puzzling. Does he really think he is above the law?
Does he just get to bomb willy-nilly? And again this is the democrat. Not McCain. Stunning.
Yep, pretty astonishing is what it is. But the Prez likes to use the military, shades of LBJ.
Spanky-..
The whole argument seems petty and unnecessary. As you said, it's not like the GOP is going to fight him on this.
Wrote a post on the next thread.
This is a VERY good question, Groucho. If we don't defend DOMA in the courts because we believe it is unconstitutional, then what business does a lawyer-president have taking actions which he believes to be unconstitutional? Maybe the Illinois Bar should look into this.
Anna Molly
Maybe the Illinois Bar should look into this...
No Anna, not the Illinois Bar, the US Supreme Court. A President cannot go to war without consent of Congress. It's right there in the Constitution, unlike the DOMA.
BTW, would you want your son to be sent to war without consent of Congress on the whim of a President? That's why it's in the Constitution.
Big difference in assuming one is unconstitutional and knowing the other is.
Absolutely not. I wasn't kidding, Groucho. The Bar could do what the Supreme Court might not have guts to do without getting consent from Halliburton and Blackwater.
Anna Molly,
Sorry, I mistook what you wrote.
Now that I get it, I totally agree.
Have a good night.
It's Hi-larious. They added "dove" wings to the Republican elephant, and I'm thinking a flying pachyderm that swoops and poops is a greater threat than any foreign enemy.
LOL!
q
CNN and obama are scared to let Gary Johnson in the debate.. He is a breath of fresh air compared to the other republican candidates. Its really hard for CNN to paint a pro-choice pro-gay rights, anti war GOP candidate who wants to legalizemarijuana as a right wing extremist. I believe Governor Gary Johnson is Obamas biggest threat. His socially liberal stances will be attractive to democrat and independent voters. Not to mention he was a very successful two term(that's one more term than mitt romney) republican Governor in new mexico a state that is 2 to 1 democrat. He left office with a billion dollar surplus and was arguably the most fiscally conservative governor ever. He is a true Statesman and practices good stewardship of your tax dollars. He also will not engage in mud slinging or name calling. He ran two campaigns in NM where he never mentioned his opponent. He will stick to the issues and not try to blame obama. I met Gary Johnson twice last year in my state of MO.. Once when he spoke at UMKC and another event he spoke at Missouri Southern State University. in Joplin Mo. He took the time to answer all my questions and sincerely listened to my concerns.. He is obviously working harder than the other candidates! For this he has earned my vote and support! If you have not hear of Governor Gary Johnson, Google him!