Thursday, May 13, 2004
Waiting for Kerry
Two of the top NYT Op-Ed writers came out clearly today for Kerry. Tom Friedman said explicitly that the only way out of Iraq was to have "regime change" in Washington. Sadly, he may be right. But he is wrong to make this assertion in print, for no one can afford to throw up their hands about the events of the next ten months or so. By the time Kerry comes to the White House, if he does, events in Iraq may have gone so far that whatever he does may be inconsequential.
No, those who discuss these issues seriously have to write as though they can have an effect that could eventually color the decisions of the Republican Party and this administration. To the extent one is seen as little more than just another opposition hack, the ability to have any effect at all on the next few months is diminished. If by improving the performance of the Bush administration such a commentator helps put the President back in office, this cost must be paid. Preserving the ability of the United States to act effectively in the world is more important to this country and the world than who is elected this fall. In this regard, it should be remembered that regardless of what we may think of the performance of President Bush, he has certainly been open to change. Many of the positions he took at the beginning of his term have been abandoned; many of the positions his people have taken on what they would do or not do in Iraq have been changed, and changed again. In spite of the role of what many regard as fumblers and ideologues at the top, the President perforce leads an administration peopled by thousands of career officers in a myriad of governmental services. These officers are often of superior ability; in any event they will necessarily make up the vast bulk of any succeeding administration.
Two of the top NYT Op-Ed writers came out clearly today for Kerry. Tom Friedman said explicitly that the only way out of Iraq was to have "regime change" in Washington. Sadly, he may be right. But he is wrong to make this assertion in print, for no one can afford to throw up their hands about the events of the next ten months or so. By the time Kerry comes to the White House, if he does, events in Iraq may have gone so far that whatever he does may be inconsequential.
No, those who discuss these issues seriously have to write as though they can have an effect that could eventually color the decisions of the Republican Party and this administration. To the extent one is seen as little more than just another opposition hack, the ability to have any effect at all on the next few months is diminished. If by improving the performance of the Bush administration such a commentator helps put the President back in office, this cost must be paid. Preserving the ability of the United States to act effectively in the world is more important to this country and the world than who is elected this fall. In this regard, it should be remembered that regardless of what we may think of the performance of President Bush, he has certainly been open to change. Many of the positions he took at the beginning of his term have been abandoned; many of the positions his people have taken on what they would do or not do in Iraq have been changed, and changed again. In spite of the role of what many regard as fumblers and ideologues at the top, the President perforce leads an administration peopled by thousands of career officers in a myriad of governmental services. These officers are often of superior ability; in any event they will necessarily make up the vast bulk of any succeeding administration.
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