Obama And The War On Terror

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28 Oct 2008 08:51 am

A reader writes:

Thank you for putting the war on terrorism as the number one reason that conservatives should vote for Obama.

We can't let it be assumed that McCain is stronger on national defense (including counter terrorism) just because he talks with more bluster than Obama. Seven years ago the world was shocked but united by 9/11. It was an environment in which the US could have led the world not just in acting militarily against terrorists, but actually eliminated terrorism by making it too politically costly. But then Bush muddied up the waters. We need a president who understands that mistake.

I'm deadly serious. Sometimes, I get razzed by conservative critics for being a "leftist". They think I've somehow changed my mind about the overwhelming issue of our time: the threat of Islamist terrorism after 9/11. I haven't. I've changed my mind about how to tackle it.

I changed it because of what happened, because I saw the results of an approach I initially favored, and found them wanting. I also saw its costs - to our pocket books, sure, but also to human life and to the American constitution and our identity and our security. I don't doubt that those who still favor the full neocon approach do so because they remain convinced that it's essential to keeping us safe. But I hope they understand that disagreeing is not the same as believing that the threat no longer exists or that the war doesn't have to be fought.

I think Obama will fight it best - with hard and soft power, with diplomacy and force. I fear that McCain would bring all the impulsive and simplistic errors of the past eight years and compound them. I may be wrong, but that's my best call right now. And I want us to win. The consequences of our losing are unthinkable.

(Photo commemmorating the mass murder of 9/11 by Chris Hondros/Getty.)

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