In this article in the New York Times, we get a sneak peek at the foreign policy types that would be a part of a McCain administration.
The group Mr. McCain consults on foreign policy includes neoconservatives like William Kristol, editor of The Weekly Standard, as well as members of the so-called realist school of foreign policy thought like Brent Scowcroft and Mr. Armitage, who along with his former boss, Mr. Powell, battled the influence of neoconservatives in Mr. Bush’s first term.
For those who like graphics, here is a chart of those who have signed onto McCain’s team as advisors.
Don’t you just love those little editorial statements the NYT slips into their news stories? The “realist” school of foreign policy? Oh, excuse me, they include the word “so-called” so I guess they can argue that they aren’t characterizing them that way. That is just what those advisors are so-called. Many people would “so-call” the same group as belonging to the “nervous nellie” school of foreign policy. Maybe the NYT couldn’t get in touch with them before deadline.
Update: Ugh. I spelled “peek” correctly in the post, but messed up the headline. I wrote this at 3 a.m. and scheduled it to post this morning when I was not home. If I fix the headline it will affect the url which includes the post title so I think I am just going to have to live with the embarrassment. I think I should do less blogging at 3 a.m.
Well, those are two frightening words, “McCain Administration.”
Just say NO to senile RINO.
I believe you mean “peek” in the post’s headline, eh?
Then again, when it comes to McCain, my usual response is pique.
Having a peak on the team would come in handy at those summit conferences.
I’d rather have a Democrat in office than a Democrat in Spirit and Republican in name drag down conservativism with himself.
The reason I say this is that tapping Powell is essentially tapping the State Dept. and as far as I’m concerned the State Dept. is not on board with the war on terror. They are stirctly on board with the status quo, errr I mean peace. Peace in which terrorists can be sponsered with no consequences and Iran can grow in power.
Scowcroft is a foreign policy realist. That’s the name for the school of thought. Your quibble is with the dictionary, not the Times.
“Scowcroft is a foreign policy realist. That’s the name for the school of thought. Your quibble is with the dictionary, not the Times.”
Posted by: jpe
Doesn’t everyone consider themselves a realist? Is there a “foreign policy fantasist” school of thought too, as labelled by someone other than its adherents?
I thought “peak” referred to Billy K himself. He’s been sucking McCain’s teet so long they both need Vaseline. Whatever John Forbes McCain says is unquestioningly passed along by Billy. Of course, the only one with more of a man-crush on JFMcC than Billy is hardballing Chris (the “Duelist”) Mathews who swells his pants with what is obviously not a ‘dry heat’ at the wit & wisdom of his favorite Vietnam baby killer. No McCain-in-Chief on my watch, thank you.
Scowcroft isn’t a realist. He’s an appeaser. Besides, the House of Saud pays it’s dhimmi slaves quite well in both cash and perks.
According to my Air Command and Staff College (USAF course for Majors) readings, two competing schools of thought in foreign policy are denoted “realism” and “liberalism.” “Realism” focuses on maintaining a balance of power among nations and strengthening the power of one’s own nation (i.e., if you’re the big dog, you try to stay the big dog and don’t worry about the little dogs; but if you’re a little dog, you want multiple big dogs keeping each other at bay and not bothering you). “Liberalism” goes beyond that notion to attempting to improve other nations and thereby enhance one’s security. Countries which are fighting for their own survival, such as Israel, have to be realists. Countries which are relatively secure, such as the US, can then try to make the world a better place.
That’s the gist of what the “realist” school of thought means.
Ugh. This is one of those posts I typed last night around 3 a.m., but scheduled to post later today. I spelled peek correctly in the post, but messed up the headline. I am afraid if I fix it the url will be affected so I think I will have to live with the embarrassment. I really shouldn’t be staying up so late.
The left loves to bring up the appeasement of dictators, oblivious that the Bush doctorine rebukes that.
If Scowcroft is let back in, the angry critics won’t be wrong anymore.
This team scares me to death. This is the Politbureau of American surrender politics.To trust my life and family to these anti American clowns is paramount to suicide.Why do you think they were purged by Bush?
I’m a bit puzzled as to the term “neoconservative” being thrown around as a defining word. Most people can’t even agree on what a neoconservative is and who can be classified as one. Seems a bit odd that the NYT is using it.
Then again, it’s the NYT. “Odd” is the least of their problems at this point.
It’s “peek”, not “Peak”.