Neo-cons shocked by loss of awe

[xchrom]

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/World/WOR-02-200313.html

WASHINGTON - Ten years after reaching the height of their influence with the invasion of Iraq, the neo-conservatives and other right-wing hawks are fighting hard to retain their control of the Republican Party.

That fight was on vivid display last week at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington, where, as the New York Times observed in a front-page article, the party appeared increasingly split between the aggressively interventionist wing that led the march to war a decade ago and a
libertarian-realist coalition that is highly skeptical of, if not strongly opposed to, any more military adventures abroad.

The libertarian component, which appears ascendant at the moment, is identified most closely with the so-called Tea Party, particularly Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, whose extraordinary 13-hour "filibuster" against the hypothetical use of drone strikes against US citizens on US territory on the Senate floor last week made him an overnight rock star on the left as well as the right.

Republican unity was not helped by the hostile reaction to Paul's performance by Senator John McCain, and his long-time ally, Senator Lindsay Graham, whose national security views tilt strongly neo-conservative and who are treated by most mainstream media as the party's two most important foreign policy spokesmen.

[Xipe Totec]

1. Rand Paul Rock Star on the left and the right? Left and right of what?

That one made my gorge rise.

I do see the disintegration (dare I say segregation?) of the Republican party into its sour components.

Like curdled milk.

[leveymg]

2. I see the neocons in both parties pushing us toward wars in Syria and Iran.

Same rationales as the last one in Iraq - WMDs (and the need to placate Israel).

[arely staircase]

3. of crazy town. eom

[JHB]

4. Kind of the way Pat Boone might be a "rock star"...

One might like his cover of a particular song. Doesn't make one a fan, though.

[hatrack]

5. And if Graham and Gramps are the "two most important foreign policy spokesmen" . . . .

Then the GOP is in even more trouble than we're used to assuming.

[bemildred]

6. Nobody is afraid of them any more. nt

[xchrom]

7. darth vadar is more darth vapor now. nt

[marmar]

8. k/r