Reply #51: OK, you surprised me. [View All]

[Moderate Dem]

If you supported the Afghanistan war, then I have jumped on you too hard, and owe you an apology, at least for presuming to know your views, when I did not, in this case.

A little nuance here. I have said that I understood the real reason for the Iraq War, I did not say that I would have done it the same way. There is a difference. And I do agree that we were not specifically threatened by Iraq.

This is an uncomfortable position for me, as I regularly post at Hannity, where I am considered a moderate on defense, and a liberal on domestic policy. (You should try it, there's blood on the floor there on a regular basis, and you are obviosly a sharp guy). Here is seems that I am closer to the right, although in truth I am not.

I am really an old-school Democrat. Before Vietnam, Democrats were actually more aggressive militarily than Republicans, who tended more toward isolationism (see Pat Buchanon). I am in favor of an aggressive foriegn policy to look out for our national interests (again, so is John Kerry, Hillary, Edwards and many other Democrats). I have no respect whatsoever for Neocons, as I regard them as arrogant and yes, imperialistic.

At this point I regard the Iraq War as a well-fought but poorly planned and executed gambit that we may actually luck out with. I think that Wolfowitz and others who predicted parades and flowers, and that Iraqi oil would pay for the war, as liars and propagandists.

As I said, I want an aggressive President out there, hopefully one with a little tact and diplomacy, watching our for our interests, which is why I voted for Kerry. I am sorry if my views seemed to right wing for you, but many Democrats feel the same way that I do, and I cannot offer an apology for that.