I did not need to put words in her mouth, she said it herself in her Foreign Affairs article, and confirms what I have been arguing consistently. Hillary's position on Iran is identical to the Regime's hard line. She insists that even a pre-emptive nuclear strike is possible if Iran does not cave into Western pressure to abandon its nuclear enrichment program (she used the diplomatic code-speak of "all options remaining on the table"). She was the only Democratic candidate to vote for the Lieberman (there's another 'good' Democrat for you) resolution to list the Iranian Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization. A provocation wanted very badly by Darth Cheney. The State Department does not believe such a sweeping categorization is appropriate. Nevertheless, her vote helped pass the measure and makes it easier for the Regime to justify an attack before it stumbles out of office. If they do not do it, she has indicated her willingness to do so. Her diplomatic niceties give cold comfort. She makes no mention of Iran's legitimate claim to the peaceful use of nuclear power and imposes preconditions to negotiations that are in lock step with the current residents of the bunker on Pennsylvania Avenue. Her response to John Edwards' criticism of her Iran position was also disingenuous. She claimed she was only "trying to appeal to a broader audience" of the general election. Edwards politely pointed out that she has not yet been nominated. As a consummate politician, she delivers applause lines, and she clearly is sensitive to the big financial support that comes from Israel sympathizers. But her closeted hawkishness can no longer be plausibly denied. Democratic voters looking for a clean break from the confrontational world view of Bush&Co. are not going to find one in the American version of the 'Iron Lady'. [cartoon credit: R.J. Matson]
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Hillary Proves She is Republican Lite
I did not need to put words in her mouth, she said it herself in her Foreign Affairs article, and confirms what I have been arguing consistently. Hillary's position on Iran is identical to the Regime's hard line. She insists that even a pre-emptive nuclear strike is possible if Iran does not cave into Western pressure to abandon its nuclear enrichment program (she used the diplomatic code-speak of "all options remaining on the table"). She was the only Democratic candidate to vote for the Lieberman (there's another 'good' Democrat for you) resolution to list the Iranian Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization. A provocation wanted very badly by Darth Cheney. The State Department does not believe such a sweeping categorization is appropriate. Nevertheless, her vote helped pass the measure and makes it easier for the Regime to justify an attack before it stumbles out of office. If they do not do it, she has indicated her willingness to do so. Her diplomatic niceties give cold comfort. She makes no mention of Iran's legitimate claim to the peaceful use of nuclear power and imposes preconditions to negotiations that are in lock step with the current residents of the bunker on Pennsylvania Avenue. Her response to John Edwards' criticism of her Iran position was also disingenuous. She claimed she was only "trying to appeal to a broader audience" of the general election. Edwards politely pointed out that she has not yet been nominated. As a consummate politician, she delivers applause lines, and she clearly is sensitive to the big financial support that comes from Israel sympathizers. But her closeted hawkishness can no longer be plausibly denied. Democratic voters looking for a clean break from the confrontational world view of Bush&Co. are not going to find one in the American version of the 'Iron Lady'. [cartoon credit: R.J. Matson]