I've never claimed to be a perfect prognoticator of American politics. I can't tell you who will win the election in November. But this is certainly not good news if you are Bush and have any intention of getting re-elected. There have been rumblings from conservatives before that Bush is not doing the right things in Iraq or on the budget.
But when George Will cranks it out:
This administration cannot be trusted to govern if it cannot be counted on to think and, having thought, to have second thoughts. Thinking is not the reiteration of bromides about how "all people yearn to live in freedom" (McClellan). And about how it is "cultural condescension" to doubt that some cultures have the requisite aptitudes for democracy (Bush). And about how it is a "myth" that "our attachment to freedom is a product of our culture" because "ours are not Western values; they are the universal values of the human spirit" (Tony Blair).
That is one way to respond to questions about the wisdom of thinking America can transform the entire Middle East by constructing a liberal democracy in Iraq. But if any Americans want to be governed by politicians who short-circuit complex discussions by recklessly imputing racism to those who differ with them, such Americans do not usually turn to the Republican choice in our two-party system.
As I noted, I don't know who will win. But when George Will starts cranking out language like that, I begin to wonder if I hear warm up arias in the background..."
Posted by baltar at May 5, 2004 10:29 AM | TrackBack | Posted to Politics