Comments on: “Victory” in Iraq equals reality detachment syndrome http://www.wordyard.com/2006/12/12/iraq-victory/ Technology, politics, culture Wed, 08 Oct 2008 03:18:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Neel Krishnaswami http://www.wordyard.com/2006/12/12/iraq-victory/#comment-393 Neel Krishnaswami Tue, 12 Dec 2006 23:34:04 +0000 http://www.wordyard.com/?p=1183#comment-393 I think you misunderstand McCain's political calculation. He's been a loud pro-war voice, and like everyone else he sees that we've lost in Iraq. However, saying this out loud would crater his presidential ambitions. So, what he's doing is staking out a position that's more warlike than the president's, and which has no real prospects of actually happening. This way, in 2008 he can attack Bush from the right, accuse him of losing the war by having been unwilling to do what was necessary to win, and then call for withdrawal on the grounds it's too late to salvage anything. Sure, he has to attack the Republican president to make this work, but since he's never hid his contempt for W., he still looks authentic without looking like a flip-flopper. I have no idea what Reyes is thinking, though. I think you misunderstand McCain’s political calculation. He’s been a loud pro-war voice, and like everyone else he sees that we’ve lost in Iraq. However, saying this out loud would crater his presidential ambitions.

So, what he’s doing is staking out a position that’s more warlike than the president’s, and which has no real prospects of actually happening. This way, in 2008 he can attack Bush from the right, accuse him of losing the war by having been unwilling to do what was necessary to win, and then call for withdrawal on the grounds it’s too late to salvage anything. Sure, he has to attack the Republican president to make this work, but since he’s never hid his contempt for W., he still looks authentic without looking like a flip-flopper.

I have no idea what Reyes is thinking, though.

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