the Centrist

Kudos to the Democrats as they planned and executed a campaign bordering on genius … truth is every Republican incumbent seat gained was won by candidates who ran to the right, not the left, of their opponent. These straight talking Blue Dogs will in no small part determine if we will continue to aggressively prevent terrorism or once again become victims.   Over the years I have found that while it might be temporarily pleasant to be in the company of the soft spoken and charming, that over the long run it is more important to deal with those who are straight talking and honest.  I would rather have a grouchy dentist, plumber, surgeon, or mechanic who is capable, than one who is charming.  But more importantly in a time of war, I would rather have a proficient army and diplomat, than the soft spoken French like substitute.  So admittedly it is with a jaundiced eye that I view the soft spoken and smiling Politically Correct from the new left.  As far as their Congressional agenda, we merely have to recall the name and accomplishments of one man, United Nations Representative John Bolton.  It was announced early this week that perhaps the very best UN Representative since Patrick Moynihan was not going to be allowed an up or down vote by the Senate, in essence the Democrats have fired him.  This is payback at the hand of the ever soft spoken and Politically Correct Presidential hopeful Democratic Senator Joe Biden. 
            Why won’t the new left even allow a floor vote … certainly competence did not enter the equation.  For instance just as recent as last month Bolton brokered an unprecedented appointment of friendly Guatemala for a seat on the Security Council defeating the anti-American Venezuela who would have caused all kinds of havoc for American interest. Israel also owes a debt of gratitude to Bolton.  He was instrumental in holding off a cease fire and allowing enough time for at least a partial victory against a common enemy, Hezbollah, in the recent Lebanese War.  Then there was the more pertinent area of North Korea.  While the Democrats insisted on bilateral talks the Administration held to the idea that North Korea would more likely keep any agreement if neighboring countries were in on the talks.  Just a month or so ago Biden accosted the Bolton on the Senate floor reminding him of the bilateral talks held by the Clinton Administration in the mid nineties.  Bolton minced no words as he immediately and unapologetically responded to the point that the agreement was broken immediately after the ink was dry … he went on to explain the obvious, that the North Koreans neither used the food provided by American taxpayers, nor those nuclear plants as promised, rather they used it almost exclusively for military gain.  So this is not about the capability of Bolton, it is about payback from Biden.    
            That begs perhaps the most important question of our times: how many future qualified conservatives will dare go into politics or a cabinet post realizing how easily they can be railroaded and left hung out to dry by their leaders … even when they have succeeded by all standards?  Who will speak up for the integrity of this man?  Who dares defend him … but most importantly where is the outcry from the media or the defense by his Party and President? 
            The Republicans had better be ready for an all out assault on everything Bush.  With the unchecked subpoena power of the House, and the radical left in charge of most committees, the Democrats will tie this Administration into knots.  Mark my words, the headlines in the liberal press will be tantamount to: “Bush says he didn’t beat his wife”.  In the next two years we will be told that this is the most corrupt administration since Watergate.  We will ‘listen in on’ vague accusations via leaked confidential and top secret documents from a Congress now controlled by the ‘leakers’ … and the press will carry that leftist water all the way into the 2008 elections.  Coming from the old left, I still do not understand exactly where we lost civility.  The old left was about debating ideas and ideals not annihilation of the opposition.  But give the Democrats credit they took advantage of an Administration that was apparently to confused to even consider the idea that picking up Liberman’s seat from Connecticut and the majority in the Senate was less important than backing an all but defeated pro-war Democratic Senator.