Posted on 03/19/2005 7:42:20 PM PST by Mobile Vulgus
It should be the best of times for American conservatism. Republican majorities in the House and Senate, a re-elected Republican president, an increasing number of Republican governors and a rightwards tilt in the judiciary. While the British Tories and German Christian Democrats flounder, Americas right seems to flourish.
Well, thats the cover story. Beneath the surface, however, American conservatism is in increasing trouble. The Republican coalition, always fragile, now depends as much on the haplessness of the Democrats as on its own internal logic. On foreign and domestic policy alike the American right is splintering. With no obvious successor to George W Bush that splintering will deepen....
I do think Andrew's intentions are basically good, but I certainly agree with you that he "makes it very easy to misunderstand" them.
As for Kerry, I think he stupidly bought the contentions that 1) Kerry would be tough enough on terror; and 2) that the way to rebuild our image in the world is to kiss up to the world, rather than to remain tough and succeed.
My criticisms of W. on foreign policy, like yours, come from the right. He is too soft on China, although there is a case to be made for "constructive engagement," having mainly to do with the Asiatic tradition of "face." And he is certainly far too soft on immigration, where there is almost no good case to be made for his position.
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