Posted on 09/08/2011 5:39:28 PM PDT by The Bronze Titan
I have decided to post this as my own article, because everyone in the media (and blogosphere) is so focused with the "horse-race" aspect of this campaign, and the "gotcha" sound bites, that a critical moment with insightful importance during last night's debate has been shockingly overlooked (and/or ignored).
It is critical, because it relates directly to the national security and foreign policy thinking and requisite aptitude of a top-tier candidate for President of the United States.
The critical moment occurs when the questioner, in turning to Perry, diverts the debate towards a "national security" issue. At this point, I am attentive to hear what the candidate has to say national security-wise relative to the question being asked.
Simply speaking, during a debate you want to gleam some aspect of the candidate's foreign policy thinking, and how he/she would react as President relative to the issue being raised. Essentially, the question is an "opening" being provided by the questioner to the candidate for the candidate to expound on their national security / foreign policy thinking. You can either respond directly to the question at hand, or divert your response to a more pronounced aspect of your foreign policy.
What Perry does (AND doesn't do) is quite breathtaking, to the point of being scary, since it covers a huge issue in our nation's foreign policy. The question relates directly to something he wrote about in his book ("adventurism").
Perry's total lack of a coherent response to the question on such a (supposedly) important foreign policy pronouncement in his book, considering that the issue involves when to send our men/women into battle, betrays his shockingly inept ability and readiness to explain his thinking in matters of national security.
It was an odd and strange response to a very important question. Seemingly reluctant in wanting to answer the question by making a weird turn to deflect the subject matter, all the while quickly closing on the same subject matter,.
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HARRIS: Governor Perry, as we approach the 9/11 anniversary, I'd like to stick with national security for a moment. You recently said, quote, "I do not believe that America should fall subject to a foreign policy of military adventurism." Looking back, do you think President George W. Bush was too quick to launch military intervention without thinking through the risks?
PERRY: I was making a comment about a philosophy; I don't think America needs to be in the business of adventurism.
But let me just say something about the president of the United States. And I know he's -- he's taken lots of slings and arrows here today. But one thing that I want to say that he did do that I agree with is that he maintained the -- the chase and -- and we took out a very bad man in the form of bin Laden, and I -- and I tip my hat to him.
I give more props to those Navy SEALs that did the job, but -- and the other thing this president's done, he has proven for once and for all that government spending will not create one job. Keynesian policy and Keynesian theory is now done. We'll never have to have that experiment on America again. And I might add that he kept Gitmo open against the will of his base, and I'm glad he did that. America's safer for it.
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Here is the video of the entire debate, with a reference to the question and the response segment at the 1:17:52 time mark.
I have provided the transcript of this exchange below, and link to the entire debate transcript here.
(better viewing the video segment, since it captures the essence of how this was phrased and how it was responded to)
Here is the transcript page on the Perry comment: Page 19
I never thought I would say this, but...
Sounds like Perry focused too much on jobs in his rehearsals and fell back on an answer that he was hoping to get into the debate somewhere.
Yes, agreed, it was a poor answer, but I would not throw him over board based only on that.
Wow pretty long winded. The answer is simple. He didn’t want to criticize Bush by name.
Obama IS a major Blunder.
Some gerbalist set himself up by saying TX had executed more criminals than any other state (dramatic pause) then asked if that bothered him (Perry).
He replied, “No.” (Applause)
That was a good thing, Anthony. That was real good thing! I’m still waiting for SP to swing down from the trees though.
People, take your blinders off. Perry has an opportunity to explain his philosophy and thinking to US (the people) on what constitutes “adventurism” in his mind - and his response is.....
- to repeat the word “adventurism”
- support Obama
- the Seals (an afterthought)
- jobs and Keneysian theory
- oh..and GITMO
Excuse me, but what in the world is that?
And people have the gall to compare that response to Obama?
That’s a hell of bar you put up there!
He's been Lt. Governor of the same state.
He was an Air Force Captain and a C-130 pilot.
He earned the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts.
He also just happens to have been the head of the Republican Governors association.
I would say he is perfectly ready to be President.
Perry's just getting started. A few bumps along the road are to be expected. Trial and error. Ironing out the kinks. Etc.
Perry's just getting started. A few bumps along the road are to be expected. Trial and error. Ironing out the kinks. Etc.
Perry's just getting started. A few bumps along the road are to be expected. Trial and error. Ironing out the kinks. Etc.
Sadly your examples don’t help make upur point. I suppose you are for the U.S supporting the “rebels” in Libya. Or giving aid and comfort to the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt.
That is the worst kind of adventurism. The exchange may have been prefaced by msm idiot. but 9-11 has NOTHING to do with what Zero has been doing since he got hold of the military and taxpayer money.
“His open boarder position”
****
Assuming you’re referring to the boundary between Mexico and the United States, instead of a tenant, how should the border be addressed?
Romney pandered last night in favor of a fence. Build a 20-foot fence and they’ll be selling 25-feet ladders in Mexico (and of course continue to tunnel underneath in California).
Where do you plan to put the fence on the Texas border? Middle of the Rio Grande? Cede the river and put it on the north river bank? If so, how will you solve the ladder/tunnel issue? Think that 2600-mile fence won’t be breached?
Perry endorsed more boots on the ground (Border Patrol, National Guard) plus use of predator drones.
The only thing he didn’t suggest (and should be considered) is mining the damn border. Ladders and tunnels won’t be too effective crossing a mine field.
Does anyone honestly think Little Stevie Dunham does a damned thing but read teleprompters, eat ice cream, play with Reggie Love, golf and watch sports?!? HE doesn’t make decisions - his masters do. The ONLY decision he makes is where to sneak a smoke.
Perry will surround himself with professionals who know what he doesn’t-—just like a President should.
You are CLUELESS that SS is worse than a Ponzi Scheme ?
A Ponzi scheme falls apart quickly but the ABUSE to SS goes on?
The funds you put into SS will not be there in 10 years !
Its broke
Your just spitting out Perry hating talking points here .
AND.....I don’t want a CIC that thinks of our military as a bunch of miniture army men on a fake battlefield.
Zero has absolutely NO regard for the troops OR their fams.
It’s 58 (57 + the one he hadn’t been to yet ;^) )
If Perry never erred we’d be going to church on Sunday worshiping him.
Perry’s not my first choice, but I saw nothing wrong with this.
ZERO is done. The debate has moved past the point of WHO is in the White House now to WHO will replace him! The people on the stage last night are the important ones now. The entire country already knows ZERO is done.
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