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Can the Neocons Get Their Groove Back?
Washington Post ^ | 19 November 2006 | Joshua Muravchik

Posted on 11/19/2006 6:51:55 AM PST by shrinkermd

"...So, is neoconservatism dead?

Far from it. Neoconservative ideas have been vindicated again and again on a string of major issues, including the Cold War, Bosnia and NATO expansion.

It is the war in Iraq that has made "neocon" a dirty word, either because Bush's team woefully mismanaged the war or because the war (which neocons supported) was misconceived. But even if the invasion of Iraq proves to have been a mistake, that would not mean that the neoconservative belief in democracy as an antidote to troubles in the Middle East is wrong, nor would it confirm that neoconservatism's combination of strength with idealism is misguided.

Neoconservatism isn't dead; it can be renovated and returned to prominence, because, even today, it remains unrivaled as a guiding principle for U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East and beyond.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Editorial; Foreign Affairs; Politics/Elections; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: neocon; redux; unapologetic
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Last paragraph:

"...Until someone comes up with better ideas than these, the neocon strategy of trying to transform the Middle East, however blemished, remains without alternative. No doubt, the results of the midterm elections will produce some course corrections (as Rumsfeld has discovered). But neocon ideas are unlikely to be jettisoned -- either by Bush or his successor -- until a viable replacement is found. So far, there is none.

1 posted on 11/19/2006 6:51:57 AM PST by shrinkermd
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To: shrinkermd
HEY! Wash. ComPOST, the elections are over...but, not for the Liberals' shills.
2 posted on 11/19/2006 6:57:25 AM PST by skinkinthegrass (Just b/c your paranoid; Doesn't mean they're NOT out to get you. :^)
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To: shrinkermd
But neocon ideas are unlikely to be jettisoned -- either by Bush or his successor -- until a viable replacement is found. So far, there is none.

The WaPo demonstrates, once again, that democrats have no ideas, only carping.

3 posted on 11/19/2006 6:58:03 AM PST by jimtorr
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To: shrinkermd
We shall see if their guy McCain can get himself elected, or most likely they will willingly take any position queen Hillry would toss their way.

What they (Kristol & McCain) did to Rummy is a disgrace and for me who use to pay attention to their words find them without credibility.
4 posted on 11/19/2006 7:00:54 AM PST by Just mythoughts
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To: shrinkermd

Only once the Dems screw up.


5 posted on 11/19/2006 7:01:15 AM PST by Brilliant
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To: Just mythoughts

The biggest single problem conservatives have is how to stop McCain. The MSM has him rolling. He's on the Talk Shows every Sunday. They are pushing him along.

A few weeks ago some thought Senator Allen was an alternative for the GOP nomination; look what the media did to him.

We need a candidate. And we'd better find one fairly soon.


6 posted on 11/19/2006 7:06:04 AM PST by kjo
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To: shrinkermd

Nope. What is the matter if Junk Media types are too arrogantly certain of their own infallablity they have refused to learn even the simplest facts about Iraq because they do not validate their domestic political bigotry.

As anyone who actually KNOWS the facts, Iraq is the most successful Counter Insurgency mission in history.

So sorry American morons in the DC Media-Political Complex that war does not run according to your "Military training from watching Rambo Movies" taught you to expect.

Want to fix Iraq Junk Media? Sit down, shut up and get out of the way. You have utterly failed to find out even the basic facts abot the mission in Iraq in three years. Time for the drama queens in the Junk media to just get out of the way.


7 posted on 11/19/2006 7:06:24 AM PST by MNJohnnie (I do not forgive Senator John McCain for helping destroy everything we built since 1980.)
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To: kjo

Yeah and the Media had Howie Dean crusing to victory for the Dems in 2004. The worst thing possible is to be the front runner now.


8 posted on 11/19/2006 7:07:35 AM PST by MNJohnnie (I do not forgive Senator John McCain for helping destroy everything we built since 1980.)
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To: MNJohnnie

Hope to heaven you are right. McCain would be a disaster. I'd actually rather have Hillary; then we could fight in the open.


9 posted on 11/19/2006 7:10:04 AM PST by kjo
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To: shrinkermd

Everyone focusus on the Neocon's foreign policy. Their domestic policy is equally obnoxious.


10 posted on 11/19/2006 7:16:17 AM PST by DManA
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To: shrinkermd

Neocon schmeocon. The whole article is nothing but vindictive leftist labeling, with scarcely a thought in its head. What else can you expect from the ComPost?


11 posted on 11/19/2006 7:23:52 AM PST by Cicero (Marcus Tullius)
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To: kjo
I'd actually rather have Hillary; then we could fight in the open.

So true...what was that Patton quote about, "he'd rather have the French Army, in from of him, instead of the back." :D

12 posted on 11/19/2006 7:28:11 AM PST by skinkinthegrass (Just b/c your paranoid; Doesn't mean they're NOT out to get you. :^)
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To: shrinkermd
What is a "neocon"?
13 posted on 11/19/2006 7:29:22 AM PST by BenLurkin ("The entire remedy is with the people." - W. H. Harrison)
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To: kjo
McCain has spent his capital with conservatives. He is number one trouble maker and his backers, Kristol in particular really don't give a rat's behind who is President. They will bunk up with whom ever becomes president if allowed.

I will never forget the euphoric state Kristol was in election night 2004 when he falsely believed that JFKerry had won the election. Tarnished his pretend conservative image for me forever.

I actually expect McCain to join Hillry on the ticket to capture the electoral liberal, independent, libertarian and illegal votes.
14 posted on 11/19/2006 7:29:48 AM PST by Just mythoughts
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To: shrinkermd

Just wait for another attack here in the US. The citizenry will not put up with "business as usual". There will be a howl for the removal of state and federal officials who have done nothing for our security.

The gun industry is beginning to see a huge surge in business with concealed carry purmits, training, and passage of the "Castle Doctrine" laws. Liberals will see the end of their efforts and the need to transform our country into a fortress for combating Islam will proceed full force. Islam is the problem and calling it a "religion of peace" is balony.


15 posted on 11/19/2006 7:31:13 AM PST by DownInFlames
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To: shrinkermd
I don't like this term "neocon".

What they advocate is actually what was American foreign policy approach since Teddy Roosevelt. Other than being a forgotten old, there is nothing new about it.

This approach has suffered a setback and that's about it.
16 posted on 11/19/2006 7:48:56 AM PST by alecqss
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To: BenLurkin
As I understand it "neocon" is a term that means "new conservative"; it was first (I think) applied to Irving Kristol (father of Bill) who was a Trotskite Marxist in his youth during the thirties. Kristol Sr. had an ephiany sometimes around Vietnam and became a staunch Republican. Other ex-leftists followed him into the GOP. Hence the "neo" or new.
17 posted on 11/19/2006 8:00:07 AM PST by kjo
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The "neocon" label is meaningless now. I'm not sure it ever HAD a meaning anyway, but now...........it means about 13 things to 13 different people.


18 posted on 11/19/2006 8:25:48 AM PST by Crimson Elephant
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To: shrinkermd

If I understand the basic principle of "neo" conservative,these people seem to be more globally oriented then grand dad's version of conservatives.In a shrinking world this concept may have merit,however when it includes nation building or tearing down our national borders I've got no use for the philosophy !!!


19 posted on 11/19/2006 8:27:35 AM PST by Obie Wan
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To: shrinkermd

The libs are trying to flatter the neos...and succeeding. The neos just love flattery...catch the Election Issue of Vanity Fair.


20 posted on 11/19/2006 8:29:41 AM PST by Mamzelle
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