Victor Davis Hanson: Hillaryitis

The National Review ^ | July 23, 2008 | Victor Davis Hanson

[2ndDivisionVet]

Hillary used to go ballistic in frustration at the latest rather shameless incarnation of Obama, and McCain should not fall into the same malady. He understandably is angry because Obama, whose opposition to the surge and erstwhile desire to be done with Iraq by March 2007 would have lost the war, rode the anti-war wave when it was popular, and now, in his current metamorphosis to centrist, has piggy-backed onto the good news in Iraq as if it had nothing to do with the surge — as if McCain's lonely support for it either never happened or was irrelevant. And McCain knows that Maliki is posturing for Iraqi domestic opinion, and when Obama leaves will send signals to us that he most surely doesn't want all Americans gone in 16 months, especially given the fact that his security forces still need U.S. advice and support for necessary operations like the recent successes in Basra.

But that said, McCain should not get trapped into surge dialectics, but stay on 5-6 domestic themes: he wants to transition us to green energy through drilling, nuclear, clean coal, and all our resources; Obama has bought into Gorism and thinks we can hope and change our way magically to "wind, solar, and millions of new jobs in green energies"; McCain will close the border first and discuss the thorny issues later; Obama won't. McCain will cut federal spending and pay off debt, Obama wants a trillion dollars in new entitlements; McCain won't raise taxes; Obama's could make the top brackets pay, European-style, 65 percent in state and federal taxes, and stifle economic growth with new levies on capital gains, inheritances, payroll, and income; McCain will appoint judges who follow and interpret, not create, laws; Obama will do the opposite; McCain knows the military and what it can do to protect American interests; Obama wants to create a shadow civilian force “that’s just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded” as the $500 billion a year Pentagon.

That should be his message, and he should not get involved with pro-Obama pundits refining and upgrading Obama's latest incarnations on Iraq. Even biased reporters are chaffing at the new gospels of Obamism, and the carefully scripted appearances designed to limit exposure to the sort of circus we see at the White House Press room, and eventually will want more impromptu Obama.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Good advice.

[caseinpoint]

Very true. And for most real Americans, all the McCain has to point out is that Europe and the Middle East, with the exception of Israel, loves Obama to ensure more votes for McCain.

[upchuck]

Good advice.

Agreed. But will McCain pay attention?

[neverdem]

BTTT

[Southack]

I find it odd that the same “progressives” who opposed the Surge in Iraq are now supporting Obama’s position for a military surge into Afghanistan...as if one military surge is better than another to a peacenik!

McCain is winning on Iraq right now because Iraq is won, and Americans like winners. Obama has picked up on that dynamic and wants to be on the winning side of the argument in Afghanistan.

McCain is also winning on new oil drilling. Obama is boxed in...he can’t support new drilling and he can’t support nuclear and he can’t “do nothing” about high gasoline prices.

So if McCain concentrates on oil drilling (new, high paying jobs and a shot at lower gas prices) and Iraq/Afghanistan, he’ll do fine.

Frankly, McCain should avoid healthcare and other issues as much as the press will let him...stick with his two winning issues (for the masses).

Obama looks silly on both.

Besides, Hillary could re-enter the picture at the Dems’ convention next month in Denver...so the dynamics of the election could change dramatically...best to stick to just his two winning issues to maintain his strength and defenses simultaneously, without risk of overstretching.

Keep in mind that Governor Bush won the Presidency in 2000 based on his strong suit: lowering taxes. That was his concentrated issue. That was his winning argument.

McCain has two: new oil drilling and Iraq/Afghanistan.

Stick to just those two issues where possible and McCain could win by an even larger margin.

[PGalt]

Thanks for the ping. BTTT.

[Tolik]

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[BroJoeK]

"McCain should not get trapped into surge dialectics, but stay on 5-6 domestic themes:

• he wants to transition us to green energy through drilling, nuclear, clean coal, and all our resources;
  Obama has bought into Gorism and thinks we can hope and change our way magically to "wind, solar, and millions of new jobs in green energies";

• McCain will close the border first and discuss the thorny issues later;
  Obama won't.

• McCain will cut federal spending and pay off debt,
  Obama wants a trillion dollars in new entitlements;

• McCain won't raise taxes;
  Obama's could make the top brackets pay, European-style, 65 percent in state and federal taxes, and stifle economic growth with new levies on capital gains, inheritances, payroll, and income;

• McCain will appoint judges who follow and interpret, not create, laws;
  Obama will do the opposite;

• McCain knows the military and what it can do to protect American interests;
  Obama wants to create a shadow civilian force “that’s just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded” as the $500 billion a year Pentagon."

[Blind Eye Jones]

Advice for McCain. Stand for something: just don't be like Hillary and follow Obama wherever he goes.

[Teacher317]

Looks like the perfect 15-second TV political ad... no mud-slinging, purely flat and factual, and entirely convincing (one way or the other). It also helps sets the terms of the campaign (usually left to the MSM and the Left). Inexpensive to produce, and not too annoying to the folks watching sopas or sports.

[CPT Clay]

McCain has two: new oil drilling and Iraq/Afghanistan...

Lets make that 3, He is outstanding on reducing earmarks.