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Neoconservatives Declare War on Donald J. Trump
The Intercept ^ | Feb. 29 2016, 12:08 p.m. | Zaid Jilani

Posted on 02/29/2016 2:41:44 PM PST by drewh

Donald Trump’s runaway success in the GOP primaries so far is setting off alarm bells among neoconservatives who are worried he will not pursue the same bellicose foreign policy that has dominated Republican thinking for decades.

Neoconservative historian Robert Kagan — one of the prime intellectual backers of the Iraq War and an advocate for Syrian intervention — announced in the Washington Post last week that if Trump secures the nomination, “the only choice will be to vote for Hillary Clinton.”

Max Boot, an unrepentant supporter of the Iraq War, wrote in the Weekly Standard that a “Trump presidency would represent the death knell of America as a great power,” citing, among other things, Trump’s objection to a large American troop presence in South Korea.

Trump has done much to trigger the scorn of neocon pundits. He denounced the Iraq War as a mistake based on Bush administration lies, just prior to scoring a sizable victory in the South Carolina GOP primary. In last week’s contentious GOP presidential debate, he defended the concept of neutrality in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which is utterly taboo on the neocon right.

“It serves no purpose to say you have a good guy and a bad guy,” he said, pledging to take a neutral position in negotiating peace.

This set off his rival Marco Rubio, who replied, “The position you’ve taken is an anti-Israel position. … Because you cannot be an honest broker in a dispute between two sides in which one of the sides is constantly acting in bad faith.”

The Jerusalem Post suggested that Rubio’s assault on Trump’s views on the Middle East was designed to win Florida. If that’s the case, it’s apparently not working — in the Real Clear Politics averaging of GOP primary polls in the state, Trump is polling higher than he ever has.

In his quest to take up George W. Bush’s mantle, Rubio has arrayed a fleet of neoconservative funders, ranging from pro-Israel billionaire Paul Singer to Norman Braman, a billionaire auto dealer who funds Israeli settlements in the West Bank. His list of advisers is like a rolodex of Iraq War backers, ranging from Bush administration alumni Elliot Abrams and Stephen Hadley, to Kagan and serial war propagandist Bill Kristol.

Kristol also sits on the board of the Emergency Committee for Israel — a dark money group that assails candidates it perceives as insufficiently pro-Israel. The group started airing an ad this weekend against Trump portraying him as an ally to despots like Bashar Assad, Saddam Hussein, and Muammar Qaddafi — mostly because he argued that military invasions of Libya and Iraq left those countries worse off:

Even when Trump echoes certain elements of neoconservative orthodoxy — he repeatedly and emphatically calls for strengthening the military — he does so in a unique way. He talks not about spending more money but defying the “special interests” who make the Pentagon order “missiles they don’t want because of politics … because the company that makes the missiles is a contributor.”

Jacob Heilbrunn, author of They Knew They Were Right: The Rise of the Neocons, suggested in July 2014 that neoconservatives might be preparing to ally with Hillary Clinton.

With Trump’s ascendancy, it’s possible that the parties will reorient their views on war and peace, with Trump moving the GOP to a more dovish direction and Clinton moving the Democrats towards greater support for war.


TOPICS: Editorial; Front Page News; News/Current Events; US: District of Columbia; US: New York
KEYWORDS: 2016election; 2016issues; antitrump; boohoo; c2ir; cons; election2016; handwringers; israel; kerryhawks; maxboot; mccainsbuttboys; neocons; newyork; paleocons; robertkagan; theintercept; theweeklystandard; trump; trumpisbad4thesoul; weeklystandard; zaidjilani
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To: LibFreeUSA

Marco has been seeing the hair plugs man


81 posted on 02/29/2016 4:45:45 PM PST by dennisw (The first principle is to find out who you are then you can achieve anything -- Buddhist monk)
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To: publius911
Well, yeah, he hasn't gone into serial killer territory yet. Unless you count by proxy.
82 posted on 02/29/2016 5:21:52 PM PST by KGeorge
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To: RKBA Democrat
So what do the chicken hawks propose to do? Whack DT with their manpurses?

ROTFLMFAO!

I literally pictured Rich Lowry and Stephen Hayes when I read your response.

Best answer ever!

83 posted on 02/29/2016 5:41:24 PM PST by Democratic-Republican
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To: RaceBannon

I do agree that we did condemn Clinton’s behavior. It, he, was reprehensible. Now, with Trump being opposed by two, who I don’t believe are qualified to run for president, I don’t have a choice. I feel Mr. Trump is the lesser of the evils that we have so become accustomed. He is not a dreaded politician and I find that a plus.

I feel betrayed by my Party, my Congressional leaders, and now by those who say they won’t vote for Trump if he is the Primary winner. Isn’t that a vote for his opponent?

Where are the patriots, the ones who love their country enough to try to keep the Democrats from further destroying America?


84 posted on 02/29/2016 6:08:26 PM PST by jch10 (Hillary in the Big House, not the White House .)
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To: euram

So very true. Well said.


85 posted on 02/29/2016 6:46:00 PM PST by Pelham (A refusal to deport is defacto amnesty)
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To: publius911

“I have yet to see a definition of “neoconservative” that makes any sense. Didn’t that originate with “establishment,” the GOPe as a term of derision? “

It originated with socialist Michael Harrington and was embraced by William Kristol’s father Irving, the Godfather of Neoconservatism. Irving Kristol wrote essays on the “neoconservative persuasion” so you could go to his writings for a self definition.

He bestowed the name upon himself and his liberal comrades who decided to abandon the Democrat Party when the McGovern and Carter factions gained power.

In a broad sense they are militaristic liberals. Dubya’s Second Inaugural is a classic neocon document advocating that America spread democracy by force. Dangerous utopian nonsense that ignores how wars take on a life of their own and usually open Pandora’s box.


86 posted on 02/29/2016 6:59:24 PM PST by Pelham (A refusal to deport is defacto amnesty)
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To: drewh

“neoconservatives who are worried he will not pursue the same bellicose foreign policy that has dominated Republican thinking for decades”

they’re right. Trump won’t waste time being bellicose, he’ll simply drop bombs where they are needed. No fuss, no muss.


87 posted on 02/29/2016 7:02:41 PM PST by catnipman (Cat Nipman: Vote Republican in 2012 and only be called racist one more time!)
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To: Buck-I-Guy

No, the most liberal “Republican” is Rubio. A vote for Rubio is an act of treason.


88 posted on 02/29/2016 7:05:27 PM PST by CrimsonTidegirl (Only a traitor would vote for Rubio. Choose wisely.)
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To: ozarkgirl

“Lol, I don’t think Trump sets up the engagements at any of his hotels. “

Shhh, don’t spoil the story!


89 posted on 02/29/2016 7:08:20 PM PST by Pelham (A refusal to deport is defacto amnesty)
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To: Uncle Miltie

“Neoconservatives (READ: JEWS) “

So... Irving Kristol was some sort of self-hating Jew when he embraced the term and his position as the Godfather of Neoconservatism back in 1973?

Please elaborate.


90 posted on 02/29/2016 7:12:12 PM PST by Pelham (A refusal to deport is defacto amnesty)
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To: mlizzy
#TrumpTuesday

#Trump2016

Hopefully will be trending

91 posted on 02/29/2016 7:13:49 PM PST by E20erer
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To: jch10

A man who says he can DEAL with democrats is a man who will MAKE DEALS with democrats just like mcconnel and mccain

A man who his entire life supported and will continue to support nancy pelosi, harry reid, hillary cinton, and you KNOW this

just what mental gymnastics do strumpets have to go through to let themselves believe such lies???

youre against a man who has defended the constitution before the supreme court and won???

You are FOR a guy who sues little old ladies so he can take their land for a parking lot????

just how the mighty are fallen...


92 posted on 03/01/2016 2:13:22 AM PST by RaceBannon (Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for)
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To: JediJones

It’s called sending a message and I absolutely would do the same.
No question.
You want to try and deny me my right to vote for my candidate in a free election? There will be consequences.


93 posted on 03/01/2016 4:40:43 AM PST by mabelkitty
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To: RaceBannon

I’m not against Cruz. I have been a regular contributor to his campaign for a long time. His legal status is not settled. I’d prefer that he stay in the Senate until that can be decided. He is a stalwart there, and young. He will grow stronger and in four or eight years, he will be ready to be president.

In the meantime, I believe Trump, with his tenacity and business experience, can begin the rebuilding of the country. He will bring in people with experience, tested, strong in their fields.

In his defense, many people supported Democrats in their early years and were even registered Dems. People in business often contribute to both parties. That is not unusual. As far as the eminent domain case, that was a mistake Trump made. Have you ever made any?

I’m not trying to convince you, Race. You are respected here and have posted stable, well thought out posts for a long time. I am attempting to show you why I feel Trump is the man for now. We have the chance of sixteen years of common sense government if we can defeat the Dem nominee. I don’t think Sen. Cruz can do that now but he will be the nominee in 2024.

It all boils down to, I’m not against Cruz. I think his strength will be in the Senate for eight more years. I’d never support any of the Establishment Republicans. Their lack of conservative ideals got us where we are today. Let’s allow Cruz to work for us in the Senate and Trump in the White House.

There are many supporters of Trump that make nasty, abrasive, comments, and are relentless in posting their positions. I don’t condone that. I think Freepers who continually show disrespect for others’ opinions and candidates, should be banned until after the election.

Just my two cents.....


94 posted on 03/01/2016 5:56:40 AM PST by jch10 (Hillary in the Big House, not the White House .)
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To: Liz

: )


95 posted on 03/01/2016 7:25:59 AM PST by stephenjohnbanker (My Batting Average( 1,000) since Nov 2014 (GOPe is that easy to read))
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To: headstamp 2; stephenjohnbanker; LS; Arthur Wildfire! March; Grampa Dave
DRUM ROLL PLEASE: the most ignorant pukeneo (to date) surfaces w/ this gem: “Max Boot, an unrepentant supporter of the Iraq War, writing in the neocon house organ, the Weekly Standard: a “Trump presidency would represent the death knell of America as a great power.”

As FReeper headstamp insightfully posted: "Sorry, that happened already with the current moron in the White House."

==============================================

I insist the pukes quit sipping chilled Cristal w/ room-temperature Brie and water crackers in the Four Seasons lounge w/ our tax dollars...that/s where they get these half-baked ideas about US foreign affairs.

96 posted on 03/02/2016 12:42:21 AM PST by Liz (SAFE PLACE? A liberal's mind. Nothing's there. Nothing can penetrate it.)
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To: All
The pukes precious New World Order and Big Government Republicanism are in steep decline. We are returning to the federalism of Ronald Reagan, to American conservatism....and the pukes are not on the train.

Americans will not forgive and they will never forget the disastrous puke-induced invasion of Iraq.....three thousand young Americans dead, tens of thousands physically and psychologically maimed, trillions of US treasure squandered, vengeful Muslim armies coming here to kill us......all of it enabling the election of the vile Obama.

Let/s understand that neocons are political whores....they will get in bed w/ pols of any persuasion in order to achieve their own self-serving ends. Keep in mind these people do NOTHING that is in the best interests of the US....they have their own self-serving agenda.

Let's go back to the nauseating beginning: the political buzz was GWB met w/ neocons BEFORE his election; the deal was to invade Iraq and also included a catbird seat for the pukeneos in the WH Office of Special Ops (created just for the pukes, financed by US taxpayers).

Colin Powell asserts in his new book...."there would have been no Iraq war" had then-Pres GWB and his councilors (neocons) understood that Hussein did not possess any functioning unconventional weapons. Powell lauded the fact that under Bush we got rid of the horrific Hussein government and toppled the Taliban regime in Afghanistan....."

Which just goes to show neocons FORGOT to advise GWB about the fervid Mideast mindset. Its thousand-year-old sectarian internecine warfare was kept in check by strongmen like Saddam and Khadafi. Now these savages are marauding all over Europe.....and are coming here to kill us for what we did in Iraq.

POINTS TO PONDER

<><> Powell never mentions the conniving Mideast types calculated the advantage of having a superpower in their midst....and they cashed in bigtime.

<><> The US gamely decided to train the indigenous population....it cost us billions and we managed to train 4-5, or so, over five years.

<><> In the US we take them off the farm, send them to boot camp, and in 3 weeks we got battle-ready soldiers.

<><> The Bank of Kabul where the CIA and DOD deposited billions to finance the war was a withdrawal-only goldmine for insiders.

<><> For public consumption, GWB was prompted to say we went into Iraq to introduce them to the advantages of democracy and to get all warm and cuddly as they embraced it.

(waiting for hysterical laughter to die down)

Remember this Colin? The war profiteering was outrageous. Neocon godfather Richard Perle relaxing in Paris (above the fray---nowhere near his cohorts plotting in the WH Office of Special Ops) got so rich w/ insider info, he was reported to be starting his own oil company.

<><> One last thing, Colin.....neocons duped GWB into believing the Iraq strike would cost $50-60 billion. Then an angry Bush fired advisor Larry Lindsey because Lindsay dared to say the war might cost more like $100 billion.

That was in 2007 dollars.

FAST FORWARD TO TODAY Iraq and Afghanistan today have cost the US some $3 TRILLION....and rivers of young blood. We/re still pouring US tax dollars into those decrepit Mideast countries, and..... as Donald says....the US got NOTHING in return.

BTW, look who controls most of the Iraqui oil fields today.

Could THIS be what the calculating neocons are after (/snix)?

97 posted on 03/02/2016 12:52:02 AM PST by Liz (SAFE PLACE? A liberal's mind. Nothing's there. Nothing can penetrate it.)
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To: stephenjohnbanker; Liz; AuntB; headstamp 2; LS; Arthur Wildfire! March

With Trump’s ascendancy, it’s possible that the parties will reorient their views on war and peace, with Trump moving the GOP to a more dovish direction and Clinton moving the Democrats towards greater support for war.

My parents and Grandparents called the Democrats the war party re WWI and WWII and Korea.

Kennedy, Johnson went along with that reality,


98 posted on 03/02/2016 7:13:01 AM PST by Grampa Dave (, Voting to elect Trump as president is the only known cure for chronic TDS!))
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To: GraceG

Trump will burn it all down... re the establishment.

It will be a good thing!


99 posted on 03/02/2016 7:15:28 AM PST by Grampa Dave (, Voting to elect Trump as president is the only known cure for chronic TDS!))
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To: RKBA Democrat
So what do the chicken hawks propose to do? Whack DT with their manpurses?

ROTFLMFAO!

100 posted on 03/02/2016 7:19:40 AM PST by Grampa Dave (, Voting to elect Trump as president is the only known cure for chronic TDS!))
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