Can Obama Lead the Military?
by William_M_Arkin
Is Barack Obama already shooting himself in the foot as commander-in-chief? In a long interview by the Military Times newspapers, the candidate shows a deference to the uniformed military, a humility that he associates with his lack of service in uniform but one that could also backfire as Clintonian weakness – Bill Clinton that is. "I have always said that as commander in chief, I would seek the advice and counsel of our generals," Obama said in the interview. "Great. The inmates will be running the asylum," an insider tells me.
Withdrawal from Iraq, his own surge in Afghanistan, dealing with the Bush legacy on Iran and Pakistan, missile defenses in Europe, increasing the size of the Army and Marine Corps despite his Iraq withdrawal pledge, a bloated and voracious defense budget, the outsourcing of defense, the intelligence mess, China and Russia: What does the candidate tell us that is his new innovation? He says he wants to allow gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military. Yeah, let's spend the first year of a new administration fighting about this again…
１） Asking generals what to do about a war is like asking a wino what to do with all this wine. The war was wrong, period. That is the policy that Obama needs to adhear to. The only thing he should be talking to the generals about is how to best pull our troops out. HE is the leader, and implementing HIS policy is what he should consentrate on. The majority of americans are behind that policy, and spending any time or political capital trying to placate the twenty some percent that wants this war is a waste of his time, and damages his credibility with the majority. He needs to stop trying to please everyone and stick to his guns.
２） The most troublesome aspect of Senator Obama's position on military and foreign affairs, is that he really believes that his powers of persuasion will be sufficient to transform complex dynamics that have evolved over the course of hundreds of years in America as well as in other cultures.
Senator Obama's relIance on the Military Brass for leadership credibility would have the same effect that the Neo-Cons had on G.W Bush, It will overwhelm him to the point of irrelevance. He has implicitly admitted that he has an inferiority complex when it comes to apposing the Macho Men in uniform. This is a red flag that should worry American voters.
Senator Obama' shifting position on Iraq demonstrates that he is less willing to challenge the military's leadership when confronted about his positions publicly. By trying to sound and look tough, Senator Obama has shown how little he really trust himself when it comes to leading the country's warrior class. Senator Obama lacks the character and convictions necessary to be the Comander in Chief of the armed forces and the Democratic party knows it.
３）＞＞ "Asking generals what to do about a war is like asking a wino what to do with all this wine. The war was wrong, period."
I encourage you to read the book "Dereliction of Duty: Johnson, McNamara, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Lies That Led to Vietnam" by US Army Brigadier General (Select) H. R. McMasters before you so dismissively denigrate the military leadership in favor of an inexperienced civilian Commander in Chief. The President needs to articulate a clear vision, but in doing so he/she needs to pay attention to those that have a true understanding of the profession of arms and the costs of war. Does Obama possess the traits and skills to be a good Commander in Chief? I, for one, do not believe so.
４）＞＞What does the candidate tell us that is his new innovation?…
Posted by William_M_Arkin
Well, nothing. Now that he's a candidate for President he needs to advocate sensible policies. Before this he could advocate silly policies that were effective vote-getters from his base. Now he needs to advocate policies that won't make him look like a fool if he tries to implement them as President.
It's just like the anti-free-trade rhetoric he was spouting on the campaign trail. He even had to send operatives to Canada (and probably other countries) in order to reassure foreign governments that he wasn't really a fool.
Expect President Obama to continue 98% of the Bush Administration policies. He'll throw his followers a few high-profile bones like "gays in the military" to cover this up. Maybe the press will play along with the charade, maybe it won't. Pretty funny if you ask me. I love politics.
５） Yet again, we have no idea where Obama stands on this issue. He has said that he would be deferential, yet repeatedly states that he sets strategy, and the generals can set tactics. Great. What is Obama's Middle East strategy? No one knows. Would he question his generals' tactics, like Lincoln and Churchill regularly did? It would seem that he wouldn't.
（解説）３００以上のコメントですね。米軍が外国で戦争をしているわけだから、「オバマが総司令官になったら、どうする？」と関心が高い。日本が国防軍を持って、アメリカから、独立するには、こういった議論が必要なのです。さらに、日本のインテリジェンスは、こういったブログのコメントを収集して分析する能力を必要とするのです。外務官僚も、防衛官僚も、そういった人種ではない。首相からして、非戦平和主義〜反戦主義ならば、関心はないはずだ。伊勢
