Comparing Obama and Bush on Defense
[Guest post by DRJ]
AP journalist Robert Burns analyzes Barack Obama’s policies on national defense and pronounces them a lot like President Bush’s:
“Given that Obama made the unprecedented decision to keep the incumbent Republican defense secretary, it would seem natural to expect that they see eye to eye on at least some major defense issues. But the extent of their shared priorities is surprising, given Obama’s campaign criticisms of Bush’s defense policies.
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The apparent harmony between Gates and Obama on broad defense and national security aims is on display in a Foreign Affairs magazine article by the defense chief that was released Thursday. Gates lays out a comprehensive agenda based on the Bush administration’s new National Defense Strategy. In numerous ways it meshes with the defense priorities that Obama espoused during the campaign.”
The AP article recites several examples of parallels between Bush and Obama on defense: Agreement on the need for better integration of military and state department initiatives as pioneered by the surge in Iraq, security assistance to partner nations in “the fight against Islamic extremism,” and a claim that both agree on the need for a missile defense shield in Europe. The article identifies even more similarities between Obama and Gates: On the need to close GTMO — something the Bush Administration elected not to do — and regarding the phased withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, the importance of shifting resources from Iraq to Afghanistan, the need to reform military procurement practices, and the importance of aid to military families.
In other words, Obama’s early indications are in sync with virtually all the Bush/Gates national defense policies except I doubt Obama will publicly claim America is willing to take military action alone. (Then again, Bush didn’t say that either until after 9/11, and he’s seldom said it in recent years.) As President, I suspect Obama might very well take unilateral military action at some point — if so, my guess is that it will be based on a humanitarian crisis in Africa, perhaps Zimbabwe — but his rhetoric and diplomatic outreach will undoubtedly be aimed at garnering international support for military involvement.
Which means we may very well see the Obama Administration support increased levels of foreign aid to induce widespread international support, emphasis on NATO and UN initiatives, and added reliance on covert military operations.
Sound familiar? It should. It’s the modus operandi of the George Bush Administration, but not the George Bush hated by far-left Democrats. It’s George H. W. Bush: A President known for his graceful appearance and well-mannered demeanor, his Ivy League academic accomplishments and unceasing desire for personal political advancement, for garnering widespread international support for a military response to Saddam’s invasion of Kuwait, and for his pragmatic but ever-shifting approach to politics. He’s also the President who worked closely for many years with Robert Gates in Washington and Texas.
— DRJ
“…but not the George Bush hated by far-left Democrats…”
Does this mean the far-left will experience their own “read my lips” moment?
Another Drew (98abde) — 12/6/2008 @ 4:54 pmWe can only dream.
“s President, I suspect Obama might very well take unilateral military action at some point — if so, my guess is that it will be based on a humanitarian crisis in Africa, perhaps Zimbabwe”
I think the Somalia misadventure still looms large, giving pause before putting boots on the ground in a situation like this. Gates is no Les Aspin. The cries over not “doing something” about situations like Darfur and Rwanda could fly from another camp in these debates, but I think (hope!) that Obama is not going to be inclined to engage in military adventurism when there are two major fronts in strategically important locations still open.
Jack Klompus (b0e238) — 12/6/2008 @ 7:20 pmThere is another reason not to get involved in Zimbabwe, no matter how justified it might be.
No Sea Coast!
Everything would have to go in by air.
Another Drew (98abde) — 12/6/2008 @ 7:47 pmThis is one of the problems we have in Afghanistan,
which would be multiplied if not for the support facilities across its’ northern border in the ‘stans.
Mr. Obama is already proving that he has a great head on his young shoulders. A diverse cabinet like his, as opposed to the ‘good ole boy’ group of arrogant, dangerous imbeciles we had previously, is a helluva good start to our new government.
Ivan (097dc5) — 12/6/2008 @ 7:49 pmGobama!!
Special forces raid on Mugabe’s Hitler mustache ASAP!
Jack Klompus (b0e238) — 12/6/2008 @ 7:50 pmSo does Robert Gates who he’s keeping from the Bush administration fall into the good ole’ boy group or is part of “celebrating diversity”, a dangerous imbecile. I’m not following. Diverse as in? Who specifically were the “arrogant, dangerous imbeciles”, imbeciles as in “uneducated?” Previously as in the ones during the Clinton administration? Sure seem to be some “good ole boys” coming back from that reign? Please enlighten!
Jack Klompus (b0e238) — 12/6/2008 @ 7:54 pmHurry hurry hurry! All crude, baseless, insults on anyone remotely tied to the GWB admin are going fast! Get your anti-Bush bumperstickers and courier bag pins, CHEAP! My life revolved around contests to phrase my hatred of Bush better than my Kos reading friends. Now I obey and fawn over the new guy and I don’t know WHAT TO DO!!!!
Jack Klompus (b0e238) — 12/6/2008 @ 7:57 pmO’Bush has arrived! But Bush derangement syndrome will never die. ROTFLMAO O’Bush! We’re screwed!
J. Raymond Wright (0440ef) — 12/6/2008 @ 8:05 pmThe local media in Philadelphia is STILL putting headlines on the front page of philly.com about how much money was spent on Palin’s hair and wardrobe.
Jack Klompus (b0e238) — 12/6/2008 @ 8:10 pmI predict that Obama will be just another G.W, but without all the media hate and the world will love him and everything he does.
Barf!
ML (14488c) — 12/6/2008 @ 8:16 pmSame with AP and Yahoo! News. They seem frightened to death of her and therefore desperate to drive a stake through her heart.
Old Coot (a8acc7) — 12/6/2008 @ 8:22 pm