Question about what Will Marshall means by creating our own *vulcans.*

[madfloridian]

To me it sounds as though he is pushing our party to become more militaristic....so we can win elections. He refers to "cultivating our own Vulcans."

He is reviewing Mann's book:
RISE OF THE VULCANS: The History of Bush's War Cabinet
by James Mann

http://www.ndol.org/ndol_ci.cfm?cp=2&kaid=127&subid=171&contentid=252581

SNIP..."Democrats are likely to object that Mann's account leaves them out almost entirely and gives the Vulcans far too much credit for the resurgence of American power. They have a point: the rebuilding of U.S. strength started late in the Carter years, and the armed forces that the Vulcans used to brilliant effect in Afghanistan and Iraq were modernized and strengthened on President Bill Clinton's watch. Nor did the New Democrats shrink from the vigorous use of U.S. power, intervening in Haiti, Bosnia, and Kosovo without, as Mann points out, seeking any permission slips from the United Nations.

Still, the Vulcans' rise is a ringing reminder of the Republicans' post-Vietnam dominance of defense and foreign affairs. That advantage helps to explain their having won six of the nine presidential elections since 1968. With national security back in the center of U.S. politics, Democrats might consider cultivating some Vulcans of their own.

Will Marshall is president of the Progressive Policy Institute, which shares an office with the DLC.

[Nlighten1]

1. We need our own "Tiger Squad"

Meat-eaters who aren't afraid to take on the DLC and the Republicans.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

2. Ol' "progressive" Will Marshall can...

kiss my ass.

[madfloridian]

3. From another article by him...."embrace values centrism."

http://www.ndol.org/ndol_ci.cfm?contentid=252194&kaid=127&subid=173
Seizing the Cultural Center.

SNIP..."Second, embrace "values centrism." Democrats should avoid polarizing the electorate around contentious social issues. The public dislikes culture warriors and is apt to punish the party that starts the fight -- think impeachment. Sure, strident "us versus them" rhetoric energizes your base. But it also galvanizes your opponents while repelling moderates who might otherwise be open to your views on other issues. By offering them reasoned arguments rather than ridicule, Democrats can peel off a small but significant slice of these "cultural swing voters."

Ok, don't make waves, I guess. No cultural warriors, no contentious social issues. Even if it energizes the base.

[scarletwoman]

4. Progressive Policy Institute - DLC version of PNAC

Imperialism by any other name doth smell as foul...

sw

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

5. I agree very much with Mann.

There is some foreign policy thinking in the latest "Foreign Affairs"...Sandy Bergers essay on "A Democratic Foregin Policy".

http://www.foreignaffairs.org/20040501faessay83306/samuel-r-berger/foreign-policy-for-a-democratic-president.html

[madfloridian]

6. It is very hard to "advance reform in the Middle East."

SNIP...."We can compel, but far too often we cannot persuade. Our most important global initiatives, from advancing reform in the Middle East to defeating terrorism, will likely fail, unless there is a change in approach -- or a change in leadership....."

Advancing reform in the Middle East worries me. Is this our destiny? Must we do it? This is my problem with those who supported invading Iraq and who still say they support it. I just don't think we have the right to the Middle East. I have tried to have an open mind on it, but I find it hard to do so.

How do you approach a country and tell them you want to reform them as Berger suggests above. Is there a good way to do that? Could that be why the terrorists are after us? I know, I think simplistically. I hear that a lot here.

It is simple to me. We do not have a right to the Middle East. I do not think there is a gentler kinder way to remake the Middle East.

[AntiCoup2K4]

7. What would traitor shitbag Marshall know about Vulcans?

There's certainly no logic in that warped traitorous mind. :puke:

[stickdog]

8. The neo-libs are JEALOUS of the neo-cons.

I think this tells us everything we need to know about them.

Don't you?