Verry nice WP oped recommending Obama listen to Kerry on the Middle East

[karynnj]

I won't post this in the big forums, as I think the criticism of Obama is unfair - and it would be explosive. But, I am posting it here because it is nice to see some prominent pundits recognizing that Kerry has vision and he has been really clear and on target on many foreign policy things.

"The essence of the Obama foreign policy is its lack of essence; its doctrine, the absence of doctrine. To allies, it seems unpredictable. To reformers, unreliable.

Contrast this with Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) speaking recently at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. While recognizing the risks of rapid change, Kerry asserted: “Just as the Berlin Wall could not be rebuilt, so we know that the old order in the Middle East cannot be restored.” He is proposing, along with Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and independent Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, a package of proposals to reinforce political and economic reform in the Middle East, similar to American efforts in Eastern Europe two decades ago. According to Kerry, Americans believe “that democracy enables the fullest expression of the human spirit and that economic freedom is the engine of human innovation. We believe that when people can trust their government and rely on its justice, the society that flourishes is a stable one. And we believe that stability and prosperity are powerful antidotes to the violent urges of nihilism and extremism.”

At this moment, we hope for the success of allied arms, the protection of Libyan civilians and the fall of a dictator. But it is Kerry’s vision that should guide the president forward. "
/div]
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/obamas_belated_right_call_on_libya_intervention/2011/03/21/ABd6FD7_story.html?wprss=rss_homepage


Not to mention, I love David's post on Blue Mass, even if his goal might have been mostly bashing the Junior Senator, a nobel goal in itself. http://www.bluemassgroup.com/diary/22343/#274445
(His title - Senator Kerry was way ahead of the curve on Libya. Brown, not so much. )

[Mass]

1. The problem is that Michael Gerson is a neocon responsible among other thing

for "smoking gun" and "mushroom cloud" as well as "axis of evil". He is a gifted writer, but seeing him on this side of the question makes me wonder if this is the side to be, and I am not sure I would take his praises of Kerry at face value.

This said, I have not yet reconciled myself with this action in Libya. I am really torn there, more than I have been in a very long time (since Croatia and Bosnia, I think. I feel terrible for the people there, but I am not sure this is the reason why the US, France, and the UK are intervening --I am sure it is not when it comes to Sarkozy).

[karynnj]

2. I was just looking to see who he was - and he is a Bush guy

I should have looked before posting because I did see that he was primarily attacking Obama. I do see Kerry's speeches and his bill as good ideas. (I am conflicted on Libya - and hope we are out soon. The fact that Gadaffi was poised to kill any on the other side is the only thing that makes me think we need to help.)

[wisteria]

3. Whether he is a Neocon or a Bush guy is irrelevant in my opinion,

being those two things doesn't necessarily make him wrong.

I like and agree with what he has to say about this administration,and Senator Kerry.

[MBS]

4. thanks for this. n/t

[wisteria]

5. Thank you for finding this piece. I should of thanked you earlier. n/t