Jack Goldsmith:Obama is waging a more effective war on terror than GWB

[Winehole23]

Of course. It's what you live for.

[Yonivore]

Of course. It's what you live for.

Lay of the sauce, dude. I'm defending Obama here.

Can't blame me, however, for finding more than a bit ironic he's in the position of implementing policies that, only a few months ago, he was condemning.

I'm not even going to call him hypocritical except that his stance on Guantanamo is a bit puzzling since he doesn't explain to where he's going to release all those terrorists next January.

I know a lot on the left think he's sold out on these policies. I'm wondering if any of them will ever stop to think that maybe, just maybe, there is a whole bunch of Barack Obama knows today that he had no idea of on January 20th.

Glad to see he's taken his Article II responsibilities serious.

He has my support for that.

[Winehole23]

Yoni sticking up for Obama? I think this makes twice.

An ominous sign.

[Yonivore]

...

As articulate as I've ever seen you.

[Torso]

Obama is doing what a president is supposed to do and weigh all his options. Much better than Bush's, err, Cheney's way of leading.

[Winehole23]

Indefinite detention, warrantless wiretapping, EIT's, extraordinary rendition, GITMO military commissions, ERF-ing, and failing to disclose/prosecute torture are all still wrong.

That deliberation has come down, yet again, on the side of expedience does not enhance Obama's gravitas IMO.

[MannyIsGod]

I wish I knew if he was just being pragmatic about making small changes first in order too avoid an entire overhaul or if he's bying into the bull . If its the second - well, I'll buy extremely disappointed.

[Winehole23]

I wish I knew if he was just being pragmatic about making small changes first in order too avoid an entire overhaul or if he's bying into the bull . If its the second - well, I'll buy extremely disappointed.

Presidents don't diminish the power of their own office. At least not on purpose.

[Wild Cobra]

You didn't read the article, did you?

I was simply pointing out how much of a joke it is to believe he's doing better. My take is primarily that he has a more cooperative congress than president Bush did in his last few years, and a very cooperative media.

More targeted killings with even more collateral damage, as in civilian deaths...

No important changes that change effectiveness being enacted from the last few years of president Bush.

No. He's not waging a more effective war. He just has better media coverage.

[Winehole23]

If you ever get around to reading it, there's some interesting ideas in Goldsmith's article.

[DarrinS]

I wish I knew if he was just being pragmatic about making small changes first in order too avoid an entire overhaul or if he's bying into the bull . If its the second - well, I'll buy extremely disappointed.

Well, based on what he's done with the financial sector, I'd say he prefers radical transformation to "tweaking".

[Winehole23]

Universalizing the particular.

Besides the AfPak surge, Obama's GWOT does consist of minor tweaks to GWB's policies.

That's the major theme of the thread. Have you read through it yet, Darrin? Your posts still fail to disclose any familiarity with it.

[DarrinS]

I guess if you're an Obamaphile, you say that his going against his campaign promises is just The One refining his position.

If you don't care for the guy, you say he flip-flopped.

Same difference.

[Winehole23]

I guess if you're an Obamaphile, you say that his going against his campaign promises is just The One refining his position.

If you don't care for the guy, you say he flip-flopped.

Same difference.

To reach this conclusion, you have to ignore what some people actually said in the thread. (i.e., Manny) Some people will be disillusioned over this. After Obama's FISA flip-flop last year, I have a hard time understanding how everyone didn't see this coming.

[Wild Cobra]

If you ever get around to reading it, there's some interesting ideas in Goldsmith's article.

I did read it. Most of his policies are a continuation of where president Bush left off. No significant difference to what a republican president, or even president Bush would have likely done.

Again, the only big differences I see is the lack of and less criticism leftist thinkers give him, compared to the grief the gave president Bush.

What importance did I miss?

Remember, it was the le I laughed at. Not VP Cheney's opinion.

[Winehole23]

Again, the only big differences I see is the lack of and less criticism leftist thinkers give him, compared to the grief the gave president Bush.

I've posted plenty here, and the chorus is growing. Obama is pissing backwards on his base. I think they notice.

[Wild Cobra]

I've posted plenty here, and the chorus is growing. Obama is pissing backwards on his base. I think they notice.

Yes, but he still isn't getting the complaints that president Bush did over the same policies.

[Winehole23]

Yes, but he still isn't getting the complaints that president Bush did over the same policies.

It's been 120 days. Give it time.

[Bender]

It's been 120 days. Give it time.

yep, I'm sure we will see more bilateral criticism as time goes on

[DarkReign]

I wish I knew if he was just being pragmatic about making small changes first in order too avoid an entire overhaul or if he's bying into the bull . If its the second - well, I'll buy extremely disappointed.

I say prepare for wholesale disappointment.

[Winehole23]

I say prepare for wholesale disappointment.

Expect the best, prepare for the worst.

[doobs]

Obama enjoys the support of a large, and committed, personality cult. He can afford to move to the right on national security and foreign policy. Conservatives will quietly cheer him on, and---after he satisfied the Left with his leftist domestic policies---his base will blindly follow him wherever he goes.

Politically, he seems to be playing his hand quite well. How long can it last? When will the Left demand he govern precisely as they see fit?

[Winehole23]

Politically, he seems to be playing his hand quite well. How long can it last? When will the Left demand he govern precisely as they see fit?

It won't matter if they do. The votes are in the center.

[doobs]

It won't matter if they do. The votes are in the center.

True, but sitting presidents occasionally face primary challenges when they seek reelection.

[Winehole23]

True, but sitting presidents occasionally face primary challenges when they seek reelection.

Very unlikely IMO, particularly if the Obama cult is as mighty as you say.

When was the last time it happened?