The "Conventional Wisdom" Of Presidential Prospects VS. Foreign Foes by Doug Wrenn

The "Conventional Wisdom" Of Presidential Prospects VS. Foreign Foes: Are Senators Too Sedate? Can Governors Really Govern?

By Doug Wrenn

January 08, 2007

Senator Obama- Now holds a whopping four years of US Senate experience under his belt, plus a few years as a state legislator in Illinois, although I don't recall Illinois ever declaring war on anybody. No real international experience to speak of, but that's OK. He's married to Michelle, and she'll tell him what to do. (Next on Oprah: How Dominant Divas housebreak their puppy-dog, "stinky-snory" Presidential hubbies!")

(Former) Senator Edwards- Did his one term in the Senate and then went back home to North Carolina to wear the tar heels off his shoes by resuming his former law practice of chasing ambulances, suing doctors and buying $400 haircuts while professing how much of a regular guy he is. He keeps telling us that there are two Americas, but he has no proven history to show that he can run either one of them, or for that matter, deal effectively with anyone else off our shores.

Governor Richardson- To his credit, he was also a Congressman, UN Ambassador and Secretary of Energy. That last little stint was when Chinese spies were entering and exiting the Los Alamos nuclear lab in New Mexico about as easily and frequently as a Bowery street bum going through a subway turnstile with a fistful of tokens. "President Richardson"? Be afraid…. be very afraid! I haven't quite yet figured out if this nuclear nemesis is a conniving traitor or simply an idiot. What I have figured out, though, is that he definitely should not be our President! Given his single digit poll numbers, his fantasy will fortunately and most likely not become our nightmare. My only fear is Richardson as a veep if Hillary wins. Hillary and Obama don't play nice together and are both too egotistical to share the same limelight, but Billy, "The Los Alamos Kid," a proven, good little, obedient and compliant Clinton soldier would make a wise choice for Hillary. His name on her ticket would also attract the Latino vote, the southwestern demographic, and his more moderate views would also balance Hillary's far left views on the ticket ideologically. All in al, it seems like a logical move, assuming Hillary herself gains any traction, post-Iowa. Meanwhile, sleep well…but keep one eye open!

(Former) Senator Gravel- Like Nixon, Gravel wanted us out of the jungles of Viet Nam and into the markets of China. This Alaskan did support the construction of the pipeline for fairly obvious reasons, despite bucking heads with the Sierra Club, but he has pretty much otherwise kept his politics to the far left on most issues, and possibly even farther left than many of his fellow liberals are even comfortable with. He is rather entertaining, but whenever he opens his mouth, I kind of feel sorry for him. Given his infinitesimal poll numbers, I think I am the only one who does have any sympathy for him. Somebody really needs to bring Uncle Mike home. He's a bit long in the tooth and I think it's time for him to acquire some much-needed rest! You really have to worry about a guy his age who makes Dennis Kucinich (Mr. Spock's earthly Vulcan cousin from Ohio) actually sound rational.

Mayor Giuliani- Yeah, I know, but hey, look, the guy ran a city of eight million people. Let's see you try it! We have had governors who run states of only 500,000 people and who think they can be President (Until they go into a psychotic screaming fit on CNN, drop out of the race and go back home to Vermont to call the DNC for a job!). I'm not a big Rudy fan, but it is what it is, so let's just make this one exception. You gotta love the guy for his backbone, though! He once threw PLO leader Yassar Arafat out of a UN 50th anniversary party because he wasn't invited. (That must have really taken some doing; getting past the Secret Service and then physically removing the lips of both Carter and Clinton off of Arafat's butt cheeks before bouncing that crazy old sputtering terrorist out the door!) Another time, Rudy sent a $10 million donation back to a Saudi Prince who quipped that the Middle East policy of the US helped cause the September 11th attacks. During one debate, Rudy also jumped all over Texas Congressman Ron Paul for making a similar remark. One thing I do like about Rudy is his brashness and not being afraid of telling it like it is, kind of like me. Maybe that's because I grew up a stone's throw from the Big Apple, and maybe that explains my own urban edge. No, it's not for everybody, but it is what it is. I offer no apologies for it, and he certainly doesn't either, but in a world of political correctness, radical feminism, wimps who used to be men, and people dancing in circles on eggs with each other to simultaneously avoid giving both offense and the truth, it is still, nevertheless, refreshing, if not unique. Rudy is continually attacked by his foes for incessantly mentioning 9/11. Hey, if I were New York's Mayor then, I would ramble on about it, too. He kept the city running and well informed, but he also maintained the sanctuary city status put into place by former mayor Ed Koch. Rudy blamed the feds for that "necessary" situation, but he also fought with the feds to keep it. Sorry, Rudy, but you can't have it both ways. The fact that the 9/11 hijackers did not come from the huge pool of illegal immigrants in New York City is nothing short of coincidence, and if such were the case, some of that shed blood would be on Rudy's hands. He was also criticized for not updating radio equipment of his first responders, who could not effectively communicate with each other during that eventful day. He also moved his command center into the World Trade Center, which he was previously advised against doing. Last but not least, while I cannot find any evidence of Rudy belonging to the Council of Foreign Relations (CFR), which is the crux of the North American Union endeavor, Rudy's law firm, "Bracewell & Giuliani," as disclosed by author, Jerome Corsi, has a 50-year contract with CINTRA, the Spanish firm involved with building the NAFTA Super Highway through Texas. (The highway is vigorously supported by Texas Governor Rick Perry, who was Lt. Governor when Bush was Governor. Perry has also endorsed Rudy.) To lose my vote, that's good enough for me. A little of my own research revealed that Rudy was hired as a senior partner into his law firm (which has several offices around the globe and several in Texas) about three weeks after Bush and his Mexican and Canadian pals had their March 2005 NAU pow-wow in Waco, Texas. Coincidences? Or something else? That darned Ripley guy is never around when you need him!

(Former) Governor "Flip" Romney- Put Mitt in the same room with Hillary Clinton and John Kerry, and Aunt Jemimah herself would fall short of supplying enough syrup to cover all those waffles! Giving credit where it is due, "Flip" did distinguish himself with his work with the Olympics in Salt Lake City. He has little cause for picking on Rudy for running a sanctuary city, however, considering that as Governor, old Flip had a few under his nose that hardly suffered any. With all due respect (where warranted) to used car salesmen and real estate agents, Flip reminds me of one of the ones who don't deserve any respect, which is to say, most of the ones I have dealt with. He fumbled a bit in a couple of debates with answers on foreign policy that only a Governor could give. For example, if Iran were about to fire a missile at us, Flip would first consult his lawyers. Once he composed himself from laughing and could resume normal breathing again, Congressman Ron Paul appropriately retorted that in the same situation, he would consult the US Constitution. No points there, Flip. Flip fumbled again recently when mentioning foreign affairs, he said he would rely on the State Department. Well, at least he's getting closer!

Senator John McCain- First of all, some have mentioned that McCain has a problem with his alleged volatile temper to the point where it is a concern. Still others question the status of his physical health, and for that matter, his age. Age? (Have they met Mike "Grumpy" Gravel yet?) When it comes to war, McCain has gone well beyond walking the walk and talking the talk. He was a longtime POW during the Viet Nam War who endured torture that has since physically disabled him. He has also made several trips to the Middle East to meet and greet our battle troops. Unequivocally, this man has served his country admirably. But so did Benedict Arnold, one of George Washington's greatest generals, who twice quite literally almost got his leg shot off. But something changed in Arnold. I don't know what, if anything changed in John McCain, but he is also a CFR member. American patriotism and membership in the CFR are not compatible in my book, and McCain's CFR playbook double-talking on illegal immigration confirms that fact. My gray matter contains no gray area. If you seek confusing, fuzzy shades of vacuous fluff, consult your local liberal. For McCain in my eyes, it's a wash; no credit, no blame, but no vote, either. Next!

(Former) Senator Fred Thompson- Has a record showing him as a zealous free trader, to an extreme, including with China, despite his recent tough talk (when he's awake). When "Not Quite Ready For Prime Time Freddy" chaired the Senate Committee hearings investigating Chinagate, I watched with keen interest, only to find a lethargic Chairman Thompson, lamenting and helplessly whining about how many of the people he subpoenaed ignored him, and how shameful it was….end of story! While Thompson is credited for his work during Watergate, his handling of Chinagate was abysmal. Oh, by the way, like his pal, McCain, Fred is also a CFR member, and no shock there. Actually, maybe he's really more of a free "traitor." Need I say more?

(Former) Governor Mike Huckabee- Encouraged the opening of the equivalent of a Mexican consulate in Arkansas. Has expressed very liberal views on illegal immigration, amnesty and benefits, except for his alleged support of a border fence. Like Jimmy Carter, Huck believes in talking with fanatics who want nothing other than blood. That sounds nice in a loving, warm, idealistic kind of way, but it's kind of tough to use that strategy as a chit at the bargaining table. When posed with foreign policy questions, he typically makes a joke, dodges the issue, or demonstrates his lack of experience (and briefings) on such topics. He claims to support the war in Iraq, but has offered some sarcastic commentary regarding President Bush's handling of it. For those who don't object to hiring someone who will need on the job training, clearly, the Oval Office will be Mike Huckabee's classroom, about as much as it was Bill Clinton's personal "play room and massage parlor." "OJT" is a funny thing for Presidents. Carter learned nothing after four years, Reagan didn't need it, Clinton skipped class and went to McDonalds, where he ate a Big Mac bit didn't swallow it, and Bush proved to be a fast learner, but with poor long term retention. But these are dangerous times for our country. As Clint "The Squint" Eastwood, portraying, "Dirty Harry," might ask, "Are you feeling lucky?"

Of course, this isn't a complete synopsis by any means, but you get the gist. Do you see any patterns? No, neither do I. Be they governors or senators, our presidential candidates, past and present, are a mixed bag of an intermittent blending of good, bad, innovation, experience, ability and incompetence. So the short answer is, when attending the "convention," skip the conference room and head straight for the hotel bar to the gurus of the barstools for a little dose of wisdom (and maybe some wit), from whatever motivation or influence happens to be on tap that night. That's about all such "wisdom" is really worth. Beyond that, just remember that "it ain't over until the fat lady sings," so if you can't be wise, you might as well be happy, at least until Election Day. Cheers!

Doug Wrenn