McCain on the Iraq Study Group
Senator John McCain (R - Ariz.) has issued a statement on the Iraq Study Group that has me thinking seriously of backing his 2008 Presidential bid:Arab-Israeli Peace: The report embraces the idea that peace between Arabs and Israelis - which, the report states, can only be achieved through land for peace - is a necessary element of success in Iraq. All of us desire peace in the region and peace between Arabs and Israelis. But it is impossible to see how such a peace can be achieved so long as Hamas, a terrorist group that rejects a two-state solution and the very existence of Israel, stands at the helm of the Palestinian Authority. We must not push our Israeli ally to make concessions to groups that refuse to recognize its right to exist.Comments on the statement or on McCain's positions generally (especially about Israel) would be much appreciated.
In addition, the linkage the ISG report makes between this issue and the violence in Iraq seems tenuous at best. While I desire peace for Israel in its own right, it is difficult to see how an Arab-Israeli peace process will diminish Sunni-Shia violence in Baghdad or al Qaeda activity in Anbar Province.
Regional conference: The report recommends the establishment of a regional diplomatic conference on Iraq, to include Iran and Syria. We must be both cautious and realistic about what Iranian and Syrian participation is likely to achieve. Our interests in Iraq diverge significantly from those of Damascus and Tehran, and this is unlikely to change under the current regimes. I do not object to reasonable efforts that might modify these countries' behavior in Iraq, but if the price of their cooperation is an easing of pressure on Tehran over its nuclear ambitions, or on Damascus over the Syrian role in Lebanon, then that price is too high.
posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 3:14 AM
4 Comments:
My big fear is the last 12 years McCain has sold out the conservatives many times from limiting free speech (McCain-Feingold) and the so-called gang of fourteen.
McCain strikes me as a media-well I'll let you choose the adjetive. He only acts conservative when it helps him.
There is still way to much time to figure out who I'm going to back for the Presidency on '08.
But that's just my plug nickle
Kudos for McCain for stating what should have always been obvious to everyone.
At least he's not afraid to speak his mind.
There are some red flags about McCain and Israel. I'll have to look them up.
The one that I remember is that he's considered close with Sen Hagel who's solidly in the 'realist' camp.
As of now, my preference would be Giuliani or Brownback. (More the former because I can't imagine that the latter has a chance.)
I believe McCain's brother is a convert to Judaism.
Having said that, the best candidate in either party in terms of supporting Israel, hands down, would be Giuliani
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