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There are a handful of Republicans that I respect...I disagree with them immensely but I respect them as people and political actors. There are only two Republicans that I both respect and actually like: Chuck Hagel, Senator from Nebraska, and the Senior Senator from Indiana, Richard Lugar. Now I do not like Senator Lugar just because he's one of my Senators, I like his environmental policy, I like his practicality and reasonableness. I like how he doesn't just follow the crowd (i.e. all the other Republicans). He thinks for himself and is not afraid to agree with the Democrats or to disagree with the Republicans (this is the same reason I like Hagel). Seeing as he is level headed and reasonable, he is mostly ignored by pundits and the news media in favor of stronger partisans who like to yell. But he made waves yesterday when he called on the President to rethink his foreign policy in Iraq (and as the ranking Republican and former chairperson of the Foreign Relations Committee he makes a pretty big wave). When Richard Lugar breaks ranks, heads turn. He isn't the Ted Kennedy of the Republican party, he's pretty low-key and quiet.
His critique of the current strategy is calculated and precise. He takes aim at strategy not intent: "The administration and Congress must suspend what has become almost knee-jerk political combat over Iraq. Those who offer constructive criticism of the surge strategy are not defeatists, any more than those who warn against a precipitous withdrawal are militarists.”
He is opening a dialog, is one which is desperately needed, I think. It is time to put partisanship and egos aside and it is time for everyone to come to the table with ideas on how to remove the US from this situation. It is time to stop placing blame and recrimination and move towards a common goal. Yes, the war sucks, yes I am angry that it started in the first place, yes it is in violation of a lot that I believe in. But we are there and we've been there for 4 years and now is the time to focus on how to get out of there and not why we got there. Now is the time to figure out how to leave behind a stable state rather than debate over if the war is just. No matter your opinion on the war, the reality is that it exists. And more people need to follow Senator Lugar's example and follow reason about how to get out of the situation.
P.S. Please note that when I say there are only a handful of Republicans I like and respect, I"m speaking in terms of Republicans in government. I do not hate or dislike, etc many people I meet in everyday life. I have friends and family who are Republicans and whom I like, respect and even love.
His critique of the current strategy is calculated and precise. He takes aim at strategy not intent: "The administration and Congress must suspend what has become almost knee-jerk political combat over Iraq. Those who offer constructive criticism of the surge strategy are not defeatists, any more than those who warn against a precipitous withdrawal are militarists.”
He is opening a dialog, is one which is desperately needed, I think. It is time to put partisanship and egos aside and it is time for everyone to come to the table with ideas on how to remove the US from this situation. It is time to stop placing blame and recrimination and move towards a common goal. Yes, the war sucks, yes I am angry that it started in the first place, yes it is in violation of a lot that I believe in. But we are there and we've been there for 4 years and now is the time to focus on how to get out of there and not why we got there. Now is the time to figure out how to leave behind a stable state rather than debate over if the war is just. No matter your opinion on the war, the reality is that it exists. And more people need to follow Senator Lugar's example and follow reason about how to get out of the situation.
P.S. Please note that when I say there are only a handful of Republicans I like and respect, I"m speaking in terms of Republicans in government. I do not hate or dislike, etc many people I meet in everyday life. I have friends and family who are Republicans and whom I like, respect and even love.
