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October 12, 2004

Bush's Wonderful Ideology vs Kerry's Grim Reality

Another thing I've been meaning to comment on is the moderate conservative tendency (looking straight at you Andrew Sullivan) to frame their choice this presidential election between Bush, who is regarded as incompetent but in possession of a wondrous ideology of the transformative effect of democracy promotion, and Kerry who seems competent and intelligent but is more interested in fighting an old fashioned war that doesn't so much emphasize democracy promotion.

This is a false choice. Of course Bush's ideology sounds great. Lower taxes. Everyone owns a home. Democracy abroad. The most wonderful healthcare at home. How could you not like this stuff?

Andrew Sullivan seems to be arguing, more or less, that some other more competent Republican would be preferable to Kerry. I would tell him to get in touch with reality. You can't have Bush's ideology and have better outcomes.

First of all, Sullivan is inspired by Bush's belief that Democracy has transformative effects that will end terrorism. For one thing, he certainly didn't believe this pre-9/11. I'd argue that he doesn't believe this now either. He's had limited success in places where he has actually pursued this strategy, and this lover of freedom hasn't done anything about the lack of freedom in North Korea or Iran (two states that are a direct threat to the United States) or Saudi Arabia and Russia (two states where Democracy is in retreat but aren't threats).

In fact, it seems clear that the #1 priority of Bush in North Korea and Iran is securing and eliminating their weapon producing capabilities. And the way he's going about doing it will only strengthen the hand of the dictators already in power. So how can you with a straight face suggest that Bush's ideology of freedom beats Kerry's ideology of competence.

I guess you could say that the jury is out on Kerry's competence. The case is closed on just how much stock Bush puts in his ideology.

Imagine Bush as Andrew Sullivan's deadbeat gay dad who shows up once a year, promises him the world and then goes back to Texas after the weekend is over. And now imagine John Kerry as Andrew Sullivan's custodial gay father who is competent and a good parent but is also strict and realistic. Up until a certain age, the excitement and promise of Bush is hard to say no to. But eventually you learn that he's basically a deadbeat gay dad and you were lucky to grow up with a responsible parent like Kerry.

Posted by Chris at October 12, 2004 05:22 PM

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