Sadly, the view is often held that if one is opposed to the President, one is called an ideologue or worse.
Well, from this blog platform which is supportive of Mr. Romney, will be trying to offer fair criticism without over-the-top negativity. And in that effort, can this critic of President Obama say some positive things?
By all accounts he is a solid husband and father. Hats off to him for that amidst all the craziness of life in the public spotlight!
His willingness to send in the SEALS to get OBL was the right call. Using a drone strike would have less certainty that they got him.
The use of drone strikes is controversial but it does indicate the Obama administration takes seriously the terrorist threats. For that, they deserve credit.
Also, taking political heat over reversing his plan to close Guantanamo Bay is to be applauded. Indeed, it is a political hot potato, but as a practical matter, what is one to do with people captured on the battlefield? Sadly, some of the people released from Guantanamo wind up back on the battlefield and fight again and plot terrorist missions. Thus, the people who are being held at Guantanamo are likely to be dangerous and it might not go over to well to transfer them from Guantanamo to some prison in the middle of Illinois or Iowa.
Foreign policy is always a tough spot for any President. The USA oscillates between too much confidence in our ability to affect other nations and retreating into inaction. One wonders if some world problems would be just as bad if we did something or do nothing. For example, I really don't know what the USA could have really done about Egypt. To side openly in defense of Mubarak would have had risks also?
Libertarians generally feel the USA should just stay out of foreign problems because (1) we can't really make it better and (2) when we try it costs us lots of lives and treasure and the situation remains bad anyway. Thus, in that regard, I have some sympathy to the view that US military power be used sparingly.
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