Fightin' Republicans

While conventional wisdom might hold that American’s are tired of fighting, both at home and abroad after eight years of George W. Bush, this may in fact prove incorrect. Although Americans have shown fatigue with over five years of war in Iraq, public opinion polls from the beginning of the war remind us that Americans have a greater tolerance for resorting to the military than is sometimes realized. In April of 2003, a Washington Post and ABC News poll found that 72% of Americans supported the invasion of Iraq, despite no evidence of weapons of mass destruction. A CBS poll the same month found that 60% of Americans believed the war was worth fighting even if weapons were never found. And even as the public has soured on the war efforts in Iraq, Americans have remained keenly aware of its importance and steadfastly committed to winning.

Despite what Islamofacists like bin Laden or Cambridge intellectuals like Noam Chomsky might claim, America is not a blood-thirsty predator constantly seeking the spoils of war. In fact, America is the most generous, most just, and most responsible nation in the world. However, America was borne through a military struggle, and its people realize that freedom has been threatened, and preserved, by the use of force since. Unlike much of Western Europe, which seems intent on hiding behind the United Nations and avoiding serious conflict at all costs, Americans have shown a much greater propensity for using strength to defeat enemies and promote decency.

Perhaps unlike Barack Obama, who seems to take a far more sociological view of our enemies, John McCain and the Republicans believe that we are embroiled in a war of good versus evil. This is not a new theme, nor is it a short battle.

America recently commemorated the seventh September 11th since the horrible attacks of 2001. John McCain should continue to remind people that the fight continues, and we should choose a fighter to lead us. In the end, that argument may be his biggest strength. Many Americans do not want a president who preaches to us about our failures and insufficiencies, while dressing up the sermon in rhetorical flourishes sounding of hope. They want someone who will fight for us…always. While “change” is the theme of the day, the fight for democracy, freedom and justice is the story of our nation. There is a good chance the voters are aware.