Rudy could pull this out of the hat – and become the center of attention – with courage and creativity.
Rudy represents the best of the Republican party – financial conservatism and social moderation. But... this might sound funny... I'm concerned about Rudy's knowledge of the history of Afghanistan.
At the Republican debates, when Ron Paul said 9/11 happened because of our meddling in Middle East affairs... Rudy said “nobody” thinks that. He probably lost a chunk of the intelligentsia with that comment.
A basic knowledge Afghanistan’s history shows they have been thru HELL... at the hands of various interests... between us and the Russians... and our humanitarian cleanup never kept up with our military support.
We are a great – and generous – country, but our methods have not always been idealistic.
And terrorists’ actions are caused by *their* choices -- their destructive (and counter-productive) choices.
Look at the progress in Iraq now: it’s built on mutual understanding. The military is establishing productive relationships with tribal leaders -- a goal they once considered backwards -- and they've got Iraqi buy-in on a whole new level.
And now from the military we're hearing about "soft power" (link:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071213/pl_afp/usmilitarydiplo macy_071213165144 )
If our foreign policy in the Middle East is going to build mutual respect and support, then consideration of the history in their face would contribute powerfully.
Rudy could turn around the election... and even become the center of attention.
If Rudy takes a few hours to learn basics of Afghanistan history...
... and show the American public that he's GOT it, and would implement a Middle-East *understanding* in his foreign policy... he would quickly add to his Republican credibility a basis for “soft power” that Democratic voters have longed to see.
Sincerely wishing well to Rudy...
... and to our country's future.
-- Doug