What I do know is that he opposed the surge. That he wanted to draw down forces in Iraq and redeploy to Afghanistan. That he supposedly (Fallon apparently denies it) called General Petraeus an "ass-kissing little chickenshit" for carrying the administration's water by selling its Iraq policy at home. And that he just got fired from his job as top American military commander in the Central Command (Middle East), probably because he overtly opposed a US attack on Iran, and could be counted on to do so again on D-Day.
Who else could instantly give Obama national security bona fides while simultaneously eviscerating McCain’s advantage in that domain? Who else could speak with credibility against an October attack on Iran, and save the Democratic bid for the White House in 2008, if BushCo tries such a ploy? Americans hate Bush and they hate his war and they don’t want a third one. All they need to make the leap is some Colin Powell-like dude to give them permission to think for themselves. Since we know Powell won’t be providing that particular service in this lifetime, perhaps Fallon could. McCain would look pretty silly arguing for more stupidity in Iraq against a guy who was the actual commander of the theater. And McCain’s own raison d'être – the politician who was once a war hero – would also be slashed in significance up against another cat who also flew naval combat sorties in Vietnam and elsewhere. Obama could do lots worse than Fallon.
This election has been a harrowing ride in so many respects, and it’s not even half over yet. But for quite some time now it has been hinting at the promise of a great cosmic reconciling. Americans are showing a degree of perceptual astuteness which has been on holiday at Disney World for a good decade or so. Those who have been doing nasty things to this country and the world now seem to be getting back a dose of their own polluted karma. Weenies are being labeled as such, after too long having gotten a free ride masquerading as feel-your-pain emotion sponges, or compassionate conservatives.
And, the guy who has run the most progressive campaign, the smartest and the least pandering of all, is actually winning.
To be a progressive in America is to condemn yourself to a lifetime of disappointment, watching your country lurch from political stupidity to imbecilic tragedy, watching every decent candidate you’ve ever supported getting hammered and humiliated, and you along with them, by proxy.
Dare I say it? This year feels different.
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