Andrew Sullivan brought up something I've been thinking a lot about: Obama is intent on co-opting the realist right for the Democratic party in foreign affairs. It's as shrewd a strategy as it is politically lethal. And exactly what I expected. With any luck, it will prompt eventually a reform on the right in response. Buh-bye, Kristol and Kagan? I fear the GOP will need another electoral drubbing before it gets that message.
I am in complete agreement. The idea that Republicans are tough on National Security is one of the few issues where the GOP has an advantage with the American people over the Democratic party.
However, with shrewd, smart political picks like Robert Gates and Hillary Clinton, Obama is stealing that stealing that mantra away. And if Obama is successful on making the Democrats the party who is smart and strong on National Security, well then I see a couple of more lopsided elections in 2010 and 2012.
Sure the Progressive Dove wing of the Democratic Party might hate to see the George Bush-nominated Secretary of Defense in the White House again. But as someone who shares Obama's political pragmatism, I think this move is better than smart. It's freaking brilliant.
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