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Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Sam who wrote (138253)	6/29/2004 12:40:19 AM
From: cnyndwllr	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

what would you think of Zinni as NSC director? or Secr of Defense? or, as a surprise pick--VP? I don't know that much about Zinni but based on my experience and observations I wouldn't think much of him as Vice President. I know that he stood up for what he felt was right for the country and got riffed out of the military for it, but I still think his military backroud is a negative for VP. It's very unusual to see anyone who's survived and thrived for years in the military system and who hasn't developed a testosterone laden, right and wrong, use of force, view of the world. In addition many of them are "well trained in discipline" and thus make good instruments of policy but may not make good policy. I think that was one of Clarke's failings. He just couldn't stand up and spit in the eye of authority, plus he was too interested in rumors that later turned out to be untrue. Colin Powell is unusual, but then the fact that he was black indicates to me that he probably had more of an outsider's view while inside the military's brass. With regard to the VP question, whoever debates Cheney will do a much better job than Lieberman. Lieberman was tailor made for Cheney. He was polite and allowed Cheney to be a "nice guy." Cheney is just the opposite and that meanness will show if someone can push him with intellectual crispness and without crossing the line into rudeness. There is far too much incompetence and too many specious "facts" that Cheney now has to live with. As far as who Kerry does choose, I hope it's not Ghephart. He's too close to the unions to be seen as independent. Edwards is a trial attorney but he, at least, has charisma. In addition, Edwards has the ability to attack with his mind without being obnoxious. Somehow, however, he seems like a lightweight. But so is Bush and at least Edwards has a couple of cute kids. Maybe he should pick up an ex-diplomat or ex Cabinet level Democrat? But no military retirees and not George Tenet. He might, as you suggest, be a good secretary of Defense or, less likely, NSC director. I think it's good to have a Secretary of Defense that knows how much waste and inefficiency is institutionalized in the military.