What Is Goin’ On?

I always enjoy talking with Erick Erickson, even though we differ on some, maybe many, things. I think one reason is that Erick is not a right-winger, but more of a libertarian-a virtual Democrat!

More importantly, Erick does disagree with his party on certain issues and policies. I think all Americans, specifically our elected politicians, should disagree with their party on something. Had such independence of thought existed in Washington for the first 6 years of the Bush presidency, we probably wouldn’t be in Iraq today and Congress wouldn’t have an approval rating in the twenties!

However, when it comes to the War in Iraq, I just don’t understand how someone as smart as Erick still supports a failed policy, much less believes it was a good idea in the beginning. We knew, Cheney knew, Bush’s father knew, everyone knew in the first Iraq War not to go to Baghdad. Nothing changed that justified jumping into that tar pit in 2003. Face it, we have made a mess in Iraq. You can say the surge succeeded, but who cares? This isn’t about a 6 month effort! This is about year after year in Iraq. Decades in Iraq. Life after America life. Bush won’t leave because he is incapable of admitting he was wrong–from the beginning. As for me, I am not willing to pay the cost of Bush’s ignorance and Cheney’s conniving another single day.

The outcome is always going to be the same: When we leave, hell will break loose in Iraq. The factions in Iraq want civil war or they don’t. All we did by eliminating Saddam, was make it possible, indeed imperative, that the people of Iraq (the good, bad and ugly tribal powers and religious factions) make a decision as to whether or not they want to build a country or destroy themselves. They might as well make that decision tomorrow. Postponing that decision is not worth one more American life. Warning: When all this proves to be true, I will say “I told you so!”

Erick also comments on Fred Thompson’s candidacy. He calls Thompson a “leave me the heck alone” Republican. Fred is definitely Eric’s preference for the No. 1 job. However, according to Erick, Rudy has an advantage in that the guy ahead in the polls and in the money at this point in the campaign is historically the winner of the nomination.

Believe it or not, Erick likes Joe Biden on the Democratic side. But he still thinks Hillary will be the nominee, historically speaking, and that a Democrat will be elected.

I still support John Edwards.

On the Speaker’s property tax reform proposal, Erick isn’t particularly opposed to doing away with the property tax, he just doesn’t trust the people at the state level to handle the money fairly. He doesn’t think Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle will end up supporting the Speaker’s tax reform proposal.

And finally, Erick and I did find agreement on immigration. Build the fence and enforce the law! According to Erick, it is mainly a matter of votes, Hispanic votes. I think it is a matter of money: cheap labor.

Last but not least, we both agree that this new presidential primary schedule is simply nuts. I think America would be well served if it returned to the kind of politics where the party nominee was actually chosen at the convention, not 5 months before.