[quote=Allan from Fallbrook][quote=patb]
as for conservative traditional values, where does Invading Iraq
fit in there.[/quote]
Pat: I don’t think any person in their right mind would consider Dubya a conservative.
It terms of true “conservatism”, the closest the Republican Party has come in terms of a President has been Reagan and in terms of a candidate was Barry Goldwater. Reagan admittedly strayed, which is why I used the term “closest”.
As far as IQs go: I’m not sure I get that relative IQ has to do with anything. Using your description of Reagan as an amiable dunce and Carter as smart as a whip, what does that mean in terms of comparing their Presidencies? To an objective, non-partisan observer, it would appear that Reagan’s Presidency (both terms) was far more successful than Carter’s.
I would also opine that Carter, regardless of intellect, has exposed his true nature and character, as evidenced by his various nonsensical utterances since his departure from the White House.
Lastly, McCain was not a child of privilege (note the proper spelling). Both his father and grandfather were admirals in the US Navy, not captains of industry. Undoubtedly, this went a long way to pushing John forward in the Navy and through USNA, regardless of his middling academics and performance.[/quote]
Reagan was conservative how? I’m sure his first wife had
some issues with his lifestyle conservatism. That would include
getting Nancy Davis pregnant before they got married.
Also Reagan Deficit spending? Where’s the conservatism there.
Carter had trouble with the Iranians. Yeah. He wasn’t willing to
start a war over the Embassy crisis. He also wasn’t willing to sell
arms to the iranians (A Terrorist sponsoring state) to deal with
his hostage crisis like Reagan did. Carter didn’t handle problems
quite as well as he should have. He however was trying to
restructure these problems. He was poor at legislation which
hurt him. He didn’t understand how to move legislation like an LBJ
which really hurt his agenda.
I’d say Carter has done well as a former president. Habitat for Humanity,
the Carter Institute. The international missions. He and Clinton have
been very effective as former presidents, Unlike Bush, Reagan or Bush junior. What did Reagan do after leaving office? Make a bunch of speeches
in japan for millions. Bush Senior got on the board of Carlisle.
Aside from Katrina relief, he hasn’t done anything humanitarian.
And McCain? If you don’t think having 2 admirals in your family
doesn’t mean growing up a life of privelige, well, then
you are sadly disconnected from reality.
