Beyond the Non-Bush

It is high time that Democrats address Republicans' complaint that John Kerry is nothing but the antithesis of George Bush. I was reminded of this while sitting outside last week, munching on a scrumptious Cuban sandwhich, when a walking stereotype of a Republican engaged me in a conversation about the war in Iraq.

Predictably, we spent about 15 minutes largely talking past each other, but there was something that the man said, that made me reflect on my own opinions. When talking about Kerry, the man unhashed the typical pre-canned Limbaugh response of, "Well, Kerry says one thing one time, and something else the next time." I happen to think that this is a simplistic analysis and that "staying the course" is largely a response relegated to those too idealistic to change their mind even in the face of contradicting information. What the man's comment made me realize, though, is that I have no earthly idea what we should do in Iraq now. The whole thing is such a mess that I have a hard time comprehending a way through the maze.

My immediate response to the man at the picnic table was that Kerry certainly had a better chance of internationalizing the effort than did Bush. I really believe that. I've never seen the world so angry at an American administration. However, even if Kerry gets elected, what will happen? Ideally, what would I like to see from a candidate on the Iraq issue? Here is the answer that I eventually came up with: pragmatism.

Pragmatism is not inspiring, but we're passed the point of inspiration. We're in hang on mode now. What I want is a candidate who will recognize that there are no questions in the field of international affairs for which we have an answer. There is no dominant paradigm. Instead, our best option is to weigh the choices and choose correctly between bad and worse. If Kerry's straddle-the-fence model of campaigning is indeed designed to keep his options open and is not merely a way of swaying with the ebb and flow of public opinion, then I applaud it. I have certainly seen no evidence that Bush is capable of ditching his ideology when it is clearly not working. The man has sounded like a broken record for the last two and a half years. Another 4 years of looped television addresses is not what we need. This is where John Kerry can distinguish himself. He can be the quiet voice of reason to Bush's stalwart, "I won't change my mind no matter what" 5-year-old in a temper tantrum style of governing. I'd vote for that. Now all Kerry has to do is get that message out.