Why Change Leaders in the Middle of a War?

[Frankie]

Why Change Leaders in the Middle of a War?
Darius Rejali

A new ad from President Bush's campaign describes wolves gathering around America and asks whether Americans can really afford to change leaders in the middle of a war.

In fact, Americans have changed leaders and parties in them middle of wars twice in the last fifty years, once during the Korean War and once during the Vietnam War.

Niccolo Machiavelli, the 16th century master of political survival, was very clear why this is necessary in democracies.

Ideally, leaders should be totally flexible. In war, a good leader should be a lion and a fox; that's the bottom line in political survival. Machiavelli explained why - "As the lion cannot protect himself from traps, and the fox cannot defend himself from wolves, you have to be a fox in order to be wary of traps, and a lion to overawe the wolves."

The problem as Machiavelli observed is that it's human nature to stick with what has worked before, even though the times change. A leader who succeeded once as a lion keeps being a lion even when being a lion doesn't work anymore and puts the country at risk from wolves. That's why powerful democracies are the ones who can change their leaders with the times, electing foxes or lions as they find it necessary, even in the middle of wars.

So why change leaders in the middle of a war? Because the demands of war change, but leaders can't. Why don't leaders change with the times? Because leaders have a hard time changing what made them loved and powerful.

Americans gave their hearts to President Bush after 9-11 because he was a lion. He was a lion in Afghanistan too, and it worked again.

But then he tried being a lion in Iraq and American troops now find themselves in a trap from which they are going to have a hard time extracting themselves. The one thing we all know for sure is that United States troops aren't able to leave Iraq any time soon.

President Bush keep telling us that America can prevail by being strong, resolute, unflinching - all great qualities of lions. He has made it clear he will not change. But the time for lions has passed. We now need a leader who is a fox as well as a lion.

You may not like Senator Kerry. Sure, he served his country bravely; sure, he was a lion, but now he's criticized as a flip-flopper, smooth, clever, and brainy.

What you're saying is that Kerry's a fox - and you're right. That's exactly what we need now. Foxes are brave, but they know the limits of acting like lions.

Above all, foxes can smell traps, and we are in traps within traps in the Middle East. Even the troops on the ground sense we are fighting very crafty enemies. Whenever troops pacify a "bad" neighborhood in Iraq, insurgents move to what was once a "good" neighborhood.

It's not just Iraq. Because of Iraq, our military is stretched to the limit. Our government has instituted a back-door draft, extending terms of national guardsmen and causing untold economic damage to their families and towns.

The United States is fronting 90 percent of the manpower and 90 percent of the cash in Iraq. This war has incurred so much debt that we are mortgaging the futures of our children and grandchildren.

Being a lion now alienates all other states that might help us. President Bush calls the government of Poland a major coalition ally - now that's a superpower. And even Poland announced it is withdrawing its few hundred troops in January.

These smaller allies work with us because an American lion has sharp claws. Larger powers, France or Russia, will not bend half as much to help this lion in a second Bush term.

Now wolves are on the move, knowing we are over-extended. Whatever Iran and North Korea's original intentions regarding their nuclear programs, they now have every incentive to pursue a nuclear strategy. And even though Iraq was not anywhere near the center of the war on terror, the terrorist wolves gather there now sensing a trapped lion.

An American lion got us into this trap, and it will take a American fox to lead us out. It takes a fox to lead alliances of other animals to free lions from traps, using clever tactics and scarce resources to scare wolves in their place. Since President Bush has repeatedly said he will not
change one bit, the only road forward is to elect John Kerry as President.

That's why democracies change their leaders. As Machiavelli observed, the Romans changed leaders because the demands of war changed but their generals didn't. They chose Fabius to start a war, but Scipio to end it, for good reason - "If Fabius had been king of Rome, he might easily have lost this war, since he was incapable of altering his methods as circumstances changed."

In the game of power, the past doesn't matter because it is about political survival in the future. It doesn't matter how much of a lion President Bush has been. All that matters, now that America is stuck neck-deep in a trap, is to ask yourself whether having more unflinching lion-like strength will really help us or simply tie the knots around us even more tightly.

--------------------

Darius Rejali is an award-winning Professor of Political Science at Reed
College. He specializes in Middle Eastern politics, political philosophy, and the history of modern torture.

[KCWolfman]

Again back to the "Bush hurt us internationally and we will get foreign help with Kerry" without mentioning who Kerry is getting to help.

The argument is tired and old.

[Frankie]

Again back to the "Bush hurt us internationally and we will get foreign help with Kerry" without mentioning who Kerry is getting to help.

The argument is tired and old.

This essay talks about more than just that, KCW.

[the Talking Can]

Why Change Leaders in the Middle of a War?

Because they're clueless.

[KCWolfman]

This essay talks about more than just that, KCW.
Regardless of what issues are addressed, they are built upon this house of cards.

Again, what other nations are aligned behind John Kerry? Why is it not a single person voting for Kerry or the candidate himself cannot answer such a question?

[MadProphetMargin]

It's okay to change horses midstream, if the horse you are on can't swim.

[Frankie]

Again, what other nations are aligned behind John Kerry?

We don't know. But we do know what other nations are NOT aligned behind George Bush.

[BIG_DADDY]

We don't know. But we do know what other nations are NOT aligned behind George Bush.

This just in, OTHER nations do not want to see America any stronger.

[Ugly Duck]

Getting rid of Bush is not really "changing leaders".... he never was the guy calling the shots. He's always been a halfwitted mouthpiece whose job is to attempt read the teleprompter. The Oval Office has been essentially empty for 4 years.

[Donger]

We don't know.

Well, that's comforting, isn't it. Since it's apparently so important to Kerry supporters, I'd assume that it would be important enough to actually get an answer out of your candidate.

But we do know what other nations are NOT aligned behind George Bush.

Sure we do. We also know who are our steadfast allies, not fair-weather allies.

[Donger]

Getting rid of Bush is not really "changing leaders".... he never was the guy calling the shots. He's always been a halfwitted mouthpiece whose job is to attempt read the teleprompter. The Oval Office has been essentially empty for 4 years.

Gee, it took longer than usual for the "Yeah, but Bush is an idiot" crowd to show up.

[MadProphetMargin]

We don't know. But we do know what other nations are NOT aligned behind George Bush.


HEY! YOU FORGOT POLAND!

:mad:

[Ugly Duck]

Gee, it took longer than usual for the "Yeah, but Bush is an idiot" crowd to show up.We are omnipresent, Dong. We are everywhere - even in your own party. There are so many people that recognize Bush's idiocy problem.... you couldn't avoid us if you wanted to. We far, far outnumber those that refuse to see the giant "idiot" stamp on the POTUS forehead. Many of those in denial actually know it to be true, but just don't say it aloud. C'mon, everyone.... be honest about this! Its very cleansing to just come clean...

[Cochise]

Still no answer on who sKerry is going to get to help... ROFL

You wouldn't think it would be that hard to answer.

[Donger]

We are everywhere

That's true.

I ran into some of them outside my early voting location. One had a "Bush is an idoit" sign. I mentioned that he had spelled "idiot" incorrectly. He then proceeded to try to block my entrance into the building.

I chatted with some of the folks inside, and one lady actually decided to vote for Bush because of the behavior of the Kerry supporters outside.

So, by all means, keep up the good work.

[Hel'n]

Again back to the "Bush hurt us internationally and we will get foreign help with Kerry" without mentioning who Kerry is getting to help.

The argument is tired and old.


But it is no less true...

[MadProphetMargin]

That's true.

I ran into some of them outside my early voting location. One had a "Bush is an idoit" sign. I mentioned that he had spelled "idiot" incorrectly. He then proceeded to try to block my entrance into the building.

I chatted with some of the folks inside, and one lady actually decided to vote for Bush because of the behavior of the Kerry supporters outside.

So, by all means, keep up the good work.

ROFL

That's as funny as the Freeper with the "Moran" sign.

[Chief Henry]

Is Frank Burns back again...

[KCWolfman]

We don't know. But we do know what other nations are NOT aligned behind George Bush.
If we DONT KNOW, then it is a stupid bone of contention and one that an educated person should not use.

[KCWolfman]

Its very cleansing to just come clean...

This from someone telling us that the POTUS is unintelligent and redundant?

[KCWolfman]

But it is no less true...
It is not true at all. In fact, it is a bald faced lie unless someone can mention a country that will assist.

[Frankie]

If we DONT KNOW, then it is a stupid bone of contention and one that an educated person should not use.

A- Bush has been a proven failure on this subject.
B- Kerry may succeed or fail getting international cooperation.

I think I'll give 'B' a chance, thank you very much.

[Donger]

A- Bush has been a proven failure on this subject.

What subject is that, Frankie?

[KCWolfman]

A- Bush has been a proven failure on this subject.
B- Kerry may succeed or fail getting international cooperation.

I think I'll give 'B' a chance, thank you very much.
I disagree, but at least that is a logical statement.

Too bad the people being published like the one above and Kerry are being quoted instead of yourself.

[jettio]

We have no choice but to change leaders because the incumbent has been an incredible disappointment to any honest person with a brain.

Not only is it going to be difficult to recover from all of the preventable messes he has created, our country's image in the world would suffer for an entire generation if our electorate was as incompetent as the Stooges.

There is no way any B*sh supporter can claim that the results obtained by B*sh in the major areas of Presidential responsibility meet our exceed the expectations that the supporter had for him when he began his Presidency or at the outset of major undertakings such as Iraq or the search for Bin Laden.

And that goes double for Rumsfeld and Cheney, who came into the administration with decent reputations and were expected to be competent.

Lying incompetents don't deserve to keep important jobs.

[Loki]

A- Bush has been a proven failure on this subject.
B- Kerry may succeed or fail getting international cooperation.

I think I'll give 'B' a chance, thank you very much.

what international cooperation do you feel is necessary to convince you that there ARE nations that are in IRAQ besides the US and UK?

does it have to include france and germany to be "legit" in your opinion?
FYI, france and germany didn't fight, but their corporation$ are certainly in country as we speak. go figure... :rolleyes:

[homey]

That's true.

I ran into some of them outside my early voting location. One had a "Bush is an idoit" sign. I mentioned that he had spelled "idiot" incorrectly. He then proceeded to try to block my entrance into the building.

I chatted with some of the folks inside, and one lady actually decided to vote for Bush because of the behavior of the Kerry supporters outside.

So, by all means, keep up the good work.


How do you all find the time to make up such captivating stories?

[Donger]

How do you all find the time to make up such captivating stories?

I didn't have to make anything up, although it was rather surreal and amusing.

[Hel'n]

It is not true at all. In fact, it is a bald faced lie unless someone can mention a country that will assist.

Then it is also a bald-faced lie that frozen embryos ARE human life until someone can prove that it is...

:rolleyes:

[Brock]

Lying incompetents don't deserve to keep important jobs.


A great explanation for your station in life.

[stevieray]

Then it is also a bald-faced lie that frozen embryos ARE human life until someone can prove that it is...

:rolleyes:


the fact that development is terminated is proof. Can't grow unless you're alive.

[Hel'n]

the fact that development is terminated is proof. Can't grow unless you're alive.

"human" life... cells live... doesn't mean they're human beings...

BTW, back on topic, Lincoln went through a number of generals until he found one that could win the Civil War (Grant). If he had stayed with McClelland the South probably would have won their independence.

So, yes, you do change horses when necessary in the middle of a war...

[Donger]

"human" life... cells live... doesn't mean they're human beings...

BTW, back on topic, Lincoln went through a number of generals until he found one that could win the Civil War (Grant). If he had stayed with McClelland the South probably would have won their independence.

So, yes, you do change horses when necessary in the middle of a war...

Generals = POTUS'?

[Cochise]

"human" life... cells live... doesn't mean they're human beings...

BTW, back on topic, Lincoln went through a number of generals until he found one that could win the Civil War (Grant). If he had stayed with McClelland the South probably would have won their independence.

So, yes, you do change horses when necessary in the middle of a war...

ROFL

Lincoln changed generals, but did the voters change Presidents?

ROFL

[Slayer]

Changing leaders during the Korean and Vietnam Wars....two wars that we LOST. :hmmm:

[Hel'n]

ROFL

Lincoln changed generals, but did the voters change Presidents?

ROFL

No... The country split in half... So, yes, in effect, half the voters did change Presidents!

[KCWolfman]

Then it is also a bald-faced lie that frozen embryos ARE human life until someone can prove that it is...

:rolleyes:
I agree. It is also a bald faced lie to state it is not human life until you can prove it.

Some people choose to err on the side of caution and some people choose to err on the side of convenience.

[KCWolfman]

No... The country split in half... So, yes, in effect, half the voters did change Presidents!
What happened to the half that changed?

[Hel'n]

I agree. It is also a bald faced lie to state it is not human life until you can prove it.

Some people choose to err on the side of caution and some people choose to err on the side of convenience.

Do you believe a person should be charged with murder for destroying an embryo?

Is it to the point that a person can be charged with a crime because you think an embryo is a potential human being?

Now are we going to arrest people because of the "potential" of a cell?

[KCWolfman]

Do you believe a person should be charged with murder for destroying an embryo?

Is it to the point that a person can be charged with a crime because you think an embryo is a potential human being?

Now are we going to arrest people because of the "potential" of a cell?
Tell me EXACTLY when life begins, get the entire scientific community to agree with you, then you have a point. Until then, you are basing your statement on emotion, which is the single worst reason to make a law.

[Pitt Gorilla]

Until then, you are basing your statement on emotion, which is the single worst reason to make a law.Are you talking about the gay marriage thing?

[KCWolfman]

Are you talking about the gay marriage thing?
That too, thanks. Changing the definition of a word to appease a minority so they feel better about themselves is ridiculous.

[Hel'n]

Tell me EXACTLY when life begins, get the entire scientific community to agree with you, then you have a point. Until then, you are basing your statement on emotion, which is the single worst reason to make a law.

I don't have to... you need to prove it, not me.

YOu are basing your decision on a religous tenet... not on logic or reason or science...

A cell is a cell... A cell is NOT a human being with all the rights and responsibilities of one... Until you can PROVE that, I will not arrest people or charge them with a crime for destroying embryos... or using them for stem cell research...

If you are so concerned, perhaps you should have a womb implanted in you and we can put the unused embryos in you for gestation... Then you would truly be putting your faith into action...

[Adam]

Does anybody really see Kerry as "brainy"? I don't see him as being all that clever. Not a lion. Not a fox. More like a moose. A moose that just kind of walks around changing his mind all the time to suit whatever he thinks people want to hear.

[Hel'n]

That too, thanks. Changing the definition of a word to appease a minority so they feel better about themselves is ridiculous.

Sound logic and reason at work...

[KCWolfman]

I don't have to... you need to prove it, not me.

YOu are basing your decision on a religous tenet... not on logic or reason or science...

A cell is a cell... A cell is NOT a human being with all the rights and responsibilities of one... Until you can PROVE that, I will not arrest people or charge them with a crime for destroying embryos... or using them for stem cell research...

If you are so concerned, perhaps you should have a womb implanted in you and we can put the unused embryos in you for gestation... Then you would truly be putting your faith into action...
Again with the "religious" crap. That is the 8th or 9th time you have stated thus. I call BS. That is the cry of the extreme liberal such as yourself to garner support.

I have never mentioned ANYTHING regarding religion in my thoughts regarding the topic. If you believe I have, quote it. If not, then stop lying.

As far as your last paragraph, that is fine with me - as soon as you get all the liberal wackos against the death penalty to house and pay for the murderers without charging me.

Finally, when does life begin, Hel'n? When is it murder? What do you base your beliefs upon? I challenge you to answer all of the above without being flippant as you usually are when you are trapped without an answer.

[Donger]

I don't have to... you need to prove it, not me.

YOu are basing your decision on a religous tenet... not on logic or reason or science...

A cell is a cell... A cell is NOT a human being with all the rights and responsibilities of one... Until you can PROVE that, I will not arrest people or charge them with a crime for destroying embryos... or using them for stem cell research...

If you are so concerned, perhaps you should have a womb implanted in you and we can put the unused embryos in you for gestation... Then you would truly be putting your faith into action...

I'm not religious at all, but I do think that logic supports "if there is doubt, err not on the side of possible murder" answer.

As soon as the pro-abortion side acknowledges that fact, the better.

[Hel'n]

Again with the "religious" crap. That is the 8th or 9th time you have stated thus. I call BS. That is the cry of the extreme liberal such as yourself to garner support.

I have never mentioned ANYTHING regarding religion in my thoughts regarding the topic. If you believe I have, quote it. If not, then stop lying.

As far as your last paragraph, that is fine with me - as soon as you get all the liberal wackos against the death penalty to house and pay for the murderers without charging me.

Finally, when does life begin, Hel'n? When is it murder? What do you base your beliefs upon? I challenge you to answer all of the above without being flippant as you usually are when you are trapped without an answer.

Based upon your assertions we can take this to the extreme... We should never fly until we're absolutely sure it is safe. We should never eat processed food unless we're absolutely sure it won't hurt us. We should never go driving our car because we might get hurt...

When does life begin? When does life end? And in this context it simply does not matter... You're going to extremes and can't prove any semblance of reason on your arguments...

[KCWolfman]

Based upon your assertions we can take this to the extreme... We should never fly until we're absolutely sure it is safe. We should never eat processed food unless we're absolutely sure it won't hurt us. We should never go driving our car because we might get hurt...

When does life begin? When does life end? And in this context it simply does not matter... You're going to extremes and can't prove any semblance of reason on your arguments...
Again, when does life begin? What do you base your premise upon, what is your belief? Why? Instead of GWBing me and saying what you don't like about my stance, tell me yours.

[Donger]

I don't have to... you need to prove it, not me.

YOu are basing your decision on a religous tenet... not on logic or reason or science...

A cell is a cell... A cell is NOT a human being with all the rights and responsibilities of one... Until you can PROVE that, I will not arrest people or charge them with a crime for destroying embryos... or using them for stem cell research...

If you are so concerned, perhaps you should have a womb implanted in you and we can put the unused embryos in you for gestation... Then you would truly be putting your faith into action...

Also, Hel'n, do you acknowlege that, barring a "doctor's" scalpel or an act of nature, EVERY cell/fetus/whatever-you-want-to-call-it will eventually become a human being?