McCain: What the World Will Look Like in 2013

[ISiddiqui]

John McCain gave a very, very interesting speech today on how he envisions the world will look like in 2013, after his first term. Yes, it's a bit of fantasy (especially the Iraq and OBL stuff), but also does set some goals for him which are quite interesting:

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2.../index.html?hp

Updated | 10:59 a.m. COLUMBUS, Ohio — Senator John McCain declared on Thursday that most American troops will be home from Iraq by 2013 and that Iraq will be a functioning democracy with only “spasmodic’’ episodes of violence, a striking departure from his refusal so far to set a date for U.S. withdrawal.

In a speech in the heart of Ohio, a major battleground state in the fall election, Mr. McCain set forth a sweeping, extraordinarily positive vision of what the world will look like 2013, when he says he will have been in the White House for four years.

“By January 2013, America has welcomed home most of the servicemen and women who have sacrificed terribly so that America might be secure in her freedom,’’ Mr. McCain said at the Columbus Convention Center. “The Iraq War has been won. Iraq is a functioning democracy, although still suffering from the lingering effects of decades of tyranny and centuries of sectarian tension. Violence still occurs, but it is spasmodic and much reduced.’’

The United States, Mr. McCain added, “maintains a military presence there, but a much smaller one, and it does not play a direct combat role.’’
During his primary battle, Mr. McCain frequently accused Mitt Romney of setting a timetable for withdrawing troops from Iraq, a charge Mr. Romney denied.

In comments to reporters after his speech, Mr. McCain insisted that his speech should not be interpreted as setting a date for withdrawal, and that he was simply projecting victory in Iraq. He took issue with a reporter who characterized his speech as a “magic carpet ride,’’ saying: “I don’t think it has anything to do with fantasy, I think it has everything to do with setting goals and achieving.’’

In his speech, Mr. McCain also projected that “concerted action’’ by the world’s democracies will have persuaded Russia and China to cooperate in persuading Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions and North Korea to discontinue its own.

In Afghanistan, he said, an increase in actionable intelligence will have led to the capture or death of Osama bin Laden, and “there is no longer any place in the world al Qaeda can consider a safe haven.’’ He added: “There still has not been a major terrorist attack in the United States since September 11, 2001.’’

On domestic policy, Mr. McCain projected that the United States will have experienced several years of “robust economic growth;’’ a reduction in the corporate tax rate; and the beginning of a phase out of the alternative minimum tax.

Mr. McCain also pledged to appoint Democrats to his administration, hold weekly press conferences and take questions in Congress, much as the prime minister of Great Britain does in Parliament.

In a clear criticism of President Bush, Mr. McCain also said that “when we make errors, I will confess them readily, and explain what we intend to do to correct them.’’

The Democrats responded that Mr. McCain was living in a dream world.
“The reality behind Senator McCain’s new rhetoric is that his plans either ignore the problems he identifies or actually makes them worse,'’ Howard Dean, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, said in a statement shortly before Mr. McCain began his speech.

The thing I really do like is the idea of weekly press conferences and a "President's Questions".

[st.cronin]

Taking questions in Congress, has a President ever done that? That might be interesting... or it might be fantastically annoying.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

The thing I really do like is the idea of weekly press conferences and a "President's Questions".

I love watching the British version of that on C-SPAN. Having a similar forum in the U.S. would be entertaining if nothing else.

[johnnyshaka]

We have to endure that crap up here where immature adults in suits insist on flinging insults back and forth at each other to try and garner the loudest roar from their peers. So long as you say "Mr. Speaker" a few times, anything goes. Quite pathetic, if you ask me, and even more frustrating as a tax payer.

[st.cronin]

Good McCain:

but mostly because the young Americans, no less than earlier generations, understand that true happiness is much greater than the pursuit of pleasure, and can only be found by serving causes greater than self-interest.

Bad McCain:

Congress has just passed by a single up or down vote a tax reform proposal that offers Americans a choice of continuing to file under the rules of the current complicated and burdensome tax code or use a new, simpler, fairer and flatter tax, with two rates and a generous deduction. Millions of taxpayers are expected to file under the flat tax, and save billions in the cost of preparing their returns.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

I love watching the British version of that on C-SPAN. Having a similar forum in the U.S. would be entertaining if nothing else.

Alas, I'm pretty sure the entertainment value would be the area where this would be most successful.

[JPhillips]

Without commenting on the policies, isn't the style of this speech corny? Someone at The Corner noticed as well:

This puts him in the odd position of talking in the past tense about the future, which both causes his promises to sound more arrogant (if not naïve) than they have to and robs him of the forward looking rhetoric a speech like this could lean on (that of, for instance, Barack Obama). The ad, with its prominent “2013” theme, makes this problem particularly evident.

Here's the ad that was rolled out with the speech:

[ISiddiqui]

But its kinda fun.

[Greyroofoo]

I'd settle for peeing oil

[Daimyo]

In the year two thousand (thirteen)

[Deattribution]

I don't think it's corny, candidates always make big promises. Honestly after this Dem primary and all the garbage slinging of the last two GEs any advertisement that isn't attacking someone and instead actually setting some goals I'm all for.

Some of them might be a bit unrealistic, but no more unrealistic than what Ron Paul, Obama, and Hiliary's different ideas have been praised for.

[rkmsuf]

"Now can anyone suggest where we should build our factory?"

"How about Fantasyland?"

[SFL Cat]

Hmmmm...looks like we'll have at least two Democrats running this fall...strike that...one Democrat and one neo-Socialist.

They need to change the Republican Party name to the Republicrats.

There trully is no difference between how they govern.

The only nod I'll give to McCain over either of the Democrats, especially Obama, is on National Defense. Based on the rhetoric of the candidates, and past history, If Obama or Clinton get into office, I have no doubt that we'll be hit again by terrorists on American soil.

[SFL Cat]

Dola...

2013? Everyone KNOWS it all comes to an end in 2012.

I didn't hear McCain say anything about us all being toast.

[ISiddiqui]

I actually not sure how anyone can see the McCain speach and conclude he's running as a Democrat. What gives that impression, the elimination of the AMT?

[Neon_Chaos]

Originally Posted by Daimyo

In the year two thousand (thirteen)

Replying with the obligatory Labamba high-pitch voice.

"In the year two thousaaaaaaaaaaaand (thirteen)"

[ace1914]

Originally Posted by SFL Cat

The only nod I'll give to McCain over either of the Democrats, especially Obama, is on National Defense. Based on the rhetoric of the candidates, and past history, If Obama or Clinton get into office, I have no doubt that we'll be hit again by terrorists on American soil.

Why would you believe that?

[ISiddiqui]

Truthfully?

Because he's an idiot.

[wbatl1]

Originally Posted by SFL Cat

The only nod I'll give to McCain over either of the Democrats, especially Obama, is on National Defense. Based on the rhetoric of the candidates, and past history, If Obama or Clinton get into office, I have no doubt that we'll be hit again by terrorists on American soil.

Well, even though you've been refuted a couple of times already, I wanted to throw in two cents about the national defense issue.

McCain essentially wants to proceed in Iraq until victory and continue to piece together a military to do so. He does have an extensive knowledge of Washington and foriegn issues.

Obama made a huge point about Homeland Security/the Military at a campaign event I attended three weeks ago, and his mantra is leave Iraq and rebuild the military forces in this country.

While Obama's strategy will not appeal to many hard-line warmongers, I do think it is clear that the military is nowhere close to full strength or effectiveness due to the long wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. I tend to agree that the military must be restrengthened, and Obama promises to do so*.

*Of course, this is just a promise, but so is everything in the 2013 ad.

[timmynausea]

I've still got my fingers crossed for a flying car. Possibly teleportation.

[Big Fo]

What kind of odds does McCain have of even living until 2013? 60%?

[RendeR]

Originally Posted by Big Fo

What kind of odds does McCain have of even living until 2013? 60%?

Thou art a generous man.

[ISiddiqui]

What are the odds Obama has of living through his first term?

[Groundhog]

i believe in the year 2013 we will all drive flying cars like the Jetsons and live on the moon in harmony with the moon people and have cyborg people to do all the tasks for us that we don't want to do like taking out the trash and cleaning my room which totally sucks. THE END.

[Swaggs]

Originally Posted by timmynausea

I've still got my fingers crossed for a flying car. Possibly teleportation.

Word.

Interestingly, I did just read an article in Newsweek about how Wake Forest has developed cells, that are applied by a spray, that can rapidly regenerate skin for burn victims and that they are working on organ and limb regeneration in lab animals.

These are the types of things, along with teleportation and flying cars, that I want by 2013.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by st.cronin

Taking questions in Congress, has a President ever done that? That might be interesting... or it might be fantastically annoying.

Will it be like the House of Lords? I love watching that. It's important--but it's hilarious, too.

Unfortunately, Congressman are too stuffy and respectful of their offices and that of the President to let it go the way of the House of Lords--but honestly, without that, it could rival American Idol every week if that happened.

"Next up, Biden versus Spector, no holds barred!"

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

I love watching the British version of that on C-SPAN. Having a similar forum in the U.S. would be entertaining if nothing else.

Oh, I see I am not the first.

[Neon_Chaos]

Well, 2015 is inching ever closer... we need those flying cars and hover boards in Back to the Future II.

[fantom1979]

I wonder who McCain has envisioned beating him in the 2012 election.

Also, while we are on the topic, I need to give good ole John a call and find out who is going to win the next couple of superbowls. I really could use the cash.

[Groundhog]

Originally Posted by Neon_Chaos

Well, 2015 is inching ever closer... we need those flying cars and hover boards in Back to the Future II.

Oh hell yes, I got all caught up with these flying cars and forgot about the hover boards!

And flying cars (though perhaps not as sexy as the ones we were expecting at this point 15-20 years ago) are a reality:

1950s Sci-Fi Authors Rejoice! - Front Office Football Central