Are you ready for President Petraeus?
posted at 9:15 pm on September 4, 2009 by Allahpundit
People keep making the Eisenhower comparison, but Ike didn’t run against Truman. The precedent for a top general challenging his commander-in-chief is McClellan — and temperamentally, Petraeus strikes me as anything but a McClellan.
Still, it’s a thought. The public’s fed up with both parties and starving for competence in its leadership. You could do worse on that score than a guy of unknown party affiliation who managed to put out the fire in Iraq.
“Well, I’d like to see Gen. Petraeus warm up,” Dole said. “I don’t know anything about his politics, whether he has an interest. It’s kind of a time for another Eisenhower, in my view.”
This isn’t the first time the popular general’s name has been floated as a possible GOP savior — and it won’t be the last. Petraeus has political impulses but hasn’t revealed if they are conservative ones, and he might not even be a Republican.
The CFR’s Senor is skeptical, even though Petraeus would be an appealing candidate. “He has to be focused like a laser beam on Afghanistan,” Senor said. “If he is as successful in Afghanistan as he was in Iraq, nothing else matters, and he will instantly be considered a top-tier candidate for president.
“But in order to be successful, he has to work very closely and effectively inside this administration, and very loyally to the commander-in-chief. He’s going to work successfully with this administration, and then all of a sudden announce that he’s stepping down to run against the commander in chief under which he served? As a practical matter, that’s unlikely.”
An alternative to Petraeus identified in the same Politico piece: Um … Joe Scarborough. And if he won’t run, hey — there’s always Michele Bachmann! Exit question: Hasn’t Petraeus already answered this question rather definitively? Flashback to December 23, 2007. Skip ahead to 1:25.
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Nope… need more info.
Upstater85 on September 4, 2009 at 9:16 PM
Unless he turns into Colin’s Bowel, then I would have to say…
HELL YES!!!
J.J. Sefton on September 4, 2009 at 9:17 PM
Let’s try Sarah with Patraeus as her V.P. She does domestic and he does foreign. Sounds okay with me.
suzyk on September 4, 2009 at 9:17 PM
We know nothing about him.
But it would be fun to see the NYT (assuming they are still in print then) run articles against Petraeus quoting Ike warning about the military-industrial complex. He supported the Surge, it’s Bush III – the fascistic return of the military-industrial complex!
Spirit of 1776 on September 4, 2009 at 9:18 PM
Speaking of…anybody seen Wussley Clark lately?
whitetop on September 4, 2009 at 9:19 PM
NO. I don’t know a damn thing about the man’s politics.
Blake on September 4, 2009 at 9:19 PM
I want the next election to be all about the economy and limiting the governments role within the economy.
jhffmn on September 4, 2009 at 9:20 PM
Go for it, no better or worse than any other potential candidate from either party.
Bishop on September 4, 2009 at 9:20 PM
This is how they’ll blame Republicans for losing Afghanistan. You heard it here first.
Pablo on September 4, 2009 at 9:20 PM
Gotta be better than Colin Powell.
Cicero43 on September 4, 2009 at 9:20 PM
Yup, we can judge how this line of thinking fails miserably.
What about John McCain? Colin Powell?
I mean seriously why don’t you actually understand what they are for before trying to think about nominating someone based solely on military experience. For all you know he could be more left wing than Obama.
clement on September 4, 2009 at 9:20 PM
If I were to generalize (which many people that support military leaders tend to do anyway…), I would have to say I’m afraid he would be too much like Powell or McCain. Big Gov’t Republicans… or worse as whitetop points out.
Upstater85 on September 4, 2009 at 9:21 PM
Seriously, does he have any community organizing experience?
Cicero43 on September 4, 2009 at 9:21 PM
I’m calling it with SuzyK… Palin/Petraeus 2012. Guy is a conservative. Look him up, read his publications. He’d be outstanding.
PFA
PalinforAmerica.com
palinforamerica on September 4, 2009 at 9:21 PM
yup…
sven10077 on September 4, 2009 at 9:21 PM
Heh… I doubt that’s possible, but I would fear he’s a progressive Rep/Dem.
Upstater85 on September 4, 2009 at 9:21 PM
He tried to organize Iraq…
Upstater85 on September 4, 2009 at 9:22 PM
He’s too much of a puppet of Bush/Obama. Though he did speak out against GWB’s torture, so that’s one point in his favor.
The Dean on September 4, 2009 at 9:22 PM
I really shouldn’t use the word ‘you’ when the you i’m talking about isn’t who you think. I was talking about whoever thinks this is a fantastic idea.
clement on September 4, 2009 at 9:22 PM
Does anyone have any actual info on his policy positions?
The man is arguably a hero, but that is not enough.
18-1 on September 4, 2009 at 9:22 PM
However probable, its highly unlikely, in fact its more than a stretch to even imagine it so.
Viper1 on September 4, 2009 at 9:23 PM
The man is giving his best at what he desires.
fourdeucer on September 4, 2009 at 9:23 PM
Petraeus/Liz Cheney – 2012 with Sarah Palin – Secretary of Energy/Energy Czar…
Seven Percent Solution on September 4, 2009 at 9:24 PM
Military leadership skills don’t always produce similar results in civilian life.
whitetop on September 4, 2009 at 9:25 PM
I’ll go with Joe Scarborough, Mitch Daniels, or Pawlenty… and maybe Romney
Please, Huck and Palin… you don’t have a shot…
ninjapirate on September 4, 2009 at 9:26 PM
I tend to go the opposite way on this one. We should trend towards judging prospective leaders on their competence and reasoning ability instead of whether they meet all the boxes on one’s personal checklist.
If Petraeus ever decides to run, I’ll know that he’s brilliant enough to manage the most chaotic (or, perhaps, second most chaotic) theater in modern warfare and turn it around.
That counts.
Black Yoshi on September 4, 2009 at 9:26 PM
THIS is the problem with the Republican Party!
Our candidates need to be tried and true conservatrives.
Mark Foley was a damned democrat for petes sake! That may be an extreme example but those spending cowbow corporate RINO types can no longer be tolerated if we are to bring this country back from the precipice.
sonnyspats1 on September 4, 2009 at 9:28 PM
I would have to look into his conservative credentials but think that he would make an excellent president.
Capt. Petraeus was my company commander when I was a young Infantryman in 1979. He was an excellent commander and has excelled in a very political environment.
farright on September 4, 2009 at 9:29 PM
I find it amusing that up to this point, no-one has really mentioned his actual conservative credentials… Does he have any?
Upstater85 on September 4, 2009 at 9:30 PM
cowboy*
sonnyspats1 on September 4, 2009 at 9:30 PM
He won’t run. And, as outstanding a General as he has been, I would have to know what his policies would be before I would vote for him. In other words, he doesn’t automatically get my vote.
AUINSC on September 4, 2009 at 9:31 PM
My heart says maybe, my colt .45 says….yes!
johnnybgood on September 4, 2009 at 9:33 PM
Saw him during his exit from Iraq. I was very impressed with how he handled himself and how the Iraqis responded to him. He is a leader. Don’t know his politics at all, but he is a great soldier and I appreciate his service +100.
KCB on September 4, 2009 at 9:33 PM
Must be a slow news day.
MB4 on September 4, 2009 at 9:34 PM
Normally I’d say yes but the last general that I thought held at least a few Conservative views was a flaming lib himself.
Jeff from WI on September 4, 2009 at 9:36 PM
Chaos will win because it’s better organized.
MB4 on September 4, 2009 at 9:36 PM
These trolls like SS and aholelib are pissin’ me off, Upstater.
Lanceman on September 4, 2009 at 9:36 PM
Oh those enregetic colts, my springfield says let’s see what the man thinks. :)
Fighton03 on September 4, 2009 at 9:36 PM
Thanks for the Looney Toon view, ‘Dean’. I was wondering what Bugs and Elmer thought about this.
I did have a question for you: When you pull your head out of your ass, how long is it before you can see clearly? Or, does it never actually emerge?
Janos Hunyadi on September 4, 2009 at 9:37 PM
Hmmmmm….assuming you aren’t blowing sunshine, what were his worst traits at the time?
Fighton03 on September 4, 2009 at 9:38 PM
NO on Scarborough!
Meh on Petraeus. Too many unknowns.
atheling on September 4, 2009 at 9:38 PM
They called Powell the Perfumed Prince. They call Petraeus Mr. Clean.
MB4 on September 4, 2009 at 9:38 PM
He’s still waiting for the Public Option to pay for his Cranial Rectumotomy.
Fighton03 on September 4, 2009 at 9:39 PM
You need to join the Anti-Troll brigade ;-)
Upstater85 on September 4, 2009 at 9:39 PM
High ranking generals are more politician than military leaders. They spend their days, not directing tanks, but cocktail parties weaving their way around power circles.
No thanks.
keep the change on September 4, 2009 at 9:39 PM
Patreus is a Bush/Cheney puppet. That is the funniest thing I have ever heard. He is a General in our Military, his duty is to do what the Commander in Chief says to do. This includes Obama now.
This is liberal logic. Sasha Obama is Baracks puppet, you cant trust her.
Moron
TendStl on September 4, 2009 at 9:39 PM
When it comes to Powell, all I see is “Mars Attacks”….
Fighton03 on September 4, 2009 at 9:40 PM
assuming his conservative cred, I think he would be well-suited as a VP and could bring some serious fire power to the republican ticket and administration.
doctor horton on September 4, 2009 at 9:40 PM
In the words of every lawyer who’s asked a question: “it depends.” I’d need to know a lot more about his worldview.
HeckOnWheels on September 4, 2009 at 9:40 PM
Petraeus has stated emphatically that he is not interested in political office.
It sucks because he would get huge support considering his track record.
I had “Petraeus for President 08″ shirts made and wore them throughout the Presidential run.
Would love to get them back out.
Baxter Greene on September 4, 2009 at 9:41 PM
Agreed! We could use a good Ted Kennedy Chappaquiddick thread to blow off steam.
Jeff from WI on September 4, 2009 at 9:42 PM
Yep, that was my vote in the other thread. If Biden helped Obama gain foreign policy cred, then the good General can certainly help Sarah. And since he’s a self-described Rockefeller Republican, he could probably bring the Northeastern states to the table. I just want the real conservative at the top of the ticket this time.
yogi41 on September 4, 2009 at 9:42 PM
If he showed interest, I’d vote for him. He took the hell hole known as Iraq and made a miracle happen.
He could probably do the same with some good advisors as POTUS.
But if he has said before he’s not into it at all, move along nothing to see here, right?
B Man on September 4, 2009 at 9:42 PM
I watch Scarborough every morning just to see what he says. He has the guy that wrote “The death of conservatism” on every day to discuss our demise. The Huffington Post has already called on him to run. This is the siren to the right that Joe is a no go. The left is already trying to pick our moderate to run in 12.
I dont think so.
TendStl on September 4, 2009 at 9:43 PM
FIFY
OhioCoastie on September 4, 2009 at 9:43 PM
Yah. What is this ? Days sober – 5?
MB4 on September 4, 2009 at 9:43 PM
I would suggest that it’s what he believes is right (not just desires).
In contrast Obama is a half azzed imitation of a leader.
I don’t know if I’d agree with Petraeus’s political opinions, but I suspect he’d be the kind you could disagree with without having your family history splayed across cBS.
Fighton03 on September 4, 2009 at 9:44 PM
I heard that on her nightly excursions to Hades, Helen Thomas has been seen Smuggling St Teddidus some Seagrams.
Upstater85 on September 4, 2009 at 9:45 PM
I’d love to see Liz Cheney on the 2012 ticket. Just to see her debate would be a treat. From what she has said, it sounds like 12 is too soon, maybe she has 2016 in her sights.
sherry on September 4, 2009 at 9:45 PM
I’d prefer a bag of ban hammers.
It’s becoming much less enjoyable to read posts when I have to wade through that swill all the time.
Lanceman on September 4, 2009 at 9:45 PM
And since he’s a self-described Rockefeller Republican, he could probably bring the Northeastern states to the table. I just want the real conservative at the top of the ticket this time.
yogi41 on September 4, 2009 at 9:42 PM
Those 2 statements are contradictory. Rockefeller Republicans are the elite guard. The ones that look down at fly over country and would just wish we would just shut up and do what they say. David Frum, Peggy Noonan, Kathleen Parker etc.
TendStl on September 4, 2009 at 9:45 PM
BWAHAHAHHAAHA!
I stand corrected..
Fighton03 on September 4, 2009 at 9:46 PM
Isn’t a “Rockefeller Republican” like a RINO on steroids?
MB4 on September 4, 2009 at 9:47 PM
Let him serve awhile in another government post first.
Johnny 100 Pesos on September 4, 2009 at 9:48 PM
FIFBY
thomasaur on September 4, 2009 at 9:48 PM
SS almost got banned when he shared his Trig Trooferism… But AP let him slide on that one…
Upstater85 on September 4, 2009 at 9:49 PM
That depends on his commitment to fiscal conservatism. I believe you can be an RR, being iscally conservative but socially liberal (IE small central govt, who cares about gay marriage).
Fighton03 on September 4, 2009 at 9:50 PM
Err… Are Frum and Parker fiscal cons but not traditionalists?
Upstater85 on September 4, 2009 at 9:51 PM
by that last statement I mean “doesn’t give a d@mn about”…
Fighton03 on September 4, 2009 at 9:52 PM
I would suggest “NO” because they are willing to sacrifice those principles for power.
Fighton03 on September 4, 2009 at 9:52 PM
the libs wouldn’t like him!
1. He has no community organizer skills.
2. He has not experimented with drugs.
3. He hasn’t a record of killing babies.
4. The only heads he has ever crushed were muslim.
5. He only votes nay or yea, thinks present is to
account for at roll call.
6. He does not believe in csars.
7. Has never sat in Jerimiahs House of Ill Repute.
8. Does not belong to ACLU or any unions.
9. Has no desire to run a bank or auto company.
10.Believes defense is not a barrier to protect Michelles
Victory Garden.
11.Does not desire to perform Pee Wee Herman broadcast to
to our school system.
12.Does not consider Michael Moore is favorite
actor/producer.
13. Has no allegiance to George Soros.
14. Would defend Isreal.
15. Knows the differnce between a hole in the ground and
some body parts.
16. Has never had sex with a goat.
Based on these current requirements he wouldn’t rate very high in Daily Kos current favorable poll.
bluegrass on September 4, 2009 at 9:54 PM
Funny!
I bet his idea of community organizing is “which way do I stack these bodies?”
But, at least his way, they stay organized.
massrighty on September 4, 2009 at 9:54 PM
TendStl on September 4, 2009 at 9:45 PM
Don’t know where I was contradictory. I said I wanted Sarah at the top of the ticket; to me, she’s the real conservative and he, by his own definition of being a Rockefeller Republican, is a moderate. I don’t mind a moderate at the #2 spot if he can bring in the NE states.
yogi41 on September 4, 2009 at 9:55 PM
He is an honorable man. I just need to know his politics. If he is as conservative as Cheney and Sarah, I will definitely give him a second look.
cubachi on September 4, 2009 at 9:58 PM
With compliments to Moveon.org
Obama betrays us
Vote for Petraeus
pascal on September 4, 2009 at 10:00 PM
I would much rather have Andrew McCarthy as President.
Why should Islamism matter to us? Because, besides being the ideology that catalyzes jihadist terrorism and threatens our freedoms in sundry other ways, Islamism rejects the premises of Western democracy. Islamists believe that sharia is the perfect, non-negotiable blueprint for law and life, prescribed by Allah Himself. Therefore, Islamists reject the notion of free people at liberty to govern themselves, to legislate in contradiction to God’s law. They reject freedom of conscience: Islam must be the state religion, and apostasy from Islam is a capital crime. They deny the principle of equality under the law between men and women, and between Muslims and non-Muslims. They abjure any semblance of Western sexual liberty: gay sex, adultery, and fornication are brutally punished. They countenance slavery. They encourage polygamy.
The State Department’s new “democratic” constitutions for Afghanistan and Iraq are a disgrace: establishing Islam as the state religion and elevating sharia as fundamental law. That is not exporting our values; it is appeasing Islamism. It is putting on display our lack of will to fight for our principles, which only emboldens our enemies. Recall, for example, the spectacle of the Christian prosecuted for apostasy a couple of years back by the post-Taliban, U.S.-backed Afghan government. He had to be whisked out of the country because it’s not safe for an ex-Muslim religious convert in the new Afghanistan. It’s not safe for non-Muslims, period. We’re not building a democratic culture.
We can’t stop Muslim countries from being Islamist. That is their choice. It should be no concern of ours who rules them as long as they do not threaten American interests. When they inevitably do threaten us, or allow their territories to be launch pads for terrorists, we should smash them. But the price of defending our nation cannot be spending years — at a cost of precious lives and hundreds of billions of dollars — in a vain attempt to give people who despise us a way of life they don’t want.
Meanwhile, we must accept that Islamism is our enemy and has targeted our constitutional system for destruction by slow strangulation via sharia. Instead of worrying about democracy in Afghanistan, we need to worry about democracy in America. The surge we need is at home: to roll back Islamism’s infiltration of our schools, our financial system, our law, and our government. In addition to not being universal, the “values of the human spirit” are not immortal. If we don’t defend them in the West, they will die.
- Andrew McCarthy
MB4 on September 4, 2009 at 10:01 PM
+7%…
Seven Percent Solution on September 4, 2009 at 10:01 PM
Sorry. Was in the Green Room.
Rush doesn’t call him AP Obama for nothing;P
Lanceman on September 4, 2009 at 10:02 PM
McClellan. What a useless twerp.
Anwyn on September 4, 2009 at 10:02 PM
;P
Upstater85 on September 4, 2009 at 10:02 PM
uh oh, he calls it Paak-ee-stan….
katy on September 4, 2009 at 10:04 PM
LOL! Bachmann is something else.
terryannonline on September 4, 2009 at 10:07 PM
Allah hates you this I know
For the Koran tells me so
Infidels Christians and Jews we humble with aplomb
They are weak but we are strong
Yes Allah hates you! Yes, Allah hates you! Yes, Allah hates you,
The Koran tells me so.
Allah hates you, you will submit
Bend your knees or we will again you hit
Say the salat, make your president bow his head,
Eat falafel, go to bed.
Yes, Allah hates you! Yes, Allah hates you! Yes, Allah hates you!
The Koran tells me so.
Aleph on September 4, 2009 at 10:08 PM
At least Gen. Petraeus knows what it is to protect and defend the Constitution and the United States of America…
… Add Executive Experience, works within a budget, and knows how to surround himself with a competent staff,
then maybe we will have someone in the White House for four years while we try to undue the rape that Obama is currently forcing upon us…
Seven Percent Solution on September 4, 2009 at 10:10 PM
katy the mean old lady on September 4, 2009 at 10:10 PM
Actually, I like Give ‘em Hell Harry, as he was the last democrat POTUS that had any balls at all.
As for Petraeus running for POTUS, I don’t know enough about the man as yet, but given that we are 8+ months into what has been, to this point anyway, a wildly successful Marxist coup, I am open for suggestions.
Dave R. on September 4, 2009 at 10:12 PM
Yeah, he promised Joe Biden 100 virgins if he would stay in DC and watch the White House this week-end.
bluegrass on September 4, 2009 at 10:13 PM
Petraeus seems like a really smart guy and I can’t imagine him wanting to be President. Why would that interest him? That job’s like being trapped in a cage with snarling animals prowling around snapping their jaws at you day and night.
Petraeus has done his time in the trenches, served his country faithfully and after he gets out of the military he can pretty much write his own ticket. Hard to believe he’d want to make the White House his preferred destination.
There are a lot more enjoyable and rewarding ventures in life than getting into politics.
Bennett on September 4, 2009 at 10:13 PM
Why? McClellan didn’t have any, unless they were severely swolen from sitting on his ass around DC all those months.
Dave R. on September 4, 2009 at 10:15 PM
No. While he has done his country a great service with Iraq, I don’t know ANYTHING about his political views.
American Elephant on September 4, 2009 at 10:17 PM
The good General has a part time home here in NH…I doubt he would want to leave Paradise.
Del Dolemonte on September 4, 2009 at 10:20 PM
Mr. Jefferson…is that you?
Fighton03 on September 4, 2009 at 10:22 PM
If we’re the new Rome… isn’t this the part of our history where Caesar crosses the Rubicon?
Illinidiva on September 4, 2009 at 10:23 PM
McClellan. What a useless twerp.
Anwyn on September 4, 2009 at 10:02 PM
katy the mean old lady on September 4, 2009 at 10:23 PM
Am I ready? This combat Marine of Vietnam says oh yes!……… let the slap down begin.
MNDavenotPC on September 4, 2009 at 10:24 PM
We need him right where he is.
tomas on September 4, 2009 at 10:27 PM
Dream on… like anyone versed in duty as the General is going to hitch his wagon to a quitter who put personal gain ahead of executing oaths and expectations.
lexhamfox on September 4, 2009 at 10:27 PM
Where I can’t say I know General Petraeus well enough to speak on his politics I have met him. Working as a Police Adviser in Iraq our program was under DOD control and for awhile under his direct supervision. Nothing deters the man from his goal and anyone could speak to him about anything. He truely knows how to inspire those under his command and control. My own team was tasked with mentoring the Major Crimes and Criminal Intelligence units within the Iraqi Police and you can imagine the obstacles whenever we needed anything from the Army. General P never let us down when we requested something. Now that doesn’t say he’d be a great President, but if the man can rewrite the counter insurgency manual if a few months and turn around what was happening in Iraq I feel he could adjust to the job.
Semper Fi
BlueandSong on September 4, 2009 at 10:30 PM
Marilyn vos Savant explained her voting strategy thusly: Vote for a person at the local level (mayor, city council); vote for an issue at the state level (gov, state leg); vote for a party at the national level (Pres, fed leg). Just as the Democrat party will not nominate someone who isn’t fully a Democrat, the Republican party will not nominate someone who is not fully a Republican. Let’s face it, the President is really just a speaker; it’s the party that determines the policy. If party-line voting at the national level is good enough for Marilyn vos Savant, it’s good enough for me.
JohnJ on September 4, 2009 at 10:33 PM
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