We've become the party of reckless military intervention

Over the last decade the GOP has largely broken with its past and become the party of reckless military intervention. Obama’s decision to attack Libya has only been criticized by McCain and Graham for not going far enough. Despite the lack of any clear objective or national security interest, the United States has taken sides in a North African civil war.

As recently as the 2000 presidential race, Republican leaders could still be counted on to resist reckless military interventions. When asked by Jim Leher if the US should support nation building, then-Governor Bush was just as indignant as Powell had been towards Albright. “Maybe I’m missing something here,” Bush replied, “but we should encourage people who live in those lands to build their own nations…

Ten years later, GOP leaders no longer speak of such restraint. Instead, Republicans can be counted on to support reckless military actions, bloated Pentagon budgets and another decade in Afghanistan.

It may come as a shock to the Republican establishment in Washington, D.C., but conservatives across America do not support endless wars. They are ready to rebuild America instead of waging war on Afghanistan. They are ready to beat up on China economically instead of attacking Libya militarily.