John McCain the Arm Chair Warrior? and Assymetric Warfare

I read a blog today from an individual who had decided to back John McCain. The blogger states, "And above all else, the most important issue facing this country is the declared war on America perpitrated by the Islamo-Fascits across the Globe, and the Iraq War."

Here is my response:
I enjoyed your analysis; however, the greatest threat originally proposed by Osama Bin Laden was not related to the military – it is economic. Osama wants to drain the US of its economic power by engaging us in a protracted war where we will use billions of dollars and end up leaving much like Russia in Afghanistan. The Institute for the Analysis of Global Security wrote a strong piece on this subject called Energy Security.

Osama Bin Ladin boasted in 2004, We "bled Russia for ten years until it went bankrupt and was forced to withdraw in defeat". His current strategy is the same. I propose a military man is not our best choice in this protracted conflict. We need an economic man.

With Bush in the White House, our generals have done a superb job fighting – Petraeus and the other generals have great ideas (not politicians like McCain who claim Petraeus’ ideas are his own). McCain has been in the Senate for 24 years – he is not a solution but part of the problem. McCain sitting on all those defense committees did not keep us safe! He was advising them when all of the junk occurred, he missed it just like everybody else. He will do just as much for America continuing as the committee member he has always been.

The future of warfare is not in McCain’s experience. We are talking technology and that requires a strong economy. We need unmanned planes, smart bombs, strategic missiles, robotic arms and satellites. The next generation of warfare is Asymmetric – McCain has no experience in it.

Mitt Romney understands economic incentives – both domestic and foreign. Whether it is aiding our allies, or hindering our enemies, economics is the key to the future. Economists estimates 80% of jobs in 20 years haven’t even been thought of yet. Mitt Romney knows how to incentivize research and development in new technologies. Only Mitt Romney has the experience to position America globally to take advantage of those opportunities.

It’s time to Rally to Romney for a truly strong America. A strong economy allows us to build the strong military – thus defending us both financially and militarily.

Please note: John McCain is technically not an "Armchair Warrior" as the Urban Dictionary defines an armchair warrior as "someone who has never served in the military, but who rah-rahs a war when it is broadcast on TV from his armchair while swilling beer."

1 comment:

ebudd said...

While I wouldn't go as far as to say that John McCain is an armchair warrior, I would agree that the type of warfare occuring is completely different than when he was in the military.

While militaries effective under the right leader, economies, I would say, are more powerful - and that is Romney's strength. From what I have seen of Mitt Romney's experience and personality, he would be able to unite and direct a all of the assets of the United States defense very effectively. I think that if anyone could, he would be the man that could stop the overlap and miscommunication between all of the different departments of defence and surveillance in the United States.

Secondly, I would point to apartheid as a very important time in world history when ideological differences were affected by economic pressure. Economic sanctions were THE tool that brought success. Sanctions have been tried on other occasions, but without the leadership needed to bring about sufficient pressure to change the situation.

As you noted, Al Queda's plan is deeper than just roadside and suicide bombs, as despicable as they are. The economic dimension of this war is something that John McCain just doesn't understand. He's admitted that. Mitt Romney has the ability to achieve victory on all fronts.