Thursday, November 01, 2007

Thought, Candor and Action Add Up to a McCain Victory in 2008


The other day, John McCain met with Jewish American leaders in New York to present his 'step-by-step' approach to finding a way to peace in the Middle East. Again, McCain proved that a leader is one who does not take a cookie cutter approach to problems like Health Care, the Law of the Sea, Immigration Reform, much less the war on Islamist Terror, but a person who looks at the big picture - every aspect of its surface and what lies beneath, speaks to the problems and then, and only then, takes bold direct action at every level. A Leader develops a game plan; articulates its execution to the whole team and leads from the front.

NEW YORK — Republican presidential candidate John McCain on Tuesday advocated taking one step at a time in approaching Mideast peace negotiations.

The statement precedes a planned summit of Israeli, Palestinian and other Arab leaders scheduled next month in Annapolis, Md. McCain's statement may be seen a gentle criticism of the Bush summit, which aims to jump-start peace talks.

“I think that process has to be a step by step process. An encompassing, all encompassing, one-step solution was tried by former President Clinton, and I think that’s probably a very, very difficult accomplishment,” the Arizona senator told a conference of Jewish leaders in New York.

McCain said he couldn’t put a timeline on an his approach, noting that terrorists like Hamas continue to be the unknown factor.

“I’m not sure frankly how you, how you deal with Hamas. If they’re dedicated to your extinction it’s hard to sit down and negotiate with somebody that says we’re going to destroy you,” he said.

In a forum devoted almost exclusively to foreign policy, the senator criticized Russia and China for blocking the U.S. and it’s allies when it comes to putting pressure on Sudan, North Korea and Iran. He proposed creating a league of democracies with countries that share American values and control the world’s economy.

“Why don’t we act together with these countries and impose meaningful sanctions on Iran today?” he asked.

McCain said the U.S. is facing a U.N. Security Council which has created difficulties for the U.S. However, he made it clear that he does not favor abandoning the United Nations.


McCain thinks to the issues - he thinks through them; he speaks to the issues - honestly and in direct language; and he takes action.

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