CNN: Romney suspends presidential campaign
CNN) — Mitt Romney suspended his bid for the Republican presidential nomination Thursday, saying if he continued it would “forestall the launch of a national campaign and be making it easier for Senator Clinton or Obama to win.”
“In this time of war, I simply cannot let my campaign be a part of aiding a surrender to terror. This is not an easy decision. I hate to lose,” the former Massachusetts governor said.
“If this were only about me, I’d go on. But it’s never been only about me. I entered this race because I love America, and because I love America, in this time of war I feel I have to now stand aside for our party and for our country.” . . .
I think Romney’s statement makes it clear how low at least some Republicans will go in this election, to equate a Democratic victory with a “surrender to terror.”
I’m no fan of Clinton or Obama at this point, and am undecided whether I’ll be able to vote for one of them in good conscience or not, but I have to say that statements like Romney’s are the kind of thing that might force me to vote for a lesser-than-two-evils democrat.
I think that given the tone that the Republicans are taking, that it is time for the Democrats to hit back and to hit back hard. Obama and Clinton need to quit making wishy-washy statements about the war and instead state clearly that under their watch that the war will end, and it will end soon. Then the people of American can decided — do they want eternal war and deaths out of a fear of “terror”, or do they want want an end to war and solid diplomatic action to prevent future terror. It is a given that the Republicans will accuse the Democratic stance as being that of surrender, whether the move to end the war is mushy or for real. So, if you are going to catch hell for it, then why not go all out. A clear stance to end the war soon (within 12 months or less) will make it clear to the American people what they are going to get. If the Democrat will take this stance they will get my vote and I think the votes of many more.
Actually I heard a clip of Hillary today saying she would get the troops out in 60 days from taking office. It was maybe out of context, and she meant *begin* to get them out (since it would be hard to get all out in that time even if Kucinich was in charge).
According to Obama on his website he has a plan to remove all combat troops from Iraq in 16 months. He has outlines of a lot more too. [link]
The Dems are as dedicated to the Imperialist project as the Republicans. None of them would pull us out of the war, save for maybe Kucinich. See http://socialistworker.org/Featured/Politics.shtml#Democrats for more info. Read ’em all. They all support the system and all the Dems are afraid of appearing weak on security issues and cave into Republican pressure. The tactics that the United for Peace and Justice folks are taking (whose leadership are Communist Party (read Stalinist apologists) members) are to essentially beg and pester Congress into ending the war. Anyone read the history books? No war has ever been ended by a politician with a sudden change of heart. Only mass action and soldier rebellions can do it. The German war effort during WW1 collapsed under popular revolution at home when millions took to the streets in strikes and protest. Without workers industry grinds to a halt and war cannot be carried out. Soldiers need bullets. There is a reason why Marx focused on the working class, for only we have the power to stop the system cold instantly. We are the cog that makes the system turn. A massive strike stops it dead. We need millions in the streets and soldiers rebelling in Iraq, but I don’t see that as likely. Most people I meet are at least passively anti-war but their feelings go no further then that. No Dem will do it for us. Remember the bright hopes after the 2006 elections and the sinking reality that came after? Their just as committed to the cause as the Republicans.
“Obama and Clinton need to quit making wishy-washy statements about the war and instead state clearly that under their watch that the war will end, and it will end soon.”
Like the democrats did when they gained the majority in congress? Cause that exactly what the democrats said would happen if we elected them to majority in congress.
You’re right about that.