Writing in the Los Angeles Times today, Council on Foreign Relations Senior Fellow Max Boot, who is “an unpaid foreign policy advisor” to Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), claims that McCain’s bellicose aura will help America “to achieve more” of its “objectives peacefully” because he would frighten other countries:
Ironically, John McCain’s bellicose aura could allow us to achieve more of our objectives peacefully because other countries would be more afraid to mess with him than with most other potential occupants of the Oval Office — or the current one.

There is no way to peace. Peace is the way.
February 12th, 2008 at 11:04 am– A.J. Muste
Wow, is he saying the Dean Scream would have scared countries to peace?
Max Boot for Deanism!!!
February 12th, 2008 at 11:05 amSo, let me get this straight… if we have a President who’s an obnoxious a-hole, that will keep other countries from messing with us?
February 12th, 2008 at 11:06 amMcCain’s bellicose aura
Since McWalkingCane is from Arizona, we’ll call it “Cowboy Diplomacy”. Maybe he will make John Bolton ambassador to the UN.
February 12th, 2008 at 11:07 amIf McCain is elected, I wonder who needs to be more afraid — other countries, or US citizens…
As for me, I’ll be very afraid…
February 12th, 2008 at 11:08 amA puffy-faced senile old gimp is more likely to intimidate others than a healthy tall black man with all his faculties ?
I realize how stupid these GOP twits are , but that is beyond completely foolish……..
February 12th, 2008 at 11:08 amDocuments discovered in al Qaeda safe houses in Iraq lament how poorly the war in Iraq is going for the terrorists:
The last holdouts who still believe the surge hasn’t worked are mostly Democratic office-holders.
February 12th, 2008 at 11:09 amThis seems like a pre-emptive move because they know McCain will blow up during a debate.
February 12th, 2008 at 11:10 amMcBomb is all fuse & no powder.
All this would accomplish is reinforce World opinion that America voted in another corporate fascist to the WH.
Boot’s opinions need to be ‘re-booted’.
February 12th, 2008 at 11:10 amComment by JT — February 12, 2008 @ 11:09 am
Ah, yes… yet another one fighting the good fight… from the safety of Mommy’s basement.
February 12th, 2008 at 11:11 amI think he meant “varicose”.
February 12th, 2008 at 11:11 amThe last holdouts who still believe the surge hasn’t worked are mostly Democratic office-holders.
Comment by JT — February 12, 2008 @ 11:09 am
February 12th, 2008 at 11:12 amMove there then if it’s so great ………You won’t be missed.
The last holdouts who still believe the surge hasn’t worked are mostly Democratic office-holders.
Comment by JT
Actually, the reason for the surge was to give room for political reconciliation, which hasnt worked.
February 12th, 2008 at 11:13 amSo, let me get this straight… if we have a President who’s an obnoxious a-hole, that will keep other countries from messing with us?
Comment by raynman — February 12, 2008 @ 11:06 am
If we have a President who’s a grouchy old man, that’ll just encourage young whippersnapper countries to ring our national doorbell and run, or egg us and throw toilet paper in our national forests on Halloween. Our only recourse will be to yell, “I saw that, Botswana! Now get off my lawn before I call your parents!”
February 12th, 2008 at 11:13 amBTW JT this is not an IRAQ thread.
February 12th, 2008 at 11:13 amBring it on!! Bomb Bomb Bomb!! Less Jobs More War!!! Kill Kill Kill!!
You &%*%%
I dont think this is a viable policy. Nice Try Max.
February 12th, 2008 at 11:14 amJohn McCain’s admitted adultery and history of divorcing his first wife for a 25 year-old heiress will better protect the “sanctity of marriage”, too.
February 12th, 2008 at 11:15 amXisithrus the clueless:
Apparently you didn’t read the underlying article that this blog linked to. Can you stand on your own two feet and think, or do you rely on others to guide you through your day?
February 12th, 2008 at 11:16 amHe’s so old they would see we respect our elders, even if we fill crummy nursing homes with them where in a lot of other countries they lounge in parks, shops, etc.
He’s so white they’ll see that we won’t let affrmative action beat us.
He’s so absent for votes they’ll see that we embrace European vacationism and even more so, with even less accountability.
What a crock! Chavez is politically fighting us, forces came into Iraq to kill us even though it wasn’t their land, in Afghanistan they’re surging against us, and this is the most “I’ll get you!” president ever.
February 12th, 2008 at 11:16 amThe last holdouts who still believe the surge hasn’t worked are mostly Democratic office-holders.
Comment by JT — February 12, 2008 @ 11:09 am
And also the people of Iraq, whose government has barely moved on the political reconciliation goals that were supposed to have been enabled by the surge.
February 12th, 2008 at 11:16 amI dont know about yall but I wont work for angry, verbally abusive, bellicose imperial minded mavericks
February 12th, 2008 at 11:18 amIronically, John McCain’s bellicose aura could allow us to achieve more of our objectives peacefully because other countries would be more afraid to mess with him than with most other potential occupants of the Oval Office — or the current one.
February 12th, 2008 at 11:18 amThey’re gonna’ be intimidated by his POW status ?
He gonna’ fight them with the medals he received half a century ago ?
He gonna’ beat them with his gimp arm ? His cane ?
And also the people of Iraq, whose government has barely moved on the political reconciliation goals that were supposed to have been enabled by the surge.
Comment by toasterhead — February 12, 2008 @ 11:16 am
ZING!!
February 12th, 2008 at 11:18 amApparently you didn’t read the underlying article that this blog linked to. Can you stand on your own two feet and think, or do you rely on others to guide you through your day?
Comment by JT
Nice strawman, what do you call him, projectionism?
February 12th, 2008 at 11:19 amMore Orwellian Newspeak from the desperadoes of the Right.
February 12th, 2008 at 11:20 amYou mean McCain’s bellicose aura is going to scare more people than Dick Cheney’s bellicose aura?
February 12th, 2008 at 11:20 amMcLame is the equivalent to the the old man in the neighborhood yelling at the kids, while wearing his rob, for being on his lawn.
February 12th, 2008 at 11:20 amApparently JT cant read the title of this thread. Thinking on your own two feet?
February 12th, 2008 at 11:20 amhttp://www.latimes.com/ news/ opinion/ la-oe-boot12feb12,0,946197.story
Go with the tough guy
“The new ‘axis of evil’ doesn’t fear the U.S. McCain could change that.”
Doesn’t fear the US? You mean we’ve wasted all our time, and troops, and money, killing hundreds of thousands of Iraqis and flattening the country for nothing?
All the nukes, the fighter jets, the aircraft carriers DON’T scare the poop outta folks around the world? Damn… I want my money back!
February 12th, 2008 at 11:21 amXisithrus the clueless:
Apparently you didn’t read the underlying article that this blog linked to. Can you stand on your own two feet and think, or do you rely on others to guide you through your day?
Comment by JT — February 12, 2008 @ 11:16 am
February 12th, 2008 at 11:21 amNo one “guided” Xisithrus into telling your ignorant ass that this is not a thread on Iraq and/or the amount of al Qeada forces remaining there , JustAGOPTool…………
He figured that out for himself , unlike your sorry stupid ass……..
Perhaps McCain will try to outcheney Cheney by shooting TWO old men in the face, missmolly.
February 12th, 2008 at 11:22 amThe last holdouts who still believe the surge hasn’t worked are mostly Democratic office-holders.
Comment by JT
Your precious splurge has our military tied down in a quagmire, fighting the Iraqi people and a few deadenders pretending to be al Qaeda, while Osama bin Laden and the real al Qaeda rebuild and operate freely from their safe haven in Northern Pakistan.
They are laughing at the idiocy of fools like you, your fake cowboy pResident, and the senile old man who wants to take his place.
February 12th, 2008 at 11:22 am… Screamed Uber-patriot JT, from the safety of Mommy’s basement…
February 12th, 2008 at 11:23 amThe last holdouts who still believe the surge hasn’t worked are mostly Democratic office-holders.
Comment by JT — February 12, 2008 @ 11:09 am
The surge has completely failed. That is a fact. The main purpose of the surge was to allow for political gains/political stability in Iraq. That has not happened. Fact.
February 12th, 2008 at 11:25 amDocuments discovered in al Qaeda safe houses in Iraq lament how poorly the war in Iraq is going for the terrorists:
Considering
February 12th, 2008 at 11:26 amComment by JT
Justin Timberlake?
Now there’s a foreign-policy expert!
February 12th, 2008 at 11:27 amThe surge has worked just about as well as the search for Osama bin Laden….
February 12th, 2008 at 11:28 amDemocracy Now! looks at the real John McCain
Democracy Now’s Amy Goodman speaks to author Matt Welch on the subject of his book, McCain: The Myth of a Maverick. What is so striking is how this myth of being a maverick has continued long into his congressional career and is exhibited in the votes he’s receiving from the anti-war crowd despite being more pro-war than any other GOP candidate.
February 12th, 2008 at 11:30 am[…]
http://www.crooksandliars.com/index.php?s=mccain%2C+myth
Strength through paranoia!
What a slogan.
February 12th, 2008 at 11:30 amThe surge has worked just about as well as the search for Osama bin Laden….
Comment by raynman — February 12, 2008 @ 11:28 am
February 12th, 2008 at 11:31 amMore like the surge has worked as hard and as well as Chimpy has throughout his miserable spoiled existence ……..
Wait…
He’s going to bring peace due to people fearing him?
Isn’t that a dictator’s route?
These people’s logic boggles the mind.
February 12th, 2008 at 11:34 amWhen McCain shakes his palsied fist at someone, they cower.
In an attempt to politely hide the fact they’re laughing their ass off.
February 12th, 2008 at 11:34 amHe’s going to bring peace due to people fearing him?
Isn’t that a dictator’s route?
These people’s logic boggles the mind.
Comment by bobcat_grad — February 12, 2008 @ 11:34 am
It worked for Emperor Palpatine.
February 12th, 2008 at 11:35 amIt makes perfect sense. I mean scared and cornered animals are much calmer and peaceful than confident and secure ones. DUH!
February 12th, 2008 at 11:36 amYes, a “bellicose aura” is just what is needed to have influence. Get your way by frightening others and making them afraid to mess with you. Always the best way to achieve your objectives.
This is why when Jesus came to earth, he arrived armed to the teeth, beat up people just so others would be afraid of Him, didn’t hesitate to destroy anyone who didn’t buy into His ideology, and achieved all of his objectives through bullying, threats, and the use of violent force.
Oh wait…
February 12th, 2008 at 11:36 amFebruary 12th, 2008 at 11:37 am
Just look at all the revolutions in history, they obviously had peaceful and loving governments before the revolution. People obviously were sensing weakness and it had nothing to do with malcontent of the citizens.
February 12th, 2008 at 11:37 amHe’s going to bring peace due to people fearing him?
Isn’t that a dictator’s route?
These people’s logic boggles the mind.
Comment by bobcat_grad — February 12, 2008 @ 11:34 am
It worked for Emperor Palpatine.
Comment by toasterhead — February 12, 2008 @ 11:35 am
February 12th, 2008 at 11:37 amNow all we need is for McInsane to become part of the Actor’s Union and we’re all set………….
Last time I checked there weren’t COUNTRIES attacking the US, but armed organizations.
So I guess, that leaves McCain completely useless…
February 12th, 2008 at 11:39 ammissmolly, nice twist ~ who would Jesus threaten (besides money changers in temples, that is)?
February 12th, 2008 at 11:39 amToasterhead at 14, thanks for the laugh.
February 12th, 2008 at 11:41 amwho would Jesus threaten (besides money changers in temples, that is)?
Comment by RUCerious
Heh.
February 12th, 2008 at 11:41 amLast time I checked there weren’t COUNTRIES attacking the US, but armed organizations.
Comment by Juan C. — February 12, 2008 @ 11:39 am
Not for lack of trying on our part, mind you. It’s not our fault that Iran and Syria aren’t taking the bait.
February 12th, 2008 at 11:41 amTR: Speak softly and carry a big stick.
McNut: Scream profanity and exude a bellicose aura
February 12th, 2008 at 11:42 amYeah, only in BizarroWorld.
WTF is wrong with these people??
February 12th, 2008 at 11:46 amMcCain might be able to frighten other countries?
Maybe.
Bush was only able to frighten this country.
February 12th, 2008 at 11:47 amIt’s not our fault that Iran and Syria aren’t taking the bait.
Comment by toasterhead
Oh, don’t forget Tuvalu. They’ve been strangely quiet these years…
Hopefully McCain will just scare them off, like NATO is doing with Russia.
February 12th, 2008 at 11:47 amOh yeah, and we all see how well cowboy diplomacy has worked out for the bush admin. Keep shovelin’ McCain, you’re almost completely buried now.
February 12th, 2008 at 11:49 amHitler called war peace too. A piece of Poland, a piece of France, a piece of …..
February 12th, 2008 at 11:58 amOh, don’t forget Tuvalu. They’ve been strangely quiet these years…
Comment by Juan C. — February 12, 2008 @ 11:47 am
Just you wait. Soon they’ll run out of all possible permutations of .tv domain names. I predict that war will break out all over Micronesia.
February 12th, 2008 at 11:59 amMax Boot is CFR?
February 12th, 2008 at 12:02 pmWow, they let any idiot in, don’t they?
Max Boot, your typical NeoCon scum. Never would dream of serving our country but are anxious as hell to get us involved in wars. These guys are nuts.
February 12th, 2008 at 12:08 pmBoot is moot, so go toot your flute, max.
February 12th, 2008 at 12:12 pmSick, having the world fear us is not going to help, because at some point the playground bully will be taken out when the rest of the kids get sick of him
Don’t think that Russia and China and Europe will get sick of our actions and act together to “Take down the School yard Bully”.
John “100 years of War” McInsane needs to lose and go away.
Buck Fush
February 12th, 2008 at 12:27 pmYer wrong, Max. Our wonderful performance in Iraq and Afghanistan, where I believe someone named Bin Laden if still roaming free, and where what few allies we have are deserting us, combined with the poor condition of the Army and Marines, hardly make anyone afraid to mess with McCain than with most other potential occupants of the Oval Office — or the current one.
Bomb Bomb McCain may have been somewhat proficient at dropping bombs on people, but he shows no sign of knowing how to deal with terrorists.
Signed,
Retired ground pounder
February 12th, 2008 at 12:31 pmHow is this whole bellicose = peace thing working for Iran?
Do these people ever think before they open their yaps? Ever?
February 12th, 2008 at 12:33 pm.
THE GOP FEAR MAMAGEMENT McCAMPAIGN SPOKESMAN SAYS WHAT…?
.
February 12th, 2008 at 12:36 pmMax Boot has a two decade track record for being wrong.
February 12th, 2008 at 12:38 pmMax Boot has a two decade track record for being wrong.
Comment by VerbalKint — February 12, 2008 @ 12:38 pm
February 12th, 2008 at 12:42 pmThat’s why he’s part of the GOP’s upper echelon ………….
Translation: by being a bully and scaring people you will achieve your goals “peacefully”.
Americans - make sure to teach your children that bullying works and is a very American thing to do!
February 12th, 2008 at 1:06 pmHow’s that for a fool’s analysis?
Does the fool not appreciate that mccain’s bellicosity could be exploited to some unsavory end, just like w’s was??????
Has the fool never heard of bear-baiting?
Is the US really a jr. high playground where the threat of reprisal is the foremost organizing principle?
I’m afraid that’s exactly what we’ve become.
February 12th, 2008 at 1:23 pmAmericans - make sure to teach your children that bullying works and is a very American thing to do!
Comment by americangoy — February 12, 2008 @ 1:06 pm
I think I’ll go right out and build a machine gun nest on the corner of my roof that faces the front street.
I’ll show those neighbors of mine not to walk on MY lawn!
February 12th, 2008 at 1:24 pmOMG, that’s all we need. A President the world is afraid of. How far can we sink?
February 12th, 2008 at 1:27 pmThe last holdouts who still believe the surge hasn’t worked are mostly Democratic office-holders.
Comment by JT — February 12, 2008 @ 11:09 am
A large majority of Americans still want us out of Iraq, so I guess they don’t really think the surge has worked.
I love these idiot trolls. If the surge had worked, there would be some political reconciliation in Iraq. If the surge had worked, less not more Iraqi’s would want us out of their country.
February 12th, 2008 at 1:31 pm70 - you forgot the “lie about it” part - one must always lie about it to succeed in the New American Dream.
February 12th, 2008 at 1:35 pm“John McCain’s bellicose aura…”
Lot of good bellicose did Fred Thompson.
February 12th, 2008 at 1:40 pmBark loudly and carry a little stick. :-)
February 12th, 2008 at 3:21 pm“Boot: McCain’s ‘bellicose aura’ is a boon for peace.”
That’s absolute BS designed to lead people into believing that McCain is a promoter of and believer in peace. McCain doesn’t know the difference because of his military training. He’s too willing to listen to hawkish advisers.
February 12th, 2008 at 4:15 pmIt’s the “Nixon in China” theme. Only Nixon could open China, because anyone else would be slammed as a commie. So McCain has an advantage in that he can take dovish moves and avoid criticism from the hawks.
February 12th, 2008 at 7:01 pm