Human Events' lead print edition article for the Oct. 9 issue, "GOP needs new leaders," couldn't have been more to the point. It's time to invoke the West Point creed – Duty, Honor, Country – on Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf and get him into the Republican leadership and the 2008 presidential race.
The polls show the Democrats, the media, Kim Jong-il, George Soros et al., and even Hugo Ch?vez have done a great job painting the president, the administration and the Republicans into a corner with former Rep. Foley. They've done equally well convincing the nation the Republican Congress has done nothing. No one can say they don't deserve credit for a top disinformation campaign.
Although he expressed reluctance to run for the White House some 15 years ago, it's time for Gen. Schwarzkopf to begin suiting up to be commander in chief. Anything he can do prior to the November elections next month will be critical to keep the Congress from the hands of today's far-left Democrats, basically former college radicals and counterculture survivors. Their party no longer is that of Harry Truman and John F. Kennedy.
The general should consider a national TV address before the elections. If he can't persuade the voters that it's not in the nation's interest to hand over one or both houses to this crowd, no one can. Nancy Pelosi? Harry Reid? Teddy Kennedy? Don't President Bush and we have enough trouble now?
Regarding Vice President Cheney, while we all admire him, it seems clear he's not even a whispered candidate for 2008. Time to set the stage for someone who can win and govern in the national interest. The vice president has given yeoman service to the nation and for many years. At great risk to his fragile health, he has striven mightily to set our current course, including the prosecution of the war on terror. He deserves the applause and thanks of all.
The foregoing notwithstanding, the best way to pave the path to victory for Gen. Schwarzkopf and to bring him into policy now would be for Mr. Cheney to step aside soon after the November elections and President Bush nominating the general to take his place. Like still-active former Secretary of State Jim Baker, for example, Cheney could continue to play key roles on behalf of the nation.
Not the least of Gen. Schwarzkopf's attributes is his hands-on military, politico-military and diplomatic experience. He understands the Principle of the Objective, something that has bedeviled the administration. Brought up in the Middle East, he has a background few can challenge.
The known putative Republican presidential hopefuls are quite weak by comparison.
For those who require a refresher, Gen. Schwarzkopf's autobiography is recommended.
Duty, Honor, Country – the West Point creed. The time is NOW for Gen. Schwarzkopf.
Louis V. Riggio
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