Hawk versus pragmatist
By Clive Crook

Hillary Clinton’s campaign is not over, but the US presidential election in November seems ever more likely to be between Barack Obama and John McCain. It would be a fascinating struggle and a quite different one from the nomination contests seen up to now. The issue of personality, which dominated the Democratic race from the start, would not disappear – nor should it – but it would subside and leave space for an overdue debate about policy. This shift may test Mr Obama, if he is indeed the nominee, more than he and other Democrats expect.

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I guess what drew me to this article was the need for an "overdue debate about policy." I would love to hear the two parties debate the future of the United States unburdened by Iraq, fiscal recklessness of unabated GOP spending, "straight talk" about entitlements and our undying need to bring democracy to the masses.

I applauded Dr. Paul in his last debate appearance when he broke up the Mcain/Romney lovers spat with a cogent point. Dr. Paul stated that it is time to truly debate foreign policy. I have been watching and waiting for a candidate to truly describe set out the costs and benefits of US policy. We have flip-flopped back and forth between Republican/Democrat administrations for years without ever reversing course.

I wish to remind our elected officials of words that have long been forgotten – “The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible.” I give credit to those who read all of this speech.