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John Bolton’s ‘Why I May Run For President’ Is The ‘If I Did It’ Of The 2012 GOP Race

by Frances Martel | 6:49 pm, August 8th, 2011

» 50 comments

Former American ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton is running for president. This was, for some time, a rumor in certain circles, but Bolton had kept himself out of the spotlight for so long that many had forgotten he was even a potential Republican contender. It turns out eight months or so of other people gallivanting around as Republican hopefuls was enough to bring him out of the woodwork, however, with the most thinly-veiled presidential announcement since the time Tim Pawlenty mistakenly let Piers Morgan in on a little secret.

That announcement came in the form of a column entitled “Why I May Run For President” (emphasis mine) in Human Events, in which Bolton details the ways he sees national security and the economy as one in the same, and gripes that no other Republican candidates have discussed national security with the energy that he would like to see. “Failing to protect our national security inevitably endangers our economic prosperity by making us vulnerable to global adversaries,” Bolton writes, arguing that it is “clear” the President does not believe this is true given his treatment of Israel and his focus on domestic issues and that, if no other Republican will speak up for the significance of national security, he will run. There is, however, no doubt that he will do so.

What makes his threat most believable is how forthright he is about his reason for running. He specifically avoids saying anything that could be interpreted as “in it to win it” language– he’s in it to argue a case, to put in the national spotlight the importance of national security in the economic viability of the nation. As he concludes his piece, he suggests that “no Republican candidate has persuasively argued that our economic recovery and long-term prosperity are completely intertwined with a strong national security posture,” and that he will run if no one argues this to his satisfaction. Here’s a news flash: no one will, because, with the exception of Jon Huntsman, no one in the running has the foreign policy experience to make national security a cornerstone of their platform.

Even if they could, few candidates motivated by one issue in particular abstain from running. Third party candidates are often motivated by environmental issues, drug legalization, and other ideological monoliths, and they have far more of an incentive to run. The goal for these candidates is not to assume office, but to spark a conversation on their topic of choice, for which many are typically at least marginally successful. A Bolton run would almost guarantee a change in the Republican conversation from jobs to national security– if not a dramatic one, at least enough of one to make a run irresistible for someone like Bolton.

That level of certainty of a Bolton campaign makes it almost impossible for the media to care, however, as 2011 has brought in the most elaborate, irresistible presidential media teasing America has likely ever seen. Bolton tossing the word “may” into a column announcing an obvious presidential bid simply cannot compete with the synthetic drama of Sarah Palin‘s Roadtrip To Nowhere or Donald Trump‘s unbelievably effective birther-trolling. “Why I May Run” is the new “If I Did It”– a completely transparent declaration of intent disguised as a contemplation of a narrative that will definitely occur as a mere possibility. That’s not to say Bolton isn’t more qualified than either, nor to say that he wouldn’t deserve more of a spotlight simply due to his extensive experience in foreign policy, but in this day and age, qualifications are simply not enough to command attention.

Palin’s work as governor of Alaska was commendable, and anyone who denies her that fact is either ignorant of her record or a slave to their ill will towards her. But for all intents and purposes, running Alaska qualifies one to be CEO of Exxon-Mobil far more than it does for CEO of America. Palin very noticeably gained no foreign policy experience from her governance, and while she did a good job of running the Alaskan economy, that financial scene is far too idiosyncratic for the skills required to keep it afloat to translate to anything viable in the continental United States.

Then there’s Trump, who has never held public office, who has famously gone bankrupt multiple times, and made a name for himself in the only legal form of racketeering left in America: casinos and real estate. Predicting Trump to be anything less than a foreign policy disaster for the nation seems near impossible, and believing in the possibility that his executive experience in a highly artificial private sector would help him navigate government policy is a leap of faith far too high for most Americans, who once toyed with the possibility, to take seriously as the clock winds down.

And yet Bolton– who, like Palin, still serves as a Fox News commentator– gets even less attention than Gary Johnson, not the least because of how close to his chest he has kept his presidential aspirations. Now that he has come forward with a threat to run, however, it is difficult to believe anything will change for him. This despite of the fact– or possibly because of the fact– that his threat to run is far more believable than that of some of his peers. The “will they or won’t they” game has proven rather profitable for media outlets who have made it a side quest to the main road to the White House, tempting viewers with the luxury (or horror) of adding a colorful new character to the mix, that quirky sitcom neighbor who won’t ever get to run the show but will emphasize the everyman nature of the protagonist (Mitt Romney).

Bolton may have the quirkiness to sell as a fringe candidate, and the record (undersecretary of state, several White House advisory roles) to play hardball on a debate stage, but without the mystery of several months of aimless dithering, his is a candidacy doomed to irrelevance.

2012 elections, Donald Trump, gary johnson, Human Events, John Bolton, Jon Huntsman, Mitt Romney, Republicans, Sarah Palin, Tim Pawlenty, UN

Anonymous

Who was the last serious presidential candidate with a mustache?
Anonymous

Who was the last serious presidential candidate with a mustache?
Anonymous

Whenever I think of this guy in any type of leadership role this always come to mind. http://www.nhgazette.com/display/?id=15
Anonymous

THAT’S POWERFUL !!!!!!!!!!
Anonymous

Eeek! Yosemite Sam on benzedrine.
Anonymous

Thomas Dewey? Makes me think of Larry David’s quote: We’ll elect a Muslim president before we elect a bald man.
Ohio-patriot7

Listen to John Bolton. He is brilliant. I have never heard John waste a word. He is the most precise and articulate communicator I have ever heard and I have been watching him for many years.
Tedderman

And just think as president he could do away with the entire UN and wouldn’t have to stop at just ten floors of it like he wanted when he was Bush’s interim ambassador.
Jerry Baustian

Quote: “”by the time I was about to graduate in 1970, it was clear to me that opponents of the Vietnam War had made it certain we could not prevail, and that I had no great interest in going there to have Teddy Kennedy give it back to the people I might die to take it away from.”

That makes sense. But I guess you had to be there. (the late 1960s and early 1970s, that is)
Jerry Baustian

If the US pulled out of the UN, and then it moved its HQ to Mogadishu, that would be a win-win for everyone.

I used to recommend Port-au-Prince as a future site for the UN. But Mogadishu would be better, don’t you think so?
ecoalex

The GOP crazy train keeps adding on cars.the train to nowhere but down.None of the policies these clowns,and you couldn’t find a stranger class of batsh** crazy.From the Mormons to the evangelicals,Perry soon to announce.to the absurd like Bolton,The GOP is the crazy train to nowhere.I look forward to a Obama primary opponent. Anyone could stand up to the GOP better than laid back Barry.I voted for Nader,not Obama.With the elections close,look for another GOP theft like in 2000 and 2004.
Jhfgjy

I think I saw him in some 70s porn
Anonymous

This chickenhawk piece of crap couldn’t even get confirmed as Ambassador to the UN. Bush put this piece of filth in the Ambassador position as a recess appointment because he couldn’t get enough republican support to get a positive recommendation.

P.S. Francis quitting halfway through a term as governor to avoid investigation,cash in on your fame and tweet all day is not commendable.
Anonymous

full of mayhem and lies – good one odd job.
Palin was investigated and all stupid baseless lawsuits dropped. I guess you’ve been a cave dweller for a while – either that or you enjoy lying. That really isn’t commendable but routine for a democrat. All you have is lies and smears. Grow up.
Anonymous

You voted for Nadar – that explains it. And, you call the GOP crazy? lol
Anonymous

mediaite is doing its best with cropping and finding silly pictures of republicans (guess they got the memo). Good job there Frances – nothing like fair and unbalanced.
Anonymous

You need to seek the truth. She cited the cost of having to defend herself from ethics charges as one of the reasons she was quitting. She quit to avoid being investigated, there were no baseless lawsuits dropped. The ethics charges weren’t criminal lawsuits. Why would I expect a teabagger to understand anything about ethics. The fact is she left office and avoided the ethics charges headed her way. A truth that doesn’t fit your fantasized view of Palin is not a lie or a smear it’s the truth, deal with it.
Anonymous

“odd job” LOL
Anonymous

For: “The what its worth Department.”

I greatly admire John Bolton. He was the only competent UN Ambassador in years. The man is very forthcoming. ( which is an undesirable trait for a plurality of pseudo-americans)

Purveyor
Anonymous

Bravo!
Anonymous

Have you thought about Americans Elect 2012? https://secure.americanselect.org/
Anonymous

The GOP is beyond crazy and very anti-american!!
Anonymous

The GOP is beyond crazy and very anti-american!!
Anonymous

truly funny coming from someone who’s still peddling crap. Look it up twit.
http://twitter.com/SailRabbits Magister

The Republicans are still at the inexpensive stage of their contest. Bruce Babbitt rode his bike around Iowa and now Santorum has his kids packed into a couple of minivans.

To be honest, Bolton doesn’t really strike me as an Iowa guy, but he could possibly retail his way to third or fourth in New Hampshire. The actual campaigning would help him sell books and ideas, plus it could increase demand for him as a pundit and if a Republican were to prevail in November, all of his networking could get him considered for Secretary of State or another post.

IOW: I don’t see him becoming the nominee, but that doesn’t mean he shouldn’t run.
Anonymous

Yeah, he communicates his craziness perfectly.
Anonymous

bwahah.. honestly or sadly thats the best this old hobbit could possibly look.. she did him a favor actually by cropping out his hair or rather that raccoon wig he calls hair from his picture..
Kristy Patullo

Yeah, because we all know how much experience Obama had before becoming President. You libs didn’t much seem to care then. He was supposed to be so brilliant! Look how brilliantly he ran his campaign! Well, look how brilliantly he got our once great country downgraded. And how he brilliantly got us into a third war. Meanwhile, you have a woman with an impeccable record as a Gov. A woman with executive experience. A woman who was commander-in-chief of the AK National Guard. And yet that’s still not good enough. Well, I didn’t listen to you guys then, and I’m not gonna listen to you now. Palin gets my vote. The only one I trust to get us out of this mess. You’d do well to listen to me this time. This way you won’t embarrass yourself again.
Redleaf

He’ll have to pass the GOP purity test:
1) does he hate gays?
2) does he love war?
3) is he so pure of soul that he has never done anything questionable in his entire personal life, like cheat on a girlfriend, smoke pot, jaywalk, get divorced or lie on his golf card?

These are the important questions.
Anonymous

I think you are mistaken on #3. That test only applies to Democrats because IOKIYAR.
Redleaf

Please define “pseudo-American.”
http://www.facebook.com/people/Bob-Uda/1044488632 Bob Uda

If he had some charisma, he would be the best candidate out there. I like his thinking and style.
Redleaf

Conservatives like his style because he tells everybody to f*ck off if he disagrees with them.
If he became president (0% chance) he would no longer be able to do that.

“But why not? Why can’t he hold a Rose Garden press conference and say, ‘Muslims can go f*ck themselves. God bless America’”?

Well, you see, that’s great in your world, where throwing your balls around with no thought of national or international consequence equals strength. But as leader of the free world, that’s not acceptable.

“But why not? I want my president to say, ‘Esteemed Congressman from Iowa, if you don’t vote for my bill, I will hold your state financially hostage in any way that is Constitutionally allowable, even if it means throwing your citizens out on the street.’

Well, you see, that’s great in your world, where threats are seen as “not taking crap from anyone.” But as leader of the free world, that’s not acceptable.

Although this is all conjecture, since he ain’t gonna be president, Bolton would be a horrible president.
Anonymous

Socialist-Democrats, are psuedo-americans. (small a) To coin a phrase, an AINO–American in name only. Todays, Socialist Dems exhibit very little of what the Founders envisioned, intended or hoped for their progeny. Ergo, Self determination and free enterprise born of liberty, unencumbered by a tyrannical Government.

I am sure you already knew the answer to your own question.

Purveyor
Anonymous

I accidentally hit “Like,” so schmegma does NOT like.

Anyway, Bolton is thoughtful, experienced, reserved and articulate. Moreover he is a student of human interaction and conflict resolution, sans weakness. Bolton has always recognized that America, for generations, has negotiated from a position of self imposed weakness. Were he President, such would change to my approval.

You REDLEAF, are a vulgar lout. Clean up your act and your Posts.

Purveyor
Redleaf

I think you need to unwrap yourself from the flag. It’s cutting off your air.

Nixon created the EPA, the Consumer Product
Safety Commission, the Clear Air Act of 1970 and the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration. That sounds like “tyranical government” to me. Is he a pseudo-American? Is Bush a psuedo-American because he started two wars, expressly
against the wishes of George Washington, who warned of avoiding
“foreign entanglements”?

Stop spouting patriot-porn like you’re carrying the torch for George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. You’re just someone who watches too much Hannity and gets riled up into a hateful froth. Or maybe you’re now the national arbiter of who is a real American and who is a pseudo-American.
Redleaf

So let me get this straight: I’m a vulgar lout and your username is schmegma.
Maybe you’d like to tell everyone what schmegma means.
Then we can decide who is the “vulgar lout.”
Anonymous

Etymologically, Schmegma is a made up word, a colloquialism at best. The word you are thinking of “smegma.” “SCHmegma” is not in the new Oxford American, “smegma” is. SCHmegma is not in medical dictionaries, smegma is. You might find schmegma in some on line dictionaries, again, is a made up word. For all you know, my last name is Schmegma? There was a famous motorcycle Racer during the 80′s whose last name was/is “Schwantz,” which is Jewish slang for penis. So it is possible this is my las name and that I come from a proud history of “Schmegmites. So there!
Redleaf

You can dance all you want, but you created the username schmegma because you wanted to evoke word smegma. Whether you spelled it schmegma because 1) you thought smegma would get flagged by the host or 2) your juvenile mind thought it was hilarious or 3) you wanted to tell your friends about your awesome username on mediaite.com, the point is the same.

Or maybe you’d like to tell us the perfectly innocent reason you chose the username schmegma. Take your time and really consider the reasoning you’re about to pull out of your butt. I’m sure it’ll be worth the wait.
Anonymous

My girlfriends are all ‘callipygous,’ and they all find me and my name fascinating.
Anonymous

lol
http://aimeslee.blogspot.com/ Scrapette Jones

Oh my, reading these comments is a bit like living in the Twilight Zone. Eegads, Bolton is thoughtful and serious? Ok, but does it end up giving him anything credible to offer us? Heck no. He’s a BLOWHARD, plain and simple. Every single time he shows up on Greta I groan and turn the channel cuz it’s the same old same old. He’s one-note blowhard. Here’s an idea: enlist Santorum as his running mate and they can campaign as TWO-NOTE BLOWHARDS.
Anonymous

That quote is bullshit, I don’t know when he said it, but in 1970 no one graduating was thinking that. In 1970 you either wanted to go to Vietnam and fight, or you didn’t want to go. I never heard ANYONE say: I WOULD go, I WANT to go, but you know, the politics. Or anything close to that.
Anonymous

The sentence above should have read: In 1970 you either wanted to go to Vietnam and fight, and did go, or you didn’t want to go. Or you went because you couldn’t get out of the draft.
Anonymous

I was there, 69 – 72, volunteered, now disabled. Would do it again if my Country needed me, but not for a President who is not a Leader, like Obama. Hell, he wouldn’t even be able to pass an FBI investigation like I had to, for Sensitive Areas, he would fail. He can’t even get his background straight, lol! All my years in the service, 69 – 90, I loved and respected every President, even Carter, who was the worst leader I served under, just worthless, but I thought his heart was in the right place. But Obama, I wouldn’t waste spit on, gave him a chance and he turned out to be a Loser, and even worse than Carter, couldn’t give a shit about America or We, the People. He will find out in 2012, for sure. Only way he can win is thru Fraud, which he, and his ilk, are capable of. 2012 would be a very good year to be prepared for anything.
Anonymous

I have always like Bolton for his outspoken manner, which is good in a True Leader. I could get off on a Bolton/West ticket, they would kick ass and take names! One thing is for sure, in 2012, Anyone But Obama!
JoGo3338

I agree..I am thrilled at the prospect of him running for President..no games, lots of experience, extremely intelligent, well spoken and not overly wordy either…He will restore this country..We all know that sacrifices must be made but it will be easier to take with a person in office who can truly lead..that my friends is what will give us hope…and rescue us from the joke that is our government right now.
rexxooxx

What have you got against a pragmatist who is honest enough to tell the freakin’ truth. I kissed the ground when my draft lottery number came up over 250 for the same exact reasons. I was sick about my friends who were killing or being killed in a cause that our government could not afford to let us win.
Anonymous

It was a war we should never went in in the first place.
All those guy killed and maimed for life. for what? a war for the politicians. I don’t think so.
Anonymous

Fine, but then Bolton shouldn’t be a chickenhawk and telling everyone to fight a war when he dodged the draft not to go to war. That’s called a hypocrit i.e. chickenhawk.