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Frontpage Interview’s guest today is Andrew C. McCarthy, a senior fellow at the National Review Institute and a columnist for National Review. His book Willful Blindness: A Memoir of the Jihad (Encounter Books, 2008), has just been released in paperback with a new preface. Check out a description from Encounter Books.
FP: Andy McCarthy, welcome to Frontpage Interview.
I would like to talk to you today about Scott Brown’s victory in Massachusetts and how it was the issue of national-security that put Brown over Coakley.
Can you talk a bit about that? The people seemed to have cared about terrorism and the treatment of enemy combatants, yes?
McCarthy: Jamie, great to be here as always. And you’re right. The Brown campaign’s internal polling told them something very interesting. While it’s true that healthcare is what nationalized the election and riveted everyone’s attention to it, it was the national security issues that put real distance between the two candidates in the mind of the electorate—in blue Massachusetts of all places. Sen.-elect Brown was able to speak forcefully and convincingly on issues like treating our jihadist enemies as combatants rather than mere defendants, about killing terrorists and preventing terrorism rather than contenting ourselves with prosecutions after Americans have been killed, about tough interrogation when necessary to save innocent lives. Martha Coakley, by contrast, had to try to defend the indefensible, which is Obama-style counterterrorism. It evidently made a huge difference to voters.
FP: What do you think of how Bush was treated on this whole issue?
McCarthy: As many of us predicted during the Bush years when the president was being hammered by the Left and the press, history is treating him much more kindly on the national security front. His movement of the country to a war-footing rather than treating international terrorism as a criminal justice matter was common sense, but common sense cuts against the Washington grain so it took a strong president to do it. Now, on issue after issue, he is being vindicated—he and Vice President Cheney, who has become the country’s leading voice on national security, after spending years being vilified.
FP: What role did McCain play?
McCarthy: Sen. McCain is, as ever, a mixed bag. He’s recently been very good on the need to treat the enemy as an enemy, not as a defendant. So that was helpful to Brown. But it can’t be forgotten that McCain was the force behind the libel of Bush as a torture monger and the consequent ruination of our interrogation policy. And it was the “McCain Amendment” that gave us, as a matter of law, the extension of Fifth Amendment rights to our enemies overseas, which has had awful ramifications even outside the issue of interrogation practices. McCain is responsible for a lot of the fodder that made Obama possible.
FP: What lessons should Republicans take from Brown’s success?
McCarthy: These national security positions resonate with voters. Healthcare, TARP, and the economic issues in general are very important, but they’re complex and make people’s eyes glaze over sometimes. The national defense issues, besides being the most important ones confronted by a political community, are comparatively easy to wrap your brain around. And strong, unapologetic national defense in a time of terrorist threat is appealing to voters. So we should be arguing these issues forcefully, and not worry about the fact that the left-wing legacy media will say nasty things about us. Their instinctive America-bashing is why they are speaking to—or, better, speaking at—a steadily decreasing audience.
FP: The Left pretends that its positions in how to confront terror (or not to) are somehow founded on the Constitution. What’s the mindset here?
McCarthy: Yes, because they reject the foundational fact that the Constitution is a compact between the American people and the government they created. They think every person on planet earth is an American waiting to happen, born with the full panoply of American constitutional rights that can be asserted against the American people. And they think the courts, rather than being a peer branch of our government, stand over and above our government: a forum where the rest of the world, including enemies of the United States, is invited to make its case against the United States. That’s a warped understanding of the Constitution.
FP: What hope does Brown’s victory give? What do you think Obama, Holder and Napolitano are thinking – or not thinking?
McCarthy: Well, I think it’s Brown combined with what’s happened in New Jersey and Virginia, with Obama’s plunging numbers, the unpopularity of the Democrats’ healthcare, employment and national-security policies, and the disgusting wheeling-and-dealing the supposedly “transparent” Left is doing behind close doors (i.e., not on C-SPAN). All these things give hope that freedom is on the march, that people are broadly rejecting statism. But I don’t think Obama is a normal politician and that his administration is a conventional “let’s modulate to remain viable” administration.
Enacting their agenda is more important to them than being reelected, and they are not to be underestimated.
FP: Why do you think that when I see or think about Janet Napolitano I am engulfed with a profound sense of doom and despair?
McCarthy: Well, if I have this right, she is an official who is in charge of securing the homeland but — after ballyhooed, years-long investigations, including by the 9/11 Commissions — she didn’t know how the 9/11 hijackers got here, thought they snuck in from Canada, and believes that what they did when they got here was a “man-caused disaster” that had nothing to do with jihadist ideology (indeed, she thinks that saying “jihadist” is problematic). She does see ideology as a problem, of course, but only if it is … conservative ideology. That is, she thinks the real terror threat comes from people with radical ideas like limited government, the sanctity of life, and the Second Amendment — especially if they’re military vets who’ve served in George Bush’s wars of aggression. And she is in charge of enforcing the immigration laws but wasn’t aware that entering the country illegally is a criminal offense.
I can’t imagine why you’d have a problem with any of that, Jamie.
FP: Who needs horror movies or a tragic film to make you cry when you have things like this to think about?
Well, let’s move on:
What was this whole thing about Brown’s pick-up truck and Obama making fun of it? I thought Obama represented the common man?
McCarthy: This president has lived a very different kind of life from most Americans. He lived his early, formative years in Indonesia, a majority-Muslim police state. After he returned to America at age ten or so, he dove into the fever-swamps of the Left and was steeped in the cynicism and nihilism of Saul Alinsky. For years, he’s surrounded himself with fawning sycophants who’ve told him he’s “The One.” And he’s extremely insulated from the real world of everyday Americans. I don’t think the sudden burst of Obama-style populism is going to fly — and going after Brown’s pick-up is a good indication of why. He thinks people who like their pick-up trucks are bitter-clingers. Actually, they’re Americans.
FP: Brown vs. Obama, 2012?
McCarthy: I don’t think we should get ahead of ourselves. Brown’s an impressive, talented guy, but he’s also someone no one outside of Massachusetts had heard of until a few short weeks ago. But this does underscore something I’ve been saying for a long time. As late as 1991, few people really knew who Bill and Hillary Clinton were, and yet they’ve towered over our politics from 1992 forward. The world changed on a dime on 9/11.
A year ago today, with Pres. Obama just inaugurated and with the Democrats having wide margins in Congress, the Republican party seemed dead and even conservative intellectuals were telling us we had to abandon Reagan conservatism—the conservatism that’s leading us out of the woods. This is all a long-winded way of saying: We may not yet know, even today, who the leaders will be when 2012 rolls around. We’ve got a ton on our plate right now, and the unknown tomorrow. You know the old saw, “You want to make God laugh—tell Him about your plans.” Right now, I’m worried about today, and content to figure 2012 will take care of itself.
FP: Well before we say goodbye for now, what is on your mind the most right now? What can you tell our readers that will give us all some hope that America, despite its current leadership, can prevail against the threats it faces?
McCarthy: After slumbering for too long, the public — the great swath of Americans that is basically conservative, patriotic, and thinks the country is the best the world has ever known, not in dire need of transformative “change” — has asserted itself. But even if he’s held to one term, Obama will leave us in a deep hole. The reckless borrowing and spending would take decades to dig out of even if we stopped it tomorrow. There is a lot of mischief a sprawling executive bureaucracy can do in four years, and Obama is likely to stock the federal courts with very left-wing judges who will try to impose transnational progressivism by fiat if the Republicans don’t have the gumption to stop the president from appointing them. And that last point is what I think about most.
The challenge for Republicans is not to win the next elections. The smart Democrats have already factored elections in. Obama Leftists are not conventional politicians. They are true-believers. Of course they hope their friends at ACORN and similar outfits will soften the blow come November. But if not, they are willing to endure electoral losses for what they see as the greater good of using this one-time opportunity they have to transform this country radically.
Republicans don’t so much need a plan to win elections — the Democrats’ statist policies and their irresponsible positions on national security will take care of that. Stopping bad government is not enough. Republicans need a plan, after they win elections, to roll back what the Left has done and is doing. That will require courage and skill. I hope we have it, but I confess to worrying about whether we do.
FP: Andy McCarthy, thank you, and a pleasure and honor as always to speak with you.
Haven forbid – The Americans could be next!
You should see this video ! http://xrl.us/bgscr5
Wow! Read this one. It is really good. And this gentleman says it just like it is.
This venerable and much honored WW II vet is well known in Hawaii
for his seventy-plus years of service to patriotic organizations and causes all over the country. A humble man without a political bone in his body, he has never spoken out before about a government official, until now. He dictated this letter to a friend, signed it and mailed it to the president. Consult : http://xrl.us/bgeewc
Scott Brown won therefore Americans don't care if they get sick and end up homeless?
Yes, your right hilary, we need the government to do everything for us. We cant be expected to do anything for ourselves, thats crazy. We are like little children wandering around in the dark who need papa government to help us.
No, Americans realize nothing is free, or at least "free" is not as good as something you work hard and pay for. Ya, health care is free in some of these countries, but a bandaide and asperin dont cure cancer.
Live free or die!
She must not know how well Medicare and the VA Health system works. If she did, she wouldn't be writing such trash, but a Hilary is a Hilary.
If only I had a BRAIN. Oh welll after my stupid respose I show that I do not have a BRAIN!!!!
Get your eyes off my wallet and my house, Hilary. Do what adults do–get a job. While you're at it, vote for someone who won't destroy the economy so you can get a job.
I don't know where guys like Scott Brown get the courage to be for "freedom" and "stopping terrorists" and "saving innocent lives". Who wants some woman with her minsterating and coddling of our enemies.
"Republicans don’t so much need a plan to win elections — the Democrats’ statist policies and their irresponsible positions on national security will take care of that."
Oh we know…and it's a good thing because they don't have a plan. Just say you're a patriot and you're going to "take the country back" from "Marxists" and you'll be all set.
"Stopping bad government is not enough. Republicans need a plan, after they win elections, to roll back what the Left has done and is doing."
Christ…it's been a year…Obama has barely made a dent in rolling back Bush's mistakes and it took Bush eight years to screw things up this bad.
Oh I dont know, which is better, the natianal security policy of the Bush admin, or one year of the Obama admin. Lets see, under Bush nothing happened here in the states for eight years, compared with one year of the Obama admin. Ok its only been one year. Obama hasnt had enough time to prove to the enemy that we are friends and we mean them no harm and we are sorry for what Bush did in kicking them in the teeth. So we wait on that one and see how he does the next three years. That is if you feel comfortable with that, cause I hear bin laden is planning another attack, hope it aint in your home town. Obama would have to serve him with a supeana.
Right…because some stupid narrative about not treating the "terrorists" like "criminals" trumps everything else. Get some thoughts of your own. I already know you are capable of reproducing FPM thought very well.
and What about 9/11? Didn't that happen on Bush's watch?
You do realize that the President isnt able to produce a forcefield dome of protection if he only tries hard enough?
Your right, Bush got lucky. Lets see how lucky BO is. I dont expect him to use a forcefield, he will probably use voodoo : )
Sorry I had to split my comment in two.
2012, christ its only been 4 years, we need to spend another trillion to fix this economy thats in deep debt hehehe. Thats funny. It looks like the "people" are going to have the last say in this. What Obama said in the campaign sounded good but we didnt get the full details or the truth so off he goes. Its funny how the left has to misrepresent themselves in order to get elected. Even rebrand themselves by calling themselves "Progressives". Whats the new name they will call themselves when that one wears out, "the guys who care", "we are the cool guys", or "the guys who give away free stuff"?
Still in love with your Mandingo man like Tingle Leg Chris Mathews. Brown says he is a you're a patriot and we are going to "take the country back" from "Marxists", A Damn good first order of business!!!
You got it. Let's throw suspects in the river. If they sink, they are innocent…if they float they are Marxists and we can hang them. It's the only fair way to go.
You're just a big slogan man Sniper. You never stood a chance against this cultic nonsense. You don't even understand what I am saying in my post because it doesn't strike you as EASY PANDERING…to say those things and imply (no matter how wrongly) that your opponent is "soft on terror".
[...] Read more at FrontPage Magazine. [...]
PETITION for JUSTICE for U.S. MILITARY HERO
Deliberately withholding critical evidence in U.S. court; prejudice and injustice against non-Muslims must stop! Non-Muslims must have the human right to defend themselves from violent Muslim attackers. NON-MUSLIMS MUST HAVE JUSTICE and HUMAN RIGHTS
WORLDNETDAILY
Sentence for killing terrorist reduced
Appeal still pending for soldier who fired in self-defense
January 23, 2010
By Bob Unruh
The sentence for a U.S. soldier who says he killed an al-Qaida operative in self-defense has been reduced by the Army Clemency Board from 20 to 15 years, according to a statement released by supporters of 1st Lt. Michael Behenna.
The focal point of the arguments has been a statement by a witness for the prosecution that Behenna's own description of shooting the al-Qaida operative in self-defense was the only explanation supported by the facts.
The issue is raising concern because of the decision by the prosecution to not only exclude the statement from the case but withhold it from the defense until after the conviction.
"Yet it is still hard to believe that this wonderful young man who fought so bravely for his country could sit behind bars until he turns 40 years of age. I promise you that our fight for him will not end until Michael is free once more."
We believe that Michael's appeal is especially strong based upon the prosecutor’s withholding of critical evidence from the jury,"
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pag...
The DEFEND MICHAEL BEHENNA Website
http://defendmichael.wordpress.com/
Please sign the petition for a persecuted American military hero!
http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi...
Obama Says U.S. Long-Term Debt Load ‘Unsustainable’
By Roger Runningen and Hans Nichols
May 14 (Bloomberg) — President Barack Obama, calling current deficit spending “unsustainable,” warned of skyrocketing interest rates for consumers if the U.S. continues to finance government by borrowing from other countries.
“We can’t keep on just borrowing from China,” Obama said at a town-hall meeting in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, outside Albuquerque. “We have to pay interest on that debt, and that means we are mortgaging our children’s future with more and more debt.”
Holders of U.S. debt will eventually “get tired” of buying it, causing interest rates on everything from auto loans to home mortgages to increase, Obama said. “It will have a dampening effect on our economy.”…
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&a...
Obama admits the terrible financial destruction wrought against Americans. WHY THEN DOES OBAMA NOT IMMEDIATELY REVERSE THIS TRAGEDY?
A major investor states America is going to reach Zimbabwe hyperinflation.
http://economyincrisis.org/articles/show/2942
Billions of dollars urgently needed for America's defense is instead gifted to Islam. Nuclear Iran and nuclear North Korea both state they intend to destroy America. They are not idle threats. The same venomous hate for the U.S. is shared by other nations and Muslim terrorist organizations. The treasonous response of the U.S. government to America's increasing danger, is to drastically reduce our defenses facilitating America's annihilation.
See: Aloha, "Star Wars" By: Washington Times Editorial
Washington Times | Monday, June 29, 2009
http://www.frontpagemag.com/readArticle.aspx?ARTI...
The destruction of America's economy is planned. How many millions will be left jobless, homeless and starving with no money and no resources to help them?
Fall Of The Republic – The Presidency Of Barack H Obama – The Full Movie HQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8LPNRI_6T8&fe...
Get your gun and your copy of "Going Rogue" and head for the mountains.
Reshaping America doesn't work, nor does anything else proposed in Washington.
The message sent to Obama gets nothing more than a shoulder shrug.
Building services jobs
Building services jobs
Building services jobs
[...] Brown’s National Security Victory Massachusetts voters reject treating our terrorist enemies like common criminals. [...]
Hello,
I think one of the most staggering things that was left out of the Scott Brown win was when he was about to win that seat was that the President of the United States of America slipped into town on a Sunday to help out his pal Martha Coakley, and all during his speech, and for once he did not have Mr. "TELLY" with him I am deeply surprised. But any how (1)-He degraded the mans truck, which by the way is made here in this country by the same union thugs that got him elected, and (2)-He denounced the mans character. Scott Brown is a active member in the National Guard, and HIS Commander-In-Chief came to his home-town and said nasty things about him. Whats up with that. Oh thats right he can blame it on the former President like he has everything else that he has screwed up. Way to go President Obama. You are such a "HERO" to so few people now. What a country we live in. May God have Mercy on us soon.
Thanks,
Larry C.
"IN GOD WE TRUST"
Even though the U.S. is bankrupt, we are engaged in wars we cannot afford. And 'fighting' wars, the U.S. HAS NO INTENTION OF WINNING! The war on terror is phony. Our brave, patriotic military are dying in their youth for NOTHING.
Monday, December 14, 2009
FROM JOSEPH FARAH'S G2 BULLETIN
WorldNetDaily Exclusive
It's not just the enemy
killing U.S. soldiers …
You won't believe new rules
of engagement in Afghanistan
WASHINGTON – New military rules of engagement ostensibly to protect Afghan civilians are putting the lives of U.S. forces in jeopardy, claim Army and Marine sources, as the Taliban learns the game plan based the rules' imposed limits.
The rules of engagement, or ROEs, apply to all coalition forces of the United States and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization…the Taliban is well aware of them and has its own forces acting in ways to counteract them.
Critics see the new ROEs being more oriented toward defensive rather than offensive operations, as evidenced by recent charges of murder against two U.S. Army snipers because they had targeted a Taliban commander who reportedly wasn't holding a weapon.
The actual ROEs are said to be classified U.S. and NATO secrets, but based on individual soldier accounts, those restrictions include the following:
* No night or surprise searches
* Villagers are to be warned prior to searches
* Afghan National Army, or ANA, or Afghan National Police, or ANP, must accompany U.S. units on searches
* U.S. soldiers may not fire at insurgents unless they are preparing to fire first
* U.S. forces cannot engage insurgents if civilians are present
* Only women can search women
* Troops can fire on insurgents if they catch them placing an IED but not if insurgents walk away from where the explosives are.
Often, rules of engagement require varying levels of approvals before action can be taken. In one case, villagers had tipped off U.S. forces of the presence of a Taliban commander who was threatening village elders.
To get permission to go after him, U.S. troops had to get 11 separate Afghan, U.S. and international forces' approval to the plan. The approval, however, did not come until well into the next day. By then, the Taliban commander had moved on, to the consternation of the villagers who had provided the tip. Observers have claimed that it can take some 96 hours to acquire all the permissions to act.
In other cases, the use of force against insurgents may be blocked if they lower their guns, only to have those insurgents return later to attack.
Also, ISAF troops cannot engage insurgents if they are leaving an area where an IED has been planted. In one case, insurgents planting an IED had detected the presence of U.S. forces and immediately began leaving the area, tossing evidence of their preparations along the way. U.S. forces could not fire on them.
The ROEs in some cases have gone beyond limiting ISAF troops in their operations. In one case, ROE restrictions were in effect when four U.S. Marines twice pleaded by radio for artillery support in combat action in Kunar Province in Afghanistan – and twice they were refused, before they were killed.
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.printable&am...
Unethical American leaders are to blame for the killing of our four U.S. Marines. How many more Americans and allies will be killed and maimed because of U.S. rules that highly favor cruel enemies? This is NOT a war that is being fought to win. Just the opposite. Stop the ruthless abuse of our military. Save the lives of our troops and allies! Bring them home now!
No, change the ROE and fight to win.
[...] Glazov of Frontpage interviewed Andrew McCarthy of National Review,”Brown’s National Security Win” [...]