This is great so far. What year are you planning to go up to?
I just found this TL and may I just say it is absolutely magnificent. I’m watching this for sure. Please keep it up, because it’s such a well written variant of an idea that gets kicked around but never truly touched on.
thanks so much, I appreciate it. I'm also a Beaten Path fan!
Thanks, I appreciate it!Brilliant writing. I love the format and character building, along with some formidable cross-party appointments in the McCain administration! Subbed, keep going
I agree but I don't think it's impossible to say that McCain might be swayed against it.I must say, this is where this narrative seems to go against the grain of who McCain is. McCain was a neoconservative who agreed with the likes of Wolfowitz on the pressing need for intervention in Iraq.
I must say, this is where this narrative seems to go against the grain of who McCain is. McCain was a neoconservative who agreed with the likes of Wolfowitz on the pressing need for intervention in Iraq.
I would actually challenge you a bit. I think this is a situation where Senator McCain is different than President McCain. As a follower, it was easy for McCain to drift and agree with a rationale that was being presented to him that confirmed biases and preconceived notions he had. As President, he’s getting more intelligence and is responsible for the decision.
In this article, McCain believes he would’ve been able to see through Iraq and while I agree completely that this is the advantage of hindsight, I think his explanation of why holds weight and can be useful to showing his thinking: https://time.com/3003299/john-mccain-iraq/.
I would also say that it’s worth considering what removing Wolfowitz, Rumsfeld, and Dick Cheney from the equation means to the argument around Iraq. McCain is hearing different voices than Bush did. That said, conversation about Iraq is far from over. Regime change was in the 2000 platform OTL and was the stated policy under Clinton as well.
Watch this space, but I think McCain would have a different leadership style from Bush...
I would actually challenge you a bit. I think this is a situation where Senator McCain is different than President McCain. As a follower, it was easy for McCain to drift and agree with a rationale that was being presented to him that confirmed biases and preconceived notions he had. As President, he’s getting more intelligence and is responsible for the decision.
In this article, McCain believes he would’ve been able to see through Iraq and while I agree completely that this is the advantage of hindsight, I think his explanation of why holds weight and can be useful to showing his thinking: https://time.com/3003299/john-mccain-iraq/.
I would also say that it’s worth considering what removing Wolfowitz, Rumsfeld, and Dick Cheney from the equation means to the argument around Iraq. McCain is hearing different voices than Bush did. That said, conversation about Iraq is far from over. Regime change was in the 2000 platform OTL and was the stated policy under Clinton as well.
Watch this space, but I think McCain would have a different leadership style from Bush...