Being John Bolton

John R. Bolton – who has served in every Republican administration from Reagan on – has kicked up a fuss with his memoir of the Trump White House: “The Room Where It Happened.” With Jay, he talks about the president, the world, and himself.

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Published in: Politics

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  1. Aaron Miller Inactive
    Aaron Miller
    @AaronMiller

    I have long been a Bolton fan and did not vote for Trump in the primary. But I’m not confident in Bolton’s assessments. 

    George W Bush was famously chummy with Putin during his presidency. 

    Trump has indeed been polite and complimentary of dictators. It could just be a negotiating strategy or it could be genuine admiration of assertive power. In any case, results are what matter. It was Trump, not Bush, who pushed back on China. Overall, our position in the world is not greatly changed from our circumstances under other Republican presidents. 

    A base in Afghanistan might make sense as an enduring launch point for operations in the region. But our soldiers do not sign up to be bait for terrorists. We should fight to win, not to establish an equilibrium by which Americans die over there so Americans don’t die here. That certainly was not the strategy promoted in the early years of the war. 

    Trump is less of a threat than any alternative president, even if he broke with his current innocuous record, because our courts lawlessly restrain even his true legal authorities and our media hate him. His lack of clear philosophy and his oafish rhetoric are problematic. I would still prefer to vote for Ted Cruz. But none of the major problems facing America today originated with Trump and none will disappear if he is replaced. 

    • #1
  2. Charlotte Member
    Charlotte
    @Charlotte

    I enjoyed this discussion. John Bolton is always well-spoken and interesting to listen to, whether or not you agree with him.

    • #2
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