Freddy is absolutely correct in saying of the contrast between Obama’s rhetoric and neoconservatism “it’s not much of an argument, but it is right.”  And so because I don’t have too much credibility apologizing for Obama in this connection, not least of all with myself, I will simply refer readers to Pat, who nails it as always, and also to Steve Walt.  And it is for all these reasons that I must register strong disagreement with Jack Hunter that, whatever else Obama may be doing, he has not adopted the “Bush Doctrine”, indeed I’ve always questioned whether one should take seriously the existence of such a thing in the first place.

I would just also add that yes, this is really all about keeping violence down until after the midterms and then getting the hell out, and it would be for that reason especially that Obama will be sure to get out before going back to the voters.  The moral objection to all this has its place, but it is pernicious to use it as cover to argue that we are dealing with Bush the Trotskyite all over again.