5 myths about political hawks and doves

[Robb]

5 myths about political hawks and doves

Since the botched Christmas bombing plot, many of the president's Republican critics have tried to portray him as soft on national security. "Why doesn't he want to admit we're at war?" Dick Cheney asked. Democrats get nervous when the conversation turns to these questions; they're used to being unfavorably stereotyped as doves -- or worse, wimps -- while the GOP is portrayed as hawkish and strong on defense. But a look back at the past 60 years finds plenty of Democratic hawks, Republican doves and any number of curious crossbreeds.

1. Most Republican presidents have been hawks.

While Republicans often talk like hawks, they don't usually end up governing that way. Dwight Eisenhower, who was elected president on the strength of his reputation as a war hero, spent his time in the White House fighting to cut military spending and ended his presidency with an address warning of a "military-industrial complex.".... (MORE)

[Mari333]

1. Interesting article

I disagree with their assessment of Bush, but agree that many dems cannot seem to shake their armchair warrior fantasies any more then many repubs.
wish the article had gone more into detail about WHY politicians from both sides embrace visions of adolescent warmongering for profit.

and wish the article would have gone more into detail about who profits from it, and the politicians who are paid well to make sure corporations have their stinking wars.