It's a shame that Democratic abandonment of anti-war has left the door open to Ron Paul types

[BeyondGeography]

49. There is a puritopian element on the left that refuses to give an inch to the reality

of terrorism and the need for any party that wants to win national elections to have an effective response to it. This while also minimizing, sneering at or just plain denying Barack Obama's real FP accomplishments. I don't know about you, but I watched Republicans win many an election questioning Democrats' commitment to defense and our patriotism. What a pleasure it was to see Mitt Romney and his party neutered on those fronts last year, hard as they (pathetically) tried to make Benghazi Barack Obama's 9/11.

Meantime, Obama has gotten us out of Iraq, will end our combat role in Afghanistan and is fully committed to closing down Guantanamo. That said, a fair amount of Muslim male energy still dedicates itself to perfecting the underwear bomb and killing innocent Americans, and the President, damn him, tries to keep up by targeting their leadership.

And, of course, you probably think that's all a steaming pile. Fire away, but my time on this part of the earth has convinced me that you can not hope to sniff a chance at winning the White House without maintaining a level of vigilance on the national security front that many here just won't accept.