From Dole to Clinton: Why One Man Changed Sides

February 6, 2008

From Dole to Clinton: Why One Man Changed Sides

Robert Ellsworth, three-term Republican congressman, former ambassador to NATO and the man who ran Bob Dole’s presidential campaign in 1988, has switched sides. After endorsing Clinton, Ellsworth discusses how the Republicans have lost their soul,

Robert Ellsworth, three-term Republican congressman, former ambassador to NATO and the man who ran Bob Dole's presidential campaign in 1988, has switched sides. After endorsing Clinton, Ellsworth discusses how the Republicans have lost their soul, what's wrong with the neocons and why he has faith in Hillary.

 

The National Interest: Even though you're a lifelong Republican, you endorsed Hillary Clinton for president. Is that a vote against McCain?

Robert F. Ellsworth: No. And this is not a completely unleavened acceptance of all of Clinton's policy views, but rather my personal assessment of her nerve, her strength, her boldness and her interest in learning and growing. Most importantly, the world is going to give us a lot of surprises in the coming years that will threaten our national interests. We need someone to react to them in a constructive and positive way. What we don't want is another Bush-like reaction to 9/11. President Bush's reaction was awkward and ill judged and ill informed. And I think all the candidates agree about that.

TNI: And how do you feel about Hillary Clinton's foreign-policy advisory team-Albright, Holbrooke and others who appear to be pro-nation building and pro-intervention?

RFE: I'm not worried. They may be their views, but I don't think they will affect Clinton's response to surprises.

TNI: Are you concerned about the neocons participating in McCain's campaign?

RFE: The neocons were part of the great problem of the Bush administration. The president was much too accommodating of their views that were destructive to the United States. But I'm less concerned about them playing a role in the next administration because I don't think a Republican is going to win. It is a party that has lost its soul.

TNI: How have they lost their soul?

RFE: First Iraq. It was a crazy war policy. And worse, the Republicans have not admitted that it was a mistake and taken corrective steps. Don't get me wrong, I don't countenance the idea of cutting and running. We need to stabilize the country and the region through our political and military presence. But the attack on Iraq was not a conservative, prudent, Republican-type policy.

Their other failing is in fiscal responsibility-or should I say irresponsibility. They have been flippant, casual and unconcerned about the growth of the deficit.

TNI: You seem to think we're facing some enormous problems and that there hasn't been much debate.

RFE: Yes, there don't seem to be that many issues where there are differences between the candidates and so room for debate. People haven't taken sharp, clear positions. Their views are rather blurred and relatively unspecific. And they need to be paying attention to two issues.

One is the important shift taking place, where the economic and military power of the United States is declining in comparison to that of China and Russia: China is rising because of its strong economy and trade surplus; Russia because of its oil wealth.

The other is the drive of Iran to dominate the Middle East. They're determined to reestablish themselves as the dominant power in that part of the world. They're determined to do it by equipping themselves with nuclear weapons.

If people don't begin to think seriously about these issues, our national security will be squandered.

 

Justine A. Rosenthal is the executive editor of The National Interest.