Two news items:
“One of President Nixon’s daughters,
Julie Nixon Eisenhower, apparently supports a Democrat this year -
Barack Obama. Eisenhower has contributed the maximum amount allowed
during the primary season to Obama’s campaign: $2,300.”
Star Tribune, April 23, 2008
“The nation’s top military officer said
on Friday that the Pentagon is planning for ‘potential military
courses of action’ against Iran, citing its ‘increasingly
lethal and malign influence’ in Iraq. Adm. Michael Mullen, the
chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said a conflict with Iran would
be ‘extremely stressing’ but not impossible for U.S. forces,
pointing specifically to reserve capabilities in the Navy and Air
Force ... His statements and others by Defense Secretary Robert Gates
signal a new rhetorical onslaught by the Bush administration against
Iran, amid what officials say is increased Iranian provision of weapons,
training and financing to Iraqi groups that are killing Americans.”
Star Tribune, April 26, 2008
The scenario:
The Bush administration, hell bent on eliminating
Iran’s nuclear reactors, launches a massive air strike against
Iran in the late summer of 2008. This is accompanied by a PR offensive
dutifully conveyed by the commercial media that whips up the American
public into an anti-Iranian and “anti-terror” war frenzy.
The Democrats nominate their "experienced
hand", Hillary Clinton, for President. Though mildly critical
of the attack, she stands patriotically behind the President in the
time of national peril. * John McCain, the Republican nominee, wholeheartedly
supports the attack. Anti-war demonstrations across the United States
go nowhere.
At this point, the Independence Party network,
small as it is, invites Barack Obama to bolt the Democratic party
and become an independent candidate for President. Obama is nominated
at a hastily convened convention. For vice President, the convention
chooses Julie Nixon Eisenhower.
This “dream ticket” of new and old politics
takes the nation by storm. The Obama-Eisenhower ticket is elected.
Once sworn in, the new administration blames Bush and Cheney for mistakes
previously made - “throws them under the bus”, so to speak.
Peace is made with Iran and with the Islamic world.
Military adventures behind it, the U.S. government
now concentrates on getting its own economic house in order.
* I might have overestimated Hillary
Clinton's commitment to peace. In an interview with ABC, she said
that the United States would "totally obliterate" Iran if
it attacked Israel with nuclear weapons. (Star Tribune, May 2, 2008)
This probably means that Clinton would join McCain in applauding a
preemptive strike against Iran.