Perry proclaimed that he would not “allow the Iranians to come back into Iraq and take over that country.” Perry added that our premature departure is due to Obama’s “kowtow[ing] to his liberal, leftist base and move out those men and women.” His aides were quick to take issue with the re-invade spin of critics, insisting that “Perry wants to establish a strategic presence in Iraq like we have in hot spots around the world. That’s not an invasion, that’s common sense.” Unfortunately, the campaign is correct. That is indeed an example of the common sense of the GOP candidates in this primary.
The reason of the confusion as to Perry’s suggestion is that the Iraqis demanded that we leave their country and refused efforts of the Obama Administration to stay. The citizens, or at least the government, of a country generally has a say as to whether we place large numbers of troops in their country. Otherwise, it is an involuntary act commonly called an invasion. In fairness to Perry, I do not think he was suggesting a re-invasion. However, the statement is shocking for many Americans who oppose the war and its costs to our nation. It is the very embodiment of the American unilateralism criticized both here and abroad where the wishes and rights of other countries seem virtually immaterial to the creation and implementation of policy.
For those who found Bush simply too intellectual, Perry appears your man. He added his view of the new found ability of Iranians to act outside of the limitations of conventional physics, noting “We’re going to see Iran in my opinion, move back in at literally the speed of light.” We will obviously have to stay until Iraqis evolve into a faster form of life but Perry is on record questioning the basis for evolution.
Source: Politico
