A number of bloggers that I respect….
May 24th, 2011
…have been praising Presidential candidate Herman Cain for admitting he didn’t know what the Palestinian Right Of Return was.
I agree that admitting you don’t know something is a virtue.
I also recognize that no one can be expected to know everything, cialis sale cialis even people who want to be President of the United States.
Where I part company with my fellow bloggers is that it’s not OK for a serious Presidential candidate to have no clue about a foreign issue as consequential and long standing as the question of whether or not the Palestinians who left their homes in Israel in 1948 should be allowed to reclaim them.
Entry Filed under: Observations
3 Comments Add your own
1. Nick | May 24th, 2011 at 9:49 pm
I agree. It’s one thing not to bash a candidate because they don’t know everything… that is to be expected. Its another to praise someone for not knowing something, as if it’s to be praised that you don’t seek out knowledge.
Next up… praising a candidate who doesn’t know what the theory of evolution is? I don’t know.
2. Josh Schroeder | May 24th, 2011 at 11:23 pm
Even though he didn’t know the specifics, he answered the question on the spot in a way that was consistent with his values, political philosophy, and the general statements he made re: Israel prior to that interview: the right of return is something for Israel to decide at the negotiation table with the Palestinians, it’s not the USA’s call to make.
3. John Foust | May 25th, 2011 at 9:02 am
Yeah, but if they know too much, they’ll be criticized as nuanced and wonky.
Better stick with the ignorant candidates with known preconceptions and biases, as revealed by their folksy speech, preference for country music of the boot-up-their-asterisk variety, ability to channel the intent of the Founders, and flag pins.
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