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The Real Security Challenge

What Obama's team needs to understand.

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  • Posted By: white trash @ 12/01/2008 2:31:11 PM

    Back to the past. The world's bullies and another Bully president, saddling up with war-loving Israel and creating more and more enemies around the world faster than American woment can breed cannon fodder for all the upcoming wars. History proves throughout history, than imperialism and dictatorial foreign policies breed hate, terrorism and more wars. Over and over, warring causes more and more wars.

    Sigh, when does this nation grow-up. Before 9/11, European newspapers wrote that the USA is the "bully nation" and Bush the "bully president". How many years had the good guys bombed the Mideast before 9/11? This nation is not liked anymore and are perceived to be as about evolved as cavemen, groping in the dark for a light. No one likes bullies and bosses, and who gave this nation the God complex? I cannot imagine any God invading and conquering a much weaker nation, like Iraq, that didn't even have fighter jets to defend itself. While the rest of the world evolves and strives for world peace, the good ole USA will continue to glorify war, dictatorial foreign policies and bullying and will continue to be the punchlines in European jokes and remain despised around the world.

    • Posted By: mg35 @ 12/01/2008 3:45:35 PM

      Bush and the american bullies. The alternative: Allah, Mamahmad and his band of merrymen. I personally am happy not to live under Shria law.

      • Posted By: Combat Goldfish @ 12/12/2008 12:22:45 PM

        And I'm certain you'll complain about the next administration. However, I'm sure you can expect any improvement over bush.

      • Posted By: Doc Howl @ 12/01/2008 7:59:40 PM

        False dilemma. There are other options. We are not forced to choose between crazy mullahs and an incompetent president.

        • Posted By: Vypurr @ 12/01/2008 8:32:44 PM

          And what options would those be? Diplomacy? Don't even go there....

          • Posted By: Doc Howl @ 12/02/2008 12:46:52 PM

            Why not? We've tried flailing around at random. It didn't work.

            It is possible to employ BOTH the carrot and the stick.

            Also, if you have to take action, you can do it a little smarter than we have done in the last 7 years.

          • Posted By: 40YearR @ 12/01/2008 8:49:08 PM



            There's gonna have to be a big stick implied in that diplomacy, that's for sure. With two wars gone in unanticipated fashion and an overstressed military, we need to at least be sure that there is no alternative, and maybe heal the military while we're at it.

  • Posted By: karaswart @ 12/03/2008 3:55:57 PM

    Today is December 3rd. On December 3rd, 1971 the Pakistani Army pogrom of innocent Bengali Muslims finally stopped in a land which is now called Bangladesh. Over 3 million Bengali Muslims were killed by the Pakistani Army. Thousands of Muslim women were raped. That is the brave Pakistani Army that the US depends on. A fitting tribute to this genocide is being planned in Dacca, Bangladesh. The world must never forget

  • Posted By: syzito @ 12/01/2008 12:39:46 PM

    8 Years in the White House as the wife of a president qualifies you for a post in the new administration? How?Doesn't this mean that Mrs.Bush is also qualified?Hillary is a proven liar and an under-handed politician.

    • Posted By: SC in VA @ 12/01/2008 12:44:19 PM

      A perfect fit for the Obama administration. Birds of a feather and all that.

      • Posted By: Jose52 @ 12/03/2008 3:35:45 PM

        Agreed. HRC is a poor politician as the article mentioned. Obama is risking his presidency over this loose cannon. She is not a diplomat, but will pacify the World with the Clinton mystic. I fear some fumbles more often without many competant handlers.

  • Posted By: karaswart @ 12/03/2008 7:46:07 AM

    December 3rd 1971- the beginning of the end of the genocide of the Bengali Muslims perpetrated by Pakistani Soldiers. Over 3 million Bengalis were murdered. Let not the world forget.

  • Posted By: syzito @ 12/01/2008 12:36:10 PM

    Sorry to disagree but Hillary has absolurely no experience in foreign affairs,where do get the idea that she does?Being the wife of a president for 8yrs doesn't qualify you to manage anything.Mrs Bush has been in the White House for 8yrs also so does this mean she is qualified?Hillary is just like her husband a proven liar and cheat.

    • Posted By: Doc Howl @ 12/01/2008 12:59:01 PM

      Did you expect Obama to pick Condoleeza Rice?

      When you want your pick, win an election.

      • Posted By: 40YearR @ 12/01/2008 3:45:39 PM



        Sure wish he'd picked Powell. I agree she doesn't have the actual experience working specifically as a diplomat, but she's known and knows key players; there's lots of staff and a clear boss. Obama has shown amazing deft in handling the Clintons and maybe they're ready to submit. Bill's a little compulsive, though. Obama has already demonstrated staff members who step out of line, and if they prove themselves unmanageable he's the right guy to handle it in an effective way. I'm willing to support his chioce, but that doesn't stop me from wishing...

        • Posted By: Doc Howl @ 12/01/2008 8:02:39 PM

          "Sure wish he'd picked Powell. "

          Unfortunately, Powell tarred himself with Bush's brush when he went to the UN with the report about "mobile chemical weapons labs", etc...a report which he himself had complained about as being bull****.

          It's sad that, after a lifetime honorably serving his country, he did such a stupid and dishonorable thing that late in life. I think he's a good man who made a bad decision. I also think he would be an unacceptable choice.

          • Posted By: 40YearR @ 12/02/2008 7:08:09 PM




            Hey Doc, My impression is he was very troubled by the trumpted up 'evidence' told them they'd better be right if he was going to put his name on it, and waited a 'decent interval' before he left. In my book, what he said when he endorced Obama rehabilitated him as far as anyone would ever need to.

            Interested in your thoughts why he wouldn't be a good choice, though.

          • Posted By: Vypurr @ 12/01/2008 8:43:14 PM

            Tell me something, Howl.... what did Hussein do with his chemical weapons? Did he flush them right before the invasion, or did he do so right after the first resolution, and then decide to just taunt the UN and "enjoy" being on sanctions for the next 12 years? Please, tell us when and where Hussein dumped his weapons?

            • Posted By: Doc Howl @ 12/02/2008 12:47:52 PM

              "Tell me something, Howl.... what did Hussein do with his chemical weapons?"

              Apparently, he used them on the Iranians and the Kurds.

  • Posted By: k7aravind @ 12/02/2008 4:21:28 PM

    For those who talk about how India treats minorities. I am not here to say the info you have is totally wrong, but I am here to say it is not totally correct. I have also been affected by this for quite sometime. But I cannot take violence to fight or atleast I wont kill innocent. India is changing, we are still young, day by day we are learning whom to believe and whom not. It took around 200 yrs for even USA to treat everyone equal, remember how you guys were treating the minorities till 70's. I am not asking for 200 years, but the change will happen soon.
    We also know there are lot of bad elements within our country, who try to divide us in all possible ways.
    We will eliminate those scoundrels sooner or later. The truth is we know that the damage caused by our politicians to us is far more than the what terrorists did.

    • Posted By: Doc Howl @ 12/02/2008 4:25:05 PM

      "The truth is we know that the damage caused by our politicians to us is far more than the what terrorists did."

      I know how you feel.

  • Posted By: eddiewhere @ 12/02/2008 4:24:05 PM

    "OBAMA "HAS HIS DREAM TEAM""(eddiewhere 2008).. I am surprise that no one has used this term. I am sure I will hear it tomorrow. OBAMA HAS SELECTED HIS DREAM TEAM. THIS TEAM HAS ALL STAR CREDENTIALS. EACH OF THEM ARE HALL OF FAMERS. HILLARY, GATES, RAHM.
    HOPEFULLY, THIS DREAM TEAM WILL KEEP THEIR EYES ON THE REAL THREAT RUSSIA AND CHINA. These two countries have already launched a very successful CYBER WAR against AMERICA. They are able to spy on our networks and steal our technological secrets and our patented software.
    RUSSIA, INDIA AND CHINA ARE THE SUPERPOWERS OF THAT SIDE OF THE WORLD. They are the key to a multinational strategy. Managing these realtionships is like walking a tight rope(eddiewhere 2008). China and India are always at odds and have a delicate relationship to say the least. I know ZaKaria wrote an article on this relationship six months ago. He needs to write another one.
    Another situation that needs to be monitored closely is ORGANIZED CRIME IN EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES, ESPECIALLY when it comes to cyber crime and nuclear weapons. These Eastern European countries are a potential conduit for passing NUKES to terrorists.

    These Terrorists will be based in the Five MUSLIM breakaway REpublics in Central ASIA( Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistanan) . They can potentially form an alliance with China, who has a long history of strained relationships with INDIA. To the MUslims India is an enemy and a traitor. Remeber how Hitler rose to power, a depressed economy in EUROPE. THESE REPUBLICS in Central Asia have all the same elements.. Russia and CHina will form an alliance based on their mutual FRICTION with INDIA(WHO IS CHALLENGING TO BE THEY PREMIER SUPERPOWER IN ASIA).

    LOOSE NUCLEAR WEAPONS IN THE FORMER SOVIET REPUBLICS IS A BIG PROBLEM BECAUSE ORGANIZED CRIME GROUPS IN EASTERN EUROPE CAN GAIN ACCESS to them and sell them to terrorists.
    THE ALLIANCE BETWEEN THE 5 MUSLIM STATES IN CENTRAL , AND CHINA IS A Big Threat.

    "OBAMA IS NOW THE WORLD"S FIRST PRESIDENT" eddiwhere 2008.. CAN HE SUCCESSFULLY MANAGE RELATIONSHIPS WITH RUSSIA AND CHINA INORDER TO PREVENT THESE FIVE MUSLIM REPUBLICS FROM SLIPPING DEEPER AND DEEPER INTO ECONOMIC DEPRESSION. ONCE AGAIN REMEMBER HOW HITLER ROSE TO POWER A DEPRESSED ECONOMY IN GERMANY WHO WAS TORCHERED ECONOMICALLY AFTER WORLD WAR ONE BY THE ALLIES RUSSIA, FRANCE AND BRITAIN. RUSSIA IS DOING THE SAME TO ITS FORMER REPUBLICS UKRAINE ect.....

    OBAMA IS LIKE THE COACH OF THE DREAM TEAM(BASKETBALL) TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT HE HAS A PLAN TO MAKE JORDON, BIRD AND MAGIC WORK TOGETHER AS ONE FORCE TO THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. OR LEBRON, KOBY AND PAUL PIERCE. I AM SURE HE CAN AND WILL DO JUST FINE AND AMERICA WILL SOON BE THE ENVY OF THE WORLD AGAIN.

    OBAMA HAS HIS DREAM TEAM AND ALL THE TOOLS FOR A MUCH NEEDED GLOBAL STRATEGY.

    P.S. REMEMBER BARAK YOUR BLACKBERRY HAS ALREADY BEEN HACKED.

  • Posted By: Bob Baker @ 12/02/2008 2:54:50 PM

    Things don't change because politicians and Washington/New York insiders just change positions. Want the Defense Dept. to change? Have ex-military types who know the system and aren't intimidated by generals and admirals. Want foreign policy to change? Have people who know what they are talking about put into positions in State, instead of politicians and "insiders" who aren't concerned with what they'll be doing afterward.

  • Posted By: XPolygamistWife @ 12/02/2008 10:12:14 AM

    MORMON POLYGAMY in the Southwest is a real threat to our national and economic security. Watch the video: http://www.bankingonheaven.com/
    BANKING ON HEAVEN . COM

  • Posted By: Jack999 @ 12/02/2008 3:33:30 AM

    When karachi in Pakistan exploded and Bombarded,that killed civilians last few Months,It must be the Work of Indian Nationalist Terrorist,This Week in Mumbai,people get killed in bombardment and exploded ,Its Obviously the Work of Pakistan Separatist Terroirist,When Civilian people Died in the Street of Jerusalem,It must be Work of Palestine Terrorist,When People died in Gaza or West Bank ,Its definately the work of Israelis Terrorist....Some even created OWN Explosion to disguise Others to getting attention and start Political Blaming on others .......This is much worst from Cold War.....USA must not be "Wild Goose or Turkey" changing fast "Supports" for his Position when moments like this Happening,USA must be smarter and stay Out of this stupid civil Conflicts.Specially when these Countries secretly Habouring their Own Terrorist for Political agenda.If USA Government MAKES preferences ,the Real Victims,always the Innocent average American Public by becoming Targets anywhere they're of these Devils.

    How on earth USA can be regards as the Peace "NEUTRAL NEGOTIATOR" on behalf of WORLD for "ISRAELIS -PALESTINE CONFLICTS " When its Jewish Senator -Joe-Liberman act as Chairman of Homeland Security Committee in Senate Presiding the Matters?

    As to the nature of the insurgency, even the president recognizes that some, perhaps a good number, represent nationalist forces who simply resent the occupation: Lieberman, however, disdains them all as "terrorists," "revanchists," and "Islamic extremists." To blame the insurgents alone for the civil war is to blank out the reality of Shi'ite death squads striking in the south and central regions of Iraq, instituting a veritable reign of terror; it is to ignore Kurdish ultra-nationalists intent on driving Arabs off their land. Lieberman somehow fails to mention any of this.

  • Posted By: a1109 @ 12/02/2008 2:45:46 AM

    On the war in Iraq, Bush said the biggest regret of his presidency was the "intelligence failure" regarding the extent of the Saddam Hussein threat to the United States. With the support of Congress, Bush ordered the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003 _ a decision largely justified on grounds _ later proved false _ that Saddam was building weapons of mass destruction.
    Said bush and remain living!



    Asked if he would have ordered the U.S.-led invasion if intelligence reports had accurately indicated that Saddam did not have the weapons, Bush replied: "You know, that's an interesting question. That is a do-over that I can't do. It's hard for me to speculate."

  • Posted By: eddiewhere @ 12/02/2008 1:09:01 AM

    "OBAMA "HAS HIS DREAM TEAM""(eddiewhere 2008).. I am surprise that no one has used this term. I am sure I will hear it tomorrow. OBAMA HAS SELECTED HIS DREAM TEAM. THIS TEAM HAS ALL STAR CREDENTIALS. EACH OF THEM ARE HALL OF FAMERS. HILLARY, GATES, RAHM.
    HOPEFULLY, THIS DREAM TEAM WILL KEEP THEIR EYES ON THE REAL THREAT RUSSIA AND CHINA. These two countries have already launched a very successful CYBER WAR against AMERICA. They are able to spy on our networks and steal our technological secrets and our patented software.
    RUSSIA, INDIA AND CHINA ARE THE SUPERPOWERS OF THAT SIDE OF THE WORLD. They are the key to a multinational strategy. Managing these realtionships is like walking a tight rope(eddiewhere 2008). China and India are always at odds and have a delicate relationship to say the least. I know ZaKaria wrote an article on this relationship six months ago. He needs to write another one.
    Another situation that needs to be monitored closely is ORGANIZED CRIME IN EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES, ESPECIALLY when it comes to cyber crime and nuclear weapons. These Eastern European countries are a potential conduit for passing NUKES to terrorists.

    These Terrorists will be based in the Five MUSLIM breakaway REpublics in Central ASIA( Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistanan) . They can potentially form an alliance with China, who has a long history of strained relationships with INDIA. To the MUslims India is an enemy and a traitor. Remeber how Hitler rose to power, a depressed economy in EUROPE. THESE REPUBLICS in Central Asia have all the same elements.. Russia and CHina will form an alliance based on their mutual FRICTION with INDIA(WHO IS CHALLENGING TO BE THEY PREMIER SUPERPOWER IN ASIA).

    LOOSE NUCLEAR WEAPONS IN THE FORMER SOVIET REPUBLICS IS A BIG PROBLEM BECAUSE ORGANIZED CRIME GROUPS IN EASTERN EUROPE CAN GAIN ACCESS to them and sell them to terrorists.
    THE ALLIANCE BETWEEN THE 5 MUSLIM STATES IN CENTRAL , AND CHINA IS A Big Threat.

    "OBAMA IS NOW THE WORLD"S FIRST PRESIDENT" eddiwhere 2008.. CAN HE SUCCESSFULLY MANAGE RELATIONSHIPS WITH RUSSIA AND CHINA INORDER TO PREVENT THESE FIVE MUSLIM REPUBLICS FROM SLIPPING DEEPER AND DEEPER INTO ECONOMIC DEPRESSION. ONCE AGAIN REMEMBER HOW HITLER ROSE TO POWER A DEPRESSED ECONOMY IN GERMANY WHO WAS TORCHERED ECONOMICALLY AFTER WORLD WAR ONE BY THE ALLIES RUSSIA, FRANCE AND BRITAIN. RUSSIA IS DOING THE SAME TO ITS FORMER REPUBLICS UKRAINE ect.....

    OBAMA IS LIKE THE COACH OF THE DREAM TEAM(BASKETBALL) TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT HE HAS A PLAN TO MAKE JORDON, BIRD AND MAGIC WORK TOGETHER AS ONE FORCE TO THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. OR LEBRON, KOBY AND PAUL PIERCE. I AM SURE HE CAN AND WILL DO JUST FINE AND AMERICA WILL SOON BE THE ENVY OF THE WORLD AGAIN.

    OBAMA HAS HIS DREAM TEAM AND ALL THE TOOLS FOR A MUCH NEEDED GLOBAL STRATEGY.

    P.S. REMEMBER BARAK YOUR BLACKBERRY HAS ALREADY BEEN HACKED.

  • Posted By: eddiewhere @ 12/01/2008 10:31:31 PM

    OBAMA "HAS HIS DREAM TEAM". I am surprise that no one has used this quote. I am sure I will hear it tomorrow. OBAMA HAS SELECTED HIS DREAM TEAM. THIS TEAM HAS ALL STAR CREDENTIALS. EACH OF THEM ARE HALL OF FAMERS. HILLARY, GATES, RAHM.
    HOPEFULLY, THIS DREAM TEAM WILL KEEP THEIR EYES ON THE REAL THREAT RUSSIAN AND CHINA AND THEIR CYBER WAR ANTICS. RUSSIA, INDIA AND CHINA ARE THE SUPERPOWERS OF THAT SIDE OF THE WORLD. ORGANIZED CRIME IN EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES ESPECIALLY IN THE CYBER WORLD IS A GREAT CONCERN. LOOSE NUCLEAR WEAPONS IN FORMER SOVIET REPUBLICS IS A BIG PROBLEM BECAUSE ORGANIZED CRIME GROUPS IN EASTERN EUROPE CAN GAIN ACCESS.
    ALSO AN ALLIANCE BETWEEN THE 5 MUSLIM STATES IN CENTRAL ASIA AND RUSSIA AND CHINA IS A BIG THREAT.
    OBAMA IS NOW THE WORLD"S FIRST PRESIDENT.

    OBAMA IS LIKE THE COACH OF THE DREAM TEAM(BASKETBALL) TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT HE HAS A PLAN TO MAKE JORDON, BIRD AND MAGIC WORK TOGETHER AS ONE FORCE TO THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. OR LEBRON, KOBY AND PAUL PIERCE. I AM SURE HE CAN HE WILL DO JUST FINE AND AMERICA WILL SOON BE THE ENVY OF THE WORLD AGAIN.

    • Posted By: 40YearR @ 12/01/2008 10:36:52 PM



      Then it's a good thing he has a dream team..., right?

  • Posted By: eddiewhere @ 12/01/2008 10:28:36 PM

    OBAMA "HAS HIS DREAM TEAM". I am surprise that no one has used this quote. I am sure I will hear it tomorrow. OBAMA HAS SELECTED HIS DREAM TEAM. THIS TEAM HAS ALL STAR CREDENTIALS. EACH OF THEM ARE HALL OF FAMERS. HILLARY, GATES, RAHM.
    HOPEFULLY, THIS DREAM TEAM WILL KEEP THEIR EYES ON THE REAL THREAT RUSSIAN AND CHINA AND THEIR CYBER WAR ANTICS. RUSSIA, INDIA AND CHINA ARE THE SUPERPOWERS OF THAT SIDE OF THE WORLD. ORGANIZED CRIME IN EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES ESPECIALLY IN THE CYBER WORLD IS A GREAT CONCERN. LOOSE NUCLEAR WEAPONS IN FORMER SOVIET REPUBLICS IS A BIG PROBLEM BECAUSE ORGANIZED CRIME GROUPS IN EASTERN EUROPE CAN GAIN ACCESS.
    ALSO AN ALLIANCE BETWEEN THE 5 MUSLIM STATES IN CENTRAL ASIA AND RUSSIA AND CHINA IS A BIG THREAT.
    OBAMA IS NOW THE WORLD"S FIRST PRESIDENT.

  • Posted By: 2178743 @ 12/01/2008 6:11:54 PM

    Bill Clinton was the Commander in Chief; he gets the blame for withdrawing troops. And since when does 'long government apprenticeships' equal brains and management? That is an oxymoron.

    http://www.usefulopinions.blogspot.com

  • Posted By: essenceOFlife @ 12/01/2008 5:07:20 PM

    Our Economic Woes:

    Here we are. Fiscally an utter disaster on the brink of a depression.

    How did we get there? We have several players at hand:

    1. The government keeping interest rates to low for too long.
    2. The mortgage business giving out loans to individuals that couldn???t afford them if rates increased and allowing NO money down payments (thus, NO vested interest in the property).
    3. Consumers ??? knowingly borrowing funds they couldn???t afford if any change in their rate or job.. Common sense told us that rates had to go up.
    4. The financial institutions: writing the notes/debt and packing them up to release into the market. Worthless Junk.
    5. Consumer over optimism ??? driving housing and other expenses beyond reason or feasibility.

    All of the above reasons created a huge false bubble and inflated economy on which we now sit.
    Now we are bailing out large companies (financial and automotive) for their poor management and the financial situation at large.
    Next on the agenda is the PENSION plans..
    As a matter of fact, MOST American???s don???t receive a defined retirement plan. This is usually only found in 2 places: dinosaur lethargic companies and our government;
    additionally, they get COST OF LIVING Adjustment. Most Americans have to save their own retirement via a 401k type of plan.

    Why should the government assist in funding these defined retirement plans? Quite simply, it???s discriminaton against those who don???t have these plans.
    We???ve all lost, however, if we back the funding of these plans, Americans who don???t have the luxury of having a defined benefit plan, pay for those who do.

    At some point, the bailouts , the government loans, the discriminatory decisions regarding our fiscal decisions need to stop.

    I think it???s time we see a NO BAILOUT - NO MONEY Policy invoked and national campaign by citizens across the country.

  • Posted By: rexoid @ 12/01/2008 5:03:12 PM

    Ridiculous. At least the article assigns Aspin some fault in Somalia: while overplaying his "genius". He stood on the 5 % to derail working defense..and the policy killed Americans in Mogadishu. He was fired justly..after decades of anti-defense as his sole motive. He may have had value somewhere in Clinton's administration..but a defense position was like giving the fox the hen house keys after installing locks.

  • Posted By: rexoid @ 12/01/2008 4:57:18 PM

    Ridiculous. At least the article assigns Aspin some fault in Somalia: while overplaying his "genius". He stood on the 5 % to derail working defense..and the policy killed Americans in Mogadishu. He was fired justly..after decades of anti-defense as his sole motive. He may have had value somewhere in Clinton's administration..but a defense position was like giving the fox the hen house keys after installing locks.

  • Posted By: ironmtn6 @ 12/01/2008 12:47:30 PM

    It was not apparent during the campaign that "CHANGE" meant reverting to a 60 year old "post-WWII tradition". U.S. policy needs to be based upon a NEW millenia, post 9/11 logic.

    • Posted By: 4flashman @ 12/01/2008 4:43:57 PM

      Change means having a government that works! Bush put all new faces into places like the FDA how is that baby formula working out for your grand kids? There was a new face named "Browni" at Fema. How did that work out? Change "Change" to compatant. That is what we are getting. Hillary knows Africa is not a "Country" that puts her miles ahead of the GOP choices.

  • Posted By: hann02 @ 12/01/2008 3:43:27 PM

    Can someone please tell me what Obama had in mind when he picked Hillary? Does this fall under the quote; keep your friends close, and keep your enemies closer?

    • Posted By: 40YearR @ 12/01/2008 3:53:26 PM



      Could be, and it certainly keeps them both from taking potshots about who and how he would talk to others, especially since they both started her run for 2012 before the general. Goofin' with fire, though.

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