The Hamas Variable
President Bush has made spreading democracy the centerpiece of his foreign policy. ‘Democracy defeats terrorism’ has become the mantra for the Bush administration. Free and fair elections are heralded as an important process in a democracy.
Unfortunately, this ‘democracy trumps terrorism’ rhetoric got a heavy dose of reality on Thursday with the landslide victory of the militant group Hamas (whom the US has labeled a terrorist organization) in the Palestinian parliamentary elections.
Whoops.
When questioned about the Hamas victory, Bush stated that he liked the ‘competition of ideas’ that comes about from the electoral process and how that it is a healthy part of the democratic process. Then he goes on to contradict the importance of elections by saying that because Hamas has an armed wing and advocates the destruction of Israel, the US would not be negotiating with them.
Bush philosophy: Elections only matter if our guy wins.
(Originally posted on Yahoo360)
Unfortunately, this ‘democracy trumps terrorism’ rhetoric got a heavy dose of reality on Thursday with the landslide victory of the militant group Hamas (whom the US has labeled a terrorist organization) in the Palestinian parliamentary elections.
Whoops.
When questioned about the Hamas victory, Bush stated that he liked the ‘competition of ideas’ that comes about from the electoral process and how that it is a healthy part of the democratic process. Then he goes on to contradict the importance of elections by saying that because Hamas has an armed wing and advocates the destruction of Israel, the US would not be negotiating with them.
Bush philosophy: Elections only matter if our guy wins.
(Originally posted on Yahoo360)
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