Hail to the ChiefFollow

Ok, so the bulk of the asylum likes politics, and we see the debate threads, but we never really get to see the underlaying thought process and beliefs that govern those oppinions. I'm curious to see what response people would have if they were the one on the podium. So, now, you are. Answer the following questions in 100 words or less please:

1. Given the situation in Iraq as it is today, and assuming that situation will not worsen until you act (though your action could also improve the situation), what would your policy be on a U.S. presence in Iraq?

2. The U.S. economy seems to be heading for browner pastures. What would you do to improve the current economic situation?

3. You have just recieved concrete, irrifutable proof that Osama bin laden is hideing in an Iranian military bunker. It has been verified, there is no chance the intel is wrong. He is there and will be for the next 24 hours. What do you do next?

If you want clarification on any of the scenarios, let me know. I'm more curious aobut what actions you would take given the situation than any loopholes you would use to get around the situation, though i guess that's an action in it's own right. For the purpose of answering, you have all the powers of the President and the backing of congress at your disposal.

Set a firm date to pull out all combat troops. Say 6 months. Then do it.

I'd give them fishing poles and lemon trees for the hard times.

Hmm, not being much of an economist, I ask someone for advice.

I dont' think the economy is in that bad of shape...yet. We've seen the worst of the mortgage debacle, China's prices are going up, heck we cut back on military spending and beef up medicare things should be rosy.

Leak it to the media???

It would depend on Iran's cooperation. I think not totally pissing off Iran is more important that capturing a terrorist figurehead.

1. Given the situation in Iraq as it is today, and assuming that situation will not worsen until you act (though your action could also improve the situation), what would your policy be on a U.S. presence in Iraq?

Increase troops, make a plan to be there at least 10 years to rebuild and help steady the govt.


2. The U.S. economy seems to be heading for browner pastures. What would you do to improve the current economic situation?

Increase taxes, force companies to bring back jobs to the US.

3. You have just received concrete, irrefutable proof that Osama bin laden is hiding in an Iranian military bunker. It has been verified, there is no chance the intel is wrong. He is there and will be for the next 24 hours. What do you do next?

Sooper secret attack force. In and out before anyone knows what happened.

Do we have 200,000 extra troops available? If so, I would lean towards that.

Assuming that we don't, and I don't care to start a draft, I would spend one year concentrating on training the Iraqi military. Not just cranking out numbers but also training Iraqi commanders who could help continue training. Afterwards, I would begin a phased withdrawl to about 25% of our current numbers, based in a few key locations, tasked with continuing training and providing military support when needed. Particularly in equipment-specific areas such as air support and heavy armor where Iraq just doesn't own the machinery. The idea would be to more or less force the Iraqi government to pick up the slack but not to throw them to the wolves.I defer on this one since I don't feel qualified to say. It's not like leading an army, after all Is he there under the protection of the Iranian government? If not, go in with special forces and try to eliminate him without raising a public fuss.

On the other hand, if he's surrounded by Iranian crack troops we have to kill through, I'll need to come up with a Plan B. Not sure what that is yet. In the mean time, everyone who was going to tell the papers that President Jophiel passed on the chance in 2007 gets a polonium pizza party.

I could nuance #1 a lot more but you wanted a short answer.

Simple put all of the resources of the United States of America into the development of a time machine. Go back to July 6, 1946 and stop Barbara Bush from conceiving. Then I would go bang a 20 yr old Marilyn Monroe, twice.

That should be less than 100 words, I can't count that high though so to hell with you, number ****!

In reality though the way things are going to play out are exceedingly obvious. Hell they were obvious this time last year. Stop gap solutions, ignore the real problem, ride out the term and blame it all on the next guy or the guy before you.

Given that I have the backing of congress, would provide refuge and transportation to America for Iraqi citizens along with a sort of pseudo-citizenship, as well as provide funding and labor for reconstruction. Yes, the entire country would ******* hate me, but it would be the responsible thing to do.



Tax relief for the wealthy for investing assets in economy-stimulating business, especially for raising the wages of their employees. Increased taxes on savings and "investments" (i.e., luxury crap) that do not. In other words, more emphasis on how money is used than how much you have.



Secretly ask the Iranian leader to turn him over to American authorities, and hope he complies. If he doesn't (probably the case), just don't tell anyone.

Well, the scenario is that Congress will support me.My main reason for not pursuing it.

Kachi = Bush, IRL

Extra troops could be aquired, either by increased military funding, or getting the other countries un-pissed at us and have them send in additional peacekeeping forces. I'd say 200k would be an acceptable theoretical additional number within the rules.

Vote Palpitus for World Ending 2009!

I decided to read this thread to read Joph's and Smash's point of view.



And then I got bored.

Ok, we can give um a year, but really if you're gonna do it, why wait?

While I have no problem taxing the wealthy, just what does this mean? Does all their stuff get taxed every year?

Increase the size and funding of the U.S. military to pre-Clinton strength.
Increase the size of the Iraq force to 250,000, disarm the militias and disable insurgent groups.
Create a regional base akin to Incirlik and use it as a base of operations for modernizing and Westernizing the entire middle east for the next 50 years.

Eliminate or drastically reduce corporate income taxes to encourage businesses to stay on shore, reduce the marginal personal income rates by 20% across the board, eliminate the Alternative Minimum Tax and eliminate the estate tax to spur investment, create more income and increase gross tax collection.

8-10 cruise missiles should do the trick.