Unpatriotic Conservatives Six Years Later

As last Thursday marked the sixth anniversary of the war in Iraq, it was also six years ago last Thursday that David Frum published his paleocon-expelling “Unpatriotic Conservatives” on National Review Online. Six years later, in another time of dramatic action and change (albeit a much different kind), the paleocons once again demonstrated their inability to set ancient grudges aside and put what’s best for the safety of the United States first. Chas Freeman, President Obama’s recently rescinded appointee to chair the National Intelligence Council, was so flawed and (with his misguided views in mind) so potentially dangerous to the smooth defense mechanisms of our country that even Nancy Pelosi reportedly had her worries. But from the paleocons, his open hostility toward Israel earned him warm approval, and for his opponents, pure animosity. Shortly after Freeman withdrew from consideration, Pat Buchanan blasted America’s “Israel lobby” and former AIPAC figures like Steve Rosen for his downfall, and then went on to decry what he despicably called “the age-old problem of the Rosens within.”

As the conservative movement continues to rebuild from within and refocus on winning back the hearts and minds of the American people, we’d do well to remain at a far distance from those on the Right who clearly have no ambition of doing so.