[Observer] In an essay in The Wall Street Journal recently, Thomas C. Reed proposed that, to "stiffen the collective spines of our allies in this time of troubles," American conservatives might think of advancing a military leader for president.
"It’s Eisenhower Time for Republicans" read the headline of Mr. Reed’s essay, in which the former U.S. Air Force secretary described the desperation of the anyone-but-Trump element in the GOP this way: "Republicans, contemplating an avalanche of Donald-detonated losses in the fall, dream of a savior emerging from the Cleveland convention."
These murmurings and hopes might have begun with a small group of conservatives who have become enchanted by the idea of James Mattis, a retired U.S. Marine Corps general who last served as commander of U.S. Central Command, running for president. He is known as the "warrior monk" and is said to have carried with him during deployments a copy of Meditations, a classic tome of stoicism written by Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius. Mr. Mattis has routinely batted down the idea of running for the White House, and said last week he believes that calls for him to do so are symptomatic of a nation that has lost its way. "No, I haven’t given any thought to it," Mr. Mattis remarked during an appearance at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "It’s like America’s lost confidence and lost faith and rational thought." |