[Strangler Lewis]

McCain gets national security right the same way the average tough-on-crime politician gets crime right: by promising harsh measures without consideration of whether dangerous situations might be prevented through use of ameliorative measures. Much like a dentist who would punish the unbrushed tooth for becoming diseased. I suspect that Hillary will get national security right in the same way, i.e., by placing all blame on radical Islam, the rap music equivalent of the Middle East for conservative purposes.

Obama, on the other hand, will at least consider whether national security situations require some adjustment of our behavior in the world. Perhaps such adjustments would only be perceived as weakness, and perhaps the leaders who dine out on hatred of America would never allow knowledge of such developments to filter down to the masses. But it's a different approach which, if combined with the perceived willingness to retaliate strongly against any attacks, might serve us well.