McGovern to Obama: Call 'Time-Out on War'

War not the best solution to terrorism, ex-candidate argues

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 22, 2009 2:18 PM CST

(Newser) – George McGovern would like to take the “war” out of the war on terror. The 1972 Democratic presidential nominee, writing in the Washington Post, cautions President Obama against diving headlong into Afghanistan, a battleground that has broken two empires already. “Let me suggest a truly audacious hope for your administration,” he offers. “How about a five-year time-out on war?”

Some wars are necessary, but McGovern argues that war isn't an effective response to terrorism: "The hatred of US policies in the Middle East that drives the terrorist impulse against us would better be resolved by ending our military presence." With the money saved, we could buy food for every school-aged child in Afghanistan. "It would cost a small fraction of warfare's cost, but it might well be a stronger antidote to terrorism.”

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (3)]

Former United States Senator George McGovern arrives at the American Film Institute Life Achievement Award dinner honoring Warren Beatty in Los Angeles on Thursday, June 12, 2008. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)

Former Democratic presidential candidate George McGovern stands backstage before introducing Hillary Rodham Clinton at the Johnson County Democrats' annual barbecue, Oct. 6, 2007, in Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

An Afghan policeman is seen near a destroyed vehicle which was used by a suicide bomber in Chaparhar district of Ningarhar province, east of Kabul, Afghanistan, on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)

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Mr. President, the bright promise of your brilliant campaign and the high hopes of the millions who thronged the Mall on Tuesday could easily be lost in the mountains and wastelands of Afghanistan. - George McGovern

I'm aware that some of my fellow Americans regard me as too idealistic. But sometimes idealism is the best realism. - George McGovern

We cannot evade this reckoning. No people that desires independence and self-determination wishes to have another nation's military bases in its country. - George McGovern, on pulling forces out of the Middle East and South East Asia

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McGovern to Obama: Call 'Time-Out on War'