Some of the commentary from the panel members really struck a chord with me and echoed things I have already been saying. Overall, from the perspective of a few days later, I was struck by the cordiality among the panel members. They may have had differences of opinion among themselves politically, but they showed a genuine liking and respect for one another. What a contrast to day to day politics as it is done today.

Former Governor Todd-Whitman: "When only 10% of eligible voters show up for primary elections, you are ceding the ground to extremism." The point once again, (especially if you consider former Senator Danforth's remarks in our last post) is clear. If you want a choice in candidates, then you must participate in the primary elections.

Dr. Abshire commented that we have lost freedom of action and unity of effort and how he was taught at West Point that when those things happen, you are going to lose. What Dr. Abshire was referring to was a couple of the Principles of War. I have long asserted that if we knew and used those principles in the debate on our foreign policy that we would have a much stonger agreement on our course of action. And as former Ambassador Perkins said, we need a foreign policy that does not change when we change Administrations.

I'll have more tomorrow.