Disarming Charm

Ramirez.Rich Lowry, RCP. US power as a global public service, unappreciated but essential. Yet this is the only part of the budget the Obama administration wants to cut.

Our common defense is the single most important responsibility of the federal government--we can't do this for ourselves. We live in a dangerous world, and we are the number one target.

We face new threats as well. Not that long ago most Americans thought of al Qaeda, if they thought of them at all, as a few zealots who might set off a few bombs.

Charm is not a policy Mr. President.