David Broder: War With Iran Will Save Economy, Obama Presidency

So, David Broder has concerns! The economic situation in America is presenting a “daunting situation” that could prevent President Barack Obama from “storm[ing] back to win a second term in 2012.” (It also presents a “daunting situation” for millions of Americans who aren’t the president, but just go with David here.)

How can Obama “harness the forces that might spur new growth?” Sure, there is “the power of the business cycle,” but “economists struggle to analyze this,” so Broder’s not going to linger too long on whatever might be done in that arena. Instead, has anyone considered maybe — I don’t know — bombing the daylights out of Iran?

What else might affect the economy? The answer is obvious, but its implications are frightening. War and peace influence the economy.

Look back at FDR and the Great Depression. What finally resolved that economic crisis? World War II.

Here is where Obama is likely to prevail. With strong Republican support in Congress for challenging Iran’s ambition to become a nuclear power, he can spend much of 2011 and 2012 orchestrating a showdown with the mullahs. This will help him politically because the opposition party will be urging him on. And as tensions rise and we accelerate preparations for war, the economy will improve.

Wow. Jeezy creezy. Deep breath. Where to begin with this? Here’s a fun fact: for much of the economic downturn, we were heavily involved in two wars. I read about this somewhere, I think! As it turns out, they aren’t deficit neutral. Whats more, they are tremendously effective resource drainers. And the first resource that’s been drained is our military personnel, who have spent the past decade on long, backbreaking deployments. It makes you wonder: who are we going to “accelerate preparations for war” with exactly? It’s not like we have an infinite supply of troops upon which to draw.

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