Why Obama Got it Right

[illinoisprogressive]

In Monday's debate, and with the benefit of having time to think through her response, Hillary Clinton posed as the foreign policy sophisticate to Barack Obama the bold leader who did not hesitate to say that he would meet with the leaders of Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and Venezuela. My colleague David Corn argues that Obama has committed a major blunder reflecting his lack of foreign policy experience.

(My colleague Ari Berman posted his smart and sharp counter to David's argument on behalf of those like Hillary Clinton who are "steeped in the nuances, language and minefields of foreign policy." But I feel strongly enough to weigh in on this debate.)

Those "nuances and minefields" can also be traps. Witness how far Clinton's nuanced experience got her when confronted with the 2002 Iraq war resolution.

David may well be right that Obama's opponents will try to exploit his response. But from a foreign policy point of view was Obama's response so wrong and Clinton's so right? Her husband's administration generally followed Hillary's approach; during his two terms President Clinton did not meet with Fidel Castro or with Hugo Chavez or with the leaders of Iran, Syria, and North Korea --while generally pursuing a policy of trying to isolate these countries. But what did the Clinton approach actually accomplish? The respective regimes of Castro in Cuba and Chavez in Venezuela have only grown stronger, and more influential in Latin America. Although Syria was forced to withdraw its military forces from Lebanon last year, the regime of Bashar Assad is as firmly entrenched in power as was his father's. And in spite of the odious politics and qualities of Ahmadinejad, Iran carries more weight in the Middle East than it did doing the early 1990s while American power and standing has declined considerably.


http://www.thenation.com/blogs/edcut?bid=7&pid=217320

[Tellurian]

1. Yup,keep believing the Nation..

July 23, 2007 Rasmussen Daily:

Clinton 40%, Obama 22%, Edwards 14%

"New York Senator Hillary Clinton hit the 40% mark for the second time in three days."

July 23, 2007 Quinnipiac Florida poll:

Clinton 36%, Gore 14%, Obama 14%, Edwards 9%

[mitchtv]

2. he sure got it wrong on the Nuclear power issue, however

I would say. Edwards put it best

[BeyondGeography]

4. It works fine in France...57% of their energy comes from nuclear

Sensible energy policy, national health care...why wasn't I born there?

The difference (if you were to refute me effectively) is that French nuclear power plants are state run with strict controls, and the private sector here would never attain their safety levels. What France proves, however, is that nuclear power, managed properly, is a viable option.

[TankLV]

7. Good - YOU can keep the waste in YOUR backyard - not MINE.

KEEP YOUR FUCKING WASTE OUT OF MY NEVADA!

YOU will never ever store one OUNCE of YOUR wast in MY state...

[BeyondGeography]

8. I understand, I was in Vegas last week...108 degree days can do that to you

[killbotfactory]

3. I think Clinton did meet with Chavez, though

But that was before he directly threatened US corporate interests and wasn't an 'evil dictator'.

[durrrty libby]

5. Poor BO is such a lightweight, and the country knows it

[ShortnFiery]

6. All the usual suspects are here but even they can't discount Obama's natural charm and charisma.

It's magnetic. ;) Go Obama! :hi: :thumbsup: