Foreign Policy "Experience"

ElfDude · Post by **ElfDude** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 11:33 pm

Once again my hero, Thomas Sowell, puts something into perspective.

Now that the Democrats have recovered from the shock of Governor Sarah Palin's nomination as the Republican's candidate for vice president, they have suddenly discovered that her lack of experience in general-- and foreign policy experience in particular-- is a terrible danger in someone just a heartbeat away from being President of the United States.

For those who are satisfied with talking points, there is no need to go any further. But, for those who still consider substance relevant, this is an incredible argument coming from those whose presidential candidate has even less experience in public office than Sarah Palin, and none in foreign policy.

Moreover, if Senator Barack Obama is elected, he will not be a heartbeat away from the presidency, his would be the heartbeat of the president-- and he would be the one making foreign policy.

But the big talking point is that the Democrats' vice-presidential nominee, Senator Joe Biden, has years of foreign policy experience as a member, and now chairman, of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

That all depends on what the definition of "experience" is.

Before getting into that, however, a plain fact should be noted: No governor ever had foreign policy experience before becoming president-- not Ronald Reagan, not Franklin D. Roosevelt, nor any other governor.

It is hard to know how many people could possibly have had foreign policy experience before reaching the White House besides a Secretary of State or a Secretary of Defense.

The last Secretary of War (the old title of Secretaries of Defense) to later become President of the United States was William Howard Taft, a hundred years ago. The last Secretary of State to become President of the United States was James Buchanan, a century and a half ago.

The first President Bush had been head of the C.I.A., which certainly gave him a lot of knowledge of what was happening around the world, though still not experience in making the country's foreign policy.

Senator Joe Biden's years of service on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is even further removed from foreign policy experience. He has had a front-row seat as an observer of foreign policy. But Senator Biden has never had any real experience of making foreign policy and taking the consequences of the results.

The difference between being a spectator and being a participant, with responsibility for the consequences of what you say and do, is fundamental.

You can read books about crime or attend lectures by criminologists, but you have no real experience or expertise about crime unless you have been a criminal or a policeman.

Although I served in the Marine Corps, I have no military experience in any meaningful sense. The closest I ever came to combat was being assigned to photograph the maneuvers of the Second Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

That was photographic experience, not military experience. If someone gave me a policy-making job in the Pentagon, I wouldn't have a clue.

The fact that Senator Joe Biden has for years listened to all sorts of people testify on all sorts of foreign policy issues tells us nothing about how well he understood the issues.

Out of the four presidential and vice-presidential candidates this year, only Governor Palin has had to make executive decisions and live with the consequences.

As for Senator Obama, his various pronouncements on foreign policy have been as immature as they have been presumptuous.

He talked publicly about taking military action against Pakistan, one of our few Islamic allies and a nation with nuclear weapons.

Barack Obama's first response to the Russian invasion of Georgia was to urge "all sides" to negotiate a cease-fire and take their issues to the United Nations. That is standard liberal talk, which even Obama had second thoughts about, after Senator John McCain gave a more grown-up response.

We should all have second thoughts about what is, and is not, foreign policy "experience."

zepboy · Post by **zepboy** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 8:21 am

Wow, that was potent. I think it's a shame that the average American voter doesn't think that clearly anymore.

I appreciate it when these things get posted . . . it help me become a more clear thinker, and, hopefully, a more responsible voter.

Nonetheless, it is clear that being exposed to something dos not make one better at it. How many times have I watched a football game? Has it made me a better player . . . NO!

I think the Dems should reevaluate their stand before they attack their opponent in the area of experience and/or competence.

ElfDude · Post by **ElfDude** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 9:25 am

zepboy wrote: I think the Dems should reevaluate their stand before they attack their opponent in the area of experience and/or competence.

And ditto to the Republicans who defend Palin by saying, "Hey, her state borders Russia and Canada! You don't think has given her some foreign policy experience?"

Lame answer...

awip2062 · Post by **awip2062** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 10:00 pm

That would make sense if the Governor of Alaska made the decisions about policies with Canada and Russia, but since we are a federal nation, she hasn't the authority to do that.

Big Blue Owl · Post by **Big Blue Owl** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 6:26 am

I wouldn't attack Palin for her lack of experience. I will attack her because, in my opinion, the anti-Christ doesn't necessarily have a set of nads, unless you count her husband's set that she has no-doubt bitten off and keep in a box in the closet.
Watch, you can see it when she's lying and knows it. Her mouth opens and that horrible sound comes out.

ElfDude · Post by **ElfDude** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 6:34 am

Dang! You're just recycling ALL of the old Hillary lines this morning, aren't you?

Big Blue Owl · Post by **Big Blue Owl** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 6:36 am

Hillary lines? Was that said before? I'm not a woman hater. I just do not trust or like this individual. I am speaking from the heart again, only the wary, non-trusting part.

ElfDude · Post by **ElfDude** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 6:54 am

There's been lots of talk about Hillary's "testicle lock box" and if she could have had a nickel for every insult about her voice, her campaign would not be in debt. And of course, back in the 90's, there was a ton of, "How can you tell when a Clinton is lying? Its mouth is moving!" jokes.

S'okay though. You go right ahead. You've certainly put up with plenty from this group over the years.

Big Blue Owl · Post by **Big Blue Owl** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 7:47 am

I must've had my head up my ass for years (don't say it, Zep!

) I thought I was making up that spew.

zepboy · Post by **zepboy** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 3:44 pm

What, me SAY something??!! LOL

Love that mini she pic! LOL