There are currently 5 responses to “New Open Thread: Palin and Foreign Policy”

Why not let us know what you think by adding your own comment! Your opinion is as valid as anyone else's, so come on... let us know what you think.

1. 1 On August 29th, 2008, The Conservative Deflator said:

   If this doesn’t demonstrate that McCain has incredibly poor judgment, I don’t know what will. Maybe Ms. Palin can help with the McCain’s housesitting chores.

2. 2 On August 29th, 2008, Ross Hammersley said:

   Indeed.

   In reading the intertubes on the Governor’s biography, it seems she is a capable governor and a fine woman; one with whom I’d probably disagree on most everything, but nothing wrong with her per se.

   However, I absolutely agree that it unambiguously undermines the McCain campaign’s meme of experience (especially in war-time) being of paramount importance. McCain has quickly shot back at the Obama campaign’s initial response to her by stating that “she has more experience [presumably 'executive'] than does Obama” I can’t believe most people will find that argument convincing, especially when she first started serving as governor in 2007.

   It is difficult to imagine her thrust into any serious diplomatic role, whether as vice-president or, god-forbid something should happen to a President McCain, as President Palin. Can you picture her talking tough to anyone in the middle east? I think she would likely have to adopt a blustery posture in any such meeting, and her apparent lack of background in any foreign policy whatsoever would likely mean that when the facade is finally dropped, no one will take her seriously.

   Again, this is not to say she is a bad person, but there are seemingly many more qualified female republicans (yes, even Secretary Rice) for the role of Vice President of the United States.

   Of course it is all speculation at this point, but I think it is a move designed to fire up the base, with next to zero consideration given to actual governance.

   In addition, here is a pretty good, honest (esp. for the GOP) look at the pick:
   http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=MWY0YmM3N2JhMTVkYmI0ZjU0OTBiYTY3NmUyMjgxNTc=

3. 3 On August 29th, 2008, Miles said:

   It’s more than a bit ironic that McCain announced his VP pick at a podium with the slogan “Country First.” The Palin decision was clearly, given the tons and tons and tons of more qualified individuals who could have been chosen for the job, made for political reasons (namely, placating the evangelical conservative base and winning over ex-Hillary supporters), NOT out of a desire to put the country first. McCain’s age makes it more than a bit likely that his VP will ultimately become president if he is elected, and we would then be left with a president with zero experience meeting with foreign leaders, brokering deals on national security issues at a national level, or basically doing anything at all relevant to protecting the country as a whole.

4. 4 On August 29th, 2008, Greg said:

   Wait — is foreign policy experience important, or isn’t it? If Palin were to get 300-some-odd foreign policy advisers, would that make up for a lack of direct experience, as we’re expected to believe of some others in the race?

5. 5 On August 29th, 2008, Midwest McGarry said:

   Greg: Ouch! But really, are you saying Palin’s foreign policy experience and global experience is somehow equivalent to that of Obama? or Biden?

   The GOP is saying that Palin was the commander-in-chief of the Alaska National Guard. So there is that!

Leave a Reply