Dnc2008

Obama's foreign policy section

Matthew Cordell August 29, 2008 - 11:00 am

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I'll leave deeper analysis of the speech to those more partisan, but, as a piece of rhetoric, it was one of the most complete convention performances I've seen. It's worth a watch regardless of your politics (or nationality).

The foreign policy section begins about 28:55 in (ful text of this section after the jump). He makes the big call for energy independence in 10 years (which echoes Al Gore's call for clean power in a decade) and talks about finding Bin Laden, ending the war in Iraq, international terrorism, Afghanistan, Russia, and Georgia.

He didn't delved deep into specifics here, but, near the end, we see what I hope will be the glue that holds together his foreign policy agenda:

But I will also renew the tough, direct diplomacy that can prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and curb Russian aggression. I will build new partnerships to defeat the threats of the 21st century: terrorism and nuclear proliferation; poverty and genocide; climate change and disease.

Let's hope we hear something similar out of Senator McCain next week.<!--break-->Full text of the foreign policy section:

And just as we keep our promise to the next generation here at home, so must we keep America's promise abroad. If John McCain wants to have a debate about who has the temperament, and judgment, to serve as the next Commander-in-Chief, that's a debate I'm ready to have.

For while Senator McCain was turning his sights to Iraq just days after 9/11, I stood up and opposed this war, knowing that it would distract us from the real threats we face. When John McCain said we could just "muddle through" in Afghanistan, I argued for more resources and more troops to finish the fight against the terrorists who actually attacked us on 9/11, and made clear that we must take out Osama bin Laden and his lieutenants if we have them in our sights. John McCain likes to say that he'll follow bin Laden to the Gates of Hell - but he won't even go to the cave where he lives.

And today, as my call for a time frame to remove our troops from Iraq has been echoed by the Iraqi government and even the Bush Administration, even after we learned that Iraq has a $79 billion surplus while we're wallowing in deficits, John McCain stands alone in his stubborn refusal to end a misguided war.

That's not the judgment we need. That won't keep America safe. We need a President who can face the threats of the future, not keep grasping at the ideas of the past.

You don't defeat a terrorist network that operates in eighty countries by occupying Iraq. You don't protect Israel and deter Iran just by talking tough in Washington. You can't truly stand up for Georgia when you've strained our oldest alliances. If John McCain wants to follow George Bush with more tough talk and bad strategy, that is his choice - but it is not the change we need.

We are the party of Roosevelt. We are the party of Kennedy. So don't tell me that Democrats won't defend this country. Don't tell me that Democrats won't keep us safe. The Bush-McCain foreign policy has squandered the legacy that generations of Americans -- Democrats and Republicans - have built, and we are here to restore that legacy.

As Commander-in-Chief, I will never hesitate to defend this nation, but I will only send our troops into harm's way with a clear mission and a sacred commitment to give them the equipment they need in battle and the care and benefits they deserve when they come home.

I will end this war in Iraq responsibly, and finish the fight against al Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan. I will rebuild our military to meet future conflicts. But I will also renew the tough, direct diplomacy that can prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and curb Russian aggression. I will build new partnerships to defeat the threats of the 21st century: terrorism and nuclear proliferation; poverty and genocide; climate change and disease. And I will restore our moral standing, so that America is once again that last, best hope for all who are called to the cause of freedom, who long for lives of peace, and who yearn for a better future.

 

Call it "Resurection Wednesday"

Matthew Cordell August 28, 2008 - 1:21 pm

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Starring Bill Clinton and John Kerry

I would think that these two went a long way last night toward erasing any bad taste left in the mouths of Democrats after their recent campaign performances. Both speeches were rhetorically masterful.

More importantly, they sold the foreign policy responsibilities of the next president.

Clinton, who is gearing up for CGI (we'll be live-blogging), left these highlights:<!--break-->

Our position in the world has been weakened by too much unilateralism and too little cooperation; a perilous dependence on imported oil; a refusal to lead on global warming; a growing indebtedness and a dependence on foreign lenders; a severely burdened military; a backsliding on global non-proliferation and arms control agreements; and a failure to consistently use the power of diplomacy, from the Middle East to Africa to Latin America to Central and Eastern Europe.

Clearly, the job of the next president is to rebuild the American dream and restore America's standing in the world.

...

He will work for an America with more partners and fewer adversaries. He will rebuild our frayed alliances and revitalize the international institutions which help to share the costs of the world's problems and to leverage our power and influence. He will put us back in the forefront of the world's fight to reduce nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and to stop global warming. He will continue and enhance our nation's global leadership in an area in which I am deeply involved, the fight against AIDS, TB and malaria, including a renewal of the battle against HIV/AIDS here at home. He will choose diplomacy first and military force as a last resort. But in a world troubled by terror; by trafficking in weapons, drugs and people; by human rights abuses; by other threats to our security, our interests and our values, when he cannot convert adversaries into partners, he will stand up to them.

...

Barack Obama also will not allow the world's problems to obscure its opportunities. Everywhere, in rich and poor countries alike, hardworking people need good jobs; secure, affordable healthcare, food and energy; quality education for their children; and economically beneficial ways to fight global warming. These challenges cry out for American ideas and American innovation. When Barack Obama unleashes them, America will save lives, win new allies, open new markets and create new jobs for our people.

 

Presentation: New "Don't Go it Alone" poll

Matthew Cordell August 27, 2008 - 2:35 pm

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Here's the powerpoint of the aforementioned UN Foundation poll on public concern about international issues.

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Tomorrow: Big Tent, 3 PM

Mark Leon Goldberg August 26, 2008 - 1:55 pm

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The United Nations Foundation and the Better World Campaign (the sponsors of this blog) are hosting a panel discussion tomorrow afternoon at the "Big Tent" in Denver. The pollster Geoff Garin will present findings on foreign policy and national security "messaging" from his new report: Language for a New American Consensus on International Cooperation. The Washington Note's Steve Clemons will respond. Be there or be square. <!--break-->

 

DNC Dispatch: Diplomats, Turner and Kasich

Matthew Cordell August 26, 2008 - 1:26 pm

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By Katherine Miller, executive director of communications, UN Foundation

dncTurner.jpg

Yesterday's convention headlines were dominated (and rightly so) by Sen. Ted Kennedy's moving display of personal strength and party loyalty, as well as Michelle Obama's touching portrait of her loving family. But behind the scenes there important discussions about climate change and global philanthropy taking place.

The National Democratic Institute is hosting the International Leaders Forum, a series of events for the more than 1,200 foreign dignitaries who are here to witness Barak Obama officially taking control of the Democratic party and begin the final push towards Election Day. C-Span is featuring some of the video on its DNC hub.<!--break-->The diplomats are especially excited about Wednesday's day long program featuring Madeline Albright, former Sen. Tom Daschle, Richard Holbrooke, former Sen. Tim Wirth (president of the UN foundation) and rumored guest Joe Biden. But until then they are spending their time listening to members of Congress, policy advisers, and others discuss the role of international cooperation and ideas for the next Administration's foreign policy approaches.

Alongside of the NDI program is the 2008 Rocky Mountain Roundtable hosted by the city of Denver and Mayor Hickenlooper. Yesterday's panel on global philanthropy was held before an audience of more than 900 people and featured Ted Turner, Larry Brilliant, Mary Robinson, Andrew Young, and many others. It was moderated by Walter Isaacson. It was inspiring and feisty, and there was a general consensus that, among the issues facing us, Climate Change is the most important. As Brilliant said, "if we don't do something now, we'll have malaria in Los Angeles and we won't have to worry about the design for the 9/11 memorial because New York will be underwater." Dramatic statements, yes. But not untrue according to the world's scientists.

Listening to these amazing men and women was totally inspiring and (unknowingly) prepared me for a discussion I had later that evening in the Convention Hall. After listening to Kennedy's speech, I ran into former Ohio Representative John Kasich. Now a commentator on Fox, Kasich took the opportunity to tell me how screwed up the UN is, how we all need to fix it and that its letting people die.

It was clear (and disappointing) after much discussion that Kasich, probably doesn't understand the role the UN plays in humanitarian situations. Or at least things of them along parallel lines. He has just returned from a trip to Rwanda and commented on all the amazing things happening there but refused to acknowledge the role of UNICEF, WHO, or others on the ground there and throughout the rest of Africa. Instead he is fixated on trying to make the UN into something it is not, a governing body instead of a diplomatic one.

We closed out our conversation agreeing to disagree but, I did invite him to NDI's session on Wednesday. Maybe hearing about the good work of the UN, the American public's desire for international cooperation, and meeting some of the 2,200 people expected to attend will open his eyes a little more.

 

On Day One's Convention Coverage

Mark Leon Goldberg August 26, 2008 - 12:22 am

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Over at On Day One, our man in Denver Travis Moore is catching politicians, media celebrities, and activists with the On Day One cam. So far, we have On Day One ideas (that is, "what do you think the next president should do, on day one") from Vice President Walter Mondale, AFL-CIO President John Sweeney, Missouri Congressman Russ Carnahan and, below, from the MSNBC Morning Joe duo Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinsky.

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