Where is Experience?
It seems strange that after all the country has learned about the importance of a competent, well-informed foreign policy over the last eight years, the general public again seems to be largely ignoring the issue. As hard to believe as this is following America’s recent costly mistakes in the middle east and elsewhere, it nonetheless proves that ultimately, politics are above all about proximity.
As in the 2000 elections, which saw the inexperienced George Bush take the White House largely by emphasizing domestic social issues, opinion polls show the public favoring candidates with little or no foreign policy credentials in the up-coming presidential elections. The last few weeks have seen candidates such as Barak Obama and Mike Huckabee surge ahead of more seasoned candidates, with little or no reluctance about electing a candidate less-versed in the intricacies of international politics being voiced in the mainstream media or public at large. Instead, the debate has turned inward, as Americans become more fearful of an economic down-turn and more focused on social concerns.
As natural and predictable as such a turn may be, with the situation in Iraq improving and the economy slowing, it’s dangerous to assume that electing a president un-versed in international politics won’t cost us much as it did last time. After all, the Iraq problem is far from solved, Iran is still an issue, and relations with established powers like China and Russia will require as much delicacy as ever. Furthermore, events that draw us into international minefields, like 9-11 did, are impossible to predict. Who can say what unforeseen roadblocks await us over the next four years?
It’s tempting to fall for the inclusive, bi-partisan “politics of hope” that Obama preaches, or to be swayed by the congenial like-ability of a Washington outsider like Huckabee. The two of them share a certain air of innocence and wide-spread appeal; a welcome change from the divisive political warriors who have inhabited the oval office for the past two decades.
That said, does anyone really think that Huckabee is better equipped to handle an international incident than John McCain? Can you really make the argument that Obama is more prepared to resolve the Iraqi political quagmire than Hillary Clinton?
Nevertheless, it is they who have the momentum heading into the initial primary voting. Whether or not that will ultimately translate into a victory is impossible to say, but it does imply that the country is once again taking its collective eye off the ball when it comes to international affairs. The situation may yet work itself out; Clinton and McCain, the two most viable candidates with foreign policy experience, could still pull out victories. And even if they don’t whomever is elected could overcome their inexperience by surrounding themselves with a seasoned, savvy cabinet. Still, it is worrisome to see the general voting public again disregard the importance of international affairs, even as we try to pick up the pieces of our last mistake.
