Do any of the candidates have a foreign policy?

[question everything]

When Bill Clinton ran, the Soviet Union was gone, Iraq was defeated in Kuwait and we had a little recession so the emphasis was on domestic issues. When Obama ran, the financial markets collapsed, many were tired of the then never ending wars so the emphasis, again, was on domestic policies.

It is certainly easier to talk about healthcare, and jobs, and retirements and education to the primary voters, but I think to ignore foreign issues is a mistake. In both 2008 and 2016 Hillary talked about foreign issues but the voters did not care much. Biden, really, in 2008, was the only one who did and this was one reason that Obama chose him as a running mate.

I suppose if I visit the websites of the candidates there will be something there but I think it should be part of the presentations.

[vlyons]

1. Relax and be patient

they will state their foreign policy agendas

[frazzled]

2. But there are only 630 days left until the election!

How we ever make up our minds today if the candidates don't answer every single one of our questions now?

[question everything]

3. 350 to the Iowa Caucus, 375 to Super Tuesday

(more or less)

[frazzled]

4. Yeah, still plenty of time

to hear from the candidates. And hear, and hear, and hear. (I will, as always, watch every debate.)

And remember: what we hear them say is not necessarily (or even very often) what they will do if elected. I'm old enough to have heard plenty of campaign rhetoric and eight-point plans. And seen most of them go by the wayside. The proposals often get changed or whittled down once the realities of the office and Congress are met, or abandoned altogether for practical reasons. That's not a cynical criticism, just a reality of governing.

Therefore, in addition to the policies they advocate in campaigns, we should also spend the next year until the primaries studying their past and present effectiveness in accomplishing legislation, their characters, their priorities, and yes, their charisma.

In the end, there will be only minor differences in what we hear them say on foreign and domestic policy. And those policies will inevitably morph in the face of new situations that arise over time and new realities in the legislative arena. What you see is not really what you get, so beware of bold promises.

But it's early! These candidates are just introducing themselves. We've got plenty of time to hear their views on foreign policy before we have to make a voting decision. Heck, half of them will probably drop out before the voting begins.