Taylor Marsh says John Edwards is leading the way on Foreign Policy

[jsamuel]

http://www.taylormarsh.com/archives_view.php?id=26072

Edwards Takes On 'Bumper Sticker' Slogan


Terror Guy

If you haven't read the Edwards article in Foreign Policy on the importance of reengaging the world make sure you do. It's another argument for why Edwards scares the GOP. There are many good pieces in it, but I'll start with an overview.

We need a new path, one that will lead to reengagement with the world and restoration of the United States' moral authority in the community of nations. President Harry Truman once said, "No one nation alone can bring peace. Together, nations can build a strong defense against aggression and combine the energy of free men everywhere in building a better future for all." For 50 years, presidents from Truman and Dwight Eisenhower to Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton built strong alliances and deepened the world's respect for us. We gained that respect by viewing our military strength not as an end in itself but as a means to protect a system of laws and institutions that gave hope to billions across the globe. In avoiding the temptation to rule as an empire, we hastened the fall of a corrupt and evil one in the Soviet Union. The lesson is that we cannot only be warriors; we must be thinkers and leaders as well.

However, when Edwards (video) gets beyond the basics and takes on the "global war on terror," you get into a foreign policy shift that doesn't lend itself to primary campaigns. That's why, from the beginning, the most courageous campaign on the issues has been John Edwards. He has the added value of being correct about it, too. However, in order to have a full airing the Democratic candidates would have to agree to debate the issue, which is difficult to get done when candidates don't want to envision the Republicans said - Democrats said argument on the "global war on terror." There is fear that voters would think -- wait for it -- Democrats are soft because they don't embrace the "global war on terror" talking point, which has nothing to do with actually keeping America safe.

That's the craven calculation of presidential politics, because when explained in full and with the opportunity to come back and augment the discussion in a full airing, the "global war on terror" talking point is not only damaging to our foreign policy, but also to our actionable strategy. It's also a DLC type line that keeps Democrats debating on Republican turf. To continue to win the national security argument Democrats have to craft out new territory all our own. Edwards has done that in Foreign Policy.

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[draft_mario_cuomo]

1. K & R nt

[jsamuel]

2. thanks