Obama NOT Weak on Foreign Policy

Here’s an annoying assumption that one hears bandied about frequently by the media: Obama is weak on foreign policy and Hillary Clinton and John McCain are strong on foreign policy. This assumption is based on nothing more than simplistic impressions people have of these three candidates. But as these candidates talk about foreign policy and campaign and get their voices heard, I think it becomes more and more clear that Obama is far and away the strongest of the three when it comes to foreign policy.

Obama’s insurmountable lead in the Democratic primary race is partly a result of this. From the beginning–back in the summer–Obama has hammered Hillary on the fact that she authorized the invasion of Iraq while he steadfastly objected to it. And he has repeatedly hammered on her “experience” argument for her candidacy by reminding the people of how that experience led her to go to war in Iraq. Furthermore, he has counter-attacked by questioning her “judgment.” Once again, if we look at the fact that Obama has basically defeated Hillary, the people seem to find him the stronger candidate and particularly so regarding his “judgment” on foreign policy.

With Hillary slowly, slowly, slowly (but SURELY!) fading from the scene, it’s now McCain’s turn to realize that the American people want good judgment, not just a bunch of windy experience when it comes to foreign policy. It’ll happen. McCain has not only supported the Iraq war effort from the start (despite criticizing Bush on certain tactical decisions the administration has made) but he has also already made the gaff (defined: “when a politician says what they really think”) by saying that he could envision the U.S. occupying Iraq for thousands of years!

I’m looking forward to the American people eventually ratifying the fact that Obama’s foreign policy acumen is one of his great political assets. If you are, as yet, unconvinced, check out these two clips from yesterday’s appearance by General Petraeus before the Senate Armed Services Committee. Who sounds more on top of things, more interested in addressing the reality on the ground? Who would you want giving Petraeus orders