Foreign Policy: McCain or Obama

It seems to be a commonly held belief that John McCain would be a better commander-in-chief for our troops than Barack Obama, and that McCain's foreign policy would be better for our country. Throughout the campaign, polls have continually given an edge to McCain in both of these categories. This article calls into question those assumptions, and suggests that they are dangerously inaccurate.

Commander in Chief

No one will argue that John McCain's service to this country as a member of our armed forces is unquestionably heroic. The time that he spent as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, even being tortured, is without question both harrowing and tragic.

But does that service truly qualify him to be commander-in-chief? It's a far cry from being a fighter pilot to being a Naval Admiral. Not to mention, President of the United States.

There is much to worry about in McCain's record. There is of course his lackluster academic record (he finished 894 out of 899 students in his class at the naval academy). More importantly, he is widely reported as being quick to anger, and has been his whole life. He frequently puts his own personal interests above anything else (despite his marketing campaign touting the phrase "country first").

McCain says he "knows how to win a war". How did he come by this information, and why has he been holding it secret for so long? Five years in a POW camp does not teach one how to win a war... especially when it comes during a war that we lost. Again, this is not said to denigrate his service to the country, but merely to point out that that service does not necessarily equate to the knowledge required to be President.

A good commander-in-chief surrounds himself with good advisors. He is someone who is highly intellectual, slow to anger, doesn't make rash decisions, and can internalize and consider many different and competing factors in order to make a military decision. All evidence of the two candidates and their personalities suggests that this is a pretty good description of Barack Obama. Moreover, it is exactly the opposite of John McCain.

It can be further argued that his military experience (including his time as a POW) makes him even less qualified, because it colors his perceptions in many negative ways. Not to mention that his knowledge and experience is four decades old, and is largely not applicable to the world of today.

Foreign Policy

The Bush administration's foreign policy has been nothing short of disastrous. It has done absolutely nothing to address the issue of the proliferation of Islamic extremism; and in most cases has made it far worse. These policies have put us in a bad position in the world: not only are we hated more than ever by our enemies, but now even our friends look at us with a high level of distrust, because our actions have been so erratic and inconsistent.

There is every indication that McCain's foreign policy will be a complete continuation of the Bush administration's.

McCain likes to make fun because Obama said he would actually sit down and talk with the leaders of some countries: places like Iran, Syria, Pakistan, etc. What a strange concept! Actually talking to people and trying to understand our differences – you know, like adult human beings. The Bush-McCain policy is to treat diplomacy like we are a first grade teacher, and the other country is the unruly child: tell them to go sit in a corner and refuse to talk to them until they agree to behave. The only problem is that those other countries think they deserve more respect than that. And truth be told, they are probably right.

Don't Take OUR Word For It!!

The following quotes are from people who know John McCain personally and have worked with him.

"In the matters of national security policy making, it's a matter of understanding risk. It's a matter of gauging your opponents and it's a matter of being held accountable. John McCain's never done any of that in his official positions. ... Having served as a fighter pilot doesn't prepare you to be commander in chief in terms of dealing with the national strategic issues that are involved." – Ret. General Wesley Clarke, June 2008

"The thought of his being president sends a cold chill down my spine. He is erratic. He is hotheaded." – Republican Sen. Thad Cochran of Mississippi

"McCain's temper would place this country at risk in international affairs, and the world perhaps in danger. In my mind, it should disqualify him." – former Republican Sen. Bob Smith of New Hampshire

"He's going to be Bush on steroids. His hawkish views now are very dangerous. He puts military at the top of foreign policy rather than diplomacy, just like George Bush does. He and other neoconservatives are dedicated to converting the world to democracy and free markets, and they want to do it through the barrel of a gun." – ret. Brigadier General John H. Johns, who studied with McCain at the War College

"I don't think that [being a POW] is a special qualification for being president of the United States. In some respects, I'm not sure that's the kind of character I want sitting in the Oval Office. I'm not sure that much time in a prisoner-of-war status doesn't do something to you. Doesn't do something to you psychologically, doesn't do something to you that might make you a little more volatile, a little less apt to listen to reason, a little more inclined to be volcanic in your temperament." – Larry Wilkerson, questioning why McCain's patriotism and sacrifice as a POW has been elevated as his top qualification to be commander in chief.

Sources:

• Associated Press – John McCain lacks command experience
• Rolling Stone – Make Believe Maverick