Barack Obama on National Security
21 October 2006 7:00 pm by Taylor Marsh
Barack Obama on National Security
UPDATE (12:20 a.m. – 10.24.06): Slate's Sonia Smith didn't like what I said about Obama below. I guess regardless of my lauditory compliments, it's a bit over ambitious for someone to want a president with deep foreign policy experience. Silly me.
UPDATE (1:11 p.m. – 10.23.06): Matt Stoller adds his take.
UPDATE (9:10 a.m. – 10.22.06): In a no kidding moment, we now find out conclusively that Obama is weighing run for presidency.
He's everywhere.
He's got a new book to make sure of it.
He's all the rage these days and for good reason.
Remember his
hazing? St. John McCain exploding
at him?
Remember when he was targeted
by the State Department?
Remember when Russert asked him about Harry
Belafonte? That was just weird.
Remember his unfortunate navel
gazing?
Though he did tick me off significantly when he decided to lecture us about faith. No one has ever muzzled me and never will. If I want to talk about my faith, which is extremely important to me, I will. I don't know what's stopping any Democrat, frankly. If you feel it let it fly.
But from the moment he gave his speech at the Democratic convention in 2004, it
was obvious a new Democratic star was born. It is clear he is an incredibly
gifted man. But in 2008, the only place I see him standing is beside our next nominee,
not as the nominee himself. As a vice presidential candidate he could bring
much. Unfortunately, so far, I've seen nothing to imply that he is ready for
the presidency.
Frankly, after George W. Bush's reign, I want someone of deep experience in
the presidency. A mature foreign policy thinker and gifted diplomatic leader.
It's a cynch that Obama outpaces Bush by a mile in intelligence, thought, curiosity
and every other meter. However, he would still be a man learning on the job, having to rely enormously on his advisers. Regardless of whatever instincts Senator Obama may possess, though there's no way to judge those talents as yet, he simply doesn't have the depth of experience I believe is required in these complicated times.
It's simply not the time for a person that is an unknown, in my humble opinion.
It's why John Edwards
used to worry me a great deal, on foreign affairs and military issues, that is. But after his \”Meet the Press\” appearance last spring I\’ve started to come around. I have one confession and that is I'm a huge fan of Elizabeth Edwards. She is the very definition of courage. Also, their message regarding the poor is powerful. I've been poor, yes, dirt poor, so I can relate. After this nightmare of Over There, focus Over Here just may be the ticket. I can be moved, but he'd be wise to bring someone like Wes Clark or someone of equal military or foreign policy stature on board. Edwards is the biggest threat to an Obama ticket I can see. On the other hand… Honestly, it's just too early to tell.
Enter Senators John Kerry… Hillary Clinton… and all hell breaks loose.
Regardless, it's clear Senator Barack Obama will be an important player in the 2008 elections.
Any candidate getting his support will automatically gain stature. Every candidate
running should also have Obama on their veep short list. After eight years in
the second position, the presidency could indeed be within his grasp.
