Obama pivots from economy to world
(EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)
RICHMOND, Va. -- Barack Obama, convening a meeting of his top foreign policy and national security advisers today at a Richmond hotel, reinserted global affairs back into a campaign that has been dominated by the economic crisis, seeking to link the two by asserting that the United States cannot be a force overseas without a firm footing at home.
"To succeed we need leadership that understands the connection between our economy and our strength in the world," Obama told reporters after the meeting. "We often hear about two debates, one on national security and one on the economy. But that's a false distinction."
He continued, "We must be strong at home to be strong abroad. That's one of the lessons of our history."
Even as Obama drew connections between foreign and domestic policy, it was a rare detour in message from the economy, which has defined the presidential campaign for weeks, lifting Obama's poll numbers and damaging rival John McCain's. Obama explained before the meeting that it was important that foreign policy remain front and center.
"We just wanted to make sure that, particularly given the extraordinary focus on the global financial crisis over the last month, month and a half, that we didn’t lose sight of the fact that that we still have some urgent issues at the international level that are going to have to be dealt with," Obama said, citing the evolving wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the continued threat of terrorism, and the rising power of China.
Participants in the meeting included former US Representative Lee Hamilton of Indiana, who helped lead the 9/11 Commission and Iraq Study Group; former Senator Sam Nunn of Georgia; and Clinton administration veterans Greg Craig, Richard Danzig, and Dennis Ross. Vice presidential nominee Joe Biden took part by phone, as did former secretary of state Madeleine Albright.
Obama received a big boost last weekend, when Colin Powell, the Republican former secretary of state and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, endorsed the Illinois senator.
Obama again extolled the virtues of multilateralism, saying the world was too interconnected -- in terms of global markets and threats from terrorism -- for the United States to employ the kind of unlateralism and "empty bluster" he said had been practiced by President Bush.
"When America is isolated, we shoulder these burdens alone and the security and prosperity of the American people is put at risk," he said.
He added, "There is a clear choice in this election. On issue after issue, Senator McCain has supported the policy decisions and poor approach of President Bush. As president, he will continue the policies that have put our economy into crisis and, I believe, endangered our national security."
Aides to Obama say today's meeting was scheduled before Biden caused a stir by telling campaign donors in Seattle on Sunday by saying that a foreign actor would try to "test" Obama early in his presidency.
"We're going to face a major international challenge, 'cause they're going to want to test him, just like they did John Kennedy," Biden said. "They're going to want to test him, and they're going to find out this guy's got steel in his spine."
Obama said today that, "We have to be mindful that, as we pass the baton in this democracy, that others don't take advantage of it. That is true whether it's myself or Senator McCain."
The McCain campaign has seized on Biden's remarks to warn voters that now is not the time to elect a young president with little professional experience in the global arena.
Pushed on Biden's comments, Obama said: "Joe sometimes engages in rhetorical flourishes, but I think his core point was that the next administration is going to be tested regardless of who it is, because of the fact that the next administration is going to be inheriting a whole host of really big problems."
Obama also dismissed McCain's criticism of Obama's earlier comment that it was time to "spread the wealth around" in the United States, which the Arizona senator has likened to a pitch for socialism. Obama said his plan, by rolling back Bush's tax cuts for the wealthy, would "spread around opportunity."
Of McCain's attacks, Obama said, "It's an indication they have run out of ideas."
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To put it very simply - The guy knows what he's doing.
He's thinking about what's important for this country - not ricocheting around and trying out the flavor of the day like the other guy and his looney-tunes running mate.
Hmm...has anyone asked Obama who repealed the Glass-Steagall act that has lead to this financial debacle? Haven't the Dems controlled the Senate for at least 50% of Bush's presidency?
Rather than reading about Sarah Palin's SNL appearance, let's focus on the relevant facts!
Actually, the Senate was under Republican control until 2006, meaning three-quarters of the Bush admin.
"Haven't the Dems controlled the Senate for at least 50% of Bush's presidency?"
Nope, that would be approximately 21 months and counting. The ten years before that belonged to the "grand old party."
Why does Obama keep saying we are a democracy?
A constitutional law professor should know better.
"Nope, that would be approximately 21 months and counting. The ten years before that belonged to the "grand old party."
And let's not forget Newt's "Contract on America".
As for Glass-Steagall, Clinton signed the law, but as reported by Politico:
The general co-chairman of John McCain’s presidential campaign, former Sen. Phil Gramm (R-Texas), led the charge in 1999 to repeal a Depression-era banking regulation law that Democrat Barack Obama claimed on Thursday contributed significantly to today’s economic turmoil.
….
According to federal lobbying disclosure records, Gramm lobbied Congress, the Federal Reserve and Treasury Department about banking and mortgage issues in 2005 and 2006.
During those years, the mortgage industry pressed Congress to roll back strong state rules that sought to stem the rise of predatory tactics used by lenders and brokers to place homeowners in high-cost mortgages.
Splinter - you’re not concerned with his inability to make a decision and this idea of 95% of us will get a tax break? As President you can't vote "Present". He was correct with regard to the War however; he wasn’t even a Senator at the time. Colin Powell said that the information (right or wrong) at the time given to the administration which by the way also came from the global community lead to a majority voting for the War. If Senator Obama was privy to this information he most likely would have voted for the War. Unless of course there was a button to press for “PRESENT”. Senator. Obama has been critical of President Bush for being stubborn – looks like he acts the same way. He is not always right and he’s afraid to make a decision. I’m not sure which is worse!
I saw something on the news last night related to the economic crisis that's gone primarily under the radar. The SEC commissioner installed by George W. Bush, Christopher Cox, backed off of previous levels of enforcement drastically during his term. The story was that if they had pursued enforcement of the rules that govern financial institutions, this whole debacle would've been avoided. This policy change was implicitly dictated by the Bush administration.
John McCain: 407 votes missed (63.8%), 231 votes cast
Barack Obama: 290 votes missed (45.5%), 348 votes cast
Lets make sure we also include the other fella if we are going to bring up voting records. Lets not forget that Colin Powell was "throw to the wolves" by the Bush Administration knowing that the country could not disagree with such a respected figure. I would rather be hesitant to make a decision then make the wrong descion and take a nation to war.
Hey "Proud Independent"... It's totally obvious to anyone with an IQ over 50 that you're ANYTHING BUT INDEPENDENT! The way you thoughtlessly parrot out republical talking points is the dead giveaway.
It would be laughable, if it wasn't so pathetic, the way so many right-wing-nut wacko's call themselves "independent." It's also totally transparent.
You’re right I will make sure I register as a Republican next time I vote… But you can’t deny the fact that these newspapers need to be more balanced when reporting. I know you agree - correct?
AP POLL HAS MCCAIN-OBAMA TIED. WILL THE GLOBE PUBLISH THIS?
Giving 95% of Americns a tax cut puts the tax cut in the hands of people who spend it, which actually helps the economy. Unless of corse you believe the "trickle-down" myth that has been disproven under both Ronnie Ray-Guns and Curious George.
There were many of us who were well aware in the January of 2001 that there were no WMDs, like both Obama and Senator Kennedy. While attempting to say what would have been is one of the dumbest things a person can do, you're a nut if you think Obama would have voted the same way Kennedy did.
And the statement that Obama is just as stubborn as Curious George is denialistic at best! Anyone who actually believes that has their head firmly planted in the part of their anatomy that they sit on!
Mabe that's why those folks believe "the media" (not counting FOX of course) are biased, simply because they accurately poke holes in the idiotic positions put out by right-wing-nut, greed mongering, stupid, hypocritical republicals.
Wow, you really should take the time to read before you comment. I'm not disagreeing with the 95% and how it works - I'm asking do you believe that we will actually see it? I’m sure Speaker Pelosi will have something to say! I know how emotional we all get with regard to politics but we need to stop being so critical and look into the facts. I’m sure we can agree on one thing – Voting Yes on Question 1 let’s put money back in the hands of the people no more trickle down effect. Good night and enjoy the election…
PS – love the Curious George.