Governor Palin Goes to the United Nations

Governor Sarah Palin is headed to New York for a dose of international politics. She may meet some foreign leaders, and she is set to speak at an anti-Iran rally outside the United Nations complex. But what would happen if she were to ask for a briefing from former Republican Secretaries of State to prepare for her foray into foreign policy? The answer is she would learn that the McCain foreign policy has an extremist approach to Iran.

On Monday, five former Secretaries of State had an open forum at George Washington University, which is scheduled to be televised this weekend by CNN. At the forum, the five former Secretaries -- Henry Kissinger, James Baker, Colin Powell, Warren Christopher and Madeleine Albright -- agreed on one important change in U.S. policy. All said it was time to talk to Iran. Each of the five had their own preferences for how that dialogue would be conducted. But they all said the United States and Iran should engage in direct diplomacy in which all of the issues in dispute would be covered.

John McCain has a different view. He says there is nothing to discuss. Iran's government is abhorrent. The world should ratchet up economic sanctions until Tehran capitulates on its nuclear program by stopping the enrichment of uranium. Stopping Iran's enrichment program is the one thing everyone agrees is necessary -- Democrats, Republicans, Europeans, and even Russia and China. Nobody accepts the idea of an Iran with nuclear weapons. The issue is how to prevent that nightmare scenario from happening. McCain, meanwhile, seems to favor a policy of Bush plus.

For almost five years now, the Bush administration has been trying to get a permanent freeze on Iran's enrichment of uranium. But whether it has chosen unilateral demands, military threats, unilateral economic sanctions, or even multinational action at the United Nations, Washington has failed to stop advanced in Iran's nuclear program. All along, the administration has refused to do what most others countries have done: Offer a direct dialogue with Tehran with no pre-conditions.

John McCain not only agrees with the Bush administration, he has even accused the Bush White House of not acting aggressively enough. Indeed, he has been the clearest about the possible need for military force against Iran, saying in a way no other major politician has, that the only thing worse than using military force against Iran is an Iran with a nuclear weapons capability. This kind of argument for military force is consistent with what McCain has said on the question of using force against North Korea, Iraq, Syria, and others. In the case of all those countries, he has made arguments or proposals indicating that in McCain's world view the use of military force may not be a first resort but it is also not a last resort.

The Democrats have a better idea. Let's propose talks with Tehran. That is what Washington did when it engaged in vigorous diplomacy with the Soviet Union at the height of the Cold War, and it what the Bush administration is doing by negotiating nuclear agreements with North Korea today. At the same time, Senators Obama and Biden say we should develop a new proposal of incentives and disincentives, secure the support of our friends and allies around the world, and then put that new proposal directly to Iran. This approach is the best way to find out if Iran's nuclear ambitions can be checked with diplomacy. If not, we will be in the best position internationally to pressure Iran with economic sanctions or more.

In other words, the Democrats are proposing a path of sensible diplomacy. That path has now been endorsed by these five Secretaries of State.

As part of her visit later this week to New York and the United Nations, we are going to hear Governor Palin talk about the danger of Iran and probably repeat the McCain policy prescriptions. If properly reported by the media, at least voters will have a clear choice. On one side we have Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Madeleine Albright, Warren Christopher, Henry Kissinger, Colin Powell, and James Baker. On the other side, there is Sarah Palin backed by a bellicose John McCain. That is a debate the Democrats should win.

James P. Rubin teaches at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs. He was an Assistant Secretary of State under President Clinton.

Comments

[Jingo]

Keep her away from the OPEC nations. Sarah and her AIP friends might be hatching a backup plan in case the whole Veep thing doesn't work out.

[microbe1]

If McCain were to be elected, he would quickly find some excuse to get rid of Palin as VP and select his good buddy Joe Lieberman to replace her. The Democrat-controlled Congress would have no problem with that. I don't think McCain trusts Palin any more than we do, and the Republican base is foolish to trust McCain .

[teddyquin]

I am waiting for the October surprise of Palin stepping aside over "controversial issues, including media abuse of her and her family) and Lieberman stepping into the VP spot to "help out"
It is inevitable.

[lewes17266]

Mr. Rubin, I was reminded of an earlier essay by Sean Gilfillan while reading yours. I wonder if you read it. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sean-gilfillan/dont-hire-palin-how-palin_b_122726.html

[sueno]

Is Palin going as a representative for the AIP? (Alaska Independent Party)
Since she and her husband believe in secessionism,
is she going to "make a deal" ?
Russia can have her, as far as I'm concerned-

[Bec01]

This whole Sarah Palin nomination reminds me of that movie with Reese Witherspoon, when she goes to Washington. I guess John McCain’s advisors did not get the memo that it was just a movie and not documentary

[lejman]

from the windows at the united nations, palin will be able to see new york. this will enhance her standing as a foreign policy guru.

[redsongia]

Yeah, cause looking out the window in New York City is the closest she's ever going to be to real "foreigners" :)

[Rog49Thomas]

I'd point out one incontrovertible fact - all of the above former Secretaries of State have (a) met with socialists and (b) been to Spain.

Can we really trust their judgment?

Were any of them POWs? Are any of them MSM- certified mavericks?
(Mandatory Statement: "Maverick" is a registerd trademark of J.S. McCain III, all rights reserved).

I think the answers to those two questions are equally clear.

[loraflora]

hello obama.. remember keating 5 mccain facilitated the largest S&L scandal failure in history. makes his flip flopping more fair game.. can someone please start reminding the public what kind of maverick john mccain is. reformer for big business not us.
hey jamie do you remember dean from college.

[confuseddemocrat]

I visited the UN and Ellis island once. Therefore, I think I am eminently qualified to be VP too or at least I can be the Immigration Czar or UN ambassador in the McCain administration.

[LizM]

That is a debate that Democrats should win...absolutely, positively, unequivocally! And, you could bet the farm - even if it was in Iowa - that they would win IF the media and blogosphere were not so incompetent and inept and the electorate not so ill-informed.

With any luck at all, Obama/Biden will win in November - if not by an electoral equivalent of a landslide, then with a healthy and governable majority that extends through both houses of Congress.

God help us all if they don't!

[rosiebond007]

It's appalling to have this sham going on - she is no representative of us all - maybe she is just going to the Viewing Gallery ?? Let's hope she picks up a few tips - like keeping her opinions to herself.

Is Todd dragging along too? He should be in Alaska answering questions about Troopergate or paying his $500 fine or going to jail.

The International representatives are already laughing at America.

Geez what a mess !!

[redsongia]

Britney and K-Fed go to the UN! Let's stop for some Taco Bell, y'all!

[idyl]

Maybe she can bang her Naughty Monkey Double Dare peep-toe pumps on the podium Kruschev style, and scare Iran into retreat? I hear she can do anything, and even wolves are scared of her? Let's keep our eye out for the front page spread of her looking steely eyed and "not blinking" before powerful world leaders. Such an attractive trait, don't you think. Certainty and a lack of foreign policy experience, a winning combination.

[mari2JJ]

hmmmm, wolves are NOT afraid of her. They just hate the small plane engine noise. The plane chases them and she shoots them in the back. Nice lady, eh?

[Helloise]

Jeez. This on top of the utter contempt shown by the Bush Administration for long-standing international treaties and laws, and the international community, in general; coupled with the unpopular and never seconded decision to impose John Bolton on the institution, just may tip the balance from simmering resentment to the outright hostility already felt towards the United States throughout the entire civilized world. It's one thing to thrust his reckless choice of VP on the American public, but must he air his dirty linen on the world stage?

[JISantiago]

Sarah Palin is on record as saying that she can see Russia from her home state and that gives her qualification on foreign policy! I suppose by meeting some foreign leaders and a handshake here and a handshake there, will qualify her to say that she knew many foreign leaders first hand and have good working relationship with them!! Goodness gracious me, what a great strategy to enhance your foreign policy credentials.

By the way, the master of all strategies, Karl Rove, doesn't see the "Hockey Mom" that way. Here is what he has to say, as reported by AP:

Excitement over Sarah Palin won’t last, Karl Rove told the AP last night. The Republican strategist
said Palin was picked for “political” reasons, and acknowledged she was not the most qualified VP
candidate available.

The desperation of the McCain campaign to sore up Palin's foreign expertise credentials is very evident with her planned visit to the UN. But the question that begs to asked is, in what capacity will she be meeting these foreign leaders at the UN? Surely, she is not a member of the Bush administration nor is she a member of the US Congress.

But one thing looks certain: McCain is taking his political campaign to the UN. Can the UN allow itself to be used as a tool for a political campaign? Will it not set a bad precedent?

Ban Kee Moon will have to answer these and many more questions, for sure!!

[bolingo]

If Barack Obama or John McCain(in his dreams) really wanted the female vote, they should have asked Jamie Rubin to be VP....