Why Did Obama Barely Mention Foreign Policy?

Obama delivered a mesmerizing speech last night. But his words did little to burnish his credentials to be commander in chief. In a 44-minute speech, foreign policy barely received a minute's worth of attention. Sure, he made the obligatory mention of his sagacity in not supporting the war in 2002 and his desire to pull out combat troops in 16 months. But that's old news. What will he do, specifically that is, to ensure that Iraq does not become a terrorist haven or a cauldron of sectarian violence? He barely mentioned his support for Israel or his plan to rein in Russia. He talks about repairing broken alliances -- OK, that sounds nice but which alliances, and how will he do that exactly? He will rebuild our military, too -- but exactly how? Nor is it clear when Obama would advocate the use of force?

He also failed to mention Darfur, or even Africa (a continent of over 900 million people) in general, but found room to mention Georgia -- an inconsequential former Soviet state of just 4 million people. He says he will pursue direct diplomacy with Iran to prevent it from obtaining nuclear weapons -- but diplomacy has actually bought Tehran time to continue its enrichment, hasn't it? And pray tell, what would he do differently in Pakistan? I'm not sold on the fact that more troops there would make any difference in our fight against the Taliban -- he needs to sell me. That's what presidents do.

Folks, don't be fooled by the soaring rhetoric. Yes, Obama is a better alternative than McCain -- who seems hellbent on restoring a cold war with Russia -- but he gives so few specifics that I question what he would do as commander in chief. McCain's foreign policies may be hair-brained -- kick Russia out of G-8, form a League of Democracies, stay in Iraq indefinitely - -but they are anything but vague. Don't worry, you might say: Obama has good people around him -- Susan Rice, Anthony Lake, Samantha Power, et al. OK, maybe. But that sounds vaguely familiar to what we said about Bush in 2000.

I didn't expect him to detail every foreign policy proposal -- otherwise he'd still be talking to an empty stadium. But his website is also vague. To wit: On Israeli-Palestinian peace process ("He will make a sustained push"), on eradicating global poverty ("He will help the world's weakest states to build healthy and educated communities"), on strengthening NATO ("Obama will rally NATO members"), on Darfur (He supports "increasing pressure on the Sudanese and pressure the government to halt the killing"). His site is also woefully out-of-date. He says nothing about how he will combat a revanchist Russia, for instance.

To paraphrase the Illinois senator himself: Obama, on foreign policy, you are a better candidate than this.

For more Huffington Post coverage of the Democratic National Convention, visit our Politics @ the DNC page, our Democratic Convention Big News Page, and our HuffPost bloggers' Twitter feed, live from Denver.

Comments

[realpolitic]

This blog is entirely out of touch. Obama can repair NATO alliances by simply being himself. NATO members want a close relationship with the U.S., but are very weary of Bush. NATO members would like a finite commitment for our troops in Iraq.

Obama has sad he will target militants in Pakistan on actionable intelligence using special forces troops. He had to mention Georgia in his speech given a country with as many nuclear weapons as we have is presently fighting there. He may placate Russia by not insisting Poland accept our missile defense system which is supposed to protect them from an Iranian attack. An Iranian attack on Poland?

The terrorists have already left Iraq. They were pushed out by the Iraqis. If it becomes a cauldron of sectarian religious infighting we will be on the periphery and can return. At some time the Iraqi government must take responsibility for what happens inside Iraq.

Iran may be intractable. It would be difficult to keep them from developing nuclear weapons if they are intent on having them, as North Korea did under Bush. What would McCain do? I would trust an Obama administration, especially to provide honest information to the American public, more than the Bush/Cheney/McCain team.

[Ron333wood]

It's the ECONOMY ... STUPID!!!

[rgersmrk]

As Bill Clinton famously said in the 90's. It's about the economy stupid. Fixing the economy is the number one concern of Americans. Obama is doing a great job talking about that and making a great case of being a better POTUS than McCain in that and many other areas. We can only invade so many countries before we are morally and literally bankrupt as a country...

[LesHamilton]

I would have thought that specific foreign polices for a nation as large as the United States should be fairly nuanced and be based on evaluating the ebb and flow of conditions across the world to intervene at the right time with the right tools. We"ve seen the consequences of using only one tool, a hammer, for all occasions and the wrong occasions with the Bush administration.

Obama is right in an election to speak in general terms about foreign policy based on the nation"s values and interests, seeking to leverage greater influence through the use of the nation"s many like-minded friends, who need to know that they are valued not just for their role as spear carrier but also as partner and confidant.

So far we have heard specific threats from McCain for situations in Iraq, Georgia, and Iran and all of them are grim; it"s the foreign policy of a bully.

[hrabba]

Why were there so few specifics with regard to foreign policy? Because whene it comes to foreign policy Barack Obama is INEXPERIENCED! It's not in his political experience (community organizing & domestic issues are), nor really in his personal experiences. BUT:

Don't confuse inexperience with weakness or naivite. Just because he doesn't have a wealth of foreing policy background doesn't mean he doesn't have the JUDGEMENT, imntelligence or ability to make the right decisions when confronted with foreign policy issues. And with Joe Biden, he has someone who does posses a great wealth of knowledge on foreign policy.

Even with his lack of specific foreign policy experience I trust his world view, JUDGEMENT, ability to THINK CRITICALLY & DECISION MAKING SKILLS a hell of a lot more than John McSame's. Even though McSame does have more Foreing policy experience.

Obama/Biden '08/'12

[realpolitic]

What good is all McCain's experience if he is just a reflexive hawk?

[luvangelHussein330]

Thuis would be a relative issue. Watching the speech last night Obama focuse a great deal on foreign policy and what he would do...i have no idea what you were watching where you missed it. Maybe it was that he didn't say what you wanted him to say...and getting caught in your own view of what he should have said...you missed everything...go back and listen to it again

[chiefeditor]

What DID he mention? MP3 highlights are here: http://www.entertonement.com/collections/2638/Democratic-Nomination

[PumaAnn]

His foreign policy statements over this past year is a huge reason why I am not a big O supporter.

To put it bluntly, I agree with Mac. I don't agree with O.

That apparently puts me opposite of the left-wing of the Dem party.

New position for me, but that's OK.

Now that Mac has chosen Sarah?

I'll just switch parties.

We'll all be happier. Nothing worse than ants in the kitchen, which I had become. I was pushed out of the Dem party.

No question. I don't agree with our left-wing.

So..........I think we'll all settle down in our new seats, happy.

I'm now officially Republican.

And I'm laughing, btw, that Huffpo is running major stories but won't allow comments.

Very funny.

But, anyway, I'm happy. We all get what we want. Lefties get O.

I'm very pleased with Mac.

[newpantaloons]

Bye-Bye.

[frustratedinohio]

Me too Ann!

[FogBelter]

Haven't you always been a Republican? What's the news here, PumaAnn?

[Citizenofreality]

Hmmm, actually if you agree with John McCain on anything of late you are not in any wing of the Democratic party. I really hate to burst your bubble, but everyone I know who was a Hillary supporter is now an Obama supporter. And I'm sure that Senator Clinton will be delighted to know that in your mind she and Palin have so much in common. NOT.

[realpolitic]

If you have just now become a Republican after eight years of George Bush, then you never really leaned Democratic to begin with. The Republicans are the party of the wealthiest few who really need no help. Democrats represent the ordinary working man and woman.

[Pupadup4oBama]

This was not about foreign policy Lionel, this was about AMERiCA.
We need to get THIS country on track FIRST before we think of other countries.
He will no doubt have his moment to shine as will Joe B when they discuss it during the debate.

Geesh...have a little patience...hasn't he proven to you YET that he is quite capable of doing the job and that he KNOWS exactly WHAT he's doing?
Obliviously not! (and no, that's NOT a typo)

[FogBelter]

I'm thinking the Council on Foreign Relations is getting pretty nervous right now. Splendid.

[Whinger]

You can't expect a man to give a solution to a constantly evolving situation.

As President Barack Obama would use dipolmacy not megaphone threats or ultamatiums.
The Russians are a noble and proud nation, trying to force them to enact the will of nations thousands of miles distant wont work. The Russians feel under threat from Nato moving in on their borders and this, my way or the highway attitude from Nato and American foreign policy has been a resounding failure worldwide. As a first step, the reason that Russia feels threatened must be removed, their fears must be listened to and acted upon, only then can diplomacy have any hope of succeeding.
Imposing sancions upon Iran has been a spectacular failure, punishing nations as you would an unruly child won't work and is counter productive. Russia or Iran will never bow the knee to brute force or pointless sanctions, they, if implemented will cause a hardening of attitudes and retaliation!

[mikematic]

Carefully thought out opinions like these redeem my value of Intelligent Americans. I wish the majority populace thinks like you. Bravo!

[realpolitic]

Very good post!

[ThePeacemakers]

Everyday we here more from Pakistan uprisings to Afghanistan now demanding a time line for US troops in their country.

With Bush and Cheney still running amok, no telling what kind of foreign relations messes will be instigated. Better to access all situations cautiously like a true diplomat, then take action.

[ComicBookGuy]

Obama can contrast his foreign policy ideas with McCain's during the debates. That's probably a better forum for that sort of thing.

Besides, we are spending $10 billion a month in Iraq. We have a massive national debt, our military is overextended, and everybody - especially Russia - knows it. A laundry list of foreign policy proposals would be premature, considering we can't actually DO anything until we get out of Iraq.

[ignrnthllblly]

He's saving foreign policy as a switch with which to stripe McCain during the debates. It will be where Obama helps us to see the famed McCain temperament.

I realize that isn't going to placate self-styled policy experts from demanding that Obama be President Obama before he completes the necessary task of being candidate Obama, but I realize that some people think a horse equals one horsepower whether it's standing in front of the cart or behind it. Fortune now favors the selection of campaign pragmatists over the seemingly-inexhaustible supply of self-appointed Martin Luthers nailing their 95 policy demands on Obama's forehead. Frankly, I wish HuffPo could demonstrate a little better balance between the willful naivete of those who instantly and unerringly "know" what Obama "must" do and those who who have actually experienced what it takes to win elections.

Couldn't we have at least one observer who has taken note of the fact that Obama's conducting skills are less in question with the end of each movement of the symphony?

[Jezreel]

Obviously the author of this article and I did not listen to the same acceptance speech by Barack Obama. When the Democratic Presidential Candidate said that:

"You don't defeat a terrorist network that operates in eighty countries by occupying Iraq. You don't protect Israel and deter Iran just by talking tough in Washington. You can't truly stand up for Georgia when you've strained our oldest alliances. If John McCain wants to follow George Bush with more tough talk and bad strategy, that is his choice - but it is not the change we need."

He was certainly referencing countries in Africa, the Middle East and Europe.