McCain and the Cuba Libre

John McCain seems intent on embracing every failed policy of the Bush administration. Iraq, check; top end tax cuts, check. Privatization of Social Security, check. Unraveling employer based health care, check. And this weekend, McCain boldly informed the remnants of the Miami Cuban expatriots that he will sustain the most egregiously failed US policy of them all -- the Cuban embargo.

McCain was in his element, invoking freedom, denouncing oppression, invoking the threat Cuba poses to America; ah, 'twas like the salad days of the Cold War when he was young and easy.

But really, the Cuban embargo? Castro has now outlasted 9 US presidents. We've sponsored a failed invasion of the island, hired failed assassinations to take him out, tried to poison him so his beard would fall out (really), poisoned crops, fouled up bearings, and much else. And through thick and thin, missile crises and détente, Cold War and Soviet collapse, administration after administration has sustained an embargo against this little island 90 miles off our shores.

The embargo has helped, no doubt, to impoverish the Cuban people. It has also helped to make Castro a nationalist hero throughout Latin America and much of the world. It has done nothing for nearly five decades to advance democracy, civil liberties or capitalism in Cuba. Even its economic effects have diminished over time. It once cribbed tourism, and, once the Soviet Union went belly up, put a squeeze on oil. Now the Europeans and Canadians populate the Cuban beaches. And Hugo Chavez of Venezuela is happy to provide Cuba with the oil it needs.

Cuba is a small island, 90 miles off our shores. Its people are proud and nationalistic. They also get island fever. Their relatives across the straits let them know what they've been missing economically. There is little doubt that had the US normalized relations with Cuba, opened up trade, encouraged travel and exchanges, Cuba would have been transformed long ago. The détente that worked its magic on the Warsaw Pact countries in Eastern Europe would have been much more powerful in Cuba.

So why does McCain extol this tribute to folly? It's a good pander to the older generation of Cubans, still pining to see Castro's overthrow and to have a shot at taking back their old properties. But straight talking John McCain wouldn't adopt a goofy failed foreign policy just for political purposes, would he?

McCain's spokesperson, Nancy Pfotenhauer, tried to explain on Fox News:
We can't talk with Castro or lift the embargo until democracy descends on the island, she stated, because "the worst thing we can do is prematurely capitulate (emphasis added) and give them what they want the most without anything in return, and what they want the most is legitimacy, which, by the way, all that does is completely erode the confidence and the hopes of the people in Cuba who want freedom."

Can't "prematurely capitulate" after nearly five decades of a failed policy. We can't dash the "confidence and hopes" of the "people in Cuba who want freedom" who, no doubt, are biting their finger nails, hoping against hope that, after five decades, more of the same will somehow convince Castro to install a democracy.

We don't have an embargo with China, quite the contrary. Nor with Vietnam or Cambodia. We denounce Chavez as a dictator, but Venezuela's oil is a little too precious to fool around with. This isn't a matter of principle. It can only be explained as expressing a kind of purblind inertia. We do it because we can, who cares if it doesn't work.

The avid embrace of failed Bush policies seems to be a McCain hallmark, but this is simply ridiculous. Why not dub the embargo a failed policy of Democrats, blame it on Lyndon Johnson or Jimmy Carter or Bill Clinton and go another way?

McCain ended his speech by noting that "For decades, in Republican and Democratic administrations alike, the United States has treated Latin America as a junior partner rather than as a neighbor, like a little brother rather than as an equal." Right, and the Cuba embargo is the symbol of that throughout the hemisphere. In his romance with the embargo, McCain scorns the opinions and policies of our allies and our neighbors, isolating America in the name of isolating Castro.

No one, I assume, except a handful of Miami Cuban intransigents actually cast a presidential vote on this issue. But doesn't the perfervid embrace of the ridiculous say something about McCain's qualifications to lead this country forward?

Comments

[aurelio23]

OVERHEARD BUSH- MC CAIN CONVERSATION
There are similarities and differences between them. They both interpret facts in their own ways and they both share past histories of very modest relevance, with few notable events worth mentioning.
"Did you really mean that if you are elected president the US would remain in Iraq for 100 years?"
"Finding those weapons of mass destruction that you said were in Iraq is going to take at least 70 years, I figure"
"Hell, John, how old will you be by then?"
"If you are worrying about my retirement package, relax Mister President. I have a few nest eggs here and there, you know"
The President nodded and said:
"Who would you select as Vice President?"
"How about Joe Lieberman?""
"Naw. He"s too old. You need a young cowboy. How about my brother Jeb?"
"Not a bad idea. Does he know where the weapons of mass destruction are?"

[CaptainZero]

How can anyone not see that the fastest path to a freer Cuba is greater contact with the U.S. and reciprocal access to our markets? The wrong headedness of the "lay siege to Cuba" crowd hasn't improved the situation one iota. And even with Raul Castro making small moves in the right direction we dig in our heals and whine that it's not enough? The days are numbered for this policy. Let's pull Cuba out of it's revolutionary fantasy with trade. Only as a trading partner can we begin to have any real influence.

[latinopride]

As the son of Cuban exile parents, I'm absolutely ashamed by the irrational stance of both the US government and the Cuban exile community towards Cuba. The exile community deserves much blame, the time to get over what Castro did to them was several decades ago! These people believe that whatever is connected with socialism is pure evil. They see the world like Bush, Good or Evil and nothing in between. I don't have pity for them anymore, they deserve our scorn and condemnation for their fanaticism and zeal. It's unfortunate that Sen Obama has not had the courage to denounce the embargo. It's time for the exiles to get over the drama of what happened in the 50s and 60s, the true victims, the Cuban people, are being hurt by our continued arrogance and fearmongering.

[JohnIII]

I always wondered why Cuba was considered a threat. It's such a small place. What is it that they can possibly do to us? It's a beautiful place as well. Granted I only visited Guantanamo, but I did get a sense of the land.

[coolrepublica]

Since when is the Cuba policy the Bush policy? It's been the policy of every president since before I was born.

[kristycu]

I know HUH? - they are trying to link the two together, the point is though, Mccain does not have to continue that police that the last few administrations have over the past 5 decades as he puts it. So I think in this case he should have just said this particulary policy is a failed policy period. and your right it did not start off as bush's policy, but because he did not change it, this ends as his policy, and if the next president does not change it. this to will be their failed policy ( at least that's how i see it)

[navalvet]

If we lift the embargo, can we sell the Cubans grain, medicines, parts for their hospital equipment and whatever? Will Cuban children visit relatives in Miami? Those would be great outcomes.

Sen. Obama does have a Florida problem but he will never get votes from many Cuban Americans. Rather he has a problem with older, less educated Americans. He can mend fences in Florida by backing a compromise on Florida's delegation. Otherwise, he can kiss Florida's electoral votes goodbye. He does not need Florida to win in November, but it would be a big help, especially if Pennsylvania goes for Senator McCain.

[BobinKS]

You say a comprimise on the Florida delegation. Senator Clinton doesn't want a comprimise. She is demanding capitulation from the DNC and Senator Obama. A comprimise is very achievable but what Senator Clinton wants isn't going to happen.

[kristycu]

I agree with you on most of it. its sad that assuming he can get it approved. he will be allowing them to do thing that benefit their families still in Cuba, the can send letters and not only that they can go and visit. I would vote for that. i would want to see my family if it has been many many years

[blooddoc]

The Cuban expatriots in this country should cease to be a political force in U.S.-Cuba relations. This country's approach to Cuba has been schizophrenic (note the references to how we deal with China, Venezuela, etc.) and non-productive, largely due to paranoia on the part of politicians concerned with their image in the Cuban-American community. A simple opening of trade would be beneficial for both countries and would accelerate the pace of democracy, not retard it. This is a case of a small constituency wielding far too much power because of fear-mongering by right wingers and weak knees on the left.

[LiberalBuzz]

The problem is the Cuban population that HATES Castro and has a large voting bloc. They are INSANE with their hatred of Castro and as a result this idiot policy of ours towards Cuba.

SO what if we lifted the embargo?

Who cares anymore. The Cuban people would love to be able to see their relatives, and talk with them and what the hell?

We do tons of business with a country that is a thousands times more repressive, CHINA and I have yet to see any chants to start embargoing China?

This embargo is pure idiocy.

[peterg76]

I get a bad feeling about what she meant by "democracy descends on the island".

[aleco]

Excellent post, Mr. Borosage. U.S. policy toward Cuba is not only irrational but also cruel. The embargo has not hurt those in power or those with money because everything is available on the black market. It only hurts the Cuban masses who are suffering terribly. Ironically, the ordinary people in Cuba love Americans and hate the Russians who are still there. There is no economic development in Cuba. And worse, the Cuban people walk around like zombies. They have no hope. Communism is a failure. Schools lack books and teaching supplies. Hospitals lack medicine and medical supplies and equipment. Patients must bring their own linens when they check into a hospital.

On the lighter side some observations. You can't get a Cuban sandwich in Cuba. They don't know what it is. They don't have Cuban bread as we know it in Miami. It's more like Italian bread or French bread. Cuban coffee is actually imported from Brazil.

As strange as it may sound, I believe Fidel is an agent of the U.S. Years ago I asked a CIA buddy of mine why the U.S. tolerated Castro and communism ninety miles off the coast of the U.S. and he told me that there were people close to Fidel who were providing intelligence about Russian intentions. I think the U.S made a deal with Fidel that we would leave him in power as long as he continues to provide Russian and Chinese intelligence.

[Puller58]

McCain will remove the "embargo" on illegal immigration and maintain the embargo on Cuba. Now tell me which one harms the US?

[TTigerX2]

Apart from the ubiquitous french girls who arrive on the beaches drawn by an expanding tourist industry; you might also find oil engineers from Russia, Canada and China inhabiting the new hotels. They are there exploiting a potentially large oil reserve or more off the shores of Cuba. In terms of an embargo, Chavez and Putin are supplying Cuba with the latest in jet fighters and anti-invasion defense systems supplied by a host of NATO countries. You see, the rest of the world has moved on. Embargo is only a quaint American term meant to corral a handful of aging Republican voters.

[bbmjr]

My only problem with the statement that the Cuban Embargo is a "failed policy" is the underlying assumption that a successful policy is one that overthrows the Cuban government. Our policy should be to allow Cuba to have self-determination, something that we have refused to do over 100 years. Does anyone remember the Platt Amendment of 1903, which made Cuba a de facto colony of the U.S. and its government subject to our approval? Isn't this what we really want?

Unless we change the core principles of our foreign policy and stop being an imperialist nation, we will continue to get our tits in the wringer. It is disgusting to watch our politicians pander to the mean streak of jingoism and nationalism that is in our collective DNA, and at the same time kow tow to the business interests that are the real beneficiaries of our imperialist foreign policy. The Cuban embargo benefits the sugar industry in south Florida and the Bacardi rum family. It has meant hundreds of millions of dollars to them and untold suffering on the Cuban people.

[independent32955]

Yes, the Castro government that overthrew the Bastillas in 1959 has been illegitimate lo' these many years...and it would be terrible for a mccain administration to capitulate and change the clearly operational success that the US embargo has created on Cuba.

Obviously any government that has only been around for approximately 50 years can't POSSIBLY be taken seriously...democracy is just seconds away in Cuba, that is clear!

[radicalcentrist44]

What is Obama's position on Cuba?

[independent32955]

He said he's for talking with the Cuban government and keeping the embargo in place. I would assume he would only remove elements of the embargo when the government started creating democratic reforms...BUT even if the cuban government did not do that, I say drop the embargo and kill the communists with capitalism. Look at what happened to Russia? and that led to East Germany...for some reason, republicans think you should simply not talk to people and THAT'LL LEARN 'EM...I get that bush is a cowboy and that his brand of diplomacy is really just meant to hide the fact that he's not the brightest bulb in the bunch, but the fact that McCain - once a rebel/maverick - is riding on his coattails, tells me that the people around McCain have him firmly ensconced in the position that running as a bush jr is a good thing.

What an idiot!

[Liberoservative]

He also said that he would lift travel restrictions and allow Cuban Americans to send money back to their families... the best way to lift a repressive regime is to allow its people a taste of freedom that good dialogue with their American relatives and being able to buy stuff will provide. Our embargo has only served to have Cuba build relations with other countries who have no embargo...