Fidel Castro Not Returning to the Presidency

OK -- Which of the presidential candidates is prepared to finally break US-Cuba relations out of the anachronistic Cold War cocoon they have been frozen in and initiate a new course that benefits American interests?

Barack Obama has sketched out the initial steps of a changed direction already, while Hillary Clinton in response said that the Bush administration's management of Cuba was just fine with her until something triggered a reason to change.

When Fidel Castro hinted in December that he would be stepping down, I asked the Hillary Clinton campaign if this news was substantial enough for it to stop hugging the Bush line and consider a new groove. I was told by a Clinton adviser that if something significant occurred to justify a rethink, then a "full policy review" would be done by the Clinton team.

Well, the hint Castro gave is now real -- and this seems significant.

The ending punctuation point of Fidel Castro's tenure in office marks the conclusion of the longest serving head of state in power today (except monarchs).

The US embargo against Cuba -- which all nations but three vote against each year in the United Nations -- has utterly failed to generate any positive impact on the Cuban government or people.

Of all the low cost opportunities to demonstrate a new and different US style of engagement with the world, Cuba is at the top of the list. Opening family travel -- and frankly all travel -- between Cuba and the US, and ending the economic embargo will provide new encounters, new impressions, and the kind of people-to-people diplomacy that George W. Bush, John Bolton, Richard Cheney, and Jesse Helms run scared of.

This is a huge potential pivot point in US-Cuba relations. Will Hillary Clinton step up to the plate -- and will Obama move beyond the somewhat timid proposals he offered previously and go to the gold standard in US-Cuba relations articulated by Senator Chris Dodd?

And will John McCain just ignore history's offered up opportunity or will he continue to paw the dirt and blow steam at the island nation just off the Florida coast?

One interesting US presidential race tidbit involves Fidel Castro -- who is know quite dismissive of and sparring with John McCain over McCain's accusations that Cuban agents engaged in torture in Vietnam. However, before this spat, Castro said that the "unbeatable" US presidential ticket would have both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama on it.

Something to consider. . .

-- Steve Clemons publishes the popular political blog, The Washington Note

Comments

[sparkandy]

I hope the US finally pulls its head out and normalizes relations with Cuba. This has been going on almost all my life, and I think it's been stupid all along. From a selfish perspective, I hope US tour operators can start selling resorts and Americans can go there for vacations. That would be the BEST vacation ever!

[NavyMom]

And buy Cuban rum!

[Patun]

Just an FYI -

Both below from Brown+Black Forum - Iowa Dec '07

http://candidatecubawatch.blogspot.com/2007/12/brown-and-black-democratic-forum.html



On Cuba, BHO has switched positions- in 2004 he wanted to normalize relations with Cuba in 2007 he says differently.

HRC has always maintained the policy of not normalizing relations with Cuba [which as a Cuban refugee [yes it's true]I wholeheartedly disagree with - who gives a mierda about Miami Cubans?! - besides of course, Miami Cubans?].

a new york cuban

[wsb25]

Viva Fidel, Viva Che, Viva Raul!
Venceremos!

[Troubledgoodangel]

Yo anadiria Viva el Sentido Comun! Los Cubanos hoy viven en un mundo cerrado, lleno de limitaciones. Dios no quiere que vivamos encarcelados! Dios ha creado el mundo para todos, para que todos lo disfruten plenamente! Vencer no se puede hasta que se es totalmente libre de ir y vivir donde uno quiera! Por eso yo les digo a los Cubanos: traten de obtener libertad sin dejar de ser Uds.!

[Damu]

The gold standard for US relations with Cuba was articulated by Abraham Lincoln not Christopher Dodd, but that's a whole other story.