McCain's Foreign Policy Agenda

McCain's foreign policy agenda is somewhat different than George W. Bush's. Remember that George W. Bush back in 2000 ran as a uniter and was weak on foreign policy. Unfortunately, for Bush, the people who he put in power hijacked his presidency after 9-11. McCain is different in that foreign policy is his strongest qualification. For Bush remember that education was his strong suit. Back in 2001 there was a warming between the Democrats and Republican's to the point Senator Ted Kennedy was there making a speech from the White House lawn touting the progress the government had made on education. But that was all taken away after 9-11.

It shouldn't be a surprise that McCain's foreign policy agenda differs from Bush's because McCain was always more of a foreign policy and national security advocate. "We need to listen to the views and respect the collective will of our democratic allies." McCain stated at a speech to the Los Angeles World Affairs Council. This doesn't sound like the neocons that stole the presidency from Bush. Unfortunately for Bush, he lost control of his presidency along the way. McCain, as well noted, has the temperament that would prevent this.

McCain's speech was directed at two audiences. The first was the American voters. McCain knows foreign affairs, and unlike Hillary Clinton that claims she was shot at in Bosnia, McCain was not only shot at, but shot down over Vietnam. McCain knows when to pull out the stick and when to pull out the carrot. foreign policy isn't an and or situation, it is a delicate balance of all natoinal Instruments of Power, IOPs. This finely nuance speech should strip away several voters from the Democrats during the general election. McCain's policy towards Iraq is much more sound than Clinton's or Obama's. The question was, would McCain jump into Iran? The answer is not unless it is truly a last resort. This should alleviate many voter's fears.

The second audience McCain's foreign polcy speech was directed at was the world in general. The McCain foreign policy agenda is going to emphasize a balance IOP platform and include allies in the process more.

In general, McCain's foreign policy is text book and will serve the US well.