Tactics and Substance in the 2004 Elections GoogleNews: Howard Dean

December 15, 2003

by J

Actual Foreign Policy

Now this is what I call a foreign policy agenda. Rock on, Dr. Dean. A few choice bits, although there are so many good things about it that it's hard to just choose a few. No time for any analysis at the moment - maybe later.
Meeting the pressing security challenges of the 21st century will require new ideas, initiatives, and energy. But it also will require us to draw on our proudest traditions, including the strong global leadership demonstrated by American Presidents from Franklin Roosevelt to Bill Clinton, to renew key relationships with America’s friends and allies. Every President in that line, including Republicans – Eisenhower, Nixon, Ford, Reagan, and the first President Bush – demonstrated that effective American leadership includes working with allies and partners, inspiring their support, advancing common interests.

[...] [W]e will enhance the emergency response capabilities of our police, firefighters and public health personnel. These local first responders are the ones on whom our security depends, and they deserve much stronger support from our federal government. A Department of Homeland Security isn’t doing its job if it doesn’t adequately support the hometown security that can prevent attacks and save lives.

[...] The American people can choose between a national security policy hobbled by fear, and a policy strengthened by shared hopes.

They must choose between a go-it-alone approach to every problem, and a truly global alliance to defeat terror and build peace.

They must choose between today’s new radical unilateralism and a renewal of respect for the best bipartisan traditions of American foreign policy. They must choose between a brash boastfulness and a considered confidence that speaks to the convictions of people everywhere.

I believe we will again hear the true voice of America.

It is the voice of Jefferson and our Declaration of Independence, forging a national community in which “we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”

It is the voice of Franklin Roosevelt rallying our people at a moment of maximum peril to fight for a world free from want and fear.

It is the voice of Harry Truman helping post war Europe resist communist aggression and emerge from devastation into prosperity.

It is the voice of Eleanor Roosevelt insisting that human rights are not the entitlement of some, but the birthright of all.

It is the voice of Martin Luther King proclaiming his dream of a future in which every man, woman and child is free at last.

It is the voice of Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton bringing long-time foes to the table in pursuit of peace.

With these legacies to inspire us, no obstacle ahead is too great.

Posted by J at December 15, 2003 02:25 PM
Comments

Well, I think this speech might have well tipped this undecided primary voter in Governor Dean's direction. It's excellent. But I won't kid you -- he sold me on the question he took on the Middle East: Appoint President Bill Clinton as a Special Envoy to the Middle East to get these folks to hash it out. Well done.
It was good to see an old boss, too -- Secretary Christopher, Secretary of State under Clinton. Also, some other appointments to foreign policy advisory positions has raised some interest in me, especially Tony Lake.
Of course, foreign policy isn't supposed to be political, but I have to pose a notion. The pundits have noted that Al Gore's endorsement of Dean was a sort of slam to the Clintons. What if the opposite was true? I wonder if Gore has been some sort of emissary, a conduit if you will, to the Clintons for Gov. Dean, and that his endorsement and this foreign policy speech is all leading up to something else: a Clinton (Pres/Sen? Who knows...) endorsement. Either way, I believe Governor Dean just got my vote come primary time.

Posted by: at December 15, 2003 09:07 PM

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