Responding to the 'No Forign Policy Experience' rap on Palin

08.30.2008 | TexasNative2000

[TexasNative2000]

The talking points are out there. You've heard the stock responses to the pick of Gov. Palin as McCain's running mate. The first and foremost stab is....."

"She's got no foreign policy experience."

This is BY FAR the easiest one to knock out of the park.

Three of our past five presidents have been governors (Bush, Clinton, Carter). Each of them came to the job with as much 'foreign policy' experience as Palin has. Each governorship brings its own set of working conditions. As governor of Texas, Bush had extensive dealing with Mexico which provided some level of exposure to foreign policy. Palin governs Alaska which is surround by water and Canada. Carter and Clinton both governed states which do not border either of our neighboring countries.

So, Sarah Palin has no less foreign policy experience than those three Presidents. What makes her situation different? Is it because she is a woman with no foreign policy experience? Is she subtly being accused of being 'too soft' to gain foreign policy experience?

The next time you hear someone complain about 'no foreign policy experience', consider it a sexist remark.

[DocRock]

Commander in Chief of the AK Nat. Guard

Closest state to Russia which is constantly probing our defenses...

Somebody really needs to point this out because it has LEGS. No pun intended

[ClearCase_guy]

Her proximity to Canada is, as you say, sufficient to beat this one. But I’m wondering is the state of Alaska had had any dealings with neighboring Russia in the last two years. I imagine they have. If so, Palin had dealt with a foreign ally (Canada) and a foreign adversary (Russia). Obama is not in her league.

[TexasNative2000]

I heard McCafferty on CNN yesteday just ripping the choice, complaining that she couldn't stand up to Putin or the Iranian nutjob.

He asked the '3 a.m. phone call' question and wondered if you wanted Biden or Palin answering the phone. The real question, of course, is do you want Obama or McCain answering the phone.

[itsthejourney]

Palin governs Alaska which is surround by water and Canada

And Russia.

[ghost of nixon]

Actually Clinton did have foreign policy experience - it was his policy to hit on as many English chicks as possible while at Cambridge.

[pnh102]

I posted this in another thread. Feel free to make an ad out of it if you wish:

Does anyone else find it funny that a US Senator who can’t even remember on which committee he serves, who doesn’t even know who his state’s largest trading partner is, who claims that there are 57 states and who thinks that Canada has a President has the temerity to claim that our hot babe VP has zero experience? :)

[David1]

Easy. Neither does Barack Obama, and yet he was nominated for President where as Palin is nominated for the #2 spot in the ticket.

[David1]

And you bet he believes Obama can with his no foreign policy experience. Then again, Obama is the messiah. LOL

[Erik Latranyi]

Governors do not have much foreign policy experience, but they have LEADERSHIP experience.....something Sen Obama and Sen Biden cannot claim they have.

Gov Palin introduced, negotiated and signed legislation she wanted....both as mayor and as governor.

Sen Obama cannot make such a claim.
Sen Biden did negotiate on behalf of credit card companies.

You have a foreign policy team.....Sen Obama has over 100 on his foreign policy team for the campaign.....experience is not an absolute necessity....leadership and making the tough call is absolutely necessary.

So far, Sen Obama has not shown that he has or can make tough decisions.....his answer to that question was voting against the Iraq War which was a lie as he was not in federal office at that time.

[jaz.357]

3 A.M. Nov 5 2008

[Oldexpat]

Sarah had to negotiate with the Candadian Govt, US Govt, Connoco Phillips, Exxon, BP, Transcanada and the AK Legislature to get the pipeline deal signed. That sounds pretty international to me. She had to face down the oil companies on new oil royalties. They are by their nature international.
Somehow..I don't think a woman who has hunted in the AK Bush for moose and had scrapes with Grizzlies is going to be shy about facing some corrupt third world dictator.
She has accomplished more in her short career than most of our previous VP candidates. Plus she can speak without a teleprompter.

[Sacajaweau]

Palin vs Hillary....Foreign Policy Experience: Hillary voted for going into Iraq and then years later, "took it back" rather than looking for a better Plan For Success.

To remind you...I believe it was just after we went to Iraq, she sat with Russert and said that "Taking out Saddam has been the Policy of the Democratic Party"...leaving the impression that their idea was being stolen...and any credit should go to the Dems.

Palin: What can I say...Their son is going to Iraq. God Speed to him and his "brothers".

[FrankR]

"You have a foreign policy team..."

You have hit the nail on the proverbial head...

Unless you were a foreign ambassador, Secretary of State, or something similar, you would be hard pressed to have a lot of foreign policy experience going into the presidency.

The office of President of the United States is about leadership, courage, and character. I think Palin has all three traits, then some.

If a person with over 25 years of "foreign policy" experience were to get elected President, s/he would STILL rely on his/her foreign advisors and cabinet before taking action. The difference is, a leader would listen to and disseminate that advice, make a decision in the best interest fo the country and ALL of its people, and make a decision to act.

I don't believe Obamamamamama has that capability; firstly, he is only going to make decisions based on his black constituency; secondly, he is not going to spend "entitlement" money to defend our nation; thirdly, the idiot has already said he would just sit and chat with enemies to settle the differences. How naiive can a person be?

Sarah Palin would consult with the foreign experts and advisors, and make a decision that would have the best interest of America included, and she would act. She would not "back down" nor would she capitulate to foreign dictators.

So the myth the dems are trying to portray about "foreign policy experience" is just that...a myth. It's about executive experience, character, and perserverance.

Jimmuh Katta said that if Obamamamamma didn't win, it would be about race; well if Obamamamamam DOES win, it will most certainly be about race (and white guilt)...as he has no substance, experience or character to offer America.

[WillT]

I’m watching the Sat. morning talk shows and the line of attack seems to be “McCain is 72 years old and this woman is the next in line?” I just find it amazing that Dems attack a VICE PRESIDENTIAL nominee who allegedly lacks experience when their own PRESIDENTIAL nomineed lacks the same. Amazing line of attack that the MSM seems to accept. I’m flabbergasted by this insane hypocrisy.

[Sacajaweau]

A little humor: At 3 AM, her answering machine might say: “Gone Hunting”.

[bioprof]

Scenario #1: Phone rings....Sarah answers....shouts down the hall : "It's for you, John"....

Scenario #2: Phone rings.....Biden answes....says: "Barak can't take this call.....can I take a message?".....

[BigBobber]

Reagan was a also governor.

Yes the key here is which candidate has shown leadership qualities and the ability to get things done. Palin beats them all in this regard.

When it comes to accomplishments, Barry’s cupboard is as bare as can be.

[bushfamfan]

Cafferty is such a poser like Biden. Worthless windbag scowling like he’s Mr. Macho and a know-it-all. Obama is on record with his absurd statements that show he is a danger to our nation’s well-being. Palin will put them all to shame.

[eaglestar]

What struck me about the media coverage is that they:

1) Spoke as if Palin were running for President.

2) Spoke as if McCain were already in the grave.

But none of them spoke about the concerns of Biden’s age and the possibility of Obama being assasinated.