Selection of Palin is a Bizarre Choice [National "Jewish" Democratic Council calls Palin "bizarre"]

National Jewish Democratic Council ^ | 8/29/08 | Ira Forman

[Winged Hussar]

Ira N. Forman, Executive Director of the National Jewish Democratic Council (NJDC) today released the following statement:

Today, Senator John McCain made his first critical presidential decision with his selection of his Vice Presidential running mate. McCain’s judgment appears lacking.

In Governor Sarah Palin McCain chooses a running mate with zero foreign policy experience and a brewing scandal which is being investigated by the Alaska state legislature. The contrast with Senator Joe Biden could not be starker and more unfavorable for the soon to be Republican nominee.

For a party which claims it is trying to reach out to the Jewish community McCain’s pick is particularly strange. Prior to today’s selection Palin apparently has never spoken publicly about Israel. Moreover, on a broad range of issues— most strikingly on the issue of women’s reproductive freedom— she is totally out of step with Jewish public opinion. The gulf between Palin’s public policy positions and the American Jewish community is best illustrated by the fact that the Christian Coalition of America was one of the strongest advocates of her selection.

[mad_as_he$$]

One of the most bizarre things I know of is Democratic Jews.

[Brett66]

How sexist of them. LOL!

[SunkenCiv]

Did Biden Call for a Cut-Off in Aid to Israel?
(1982 Biden banged desk & threatened cut in $$$)
Commentary | August 26 | John Podhoretz
Posted on 08/26/2008 7:01:07 PM PDT by PghBaldy
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2068786/posts

Biden Threatened to Cut off Aid to Israel
Yid with Lid | 8/27/08 | Yid with Lid
Posted on 08/27/2008 4:52:51 PM PDT by Winged Hussar
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2069430/posts

Obama: World must pressure Iran before Israel launches attack
JPost | 8/25/2008 | Staff
Posted on 08/25/2008 3:14:15 PM PDT by mojito
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2067906/posts

[mkjessup]

And how much foreign policy experience did Ronald Reagan have when he was elected?

PLENTY. Ronald Reagan had been fighting international Communism for decades before assuming the Presidency, go read some of his writings and see for yourself.

As fine a conservative as Sarah Palin is, comparing her to the greatest President of the 20th century is like comparing a red breasted robin to the largest and mightiest Eagle of all time.

Hint: don't go there.

[driftless2]

"Reagan

Writing about foreign affairs is fine, but not quite the same as dealing directly with foreign governments. Palin's lack of experience in foreign affairs is the same that any governor has. How much time has Mitt Romney (who was my first choice as veep) spent on foreign affairs or writing on about them? I'd guess next to none.

[mkjessup]

Reagan
Writing about foreign affairs is fine, but not quite the same as dealing directly with foreign governments.

Have you been living in a cave for 40+ years? While Governor of California, Reagan dealt with foreign governments and foreign leaders all the time, because those foreign governments and leaders ALL had dealings with the State of California, which (as Reagan liked to point out) had an economy larger than many other nations around the globe. BIG difference between serving as Chief Executive of one of the largest states in the Union with that kind of economic and political clout, and serving as Governor of a state that would quite frankly rank in the lower tier of socio-economic cultures if compared with other nations.

I understand your desire to minimize Reagan's qualifications in order to pump up Palin's, it is the same intellectual dishonesty that was used by the RudyBots during the primary season to try and trash Reagan in order to boost up Rudy-Tooty. That dog won't hunt, ok?

Palin's lack of experience in foreign affairs is the same that any governor has. How much time has Mitt Romney (who was my first choice as veep) spent on foreign affairs or writing on about them? I'd guess next to none.

That's all you're doing, GUESSING.

[driftless2]

I think you’re getting exercised needlessly. I’m only saying Reagan was a governor, and like all governors did not do foreign relations. Take a breath...and a stiff drink too.

[mkjessup]

And I’m saying that you are (by your own admission) doind no more than guessing about all this, which put gently means you have no idea of what you’re talking about.

And I’ll be the one to decide when I need to take a breath OR a drink, thank you very much.

I believe we’re done here.

[kabar]

Next to blacks, Jews are the Dems most loyal constituency. There are 43 Jewish members of Congress with 40 of them being Dems/Ind and three Reps, (Specter, Coleman, and Cantor), with only Cantor being a conservative. The National Jewish Democratic Council is very representaive of the US Jewish community.

[kabar]

Writing about foreign affairs is fine, but not quite the same as dealing directly with foreign governments. Palin's lack of experience in foreign affairs is the same that any governor has. How much time has Mitt Romney (who was my first choice as veep) spent on foreign affairs or writing on about them? I'd guess next to none.

Actually, many governors do acquire foreign affairs experience, as part of their jobs. They travel abroad to meet with foreign government representatives and local business leaders to encourage trade and investment.

As a Foreign Service Officer stationed in Jakarta from 1973-75, I can recall a relatively unknown governor from California who was visiting Indonesia. He stayed at the Ambassador's residence. I can recall to this day seeing him stretched out next to the pool on a lawnchair reading. He was accompanied by Nancy and her hairdresser.

Reagan met with Indonesian trade officials and spoke to the American Chamber of Commerce at the Residence. He was pushing California products and sought foreign investment. It wouldn't surprise me to learn that Palin engaged in similar activities to push Alaskan products. And the fact that Alaska sits next to two foreign countries, Canada and Russia, it is quite possible she has dealt with issues with Reps from those countries as well as Japan.

[kabar]

Norway, Japan, the Czech Republic, Italy, Canada,and Finland have consulates in Anchorage.

Anchorage to get Mexican consulate

[kabar]

The International Whaling Commission's 59th annual meeting in Anchorage, USA 2007

"The 59th Annual Meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) took place at the Hotel Captain Cook, Anchorage, Alaska from 28 to 31 May 2007. It was chaired by Dr Bill Hogarth (USA). It was attended by 73 of the 77 Contracting Governments."

Day One--Proceedings began on the first day with an opening ceremony organised by the USA. The meeting was chaired by Dr William Hogarth, Chair of the Commission. An opening prayer was given by Alberta Stephan, Elder, Native Village of Eklutna. Speeches of welcome were given by: Mark Begich, the Mayor of Anchorage; Sarah Palin, the Governor of the State of Alaska; Vice Admiral Conrad Lautenbacher Jr, Undersecretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere; Ted Stevens, United States Senator, Alaska. The Committee was also entertained by Dance Groups from: Barrow, Alaska, USA; Chukotka, Russian Federation; and the Makah Tribe, Washington State, USA.

There are six new members to the Commission bringing the total to 76, of which 71 are present. The full list of member countries can be found HERE.

[kabar]

Take a gander at the press releases from Gov. Palin's office and see what she does

[mkjessup]

I defer to your knowledge and obvious awareness of the role of Governors of any state.

Thanks for the postings and links!

[driftless2]

Good points. My contention was that most governors, while doing what Reagan and Palin did with trade business(and not trying to minimize those interactions) come into the office of the President without having conducted normal foreign affairs. I pointing out that even without that formal foreign affairs experience behind them, who did a better job with foreign affairs...Reagan or Carter? My feeling is that knowledge of how the world works is far more important than spending a lot of years on the foreign relations committee, like Biden, and understanding and learning nothing.

[driftless2]

Yes, take a stiff drink please. You totally misunderstood the contention of my postings which was even without formal governmental foreign relations experience, Reagan was far superior to an incumbent president who had four years of international dealings but was a numbskull.

[mkjessup]

In your post #19, you said: "And how much foreign policy experience did Ronald Reagan have when he was elected? "

And your intention was clear, which was to suggest that Reagan was just as much a novice as Sarah Palin, which is absurd on it's face, if for no other reason that Reagan served as Governor of California for eight years, Palin has scarcely been Governor of Alaska for TWO years. Do the math: which Governor had more experience dealing with foreign policy issues, indeed ALL issues at the time they became potential candidates on a national ticket?

Here's your clue: Reagan: 8 years (not counting 1968 because Reagan was essentially a 'favorite son' candidate and Nixon all but had the nomination sewed up prior to Miami Beach), Palin: 2 years.

Reagan was far superior to an incumbent president who had four years of international dealings but was a numbskull.

Irrelevant. This election cycle there is no incumbent and no issue in that regard, we start with a clean slate.

[driftless2]

My intention, dear fellow, was to deflate the contentions of the Dems who declared that simply being a senator qualifies one for superior abilities in foreign affairs over governors. The fact is by definition a governor (unless previously elected to Congress) of a state will not have Washingtonian “experience” the kind that Dems have in mind when they talk about experience. Have another drink.

[kabar]

My contention was that most governors, while doing what Reagan and Palin did with trade business(and not trying to minimize those interactions) come into the office of the President without having conducted normal foreign affairs.

Neither do most Senators. They go on CODELs overseas, but most of the time they receive briefings from host country officials and US diplomatic personnel. The State Department is charged with coducting foreign affairs overseas at the direction of the President.

Senators are better informed about foreign affairs, especiallly those on the committees charged with oversight. Biden is a blowhard and an ass.

[driftless2]

"blowhard and ass"

Couldn't agree more. Another one of my points was that many years of experience with foreign policy don't amount to much if you've been as wrong about things as Biden has been.