Foreign Policy "Experience" (Thomas Sowell)

Creators Syndicate ^ | September 3, 2008 | Thomas Sowell

[jazusamo]

Now that the Democrats have recovered from the shock of Governor Sarah Palin's nomination as the Republican's candidate for vice president, they have suddenly discovered that her lack of experience in general— and foreign policy experience in particular— is a terrible danger in someone just a heartbeat away from being President of the United States.

For those who are satisfied with talking points, there is no need to go any further. But, for those who still consider substance relevant, this is an incredible argument coming from those whose presidential candidate has even less experience in public office than Sarah Palin, and none in foreign policy.

Moreover, if Senator Barack Obama is elected, he will not be a heartbeat away from the presidency, his would be the heartbeat of the president— and he would be the one making foreign policy.

But the big talking point is that the Democrats' vice-presidential nominee, Senator Joe Biden, has years of foreign policy experience as a member, and now chairman, of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

That all depends on what the definition of "experience" is.

Before getting into that, however, a plain fact should be noted: No governor ever had foreign policy experience before becoming president— not Ronald Reagan, not Franklin D. Roosevelt, nor any other governor.

It is hard to know how many people could possibly have had foreign policy experience before reaching the White House.

Thomas Jefferson had been Secretary of State, but that was a while ago, and there has not been any other Secretary of State to become President of the United States.

Nor has any Secretary of Defense. The first President Bush had been head of the C.I.A., which certainly gave him a lot of knowledge of what was happening around the world, though still not experience in making the country's foreign policy.

Senator Joe Biden's years of service on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is even further removed from foreign policy experience. He has had a front-row seat as an observer of foreign policy. But Senator Biden has never had any real experience of making foreign policy and taking the consequences of the results.

The difference between being a spectator and being a participant, with responsibility for the consequences of what you say and do, is fundamental.

You can read books about crime or attend lectures by criminologists, but you have no real experience or expertise about crime unless you have been a criminal or a policeman.

Although I served in the Marine Corps, I have no military experience in any meaningful sense. The closest I ever came to combat was being assigned to photograph the maneuvers of the Second Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

That was photographic experience, not military experience. If someone gave me a policy-making job in the Pentagon, I wouldn't have a clue.

Senator Joe Biden has for years listened to all sorts of people testify on all sorts of foreign policy issues. But that tells us nothing about how well he understood the issues or how valid his conclusions were.

Whatever his conclusions were, they were not put to the test because he did not make any foreign policy.

Out of the four presidential and vice-presidential candidates this year, only Governor Palin has had to make executive decisions and live with the consequences.

As for Senator Obama, his various pronouncements on foreign policy have been as immature as they have been presumptuous.

He talked publicly about taking military action against Pakistan, one of our few Islamic allies and a nation with nuclear weapons.

Barack Obama's first response to the Russian invasion of Georgia was to urge "all sides" to negotiate a cease-fire and take their issues to the United Nations. That is standard liberal talk, which even Obama had second thoughts about, after Senator John McCain gave a more grown-up response.

We should all have second thoughts about what is, and is not, foreign policy "experience."

[Tallguy]

I can argue that experience isn’t as important as strength of character, indications of good judgment, and a sound philosophy.

Standing-O!

Biden has tons of legislative experience, but I don't trust his character or his 'judgment'. So even if Barak had undeniable experience I still wouldn't consider voting for him.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

James Monroe was Secretary of State under Madison, 1811-1817.

John Quincy Adams was Secretary of State under Monroe.

Just read Sowell's piece on Townhall and came here to see if anyone else made this point. Well spotted. :)

Thanks - but to be fair, trad_anglican was fustest, and Mr. Mojo was fustest with the mostest.

[austinaero]

Dem’s worry about McCain keeling over,

DEMS cross their fingers and nosehairs and HOPE something happens to McCain.

[austinaero]

Dem’s worry about McCain keeling over,

DEMS cross their fingers and nosehairs and HOPE something happens to McCain.

[Retired COB]

On her state’s other borders are Russia and Korea.

Korea might be a stretch.

Also, you forgot that large communist country to our North (Canada).

[Zevonismymuse]

I would also add that 99.99% of anything which has been by-lined with Biden’s name on it has been ghost written for him by his staff

Or by the person whom he is plagarizing.

[ROLF of the HILL COUNTRY]

I couldn't access the website you linked, so I can't tell if this is current or (as I suspect) future assignments. The only ABM system that we had was stationed around Minot AFB. To my knowledge, we still do not have any portions of the new, multi-layer system operational. The excerpt says it will examine the “defense policy decision”. That does not mean they are deployed yet. The decision may have significance in the design/deployment location/cost of the other portions of the total system, and is part of the design process for the BMDS.
The National guard units on active duty status, whether Air Force or Army, fall under their MajCom chain of command starting at the POTUS. The Governors do not command them while they are active.

[Young Werther]

Especially Nu Joisey!!!

[driftless2]

I think Dr. Sowell is being a little modest. If he moved into policy making decisions in the Pentagon, I think he’d be a very quick learner...even nearing eighty years old.

[jazusamo]

I have no doubt you’re right. He has a brilliant intellect and I have the impression he is one that learns from those around him that have more expertise on a subject.