Reflections on...the election

So, with less than a month left to voting day and only one televised left to watch, I wanted to jump in on the election discussions.

I have found it interesting how much of the debate over Palin's candidacy has focused on her experience (or lack thereof) in foreign relations. I personally find it a political bias to try and discount her and undermine her real strength of executive leadership, especially since the vice-presidency is an inherently domestic position and substantially more concerned with administrative and executive responsibilities than the president's foreign negotiation and dipolomacy poisition. in other news, Obama carried out a sweeping tour of the Middle East and Europe to show his committment to what he is calling "direct diplomacy," and I find it interesting how the focus of political discourse has has shifted from domestic to global. While we still place the presidential administration in the key position to influence domestic policy, our increasingly interconnected world requires an executive capable of connecting with international concerns, multilateral cooperation, and new technological advancements that challenge traditional modes of diplomacy. So, as we are all considering which candidate/administration to support in the upcoming election, I invite you to review the foreign policy statements of both John McCain and Barack Obama. Outlining their plans for how to address the current wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the possibility of further military involvement, international development funding and foci, nuclear proliferation, relations with Russia, the rise of India and China, etc...very interesting stuff. Lots of promises from both sides. But, these should weigh heavily on how we consider each candidate's preparation and capability to lead the world's only superpower. Please comment on anything you find interesting!

McCain:

http://www.foreignaffairs.org/20071101faessay86602/john-mccain/an-enduring-peace-built-on-freedom.html

Obama:

http://www.foreignaffairs.org/20070701faessay86401/barack-obama/renewing-american-leadership.html