McCain could easily destroy globalization

OP-ED: McCain's Radical Foreign Policy, PostGlobal, April 28, 2008

Very good piece by Zakaria, whose book I just finished.

You see all the us-v-them thinking in Kagan's: all he sees in the 21st century is the return of the 19th. My God, the neocons' complete lack of understanding of globalization and economics is just stunning.

That's what makes them so dangerous. McCain has no soul WRT economics: no business or real-world understanding whatsoever. So the neocons like Kagan fill that empty vessel.

Zakaria's calm reasonableness on globalization is completely missing on the GOP side right now. It is a sad state of affairs to see the party so dominated by economic Know-Nothings.

Worse, the GOP has virtually no young talent in the wings. Sad indeed.

We get McCain and we get far worse than Bush III. Bush was sensible if unambitious on globalization. McCain's worldview could easily destroy globalization unless he becomes more realistic and informed on global economics.

Otherwise it'll be just a bevy of advisers who see the world strictly in pol-mil terms blundering about far worse than Bush, who clearly knew his ass from his elbow on Russia and China.

(Thanks: Terence Dodge)

Comments

[JFRiley]

Tom,

Does this mean your back to supporting Obama, since the race has reached a point where she can't possible win without destroying the party?

[Shawn in Tokyo]

Unfortunately, McCain nor any other Presidential candidate can be everything in themselves--it is just as important to see who they surround themselves with to complement their strengths. Guiliani is in the McCain camp and someone who has been praised here for his understanding of globalization's importance--would McCain kill off something someone close to him finds so important? I find the Democratic candidate's posturing on trade even more frightening.

One young up-and-comer on the GOP side is Bobby Jindal, the recently elected governor of Louisiana. I believe there are several others under the radar at the moment as well, in particular an unprecedented number of veterans of the Iraq war campaigns running for Congress under the GOP banner.

[Adam]

But, he is the only candidate to support free trade deals. His 'us vs. them' mindset doesn't seem to apply there.

[Wiredman]

I will be supporting McCain, but I agree with Tom that we need to continue to engage Russia and China. Although, I don't see the need to have "unconditional love" for either countries.

So, a review of Russia's actions is prudent, and if Russia has crossed a line then "downgrading" her could could send a message just as downgrading a stock sends a message to the corporation.

[Ted O'Connor]

McCain has a foreign policy? Does it involve something besides sending aircraft carriers to every part of the world? I doubt it.

[TEJ]

I remember reading a Navy Times article last year about OIF/OEF veterans running for congress. It was during the primary season, but most were running as democrats.

[farhad]

clearly,it takes time for the neocon's mentality,and as you say the 19th century us -v-them,and the thought of militery superior insteadof economic connectiveness in a globalized world,to disappear.the truth is,that mentalitiy is the main core of the republican party,andsome of so called moderate conservative democrats like clinton . thepeople specially in US has come to realize that,and don't want anymore of that.they know,that means more war with other countries,or cold war with Russia or China.they know it is not about democracy or terrorism,it is more about wealth and power.thats whyeconomy is the #1 issue right now,and they want president that care about their needs,and get along with the rest of the world.Obama partially represents that,and he is the one who hopefully willnot let them down.

[VoteWithTroops]

Which candidate will be smart enough to make Barnett his National Security Advisor or Secretary of State or V.P.?? Both of these candidates are flawed and both need the balance Barnett would provide.

Every voter is liberal in some ways and conservative in some ways. Besides What Our Troops Want, during wartime, vacantcies on the US Supreme Court is the next most important election issue (i.e. Alito or Ginsburg types?) ... for us, that means McCain on both counts. The success of connectivity-globalization-freedom is (sooner or later) inevitable, whoever is president. Preservation of this Republic is the paramount issue at hand.

[large]

The United States Government, no matter the administration, cannot do more than slow globalization . . the Genie's out of the bottle . . The Democrats eschew continental trade but quite like McCain, don't fully comprehend Global Trade . .

McCain's the better bet, because of the likely advisors he will choose, but not by a whole bunch . . He'll still make mistakes . . they just won't cost as much and we'll recover quicker . .

[zenpundit]

"That's what makes them so dangerous. McCain has no soul WRT economics: no business or real-world understanding whatsoever"

None of the candidates have ever run a business, met a payroll, made a sales call. None of them have shown even a basic grasp of economics. They are all purely political people.

[Shawn in Tokyo]

Very true, Zenpundit. Which is why it is so important to evaluate the people the candidates surround themselves with to see what they bring to the table that the candidates themselves don't.

[Michael]

McCain already has the votes for his party's nomination. He shouldn't have to pander to his base; not when there's platform building for the general election to do. Obama and Clinton do not have their party's nomination yet and thus do have to pander.

If McCain's saying these things then:a) He's unsure of his status within the party, in which case we should ask why. The reasons for his dis-ease would be educational.b) Zakaria's right about him getting mixed signals from his advisors, in which case we should hope he drops a few in the next couple of months. Orc) That's the way he actually feels (or what he feels will get him elected in November). In which case we're better off supporting Obama or Hillary--at least until one of them crosses the finish lane and starts laying out his and/or her general election platform.

[Mark in Texas]

McCain is the least worst in a field of candidates who seem to be doing their utmost to demonstrate their unsuitability to be President.