United Liberty

This Friday evening, on the campus of the University of Mississippi, the two major contenders for the US Presidency will square off in a debate on foreign policy. While one might expect differences over the Iraqi War, I declare that few substantive differences separate the two candidates on foreign policy.

While Senator McCain has done a lot of saber-rattling, Senator Obama is no less of an internationalist than McCain. In fact, McCain’s discussion of foreign policy seems to at least, advocate a policy of advancing America’s interests around the world. Neither candidate wants to move away from the current American vision of settling the world’s disputes and building an American Empire. Neither candidate is willing to withdraw our national position of intervening in world situations. Neither candidate wants to focus on solving our problems in this country as opposed to considering the world’s position. Frankly, both men are globalists and internationalists. Neither man would pass the George Washington test of avoiding entangling alliances.

The difference? At least in foreign disputes, McCain wants to speak from a position of strength. McCain, while he will continue the Bush policy of interventionism, will side with those who are friendly to the United States. One can find no such assurances from Senator Obama. Obama’s background and purported friendliness with third world interests should cause concern in the realm of foreign policy. The idea that Obama is a peace candidate is ludicrous. The philosophy of Obama is internationalist and interventionist, as is McCain’s. However, McCain is at least more knowledgable and more American-centered in his dealings with foreign nations.

But one fact is certain about the debate: regardless of what is said, the news media will declare that Senator Obama won the debate.