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Obama's Foreign Policy Republicans: Scowcroft, Gates, Powell
Scowcroft Protégés on Obama's Radar - WSJ.com
This is not new, as the Obama-Scowcroft relationship has been going on for awhile - at least since April:
From The Swamp
Now we're learning that Obama's foreign policy team is going to look a lot like George Bush pre-911 -- with Gates being retained, and Colin Powell and Scowcroft in the brain trust. This is likely to make a lot of code pink style liberals saying, "what the hell?!" But it's actually going to be reassuring to most sane Americans, regardless of whether the new brain trust is right or not. They're just serious long term foreign policy professionals and they cross party lines. That's going to be the takeaway for most of us.
Oh and also, Brent Scowcroft is a Mormon -- is he for or against Prop 8? Did Obama vet him on that?
The relationship between the president-elect and the Republican heavyweight suggests that Mr. Scowcroft's views, which place a premium on an Israeli-Palestinian peace accord, might hold sway in the Obama White House.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who was deputy national-security adviser under Mr. Scowcroft in the George H.W. Bush administration, is almost certain to be retained by Mr. Obama, according to aides to the president-elect. Richard Haass, a Scowcroft protégé and former State Department official, could be tapped for a senior National Security Council, State Department or intelligence position. Mr. Haass currently runs the Council on Foreign Relations.
Other prominent Republicans with close ties to Mr. Obama -- including former Secretary of State Colin Powell, who endorsed the Democrat in the final days of the campaign, and Indiana Sen. Richard Lugar, a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee -- share Mr. Scowcroft's philosophy.
This is not new, as the Obama-Scowcroft relationship has been going on for awhile - at least since April:
From The Swamp
Scowcroft, NSA to Presidents Gerald Ford and George H.W. Bush, agrees with the position stated mainly by Sen. Barack Obama "that the U.S. would benefit from having direct talks with the leaders of its most distrusted adversaries.''
Asked by the HuffPost's questioner if the next president should meet with the likes of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Scowcroft said: "Absolutely... It's hard to make things better if you don't talk."
Now we're learning that Obama's foreign policy team is going to look a lot like George Bush pre-911 -- with Gates being retained, and Colin Powell and Scowcroft in the brain trust. This is likely to make a lot of code pink style liberals saying, "what the hell?!" But it's actually going to be reassuring to most sane Americans, regardless of whether the new brain trust is right or not. They're just serious long term foreign policy professionals and they cross party lines. That's going to be the takeaway for most of us.
Oh and also, Brent Scowcroft is a Mormon -- is he for or against Prop 8? Did Obama vet him on that?
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Comments (6)
jan
1:20AM Nov 24th 2008
Obama is nothing if not rational. Although a lifelong Republican, like many others I became disillusioned by the past 8 years, not to mention by this year's Republican convention and campaign. Obama's intellect, education and propensity for doing his homework, as well as his pragmatic idealism, made him a shoe-in for this voter.
Nothing in his background or thinking has ever indicated anything other than a sane, thoughtful individual, despite what critical drama queens may say. His Constitutional expertise has taught him that the balance of power is non-negotiable and thus no one individual should ever have too much power - reassuring to those worried about some of his liberal ideas. Nor has he ever shown any inclination to tear apart anyone who disagrees with him. An idea, perhaps, but never a person.
Undoubtedly there will be disappointed, critical people on all sides no matter what he decides when. But I can only applaud his common sense when it comes to choosing these foreign policy experts. He won't agree with everything, but the willingness to listen and consider alternative ideas is very promising.
Nothing in his background or thinking has ever indicated anything other than a sane, thoughtful individual, despite what critical drama queens may say. His Constitutional expertise has taught him that the balance of power is non-negotiable and thus no one individual should ever have too much power - reassuring to those worried about some of his liberal ideas. Nor has he ever shown any inclination to tear apart anyone who disagrees with him. An idea, perhaps, but never a person.
Undoubtedly there will be disappointed, critical people on all sides no matter what he decides when. But I can only applaud his common sense when it comes to choosing these foreign policy experts. He won't agree with everything, but the willingness to listen and consider alternative ideas is very promising.
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PCL
2:35AM Nov 24th 2008
Jan,
I agree entirely with you--but you and I both know, the cynics won't.
I agree entirely with you--but you and I both know, the cynics won't.
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(0) BLHope
3:10AM Nov 24th 2008
A lot of Bush #41's advisors like Scowcroft were appalled by Bush #43's post-9/11 decision to terminate the Saddam regime even though it had nothing to do with 9/11 and even though that decision let Al Qaida off the hook. As a matter of fact, Gates was dragged from a very happy position as President of Texas A&M University to save Dubya's ass by fixing the damage done by "Rummy" and his neo-Cons.
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(0) Tracy Hall Jr
7:41AM Nov 24th 2008
"Oh and also, Brent Scowcroft is a Mormon -- is he for or against Prop 8? Did Obama vet him on that?
Perhaps a little review of your high school civics is in order, such as this excerpt from Article VI of the Constitution of the United States of America?
" . . . all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States."
Tracy Hall Jr
hthalljr'gmail'com
Perhaps a little review of your high school civics is in order, such as this excerpt from Article VI of the Constitution of the United States of America?
" . . . all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States."
Tracy Hall Jr
hthalljr'gmail'com
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(0) Jessie
7:42AM Nov 24th 2008
It's refreshing to see "pretend" republicans think they can fool anyone after an election. But it is very boring. I AM a right leaning independent. I did not vote for Obama but I am glad he has come out with his recent economic plans. I think it will help stablize the market and that should be good for everyone. There are a few things to be critical of Bush for. There's also things to be critical of Obama too.
"Nothing in his background or thinking has ever indicated anything other than a sane, thoughtful individual, despite what critical drama queens may say." This particular statement kind of gives it all away. Either that or this person is ignorant of Obama's background. Not to say any politicians are saints but please stop with the comedy act that you were republican. And while you're looking things up, look up how Joe Biden chair of the senate Foreign Relations Committee pushed for a 10 year war with Iraq in 1998. Bill Clinton did not invade Iraq as Biden begged with the reasoning that it would interfere with the coming election. Biden then brought this idea to the Bush administration and swayed some Democrats to vote for the bill that allowed Bush to go to war. Look some of this stuff up. It's easily found. Google "tim russert joe biden". Thats a good starting place
"Nothing in his background or thinking has ever indicated anything other than a sane, thoughtful individual, despite what critical drama queens may say." This particular statement kind of gives it all away. Either that or this person is ignorant of Obama's background. Not to say any politicians are saints but please stop with the comedy act that you were republican. And while you're looking things up, look up how Joe Biden chair of the senate Foreign Relations Committee pushed for a 10 year war with Iraq in 1998. Bill Clinton did not invade Iraq as Biden begged with the reasoning that it would interfere with the coming election. Biden then brought this idea to the Bush administration and swayed some Democrats to vote for the bill that allowed Bush to go to war. Look some of this stuff up. It's easily found. Google "tim russert joe biden". Thats a good starting place
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(0) Professional Woman
8:26AM Nov 24th 2008
It is critical at this point to look to all sides for the best people to help with the decision making process. We need desparately to reverse the negative perceptions of the world about the US. When a president is willing to listen to all sides and come to agreements that will benefit our nation, that shows intelligence as well as maturity.
With respect to Biden, the intelligence of the time was apparently saying that the terrorists were based in Iraq and the Iraq was increasing its power base. When that proved false, the war was not handled properly, and the generals were not being listened to, Powell pulled out and many others began to show dissent. However, when you think about it, if McCain had won, who would have in Biden's place. LOL
With respect to Biden, the intelligence of the time was apparently saying that the terrorists were based in Iraq and the Iraq was increasing its power base. When that proved false, the war was not handled properly, and the generals were not being listened to, Powell pulled out and many others began to show dissent. However, when you think about it, if McCain had won, who would have in Biden's place. LOL
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