McCain's world-view
John McCain’s big foreign policy speech today gives us the clearest idea yet of both how his campaign intends to talk about national security and what a President McCain would actually do. McCain describes himself as a ‘realistic idealist’ and while he is still optimistic about the march of human progress, McCain is keen to show that he is neither a utopian nor a warmonger.
McCain still subscribes to the guiding principle of Bush’s post, 9/11 foreign policy: that the old autocrats in the Middle East can no longer provide stability and so the United Sates must be on the side of freedom in the region. Indeed, McCain has not abandoned the hope of fostering democracy in Iraq:
“Success in Iraq and Afghanistan is the establishment of peaceful, stable, prosperous, democratic states that pose no threat to neighbors and contribute to the defeat of terrorists.”But McCain does break with the Bush administration, and certainly its first term approach, when it comes to dealing with allies. The speech repeatedly stresses America’s responsibilities towards its allies. Consider this passage:
“Perhaps above all, leadership in today's world means accepting and fulfilling our responsibilities as a great nation. One of those responsibilities is to be a good and reliable ally to our fellow democracies”It is also clear that McCain would use the environment to mend fences with Europe:
“There is such a thing as international good citizenship. We need to be good stewards of our planet and join with other nations to help preserve our common home.”
Where the speech, though, is perhaps strongest is when McCain sets out the consequences of a premature withdrawal from Iraq. He makes a compelling case that it would be a victory for both al Qaeda in Iraq and Iran and would cause America graver dangers than it now faces.
This is what McCain must persuade the American people of, if he is to beat back the siren calls for withdrawal that will come from the Democratic nominee. If he can do that, he will be in a great position to win the election.