Click here to read our Post-Election Page: World Reaction to Obama's Victory
Every four years the American public has a chance to vet the men and women hoping to be president. After a lengthy and historic 2008 primary season, the two major political parties have decided on their nominees and agreed to a platform.
The U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy has examinedthe public remarks of Barack Obama, John McCain, Joe Biden, and Sarah Palin in addition toreviewing the party platforms set forth by the Democrats and Republicans. By reading the words of the candidates and their parties – paying particular attention to the time they dedicate to foreign policy – – a better understanding can be pieced together as to how these individuals view the world and America’s role in it.
In a time when America’s military resources are stretched thin, its economy facing new uncertainties, and its public perception in need of serious work around the world, the need for renewed and aggressive diplomatic efforts has never been more clear. The next administration has many obstacles to overcome, making it all the more important that the people hoping to occupy the Oval Office have a deep understanding and appreciation for the concept of citizen diplomacy.
The material presented here – as well as the links to more information – is intended to be a launching pad for anyone interested in the stances taken by the candidates. It will be left to each voter to draw conclusions as to which ticket (Obama/Biden or McCain/Palin) is better suited to lead Americans eager to engage in citizen diplomacy.
COMMON GROUND
Click here to see analysis on both cadidates
Best of Democratic Platform
DNC Platform “Vision For The World”
“The Democratic Party believes that there is no more important priority than renewing American leadership on the world stage. This will require diplomatic skill as capable as our military might. Instead of refusing to confront our most pressing threats, we will use all elements of American power to keep us safe, prosperous and free. Instead of alienating our nation from the world, we will enable America–once again–to lead.”
DNC Platform “Renewing Diplomacy”
“To renew American leadership in the world, we will rebuild the alliances, partnerships, and institutions necessary to confront common threats and enhance common security. Needed reform of these alliances and institutions will not come by bullying other countries to ratify American demands. It will come when we convince other governments and peoples that they, too, have a stake in effective partnerships. It is only leadership if others join America in working toward our common security.”
DNC Platform “Civilian Response Capacity”
“We will build the capacity of U.S. civilian agencies to deploy personnel and area experts where they are needed, so that we no longer have to ask our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines to perform non-military functions. The creation of a volunteer Civilian Assistance Corps of skilled experts (e.g. doctors, lawyers, engineers, city planners, agriculture specialists, police) who are pre-trained and willing to aid in emergencies will involve more Americans in public service and provide our nation with a pool of talent to assist America in times of need at home and abroad.”
Best of Barack Obama
"As president, I intend to grow the Foreign Service, double the Peace Corps over the next few years..."
Obama, Commencement Speech at Wesleyan University, Connecticut , May 26 - Link
As president, I intend to grow the Foreign Service, double the Peace Corps over the next few years, and engage young people of other nations in similar programs, so that we work side by side to take on the common challenges that confront all humanity.
Obama MTV/MySpace Forum. October 29, 2007 - Link
We spent more on military than next 30 countries combined. The next 30 countries combined. And so we are not endanger of losing our military primacy. But what we do have to recognize that the military is just one tool for our security, and if you overuse that tool first of all tool starts getting blunt and worn down, the other thing is that there are other tools in the tool box. We have got to pick up diplomacy we’ve got to pick up on humanitarian efforts because all those have an impact on our security.
Obama MTV/MySpace Forum. October 29,2007 - Link
I think this is the single most important issue that we are facing in this election. Is who is the person that is going to be best equipped as president to repair all of the damage that has been done to America’s reputation overseas. Because all of you know the world is shrinking, it’s getting smaller and you are part of this global community.
Obama, speech at DePaul University October 2, 2007 - Link
It's time to make diplomacy a top priority. Instead of shuttering consulates, we need to open them in the tough and hopeless corners of the world. Instead of retreating from the world, I will personally lead a new chapter of American engagement.
A New Strategy for a New World, Washington, D.C.: July 15, 2008 - Link I am running for President of the United States to lead this country in a new direction – to seize this moment’s promise. Instead of being distracted from the most pressing threats that we face, I want to overcome them. Instead of pushing the entire burden of our foreign policy on to the brave men and women of our military, I want to use all elements of American power to keep us safe, and prosperous, and free. Instead of alienating ourselves from the world, I want America – once again – to lead.
Obama, Campaign Event, Ohio: June 12, 2008 - Link
I also believe that part of how to keep us safe is making sure that we use our military wisely and we don't just rely on our military…we have to initiate diplomacy.
Obama, 'A Call to Serve' Speech: December 5, 2007 - Link
To restore America's standing, I will call on our greatest resource - not our bombs, guns, or dollars - I will call upon our people.
Obama, Forum in Portsmouth, New Hampshire: November 26, 2007 - Link
We need an education system that encourages the study of foreign languages and countries. We need a career path for young people to reinvigorate our diplomatic sector. We should have a civilian core that is as effective in what they do as the military is at what it does.
Biden, Remarks at Annual Conference of Center for US Global Engagement: July 15, 2008 –Link
“We need to make global development and diplomacy a priority in our international lives because when your grandchildren are writing their senior thesis at some great university about what the greatest threats to humanity in this nation were at the turn of the 21st century, none of them that they will list lend themselves to a military solution. Not a single solitary one lends themselves [sic] to a purely military solution…Military power is necessary, but it is not sufficient. It is not sufficient to ensure our security.”
Biden, Remarks at Annual Conference of Center for US Global Engagement: July 15, 2008 –Link
“Our first act as a nation embodied what we now called smart power – using the force of our principles and ideals to promote our very naked self interest... Neither arms nor ideas were adequate alone. That was true then and I argue it is true now.”
Biden, Center for US Global Engagement in New Hampshire, November 8th - Link
“I'm proud to stand with this organization because of what they stand for. We have a common vision for the future. It's the vision of an America that embraces the power of its example as well as the example of its power. It's the vision of an America that recaptures the totality of its strength.”
RNC Platform “Vision For The World”
“The Republican vision of peace through strength requires a sustained international effort, which complements our military activities, to develop and maintain alliances and relationships that will lead to greater peace and stability.”
RNC Platform “Renewing Diplomacy”
“Advancing America’s values should be the core mission of every part of the federal government, including the Department of State. America’s diplomatic establishment must energetically represent our country’s agenda to the world. We propose a thorough reform of its structure to ensure that promotions and appointments are based on performance in supporting the nation’s agenda. Our diplomats must be the best our country has to offer, and America’s diplomatic abilities must be an integral part of America’s national security system.”
McCain, Speech at the Naval Academy: April 2, 2008 - Link
That is the good cause that summons every American to service. If you find faults with our country, make it a better one. If you are disappointed with the mistakes of government, join its ranks and work to correct them.
McCain, Foreign Affairs article: November/December 2007 - Link
As we increase our military capacity, we must also enhance our civilian capacity. As president, I will energize and expand our post conflict reconstruction capabilities so that any military campaign would be complemented by a civilian "surge" that would build the political and economic foundations of peace.
McCain, Foreign Affairs article: November/December 2007 - Link
Today, understanding foreign cultures is not a luxury but a strategic necessity. As president, I will launch a crash program in civilian and military schools to prepare more experts in critical languages such as Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, and Pashto. Students at our service academies should be required to study abroad.
McCain, Speech at the Hoover Institution: May 1, 2007 - Link
Back in 1947, just a year into the Cold War, the Truman administration launched a massive overhaul of the nation's foreign policy, defense, and intelligence agencies to meet new challenges. Today, we must do the same to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
McCain, Remarks To The Los Angeles World Affairs Council: March 26, 2008 - Link
At the heart of this new compact must be mutual respect and trust. Recall the words of our founders in the Declaration of Independence, that we pay "decent respect to the opinions of mankind." Our great power does not mean we can do whatever we want whenever we want, nor should we assume we have all the wisdom and knowledge necessary to succeed. We need to listen to the views and respect the collective will of our democratic allies. When we believe international action is necessary, whether military, economic, or diplomatic, we will try to persuade our friends that we are right. But we, in return, must be willing to be persuaded by them.
McCain, Op-Ed in the Financial Times: March 18, 2008 - Link
The bottom line is that none of us can act as if our only concerns are within our own borders. We cannot define our national interests so narrowly that we fail to see how intimately our fate is bound up with that of the rest of humanity. There is such a thing as good international citizenship. If we wish to be models for others, we must be model citizens ourselves.
“International education and exchange including thousands of programs, public and private, campus-based and national, that promote the sharing of ideas and experiences across borders."
Palin, Proclamation Declaring International Education Week: October 17, 2007
“We live in an increasingly interconnected world and improving global literacy among our citizens contributes significantly to our nation's foreign policy economic competitiveness and national security.”
Palin, Statement on International Education Week: October 17, 2007
“International education and exchange including thousands of programs, public and private, campus-based and national, that promote the sharing of ideas and experiences across borders. These include study abroad programs, citizen and scholarly exchanges, foreign students on U.S. campuses, area and foreign language studies, and global approaches to U.S. education.”
chance to vet the men and women hoping to be president. After a lengthy and historic 2008 primary season, the two major political parties have decided on their nominees and agreed to a platform.
