Welcome
Hello and welcome to Election Forum, 2008, FPA’s new blog on the U.S. Elections!
We are your newly inaugurated bloggers, and with this—our first post—we would like to give you a glimpse into what you can expect in this space in the coming months as the 2008 US Presidential election approaches.
You’ve come to know FPA.org as a one-stop-shop for apt, insightful commentary on a range of international issues. From international migration to war crimes to climate change, the bloggers at fpa.org strive to meet the high standards of informed and non-partisan coverage, bringing you, the reader, both news analysis and comment on issues that matter. Our humble goal is the same, though we will not pretend that the waters for a blog about politics are not, at the onset, a bit murkier…
We do not, however, seek to be a typical political blog. We hope to engage our readers and to participate in the debate, but also provide an informal and informed discussion of the election issues that could determine the outcome of the elections and influence US foreign policy in the future.
What, after all, could be more important to the future of U.S. foreign policy than this very election? The victor next November will define American standing in the world and will inherit many questions of international import: the war in Iraq; climate change; Middle East policy; a resurgent Russia; stalls in international trade negotiations; strategic immigration policies; a weak US dollar. The list goes on. Indeed, many of these topics are discussed elsewhere in the FPA blogosphere. Our ambition is to tie it all together—to outline trends across these issues and more—as the candidates go stump to stump until next November.
We realize that a lot can happen between now and November ’08 – and that’s what makes our task so exciting. We invite and count on your continued interest and feedback. Comments, suggestions, and opinions are always welcome; contributions to the discussion, even better. We will strive to be your forum for informed and objective views on international issues as we approach this election. We hope you will join us often.
-MD and ED
October 19th, 2007 at 8:54 pm
This may be the first US election in which foreign policy not only trumps domestic policy, but will directly impact upon the next President’s ability to advance any domestic agenda.
I would suggest that the most pressing domestic issue is, in fact, Iraq! How the next President will act to end the war in Iraq, and work toward the facilitation of a sustainable political settlement, allowing for the responsible withdrawal and redeployment of American forces, will dictate how successful he can be in moving forward on the many domestic issues of concern to the American people.
Senator Biden is the only candidate who has developed a comprehensive and viable strategy for ending the war in Iraq by promoting a political solution, based on federalism and the Iraqi Constitution, which offers the only and best hope there is for a responsible withdrawal and redeployment of US forces, without leaving a failed state behind or the need to return at a later date, and which would bring honor to the promise of America.
I would hope that this FPA Blog would not be guilty, as the media and blogosphere generally are, of ignoring and being otherwise dismissive of the leader among Democrats on matters pertaining to foreign policy and national security. As you well know, Senator Biden possesses impeccable and unimpeachable foreign policy and national security credentials that are wholly unmatched by any of his presidential rivals.
October 20th, 2007 at 11:04 pm
Thanks, Elizabeth, for your comment. We strive on this blog to offer up-to-date information and analysis of all the candidates who are in the news and who have something to say. Senator Biden among them, we’ll be taking a look at all the Dem and Republican candidates’ views on foreign policy. Please comment often if you feel we’ve overlooked an item; tips are always appreciated!
I find interesting your characterization of domestic vs. foreign policy issues taking preeminence this campaign. I see your argument in that Vietnam and WWII absolutely affected the outcome of the Presidents’ domestic agendas; perhaps as US leadership (generally speaking) tries to come up with a solution to the Iraq issue, the same will occur.
Thank you again for your comment. I look forward to further discussion.