Carol Platt Liebau: Is This For Real?

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

Is This For Real?

Today, the Boston Globe provided an overview on Huckabee's foreign policy "experience" that should frighten anyone who is serious about world affairs. (HT: Hugh Hewitt).

Here's the most unbelievable paragraph:

In his campaign manifesto, From Hope to Higher Ground, Huckabee does not provide any evidence that he has dealt directly on a major foreign policy or national security matter. He mentions a number of trips to foreign countries and he suggested 12 steps "to stop the loss of America's prestige at home and abroad." The steps include admonitions to "monitor news and events around the world," "attend cultural festivals," and, "have a current map or globe and become familiar with the countries mentioned in news reports."

Really? Huckabee implicitly buys into the left-wing criticism that America's prestige must somehow be restored (rather than recognizing that a victory in Iraq and triumph over the jihadists is the best way to secure and maintain the respect of friend and foe alike) -- and then suggests that hanging out at cultural festivals and watching CNN International is going to do the trick.

There's no reason to believe that governors, like Huckabee and Romney, are fundamentally unsuited for the presidency even in time of war. But it's imperative that they understand their own limitations of experience and the importance of securing the best advice out there when it comes to issues that haven't been within their purview. Romney gets it, Huckabee doesn't seem to.

As the caucuses and primaries approach, Republicans, of course, can vote for whomever they please. But as more and more GOP'ers no doubt are realizing, nominating Huckabee wouldn't just be an electoral disaster in 2008 -- it would singlehandedly demonstrate that Republicans are no more serious about national security than the Democrats.

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