Edwards' Foreign Policy Address At CSIS

>>Today I want to focus on America's role in the world, and especially, how the exercise of American leadership around the world is critical to protecting the security of Americans here at home.

How America exercises its leadership will be key to how we meet the many challenges and opportunities before us: whether it's transforming our relationship with a changing Russia or China or a unifying Europe, helping African countries deal with their problems and realize their great potential, keeping countries like India and Pakistan at peace, or fighting diseases like AIDS that ravage societies.

But the first responsibility of any government is the safety and security of its citizens. I believe that, today, that responsibility imposes three challenges above all others: first, to eliminate the threat of chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons; second, to win the war on terrorism; and third, to promote democracy and freedom around the world, especially the Middle East.

I believe that the successful pursuit of these goals can only come through American leadership of the world - not American disregard for it. Leadership is one of those words that is used so often it sometimes loses its meaning. But sometime soon, if our men and women in uniform are sent into battle into Iraq, we will see very clearly what leadership means. Because if we lead properly, others will join us, adding moral and military strength to our cause, sharing the dangers of war and the burdens of peace that will follow. But if we fail to lead, we will bear those risks and costs alone.

American leadership is about more than our ability to dominate others. It is about convincing others that our power serves their interests as well as our own. We inspire others to stand with us when we show that we are willing to stand with them, to listen to them, to take their views and contributions into account instead of taking them for granted. Too often, this administration seems to confuse leadership with going it alone and engagement with the compromise of principle - but real leadership is about setting principles and rallying others around them.

That kind of leadership rallied the free world to contain the threat of communism and built the transatlantic alliance that won the Cold War. That kind of leadership under President Bush's father turned back Iraq's aggression against Kuwait, not just by force of arms but by force of argument that brought the world to our side. Under President Clinton, that kind of American leadership rallied the world to end ethnic cleansing in Bosnia and Kosovo. And it inspired the world when we dedicated ourselves, despite all the risks and frustrations, to bring peace to the Middle East.

Over half a century, that kind of American leadership created institutions like NATO; it earned us allies; it won us true and enduring friends. And when America was attacked on September 11, the legacy of that leadership could be seen in the solidarity of friends in every part of the world.

How then is it that one year later, what could and should be the world's fight against terrorism and weapons of mass destruction is seen as our fight alone?<<

The rest of the speech:

http://www.johnedwards2004.com/page.asp?id=62

I'll take the time to really look this over. I think Edwards hasn't had much of a fair shot in the race because of his inexperience. I'll see how his foreign policy holds up in comparison to the others.

Thanks for posting this!

A lot of people say that Edwards lacks experience in these areas. But if anybody is a quick study, this guy is. I would expect that he is learning fast.

on foreign policy matters for an obvious reason.

Why don't you explain those to me?? I am not talking about getting along with weekenders, either.

:think: :7 :dunce:

including Governor Howard Dean--

there isn't any excuse for Lieberman, Gephardt, Kerry, or Edwards. Given 23 Senators didn't vote with Bush on Iraq, why did Edwards, if his foreign policy credentials are soooo good?

The soldiers dying in Iraq are "regular people" too, John Edwards.

They aren't rich men's sons who could get out of it.

Oh, but I forgot. While Dean's poor bad back makes it hard for him to get in and out of a car and makes him...what was it??? 'Stiff"?...in his body language and precluded him from going to war at 18, it doesn't bother him when he goes skiing or hiking. Gosh, what was that word again?? CONVENIENT?

Hasn't he gone back to NC yet to save that Senate seat? He will not be the Democratic nominee, nor President of the United States.

I can't find the remote for the XBox, could you tell me where it is?? We checked all the sofa cushions, but since you are prescient, you should be able to help me out.