Where The 2008 Presidential Candidates Stand On International Politics Barr Obama And McCain

When the Soviet Union collapsed in the early 1990's bringing the Cold War to and end, there was a lot of celebrating and flag-waving. But some very sensible throats in the back gave a nervous gulp. Because the inevitable aftermath of this was that the United States was left as the only standing Superpower. And with great power comes great responsibility... and a target pinned to your back.

Since then, as a nation we've taken stances ranging from well-intentioned busybody to pillaging pirate, without a great deal of minding our own business. Of the 1.4 million active U.S. military personnel, over 369,000 are deployed outside of United States soil in over 40 countries. Of course, that's counting Afghanistan and Iraq, the two main countries we have a conflict in, as well as several peace-keeping actions. Also not counting little visits where we're just dropping by for tea.

With all of these muddy footprints we're leaving around the globe, American foreign policy is a more delicate matter than ever before. Our next President has no time to learn on-the-job; they will be handed at least two combat zones, and be expected to do something with them.

Barack Hussain Obama, the Democrat Candidate, is a marxist thinker who has the advantage of being a racial mix as well as an international upbringing; it's hard to see him visiting a country and not blending in. Obama is all over the place when answering questions about foreign policy: yes here, no there, maybe over there. Of course, he is thinking about countries on a case by case basis, rather than mushing all countries outside the United States into a faceless "them", as many candidates - and voters for that matter - tend to do.

John McCain, the Republican Candidate is moderately hawkish. With his impressive military background, he has a view of war and knows the realities of decision-making that few of the other candidates can fathom, let alone match. He would not pull out immediately from Iraq, but there is no doubt that if anybody can come in with an exit strategy, he can. On other matters, he is slower to answer; he has more years as a soldier than as a diplomat.

Bob Barr, the Libertarian Candidate, states that our military has been too willingly and quickly used for purposes other than national defense. Our fighting men and women deserve better and the integrity of our nation must be restored.

Mr. Barr also believes that our National Defense policy must renew a commitment to non-intervention. We are not the world's police force and our long, yet recently tarnished, tradition of respecting the sovereignty of other nations is necessary, not from only a moral standpoint, but to regain the respect of the world as a principled and peaceful nation.

Candidate Barr also states that the he proper use of force is clear. If attacked, the aggressor will experience firsthand the skillful wrath of the American fighting man. However, invading or initiating force against another nation based upon perceived threats and speculative intelligence is simply un-American. We are better than the policy of pre-emptive warfare.

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Bob Barr is the Libertarin Candidate for President. Be informed of all your choices. Visit his site today!