John Wohlstetter, Discovery Institute’s Senior Fellow, was quoted in an article published by a Russian financial firm BCS. Below is the translation of the original article.
The Republican Party is actively working on the strong boost of “international experience” of Sarah Palin, as a vice-presidential candidate. Analysts believe that this flaw might neutralize the positive factors that the Alaskan governor is believed to be bringing into John McCain’s campaign.
During the annual UN General Assembly on September 24 Sarah Palin will conduct meetings with the presidents of Georgia and Ukraine, as well as with leaders of Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Colombia, and India. The “conversations” with the world leaders should help Palin in her preparations for the pre-election television debates with Democratic vice-presidential candidate Joe Biden. At the moment, he leads the Senate Committee on International Relations.
Palin, however, made it clear that she was not going to spend too much time gaining a better understanding of international issues. She already supported Georgia and made fairly sharp comments regarding Russia’s involvement in the Caucasian conflict.
John Wohlstetter, expert on international politics and international security with Discovery Institute (Seattle, USA), believes that the US Administration can change its attitude towards Russia if McCain-Palin ticket wins. At the moment, the White House, according to the expert, will work on “autopilot” for the remaining four months [of Bush’s presidency].
McCain’s Administration, according to Wohlstetter, will take a sterner stance in its relations with Russia on such issues as anti-missile defense system, Iran, Venezuela, Cuba, energy and NATO expansion. Barack Obama may solve same issues differently, said Wohlstetter.
Also, said the expert, McCain advocates for large liberalization in world trade, while Obama is against it. He has to take into account the position of the unions that support him. Mr. Wohlstetter is confident that McCain and Palin will close Russia’s entry to the WTO until Russia “completely leaves Georgia.” It is not clear if Obama would insist on it.
Comments
This woman should never be VP period, no matter how many conversations she has. She does not have the intelligence plus her scary uber Christian outlook is not something the world needs. We've already had that for 8yrs courtesy of the neocons. She has no scruples either and as a poli sci major, I tend to gravitate towards the historical and economic perspectives. There is no way in hell that woman will ever understand any of it as she is like a 'hick' (sorry, but it has to be said) who couldn't care less about what goes on outside her world. She probably doesn't even know her international geography, let alone the histories of the countries around the world. Nothing and no conflict happens in a vacuum except the neocon world. She is the most awful choice for VP and it panders to the extreme rightwing Christian nutjobs who think their jobs is to spread the word in every little nook and cranny.
Ingrid
Posted by: Ingrid | September 24, 2008 6:50 AM
What is the use on speculating folks? Can't you tell there is a power struggle going on here. Of course for pol comes second to the disasters at hand. Besides, the evil empire reformed itself, and so therefore can the republican party. Keep in mind that the utter failure of US for pol for decades can be attributed to dems and specifically to Biden/ What about support for the corrupt Yeltsin regime? IT wasnt the repubs folks. Yes, we can have a constructive business oriented relationship with Russia, despite the terrorist attacks on S. Ossetia. There are dissenting members of the FP comms.
(Writing from the halls of the second american revolution)
White Buffalo Anon
Posted by: Lois White Buffalo | September 25, 2008 10:39 AM
The global economy is about to tank and know one is making this the primary issue in the US.
McCain only leverage is to appear tough hence his idiotic rhetoric towards Russia disregarding the facts and backing the Georgian leadership because he admitted economics isn’t his strong point and has no plan to fix it.
Palin is as clueless as McCain asked if she believed Georgia provoked Russia to attack she said she doesn’t believe so.
McCain is part of the problem not the solution he wants to go to war with Iran which will be more bloody, costly and expensive than Iraq.
Us media on the subject at its finest http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onNzrNEFs1E&feature=PlayList&p=181923B27C885CDF&index=0
Lyndon LaRouche is the only one who has been discussing the economic situation and warning of what is now happening and what needs to be done for some time now.
His website has some good documentaries like 1932.
http://www.larouchepac.com/
Russia and the US need to cooperate to fix and transform the global economic system with China and the EU.
Medvedev wanted to contact Bush to discuss sorting out the economic crisis but Bush and the two presidential candidates have went out of there way to be hostile towards Russia with the help of Britain.
Russia should forget about the US and cooperate more with “old European” countries like Germany and Italy who are more willing to be cooperative
Posted by: james1 | September 25, 2008 1:47 PM