The family pocket book is always Issue One in presidential campaigns. Democrats and Republicans already are scrimmaging over the worrisome economic stagnation of the middle class and how best to solve it. Yet the world has a way of intruding, as the vile burning murder of a Jordanian pilot and the savage Charlie Hebdo attack in Paris demonstrate.
OPINION
Foreign policy — how to keep Americans safe — may vault to the top of voters’ concerns in 2016, especially if a new terror attack should strike the homeland.
Democrats thought they had finally overcome the Republican Party’s tradition strength on national security as the public wearied of the wars that began during George W. Bush’s presidency. But the GOP advantage began resurfacing after grave blunders by President Barack Obama — drawing a red line in Syria only to later abandon it, misjudging the threat of the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, boasting about knocking al-Qaida “on its heels” only to see that terrorist menace metastasize through the Middle East and North Africa, and meddling in Libya and leaving that country a failed state where terrorists killed four Americans, including the U.S. ambassador.
After years of declining as a voter worry, terrorism surged back as an issue last year when ISIS beheaded two Americans and others for video propaganda.
Potential candidates are positioning themselves to be ready to show strength on international affairs. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker talks of the need to “think aggressively” and take the fight to ISIS even if it means putting boots on the ground. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie traveled to London to polish his foreign policy bona fides only to see that goal eclipsed by his stumbling over government’s authority to require vaccinations against childhood diseases.
A lot of ink has been spilt in speculation over how the GOP would be best off in 2016 to go to its impressive bench of governors like Walker, Christie and others for its presidential nominee. That assumes an emphasis on domestic and economic issues. Foreign policy is in the wheelhouse of the U.S. Senate, so worry about global problems could benefit a candidate from that chamber.
Long-time national security hawk Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina is exploring a candidacy, saying he’s been more right than wrong on threats to America’s interests. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida is the Republican Party’s go-to-guy on Cuba and Latin America.
Democrats will argue Hillary Clinton is exceptionally qualified to confront global issues thanks to her four years as secretary of state. Critics say she has little to show for that other than a record number of miles traveled. The Russian invasion of Ukraine revealed she was wrong about the “reset” with Russia. The first murder of a U.S. ambassador in three decades happened on her watch. Perhaps her eagerness to testify before a special congressional committee on Benghazi is an effort to put that issue to rest.
Clinton could face a foreign policy challenge from Democrat Jim Webb, a former senator from Virginia who’s formed an exploratory committee for 2016. Webb is a Naval Academy graduate, a retired Marine honored for combat in Vietnam, and a former Navy Secretary who was appointed by President Ronald Reagan, giving him bipartisan credibility.
Americans may be weary of war, the constant turmoil in the Middle East and Vladimir Putin’s bullying, but the threat of Islamist fanaticism and the challenge to the European order from Russia won’t go away. American voters in 2016 will want to hear what the candidates have to say about coping in a dangerous world.
Email: shuntley.cst@gmail.com
