Schieffer: Kudos For Stating The Obvious

McCain's Statement That The U.S. Should Never Go It Alone Is, Sadly, Proved Right Too Often

(CBS)  Weekly commentary by CBS Evening News chief Washington correspondent and Face the Nation host Bob Schieffer.

---

I like the speech that John McCain made on foreign policy last week. I liked it because he stated the obvious.

To quote, "In a world where power of all kinds is more widely and evenly distributed, the United States cannot lead by virtue of its power alone."

He went on to say that when international actions are required, we will try to persuade our friends we are right, but we in turn must also be willing to be persuaded by them.

For sure, our own history shows that when we have worked with others - those who shared our values and sometimes those who didn't - we have worked wonders: Winning World War II, rebuilding Europe, the triumph of Western values over communism. The list is long and something for which we can all be proud.

It is when we have trusted American power alone, especially when we've tried to use military power to solve political problems, that we have been less successful.

During the build-up to the invasion of Iraq, I remember some in government telling me the American military was so good, we didn't need any help, that bringing in others would just slow us down.

To be sure, when we let others know we needed no help, we got none.

But when it all went bad, we got plenty of advice on where we went wrong.

Yes, John McCain just stated the obvious. But it needed to be said. It's when we overlook the obvious that we seem to get into the most trouble.

---

E-mail Face the Nation.

[davidbthelen]

It is easier to lead than it is to push. We have leaders traveling to the Middle East to broker peace. We are trying to find compromises between warring factions in that region.
Our three leading presidential candidates should keep the politics clean and to the issues. Take for example our ever-increasing costs in health care. Imagine if the candidates and the 527s created a new momentum through political ads to get people to walk and bike more, eat better, and ask their city leaders to invest in better sidewalks. People would drive less with more walking and biking. We could reduce health care cost and reduce global warming. This could be something both Republicans and Democrats could agree on.
The world is watching how we handle our political differences between the three leading presidential candidates. We should find many compromises and stay positive. How in the world are we going to broker peace and compromises between political factions in the middle east, when we cannot stay positive and find compromises and common ground in our own political arena.

[perceptions5]

Not only was it a great foreign policy speech but McCain also promised Americans that he would represent ALL 50 states if he becomes President.

Folks in Michigan and Florida will be reminded of that again ..........and again...........and again between now and November.

.........just ask yourself if the phone rings at 3am at the White House who do you want to answer it?

McCain...........Clinton............or Obama?

It''s pretty clear isn''t it? And it will be pretty clear in November,too

[notopennshut]

So McCain is able to give a good speech when it is all written and he has something to read from or refer to. But how can you even consider a man who keeps on confusing the various groups and parties when he has to speak off the cuff?? When he "misremembers"?? When he has to be reminded right there and then of his memory lapse?? I. for one feel that this kind of lapse is far too dangerous and is an indication of what it would be like to have someone who would be unable to sort reality from perception .

[samthetvcat]

--"To quote, "In a world where power of all kinds is more widely and evenly distributed, the United States cannot lead by virtue of its power alone." He went on to say that when international actions are required, we will try to persuade our friends we are right, but we in turn must also be willing to be persuaded by them."--

While that may be true, McCain lacks the standing to be able to actually walk the talk at this point in time. First because of his continued position on Iraq when most of the world believes we ought to withdraw, and second because when Bush drew the line in the sand, McCain sided with Bush thereby show that he DID in fact believe we could lead by our power alone, and that he wasn''t willing to be persuaded by his friends of other nations.

I''ve started to read European papers, and everybody''s positively enchanted with all things Democrat - Barack, Hillary, change, withdrawal from Iraq, mending of foreign relations . . . this is apparently true even in countries like Germany and Britain who sent troops . . .

[alanrobisch]

. for one feel that this kind of lapse is far too dangerous and is an indication of what it would be like to have someone who would be unable to sort reality from perception .


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by notopennshut at 06:38 PM : Mar 30, 2008
+ report
What a bunch of holy horse dung. He''s a bright man and he doesn''t need a script to know what he is saying. It seems that if you don''t trust him and one mistake is enough to prove it. If you or I had every statement scrutinized I doubt we would survive one day. what he is saying is logical and is a departure from recent actions in Iraq and for this you are criticizing him.

[samthetvcat]

PS Here''s a snippet from a German publication in English . . . who knew they write stuff in english :o

--"Going by a recent poll by public broadcaster ARD, two-thirds of Germans skew Democratic in their preference for the next American president. A new survey by pollster Forsa found that a slight majority would prefer to see Obama in the White House."--

http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,539769,00.html

[alanrobisch]

I''''ve started to read European papers, and everybody''''s positively enchanted with all things Democrat - Barack, Hillary, change, withdrawal from Iraq, mending of foreign relations . . . this is apparently true even in countries like Germany and Britain who sent troops . . .


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by SamTheTVCat at 07:22 PM : Mar 30, 2008
+ report abuse
I think you have forgotten that it was he who helped change our policy in Iraq and I don''t believe that european opinion that continues to reject any use of military action to accomplish important objectives is any different than it was before.

We are actually at a point where it appears there is a chance we will be able to stabilize Iraq. to leave this ac=tion undone because europeans disagree with our presence their is dangerous. Lets try to succede not just leave and hope that Iraq will settle down on its own. Its my opinion that simply leaving Iraq would leave chaos in its wake.

[xlib]

notopennshut-as far as mccain reading a speech written for him, I do believe that can be said for all politicans. I point to obama. He is hailed every time he gives a speech which usually says nothing but slogans and platitudes (except when he thorws his white granny under the bus and backs over her a few times). His speechs say absolutely nothing of substance.
As for mccain''s speech. If he was able to get across some points of merit, some real politcal stand then that''s more than obama has done. As for me, I''m not voting this time around and it saddens me.
Two socialists and one rhino does not make for a good field.

[xlib]

Well, sam, then by all means, let''s do what the German''s want. For sure. Please, please, find out what the French want, OK??
We already know the muslims want obama, so, hey, why even hold a vote.I bet you voted for kerry, didn''t you?

[samthetvcat]

--"What a bunch of holy horse dung. He''''s a bright man and he doesn''t need a script to know what he is saying."--
Posted by alanrobisch2

Oh come on, there must be at least a 40 to 50 point IQ difference between McCain and both Barack and Hillary. The GOP have the strangest tendency for picking the least bright person of the bunch for whatever reason. Romney is super smart like Barack and Hillary. Huckabee, Giuliani, and Ron Paul are average smart like most of us in this comment section. McCain is like Bush.

A lot is made about McCain''s age, and his unpopular positions on the war and the economy, but I think his real achilles heel is his Bush-level IQ that''s going result in continued gaffes like confusing Iran with Al-Qaeda, saying he doesn''t know much about the economy, etc. It makes him look too vulnerable to being manipulated into doing others'' bidding in the way he was with the Airbus lobbyists that led to France getting the contract for our military planes.

[samthetvcat]

Xlib - omg could you possibly be any more over the top with the drama?

[samthetvcat]

--"Its my opinion that simply leaving Iraq would leave chaos in its wake."--
Posted by alanrobisch2

Did you factor in the BBC/ABC poll of Iraqis which showed that 70% want us out of their country?

[samthetvcat]

EDIT: I just went to verify that statistic that somebody else had posted and the number of Iraqis who want troops to immediately withdraw is not 70%.

--"Q22 How long do you think US and other Coalition forces should remain in Iraq?
Leave now 38%
Remain until security is restored 35%"
---
But look at the results of this question - "Overall, do you think the presence of US forces in Iraq is making security in our country better, worse, or having no effect on the security situation?"
Better 27%
Worse 61%
--
"If the American forces left the country entirely, do you think the security situation in Iraq overall would become better, become worse, or remain the same?"
Better 46%
Worse 29%
About the same 23%

[alanrobisch]

Did you factor in the BBC/ABC poll of Iraqis which showed that 70% want us out of their country?


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by SamTheTVCat at 07:42 PM : Mar 30, 2008
+ report abuse
I believe that most iraquis want us out of their country but have the same feeling I do. they would like to see us leave as would I but fear the consequences therefore in spite of their preference we leave want us to stay for their protection.

[samthetvcat]

alanrobisch2 - what''s your real angle? Because you just blotted out the fact that the majority of Iraqis believe troops leaving would improve the situation? That defies logic . . .

[alanrobisch]

Oh come on, there must be at least a 40 to 50 point IQ difference between McCain and both Barack and Hillary. The GOP have the strangest tendency for picking the least bright person of the bunch for whatever reason. Romney is super smart like Barack and Hillary. Huckabee, Giuliani, and Ron Paul are average smart like most of us in this comment section. McCain is like Bush.

do you know anything about the man and high iq''s do not wisdom bring. See the brilliant bill c getting caught having an affair with an intern and destroying his affectiveness or Hillary the brilliant who was so effective that she failed to create a health care plan. You are assuming the intelligence of MCCain. Neither or I have the faintest clue as to how high his IQ is but his bravery and integrity seem right up their I''ll take that over IQ any tiime.

[samthetvcat]

"his bravery and integrity seem right up their I''ll take that over IQ any time"
Posted by alanrobisch2

Well we each get to choose how we want to use our vote for whatever reasons, but I''m interested to hear more about how you foresee McCain''s qualities impacting his decision-making and how it will influence our national interests. You say you''re about bringing security to Iraq even though Iraqis apparently don''t want us there because our presence is making security worse. So again, I ask - what''s your agenda? You''re not making sense . . .

[alanrobisch]

the last poll I had seen barring what you are reporting indicated while most irquis would like us to leave most believed we were necessary to their security.

I don''t doubt that the feelings may have changed but I don''t think the fact of a poll should be the driving force of a policy.

I worked as a supervisor for almost 30 yrs and often had to do unpopular things that were the right thing. POlls should not our policies drive. If you honestly think that MCCain would keep more forces there than needed I think you have another think coming.

[alanrobisch]

You say you''''re about bringing security to Iraq even though Iraqis apparently don''''t want us there because our presence is making security worse. So again, I ask - what''''s your agenda? You''''re not making sense

I think you are making an assumption that because this poll indicates that a majority or is a plurality think our presence is making security worse it may not be true. George washington toward the end of the war had to execute soldiers who were mutineeing and if he hadnt the whole effort may have fallen apart so the soldiers were in fact wrong about our eventual success As I said polls do not necessarily reflect the facts and should not be used to determine policy

[samthetvcat]

alanrobisch2, if you have a poll that shows otherwise, please include a citation.

As for the rest, I''m not sure why you feel the need to prove yourself to me. Either your position speaks for itself or it doesn''t. Because the worst bosses in the world all think they''re ''right'' - the fact that you''d use threats to try and prove your case rather than incorporating facts and logic tends to show what kind of supervisor you''ve been . . .

[samthetvcat]

--"As I said polls do not necessarily reflect the facts and should not be used to determine policy"--
Posted by alanrobisch2

So again, I ask for facts and logic . . . you haven''t referenced either so far.

[alanrobisch]

I do not have enough information of what is actually happening in Iraq to say what would happen. I have an opinion and you have and opinion. It seems to me that since the much maligned surge occurred Iraq has become much mor e secure and one of the early criticisms of bush was his unwillingness to send in enough soldiers to do an effective job. Now more soldiers are their we have become more effective. So its logical if it is working to bring the troops home asap right Wrong. Now when we should begin to reduce the number of troops there I don''t know and considering McCain''s background he would be the last person to want to keep more men in harm''s way than need be.

[samthetvcat]

Okay, I''ve given AlanRobisch2 enough rope to prove my point which was that the only rationale for McCain''s ''surge'' doctrine is that he''s right because he says so, and that that opinion doesn''t factor in anybody else''s. This stance completely contradicts his claims that he''s all about listening to others which Bob Shieffer was applauding him for supposedly embracing.

You can attribute it to whatever, the contradiction essentially speaks for itself . . .

[alanrobisch]

You can attribute it to whatever, the contradiction essentially speaks for itself . . .


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by SamTheTVCat at 09:09 PM : Mar 30, 2008
+ report abuse

Your logic escapes me. He backed what appears to be a sucessful strategy and for that you are saying he is contradicting hmself because he helped bring at least temporary stability to IRaq. You are clueless. Other than your poll you hAVE BROUGHT nothing other than a negative opinion about him to the table.

[alanrobisch]

McCain is literally in.sane. It''''s a very serious mistake to think that another in.sane president is going to lead us to good times.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by GLadImNotOJ at 09:36 PM : Mar 30, 2008
+ report abuse

If you believe that he meant the thing about a thousand years or a 100 you are tone deaf. Read David Brook''s column in the NYT. He is a respected jounalist and finds Mr. McCain to be a pragmatist who doesn''t follow the leader but if you are a dem or have blinders on you will follow the leader and listen to the talking points and believe them

[it_oldtimer]

There simply isn''t any reason whatsoever to even consider voting for McCain. In every single area he''s just an absolute zero.

[skyk-2009]

If you believe that he meant the thing about a thousand years or a 100 you are tone deaf. Read David Brook''''s column in the NYT. He is a respected jounalist and finds Mr. McCain to be a pragmatist who doesn''''t follow the leader but if you are a dem or have blinders on you will follow the leader and listen to the talking points and believe them


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by alanrobisch2 at 09:50 PM : Mar 30, 2008
+ report abuse

Anyone who thinks this tired old man and his policies will get us out of the horrible mess we''re in is simply dreaming. He has NOTHING new to add and has proposed the same tired old economic plan as well. We have Social Security to deal with, Medicare to deal with, a failed Health Care System to deal with, Bin Laden is still out there and has to be dealt with... I could go on for awhile but the POINT is that ALL these problems were THERE and needed to be dealt with for 6 years that Mr. McSame and his Party had full and complete control of the Government. Did they even help any of those problems? Nope! All of them are bigger and thus more difficult to deal with today than they were when the Republican''s came into power. Now add to that the Trade Agreements which are HIGHLY discriminatory toward AMERICAN Workers and you have a situation Mr. McSame can NOT and has told us WILL NOT do anything about.

[rowdytexan2]

Good for McCain...he''s sounding better every day! Especially given the option of a corrupt crook like Obama. We don''t need Richard Daly''s crooked Chicago backers in our White House.

[janiet3]

My 2 cents worth. John McCain is a nice, good-old white haired, grandfatherly type, who served his country. Fine, good.

He is way past his prime, his mind is VERY obviously gone or danged near it, and beyond that he offers no solutions, just more of the GW we can abide hardly one more day. As a matter of fact, we''re doggoned forunate we''ve survived is thus far. More of that? You most certainly have got to be kidding me. Tell me that you are, or if you can''t be honest make a case, any case if you can, why you think this poor old geezer could possibly make a good prez for this country. My guess is you cannot.

[rowdytexan2]

Posted by janiet3 at 09:28 AM : Mar 31, 2008

One very obvious point! If it''s a choice between McCain and Obama, it''s a no brainer. McCain is standing on the principles of record. Obama is right up there with Bush''s 935 lies.

[paris1969]

Bob Schieffer is right in his analysis. And this is why Clinton Democrats will go for McCain if NObama gets the Dem nomination.

I never heard John McCain God *** America, not even while in the stockade of North Vietnam. And I never heard him sit quietly while anyone else did it. He may be 70 years old but this country is three times that old. They both have plenty of life left in them.

[samthetvcat]

menmotoscutr, you DO realize that the guy who said GD America also served in VietNam don''t you? You know who didn''t serve in VietNam was the other person who said God was damning America with 9/11, Jerry Falwell.

As for Rowdy''s claim that a trip to Bosnia gives one greater principles of record, not a strong claim imo . . .

[samthetvcat]

Here''s the rest of McSame''s speech on specifically what platform he hoped to engage the rest of the world (from the link provided under the photo):

--"Instead, he said, the country must lead by attracting others to its cause, demonstrating the virtues of freedom and democracy, defending the rules of an international civilized society and creating new international institutions."

"If we lead by shouldering our international responsibilities and pointing the way to a better and safer future for humanity ... it will strengthen us to confront the transcendent challenge of our time: the threat of radical Islamic terrorism"--

In another piece he also stated that he was interested in pursuing a free trade agreement with the European Union - not sure but I think he said it while in France congratulating them for subsidizing the Airbus deal that gave them our military contract.

[samthetvcat]

--"Bob Schieffer is right in his analysis. And this is why Clinton Democrats will go for McCain if NObama gets the Dem nomination."--
Posted by PARIS1969

Les French say oui to McAirbus!

[samthetvcat]

I lived in France for a year when I was a kid, and remember even back then how Algerian terrorism was the ongoing price the French were paying for trying to ''democratize'' Northern Africa decades ago.

Domestic terrorism is a big ongoing problem for them, but I''m not sure McCain has really stopped to learn about how that evolved for them and how their views may in fact be different from ours. If they didn''t feel the need to join in the ''coalition'' to overthrow Saddam, just how specifically does he think he''s going to persuade countries such as France to join in his fight against ''radical islam'' . . . is it by giving them our multi-billion dollar defense contracts?

That then brings up the question of whether the deficits he''s continuing to rack up are doing more long-term damage than good - because aren''t countries starting to look to China to borrow money, and hasn''t that given them increased influence in places like South America?

[mardrake1336]

My husband is currently deployed and I TOTALLY agree with your comments. Of course, I am voting Obama however I am glad McCain reminded us of this fact!

[shingles1]

You forgot Poland.

[joecoolswat]

You stupid liberals. You actually think Barrack Hussein Obama is more qualified then John McCain, who is an experienced Senator on the Armed Forces commitee, Veteran fighter pilot and a former prisoner of war. McCain WILL be president, while the jokes Hillary and O''sama destroy each other until August.

[samthetvcat]

LMAO - Snoopy (aka JoeCoolSwat), care to elaborate on how John McCain would use his past experience as President as it pertains to Iraq and the war, Iran, Afghanistan; and the economy, Europe, China, South America?

This ought to be good ...

[samthetvcat]

luvwknd, I like your answer better than mine ;D

[taxguydave]

McCain is neither intelligent or smart. He graduated 3rd from the bottom in his class at the Naval Academy. He only got in by virtue of being both son and grandson of 4 star admirals. He was a crappy fighter pilot, and was shot down after making a grievous error.

As a Senator, he champions unpopular causes, but only until he actually figures out that they''re unpopular.

He''s not a leader, and not even a very good follower.

[joecoolswat]

Who knows how McCain will handle those situations. My point is he is infinitely more qualified than Barrack Hussein Obama. Who knows nothing about kicking *** militarily. McCain has been to Iraq and Afghan, more than any other Senator and is deeply involved with military classified issues on the armed services committee. The last thing we need in a TIME OF WAR, is a wimpy know-nothing junior senator O''sama.

[joecoolswat]

Hey luvwknd, You stupid-liberal, peacenick, non-military, know-nothing Democrat makes me puke. You think "why do we have war". WE didn''t start this, they did.. and there will be H ell to pay for anyone who messes with the US again. as long as Republicans are in charge.

[sebastian27-2009]

Amazing! It has taken McCain 6 1/2 years to figure this out. Clinton or Obama may not be the brightest bulbs in the light, but I''ll bet that neither one would not have invaded either Afghanistan or Iraq without more support from more major countries.
I''m sure that he is a nice guy, but he is just an aging Vietnam vet that road his glory to a lifetime job.

[joecoolswat]

luvwknd, obvious you are not American. We say gas, not petro. Bush has nothing to do with the price of gas, Clinton for 8 years built no new refineries and drilled for no new oil, because he loved the environmentalists. Iraq''s leader did not abide by the gulf-war 1 cease fire agreements, therefore WAR was on. Terrorists are tapped by the feds, not citizens. Excuse us for defending ourselves, who cares if we are liked around the world. Is that the way we defend our interests? do they LIKE us. how F-ing pansy is that. We will destroy any country who messes with the U.S., sorry that you wanted to be liked. You love weekends cause your a worthless POS. McCain will be president, 4 more years! I mean 4 more wars!