How Sarah Palin and the McCain Campaign Should Address Foreign Policy

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has been the subject of intense discussion since being named as Sen. John McCain’s running mate. Much of this discussion has focused on her apparent lack of foreign policy experience. The response of the McCain campaign thus far has been inadequate to quell these concerns. This need not be the case given the strategic importance of Alaska.

Alaska’s Fort Greely is the main base of operations for National Missile Defense, which is aimed at countering the threat posed by the development of intercontinental ballistic missiles in rogue states such as North Korea. The base is widely considered to be the “tip of the spear” for missile defense and, to that end, boasts at least eight ground-based interceptors capable of being launched at a moment’s notice. The interceptors are supported by a network of sophisticated radar systems located throughout Alaska. The centerpiece of this network is a $900 million radar on a floating platform just off the coast that is responsible for providing surveillance, target acquisition, tracking, and kill confirmation. A significant portion of Alaska’s state budget is directed toward providing support services and infrastructure for the entire missile defense initiative. Ft. Greely and the State of Alaska have played and will continue to play a leading role in the nation’s foreign policy through the development of the NMD program. It is obvious, then, that Gov. Palin would be well versed in the importance of the program and its international implications.

In addition to missile defense, Alaska’s reserves of oil and natural gas are of global importance. The current debate over how best to deal with the energy crisis has highlighted the global nature of the oil market, and that any domestic decisions will have wide-ranging international implications. The Trans-Alaska Pipeline runs nearly 800 miles connecting the oil fields of northern Alaska to the southern seaport where the oil is transported to refineries in the lower 48 states. Since its completion in 1977, the pipeline has transported over 15 billion barrels of oil – a figure that is likely to increase significantly if Congress finally authorizes drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). As governor, there is little doubt that Palin is well aware of the international significance of her state’s natural resources will have on the energy crisis.

McCain has been surprisingly candid about enjoying his status as the underdog in this campaign. By keeping expectations low, the campaign has been able to generate greater amounts of political capital from their successes than they likely would be able to as the frontrunner. This strategy may be the reason why they have not made a strong effort to highlight these aspects of Gov. Palin’s experience. By allowing the Obama campaign and the pundits raise concerns about her foreign policy credentials in the weeks leading up to the first debate, the McCain campaign can capitalize on a stellar performance by Gov. Palin when she squares off against Sen. Biden. If she comes out and speaks convincingly about matters relating to foreign policy, McCain will have yet another “I told you so” moment. However, by allowing the narrative to continue, the possibility exists that the doubts about Palin created in the minds of voters will have already taken root by the time the debates roll around.

The McCain campaign should take control of the story by having Gov. Palin speak extensively on her involvement with missile defense and her state’s oil and gas reserves. Emphasizing the work that she has lead in connection with these two issues as well as demonstrating her understanding of their international implications will ease the doubts of voters and dull the Obama campaign’s attacks.

Sarah Palin

Sen. McCain has made a brilliant choice with his selection of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate.

I was first exposed to Gov. Palin this summer while researching energy policy for my internship. She had made waves by declaring her support for opening parts of the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge for oil exploration. There had been some buzz about her being a possible choice for McCain, but she was a long shot at best.

Gov. Palin helps McCain in several ways. First, she brings solid conservative credentials to the ticket, a problem that had been plaguing McCain since the primaries. With her selection, McCain will likely shore up the conservative base of the party - a group that has been on the fence about a McCain candidacy since the primaries. Second, she has a reputation in Alaska as an aggressive reformer. As has been made public with the recent indictment of Sen. Ted "Bridge to Nowhere" Stevens, Alaskan politics have long been plagued by corruption. During her candidacy for governor, Palin ran on a platform of cleaning up the state government in Juno. She delivered on that promise from day one of her administration and made enemies of the status quo by aggressively going after corruption, earmarks, and kickbacks. Third, her life story is a major plus with "average" Americans. Prior to entering public service, she worked briefly as a sports reporter for a local TV station, but spent most of her life working alongside her husband in the commercial fishing business. Thus, middle and working class Americans can easily identify with her.

Not surprisingly, the Obama campaign has already started their attacks on Governor Palin. The Obama camp, in a press release issued this morning, said that Palin has "zero" experience. Not only is this a laughable attack, it's completely dishonest. Consider the following comparison of the records of Gov. Palin and Sen. Obama:

- Gov. Palin entered public service in 1992 by being elected to the Wasilla City Council. In 1996 she was elected mayor of the town, a position she held until 2002. She was elected governor of Alaska in 2006 and has served in that capacity since.

- Sen. Obama was elected to the Illinois legislature in 1997 and to the United States Senate in 2005. He has less than 200 days of actual on-the-job experience in the federal government. During that time, the vast majority of his votes were either "Present" or "Not Voting."

So, what does this mean? Gov. Palin as over a decade of experience in elected office, and about 8 years of experience in executive office. Sen. Obama has barely over a decade in any elected office and zero executive experience. When Sen. Obama was first elected to office in 1997, Gov. Palin already had five years worth of experience as an elected official.

Gov. Sarah Palin is a brilliant choice and will make a great Vice President.

Today, We Are All Georgians

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We Fought A Revolution Over This

By now, most of you are aware of the ongoing Republican revolt on the House floor. However, many of you may not know the story of how it began.

Last Friday, Speaker Nancy Pelosi banged her gavel and sent the House of Representatives into a five-week recess. While the House usually takes a recess in August, what made this move unusual was the timing. Before the House goes to recess, Representatives are given to opportunity to sign up for what are known as “5 minute speeches.” During these speeches, members of Congress are permitted to talk about issues that they believe to be important before Congress goes out of session. On Friday, over 100 Republican members had signed up to give their speeches per House rules only to have Speaker Pelosi end the session before giving them their chance to speak. Rather than be silenced, the jilted members decided to give their speeches anyway and began the guerrilla session.

As I sat in the House chambers this week listening to this story being told, it struck me that Speaker Pelosi’s actions bore a striking similarity to those taken by King George III of England that ultimately led to the American Revolution.

When the Colonies decided to break away from Great Britain, a decision was made that necessity of the break should be clearly outlined and justified to the rest of the world. This justification was the Declaration of Independence - a document that enshrines the most sacred principles this nation was founding upon. The Declaration also lists a multitude of the abuses committed by the British Crown on the colonies. Two of these abuses, I believe, are especially relevant to the current situation in Congress:

“He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.”

AND

“For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.”

These two passages illustrate one of the primary complaints the colonies had - they were not given equal representation in British Parliament.

By banging her gavel and silencing the Republican minority before they were allowed their opportunity to speak, Nancy Pelosi has essentially suspended our legislature and declared herself the sole authority on what kind of legislation is good for the American people. She has not only silenced the opinions of Republican members of Congress, but also the people that they represent.

Since the people are the ultimate source of authority in our Republic, Speaker Pelosi should not be surprised that a revolution that is brewing. While the first revolution was fought with cannons and muskets, this revolution is being fought with speeches, blog entries, protests, and will ultimately will be won with ballots.

House Floor Revolt - Day 3

I was back on the floor of the house this morning for day 3 of the Republican revolt against Congress' inactivity on the high cost of energy.

Much of the message was the same as the day before as members of Congress not only discussed the need for energy solutions now, but also educated the new visitors to the House about the history that they were witnessing. While one of the speakers was giving the background as to how the protest started, I learned that over 100 Republican Congressmen had signed up to give "5 minute speeches" that are traditionally allowed before the close of recess only to have Speaker Pelosi shut of their microphones and gavel the House into recess before they could utter a word. Talk about suppressing free speech.

One thing that the Representatives did was provide more details about the specific plans that they had for solving the energy crisis. Before the microphones were cut off, the Republicans had intended to talk about HR 6566, the so-called "American Energy Act." Contrary to what is being said in the media by Speaker Pelosi and others, this bill could best be described as an "all of the above" solution. The bill includes provisions that would allow responsible drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf and ANWR while also providing for the development of nuclear, wind, solar, and hydro-electric power. I think Rep. Louie Gohmert said it best when he told the crowd, "People who tell you that this is just about oil are either being ignorant or dishonest." Given Speaker Pelosi's record and the record of the do-nothing Democratic Congress, I think it could be a little of both.

The crowd was much more active today, partly because people are learning more and more about the issue as the days go on. At one point the speeches stopped for about 3 minutes as the entire room, responding to Rep. Gohmert's speech, erupted into a loud chant of "Vote! Vote! Vote!"

But, the day wasn't just about the issue at hand. The most heartwarming moment of the day was when an Army soldier, who had been on a tour, walked into the gallery and was immediately led down to the middle of the floor and given a standing ovation by all in attendance.

American democracy is definitely alive and well this week.

"...deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed"

Last Friday, as you may know, a group of Republican members of the House of Representatives refused to leave the floor of the House and go home for August Recess. The group stayed on the floor in protest of Speaker Nancy Pelosi's (D-CA) decision to go to recess without taking any action on the energy crisis facing this nation. Apparently, Pelosi did not want to entertain Republican plans for comprehensive energy legislation that would authorize drilling for oil in the Outer Continental Shelf while simultaneously developing alternative energy technology.

The protest continued today with 23 Republican Representatives returning to Washington, D.C. to discuss energy solutions and pressure Speaker Pelosi to allow an open debate on energy.

At around 11:00am, our office received a call from Minority Whip Roy Blunt's (R-MO) office asking us to come to the floor to cover the speeches. Upon arriving at the Capitol, we were escorted down onto the floor of the House. I later found out that it was unprecedented to allow non-members on the floor during debate.

My immediate impression of the moment was one of awe. There was a definite energy in the room that seemed almost revolutionary. Normal House protocol prevents members from talking directly to the crowds observing from the galleries and visitors are not allowed to cheer. Today, however, members are mingling with the visitors (I was actually sitting next to Rep. Rob Wittman of Virginia), and the people observing are loudly cheering on the speakers on the floor.

Some highlights of the speeches:

- 11:40am: During a speech by Rep. Mike Conaway (R-TX), the crowd started chanting
"Vote! Vote! Vote!"
- 11:45am: Rep. John Kline (R-MN) told those observing that they were part of "an historic moment," and that although "Congress is doing nothing about the price of gas; we're here to do something."
- 11:50am: Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN), one of the organizers of the protest, explained that Pelosi was blocking a comprehensive energy plan supported by a bi-partisan majority that would give us more access to American oil. He later drew from a quote by Daniel Webster that is carved into the gallery wall above the Speaker's seat: "Let us develop the resources of our land, call forth its powers, build up its institutions, promote all its great interests, and see whether we also, in our day and generation, may not perform something worthy to be remembered."
- 11:55am: Standing ovation for Rep. Tom Price (R-GA) who helped organize the protest.
- 12:00pm: Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH) said that Dayton school districts were stopping bus
services for students due to the high cost of fuel and stated that "our economic security is
at risk." He then called on Speaker Pelosi to "bring this House back," so that it could
unleash the inventiveness of our country.
- 12:05pm: Rep. Steve King (R-IA) - "If we lose our free market economy, then what
happens to your freedom?" Talked about the fact that we can't get through this problem
without offshore drilling and noted that during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, several
offshore rigs were badly damaged without a single leak.
- 12:20pm: Peter Roskam (R-IL) said that he got the call about the protest yesterday
and drove all night to be a part of it, arriving in D.C. at 3:00am. Compared the energy
crisis to the Stamp Act saying it is an issue that affects everyone and that the people
people must rise up to ensure that something gets done.
- 12:30pm: Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) - "We care about the environment, but it is a
question of balance." Decried Speaker Pelosi's silencing of the minority, saying that "this
is the United States, not the Soviet Union."
- 12:45pm: Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) highlighted the various bills that the
Democrats made priorities over energy bills. The list included such ridiculous bills as
recognition of National Train Day, the Great Cats and Rare Canids Act (this bill provides
protection for rare breeds of cats and dogs), and the Monkey Safety Act.
- 12:55pm: Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI) said that the price at the pump isn't the only issue
at stake, but the quality of life of all Americans. Referenced Charlton Heston's famous line from "The Ten Commandments" - "Madam Speaker: Let my people vote!"

Throughout the speeches, the Representatives encouraged the people watching in the gallery and from the floor to call Speaker Pelosi's office at (202)224-3121 and tell her to allow debate on energy policy.

If your Representative was one of the ones present, call them and encourage them to keep up the good work. If not, call them and tell them that you don't get a vacation from high gas prices, so why should they get a vacation from doing the people's business.

Resources to help you talk with your Representative can be found at: www.freedomworks.org/petition/drill.

Alexander Solzhenitsyn: 1918-2008

Alexander Solzhenitsyn, the Nobel prize winning Soviet dissident, died of heart failure on Sunday. His writings were critical in calling the world's attention to the oppressive Soviet regime. Read One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, a brilliant novel that exposed the horrific treatment of political prisoners in Stalin's labor camps.

I Love Democracy...

The House officially went into recess for the month of August at 11:23am EST, but the Republicans have refused to go home. Protesting House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's decision to adjourn the House without scheduling a vote to allow for offshore drilling, Republicans remained on the floor talking up the energy crisis and bashing Pelosi and the Democrats for leaving town with work still left to do.

This is a great piece of political theater. I'm planning on heading over after work to show some support.

Read the full story here.