John McCain's Foreign Policy Speech

WaPo has a decent article on John McCain's address to the World Affairs Council.

I'll say it right now (I already have said it, now I'll write it). Regardless of who wins the 2008 Presidential election, the new regime will be vastly better than the old regime. We should be rejoicing in the US, but partisan politics always messes up even the best of situations.

Even for dems, lefties, and all things in opposition to McCain, there is much good in the words (deeds, of course, are in the future). For instance:

"Today we are not alone," McCain said. "Our great power does not mean we
can do whatever we want whenever we want, nor should we assume we have all the
wisdom and knowledge necessary to succeed."

Now, what democrat can disagree with the words?

More McCain:

"

We need to listen -- we need to listen -- to the views and respect the
collective will of our democratic allies," McCain said. "When we believe
international action is necessary, whether military, economic or diplomatic, we
will try to persuade our friends that we are right. But we, in return, must be
willing to be persuaded by them."

Yeah, we can argue over whether we should just listen to democratic allies (who would that include? Iraq? Palestine? Venezuela? Russia?) Nevertheless, I'm confident it would include nations who Bush has alienated such as France, Canada, Spain, Austria, Norway, Sweden, Finland. So, this is not a principle to disagree with, it is an argument over who to invite to a party.

One last cherry picked quote here: "Relations with our southern neighbors must be governed by mutual respect, not by an imperial impulse or by anti-American demagoguery," he said. I agree. I cringe everytime I hear leaders I'd like to support because of what they are trying to do, go off on the Great Satan America. yeah, great for applause lines, but itis poor leadership.

Now, McCain still wants to stay in Iraq for ever if that is what it takes. A precipitous withdrawal would be a disaster. Colin Powell was correct, you break it, you bought it (speaking of invading Iraq and overthrowing Saddam). I agreed then and do now. But, an open ended committment to do whatever it takes doesn't tell us when we can leave? what, when Baghad is like Boston? What we need is a plan to leave. We also need honesty. McCain should say, I was for the invasion of Iraq because, but we were wrong, and now we have a moral duty to help the Iraqis. This is what makes America great. We admit mistakes and we fix them.

Or offer reparations and get out. (The other great American practice, sue us.)