FOREIGN POLICY (including Iraq)

I strongly believe America needs to regain its respected role in the world and that it can regain that role only if our government shows respect and good will to other nations. I favor the use of diplomacy wherever possible and believe that armed force should be a last resort. I oppose a "go it alone" foreign policy. I believe that using diplomacy is a sign of strength, especially of moral strength; bullying and intimidation is a sign of weakness.

I believe the invasion of Iraq was morally and spiritually wrong and that the cost of that act in resources, lives (including many tens of thousands of civilian lives in Iraq), and moral authority has been immense. In many ways, the invasion has made America less safe by encouraging anti-American sentiment (and thus a new generation of potential terrorists) and making Iraq an available area of activity for terrorists. I admire Barack Obama's courage in opposing that invasion, his wisdom in foreseeing its negative consequences, and his moral judgment in assessing its moral status. I recognize that a practical solution to the problems in Iraq must be found that will protect American interests as well as those of the Iraqi people. I favor a measured, careful military disengagement from Iraq and believe such a disengagement can actually help strengthen Iraq.

In approaching other problems in the world, I believe efforts should be made not to see others as enemies, even when we disagree with them or oppose their policies, and I oppose approaches that encourage "war fever" in our own nation or nations we might seek to intimidate, knowing that such approaches can make peaceful solutions very difficult to achieve as each side tries to save face and comes to imagine dialogue with the other impossible. I recognize Israel's need for self-protection but also favor protecting the rights and welfare of Palestinians. All effective and legitimate means should be used to discourage the cycle of violence on both sides and especially the idea that violence is the first and normal solution to problems. Israel should be expected to follow rules of conduct that apply to all civilized nations and, especially if it accepts American aid, to respect the rights and dignity of all human beings.

Terrorism and other conflicts in the world will best be dealt with by helping improve people's conditions (especially those who are most desperately in need), giving them hope, and increasing mutual understanding between people of different cultures and systems of belief.