Yet another....

[not_so_new]

Yet another Palin thread.

I think this is worty of its own thread beause this is a different angle on the issues but mods feel free to move this if needed.

Palin and Alaska.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/09/04/politics/animal/main4414663.shtml

It started like a harmless joke, didn't it? Sarah Palin is from Alaska, Alaska is near Russia, and since Republican rhetoric has become breathtakingly ridiculous lately, some of us joked that Republicans might think the proximity between the state and the country counts as foreign policy experience. It was meant as satire. No one really expected Republicans to make the argument.

[Sefarst]

I've heard the argument made that, because Alaska has the 49th missile defense system and would be considered the first line of defense against an attack from Russia, she might have been kept in the loop as far as basic Russian intelligence goes, but I've seen no evidence. So far it's just speculation.

[not_so_new]

I've heard the argument made that, because Alaska has the 49th missile defense system and would be considered the first line of defense against an attack from Russia, she might have been kept in the loop as far as basic Russian intelligence goes, but I've seen no evidence. So far it's just speculation.

I guess.... but that seems a little thin doesn't it? Being "briefed" on Russian intelligence is not like having experience dealing with foreign leaders or studying foreign relations.

When was her last meeting with Putin... or any Russian delegate for that matter? I doubt it has ever happened (I am willing to keep an open mind on that) but I would be willing to bet one is lined up for the not so distant future.

When was she involved U.S. < > Russian relations? When was she even involved in Alaskan < > Russian relations? Her state shares a physical boundary with Canada as well, why isn't the GOP talking about her work with the Canadian government?

It's just all a little too loose association for me.

[Sefarst]

I guess.... but that seems a little thin doesn't it? Being "briefed" on Russian intelligence is not like having experience dealing with foreign leaders or studying foreign relations.

When was her last meeting with Putin... or any Russian delegate for that matter? I doubt it has ever happened (I am willing to keep an open mind on that) but I would be willing to bet one is lined up for the not so distant future.

How often do governors normally meet with Putin?

When was she involved U.S. < > Russian relations? When was she even involved in Alaskan < > Russian relations? Her state shares a physical boundary with Canada as well, why isn't the GOP talking about her work with the Canadian government?

It's just all a little too loose association for me.

Well she apparently has some experience with Canada and I'm not sure why the GOP doesn't point that out. My guess would be that most people would just say "of course she does, she's right next to it."

This article talks about her and Canada a little: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080830.REPUBLICANVEEP30/TPStory/?query=palin


"She has provided tremendous leadership on the gas line," said Tony Palmer, TransCanada's vice-president of Alaska development. "... She's strong and resolute, with high ethical standards."

Ms. Palin is no stranger to Canada. This summer, she was one of several U.S. governors who signed a wide-ranging pact with B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell, establishing the Pacific Coast Collaborative initiative. Climate change issues are the focus of that agreement, putting the governor firmly in the small group of Republicans ready to take action on greenhouse gases.

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How often do governors normally meet with Putin?

I would venture a guess and say never, or very rarely if they do. Which is exactly my point.


Well she apparently has some experience with Canada and I'm not sure why the GOP doesn't point that out. My guess would be that most people would just say "of course she does, she's right next to it."

On national foreign policy issues? Because the GOP is saying she has national foreign policy experience. I think it is very misleading to say that "of course she has foreign policy expereince. Look at Canada, she is right next to it right?"

Either way, I will ask again. The GOP is saying she has national foreign policy experience because of her states close proximity to Russia. When was she involved U.S. < > Russian relations? When was she even involved in Alaskan < > Russian relations?

[Sefarst]

I would venture a guess and say never, or very rarely if they do. Which is exactly my point.

And I'm not sure how important a point it is because its not really one against Sarah Palin so much as its one against governor's in general. Typically, governors aren't going to sit down with foreign heads of state because it's just not the nature of their job. But we've seen plenty of governors assume the office of the presidency, either for better or for worse.



On national foreign policy issues? Because the GOP is saying she has national foreign policy experience. I think it is very misleading to say that "of course she has foreign policy expereince. Look at Canada, she is right next to it right?"

In this case, in the link I gave, she actually did directly deal with the Canadian government. I don't think it's a valid argument, however, to say she has foreign policy experience with a nation by virtue of the fact that she lives near it, as would be the case in your example with Russia. If it turns out she was receiving briefings on Russia or North Korea because of her state's strategic location, it would only prove she's knowledgeable about the subject, but not necessarily that she actually has experience making decisions based on that information. But then again, she'd be ahead of most governors if that were the case.

[Alferd_Packer]

It is arguable that China is a bigger, long term threat to America than Russia. In that case, Obama is from Hawaii and spent time in Indonesia, thus making him an expert in U.S.-Sino relations.