Council on Foreign Relations

Last night, I wrote about Senator Joe Lieberman’s appearance at a panel discussion on John McCain’s foreign policy. Lieberman’s appearance made the news, but some of the most notable comments actually came from Robert “Bud” McFarlane, the former national security adviser to Ronald Reagan and current member of the McCain campaign’s national security advisory board. (He also pleaded guilty to charges of misleading Congress in connection with the Iran-Contra affair, but that’s another story.)

In speaking about relations with Russia, McFarlane called its government a “criminal regime” and “Russian thugs,” and suggested freezing the bank accounts of Vladimir Putin and others. Whatever the merits, it’s mighty undiplomatic language—and an indication of how the old Cold Warriors, and their rhetoric, have made a comeback since the outbreak of the Georgian conflict last month.  read more »

MINNEAPOLIS—Senator Joe Lieberman sat on an auditorium stage, surrounded by Republicans, and beamed like a satisfied heretic.

It was less than 24 hours since the former Democrat’s convention speech in praise of his friend John McCain, and Lieberman was speaking as part of a panel discussion on the prospective McCain administration’s hypothetical foreign policy. The room was packed full of journalists, Republican officials and internationalist types, eager to hear from a man who has largely ostracized himself from his colleagues on Capitol Hill. Three other McCain advisors were sitting onstage, but it was Lieberman—whom Barack Obama endorsed just two years ago, when he faced a primary challenge—who volubly took the lead in criticizing the Democratic candidate, whom he described as unprepared to lead the country through a Manichaean global struggle.  read more »

In light of Bill Richardson's remarks to USA Today--he said John McCain has "good record on immigration" and noted, "You can't underestimate John McCain with Hispanics"--it's worth looking back at his recent appearance at the Council of Foreign Relations.

During that interview, with C.F.R.'s Garrick Utley, Richardson spoke at length about McCain, immigration and Hispanic voters. He offered praise for the Republican nominee, but also said he thinks McCain is moving in the wrong direction.

Excerpts from the transcript:

And I believe what my candidate, Senator Obama, can bring is the ability to heal, and bring people together and develop coalitions. And I am optimistic that a Republican candidate -- Senator McCain, who also has a good record on immigration, although because of conservative pressures is moving in the wrong direction; that immigration reform could be an issue that is effectively dealt with, comprehensive immigration reform, securing borders, a legalization plan, a stronger relationship with Mexico, because most of these problems are economic; finding ways to -- those that knowingly hire illegal workers be punished, and many other ways to deal with the need for seasoned and educated workers that needs a reform in the legal immigration area.  read more »

• 2 comments

Governor Bill Richardson said today that he has spoken with former U.N. Ambassador Dick Holbrooke, a Clinton loyalist, about supporting Barack Obama and said that he will suggest to the Obama campaign that they include Holbrooke on Obama's foreign policy team.

At a Council on Foreign Relations event today, I asked Richardson why he thought Holbrooke's name was missing from the working group on foreign policy that Obama announced and met with today, and whether Holbrooke potentially had a useful role to play as part of such a working group.

"I think he does," said Richardson. "Getting the reintegration of the Clinton people, that will take a little time.  read more »

Speaking at a Council on Foreign Relations event just now in Manhattan, Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico said that being picked as Barack Obama's Vice President would be an "honor."

"Look," said Richardson when asked by a moderator if he would take the job. "How can anyone turn down an honor like that, honestly?"

Richardson said that he loved being an ambassador to the United Nations, energy secretary and governor, but added, "of course, how can you turn something [like that] down?"

He then transitioned into a discussion about immigration policy, the topic for the day's discussion.

UPDATE: He was asked later on what attributes a vice president should have. His answer, in part: “Regional balance -- can you bring votes.” He went on to say, “We’ve ignored the Southwest Hispanic vote.”

He also said, “If John Kerry had won New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona…he’d be president today.”