A quick hit on foreign and rural policy

This is going to be brief as I am still creating a diary that I promised to do last night.

Al Giordano outlines Obama's foreign policy towards Latin America here.  He covers the good and the bad in Obama's speech.  Al has covered Latin America for the blog NacroNews for longer than he has covered the presidential race and has a better perspective that most on Latin America (cautionary note, Al doesn't care much for Bill's policy towards Latin America).

http://narconews.com/Issue53/article3110 .html

A very brief synopsis:

The Good:
Obama is willing to ease the embargo on Cuba
Obama looks at trade intelligently and won't continue the trade policies of Bush.
The Bad:
Obama continues the poor rhetoric of Bush with regards to Venezuela and Cuba

Also Sean Regean over at the Back Forty links to an interview about food and agriculture issues done with Obama.
http://www.northcoastjournal.com/issues/ 2008/05/29/baracks-chili/
and also covers some of his thoughts on Obama's rural policy (Sean is a blogger with ruralvotes and from what I've seen he does an excellent job).
http://www.ruralvotes.com/thebackforty/? p=71#comment-229



Display:


I'm starting to really like Giordano (2.00 / 1)

1.  Latin America - I read the article on Latin America a few days ago.  I must admit, I found quite a few of Obama's stances tin keeping with much of the stale old Yankee Imperialism.  I've spent a fair amount of time in Honduras, so I know a bit about the real life implications of our foreign policy in Central America.

Then again, after reading that McCain has Otto Reich, the brains behind U.S. support of the Contra war Nicaragua, as a key advisor couldn't make the choice much starker.

I hope that Obama's Latin American policy is more progressive and internationalist than it appears at first blush.  At least it's a step in the right direction.

2.  I am looking forward to some more specifics on Obama's ag policy and who he would tap as Secretary of Agriculture.

I'm glad he keeps mentioning the factory farm pollution.  Clinton's seeming indifference to this critical issue and her previous ties to "Big Meat" were a couple of reasons I veered toward Obama when Edwards dropped out.


by emptythreatsfarm on Thu May 29, 2008 at 02:12:55 PM EST

Yeah (none / 0)

I agree that Obama does say some unfortunate things about latin america, however he is moving in the right direction with regards to Cuba and trade.

About ag secretary, I am thinking Daschle might be a choice for this.  He is from a farm state and got on board really early.  He isn't perfect but he'd be better than someone like Colin Peterson.


Student Guy=JoeMentum. No really Student Guy=JoeMentum, after all JoeMentum was an embarrassment so is Student Guy. This sig is FAIL!!
by Student Guy on Thu May 29, 2008 at 02:22:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Daschle might be good (none / 0)

Yes, please not Peterson!

My dream would be Harkin, but I doubt that would never happen.

There is absolutely no hope for reform in the commodity title while that guy is chairing the agriculture committee.  The last farm bill was a huge disappointing grey cloud with only a tiny silver lining.

What do you think of Walz? (nor for Secretary of Ag - but in general on ag issues).  I've been fairly impressed so far.  What an upgrade over Gutknecht.


by emptythreatsfarm on Thu May 29, 2008 at 02:28:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]

correction (none / 0)

Oops - that was unclear.

I was referring to Peterson's chair and the commodity title, not Harkin's.


by emptythreatsfarm on Thu May 29, 2008 at 02:34:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]

About Colin (none / 0)

yuk, He's represented me from the last redistricting in MN to last year (when i moved to Minneapolis) and still represents where I plan to vote (back home).

I think Harkin would be pretty damn good, but my dream is a guy by the name of David Fredrickson (he was the MFU and NFU president and now works as the ag liaison to Amy Klobuchar, he also was the guy who led the charge to get the 10% ethanol requirement in the MN Senate way back when.

I like Walz, (keep an eye on him as I think he might run for Gov. in 2010) he does a pretty good job with Ag policy much better than Gutknecht (I am sorry you had him as a rep).


Student Guy=JoeMentum. No really Student Guy=JoeMentum, after all JoeMentum was an embarrassment so is Student Guy. This sig is FAIL!!
by Student Guy on Thu May 29, 2008 at 02:36:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: A quick hit on foreign and rural policy (1.33 / 3)

Our Cuba policy has been essentially pointless since 1989.  It's the ex-Cuban population in Florida that seems intent on winning a staring contest, at the expense of a real policy.  I hope that when Barack becomes President, he really looks at our entire policy wrt the rest of the region.  I think that he probably will.


Obama/Adam West or Bruce Campbell or Lucy Lawless '08
by Purple with Green Stipes and Pink Polka Dots Dem on Thu May 29, 2008 at 02:15:44 PM EST

I hope so as well. nt. (none / 0)


Student Guy=JoeMentum. No really Student Guy=JoeMentum, after all JoeMentum was an embarrassment so is Student Guy. This sig is FAIL!!
by Student Guy on Thu May 29, 2008 at 02:22:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]


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