This is big, folks:
Four former secretaries of state announced Tuesday they are endorsing Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) for president, providing his campaign with a needed boost.
Henry Kissinger, retired Gen. Alexander Haig, Lawrence Eagleburger and George Shultz all said they would support McCain. The former heads of the State Department said the senator’s leadership skills, his record and his vision make him the right choice for president in difficult times.
“The world’s challenges are radically changing and our country needs John McCain’s experience and optimism,” said Kissinger, who served as secretary of state from 1973 to 1977 and won a Nobel Prize for his efforts to end the Vietnam War.
“His record, character, and belief that America’s best days lie ahead make John McCain the right leader for these times,” added Kissinger.
The war in Iraq and the fight against terrorism are central issues in the election, and getting the backing of experienced foreign policy officials could help McCain’s struggling campaign. The senator finished only third in first-quarter fundraising and was also criticized for recent remarks he made in Iraq.
“John McCain has spent his life serving this country on the battlefield and in Congress,” said Eagleburger, who served as secretary of state under the current president’s father. “As our country adjusts to new challenges, John McCain’s experience and record as a common-sense conservative make him the best candidate for our country’s future.”
McCain said he was proud of the support, adding that he and the former secretaries of state “share optimism in America and dedication to winning the war on terror.”
Kissinger has been a longtime McCain ally and serves as the honorary co-chair of McCain’s presidential campaign in New York. Haig, Eagleburger and Shultz were all the crème de la crème of the American diplomatic corps. and the fact that they would all line up behind John McCain says that they truly believe McCain is the best person capable of steering the United States through these troubled times.
April 10th, 2007 at 12:59 pm
Not bad, not bad at all. There is no question that McCain has it together in foriegn affairs. Though his famous temper might be a bit problematic during delicate negotiations, don’t you think?
April 10th, 2007 at 1:04 pm
McCain getting these endorsements does nothing to help him (he’s already the most experienced on foreign affairs of the main candidates).
This helps McCain because it keeps one of these SoS from endorsing Romney or Rudy. Both of them would benefit from a SoS endorsement because it would bolster their weak foreign policy credentials.
Not a great lose for Romney or Rudy, but I’m sure they are looking for other ways to appear ready to handle foreign policy.
April 10th, 2007 at 1:59 pm
What are you talking about Econ?? Romney has been a foreign diplomat all his life! He went to college once in France, and he went to Canada last year.
April 10th, 2007 at 2:06 pm
As I said yesterday… reports of the McCain campaign’s death are entirely premature. This guy’s still got a lot of fight in him. This is a great pickup for J-Mac.
April 10th, 2007 at 2:28 pm
I’ll give KT extra credit for being both funny and right at the same time.
April 10th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
Wow Kt…even in your digs you can’t get the facts straight.
April 10th, 2007 at 2:40 pm
KT Funny? Maybe. KT Right? No, as usual.
Team Romney had a press release today that is a policy briefing mostly on foreign affairs. To his credit he is supplying some specifics and details that other candidates so far are not willing to do. Read it for yourself to see what you think:
http://www.mittromney.com/News/Press-Releases/Bush_Library_Remarks
April 10th, 2007 at 2:55 pm
KT Funny? No, Romney funny.
KT Wrong? No, KT says things like it is.
April 10th, 2007 at 2:56 pm
No, KT, you still might not get it. Romney never went to college in France.
April 10th, 2007 at 3:10 pm
Murph,
That is correct. After his freshman year at Stanford, Romney left for France to begin a 30-month stint as a Mormon missionary.
April 10th, 2007 at 3:12 pm
Well, he didn’t say Romney didn’t have opinions on foreign policy or couldn’t verbalize on those opinions. He wittily commented on Romney’s lack of direct involvement in diplomatic affiars, which is a truism.
And yes, it was actually a missionary trip in France, was it not?
April 10th, 2007 at 3:29 pm
Endorsements from Kissinger, Eagleberger, Haig AND Schultz? Very impressive. I think we have Pres. Giuliani’s next Secretary of State.
April 10th, 2007 at 3:32 pm
KT,
If you are ignorant enough to think Romney went to college in France perhaps you should refrain from opining on Mitt until you do a little research.
April 10th, 2007 at 3:38 pm
…and Argo gets the blue ribbon prize for having atleast skimmed over Romney’s bio!
April 10th, 2007 at 4:22 pm
Minnesota…. you have a problem with real people…lighten up Mr. Romney-Lover, it was a joke. But perhaps you ought to stop being so snobbish and check the facts yourself. He did go to France and it was related to some kind of college program, or similar (quite frankly, I don’t really care)
April 10th, 2007 at 4:57 pm
KT: He did go to France and it was related to some kind of college program, or similar (quite frankly, I don’t really care)
You’re out-doing yourself. I stand in light-hearted amazement.
April 10th, 2007 at 5:27 pm
“Don’t bother me with the facts. My mind is already made up.”
That is what it sounds like you are saying in #15, KT. Perhaps you should rephrase that response?
April 10th, 2007 at 7:20 pm
?_?
Can we talk about the heart of what KT said instead of a particular piece of the punchline he chose?
KT asserts that Mitt Romney is lacking in formal foreign policy experience: Debate.
April 10th, 2007 at 7:43 pm
There isn’t a debate. Mitt Romney is lacking formal foreign policy experience. If he was nominated he’d be wise to choose a foreign policy pick for VP (like Condi Rice).
April 10th, 2007 at 7:54 pm
I agree, but I was throwing out the “debate” there to appease the Mitt fans.
April 10th, 2007 at 8:18 pm
I thought KT’s remark was a joke, and although I like Romney I thought it was funny. Amazing the attacking its received. And this is between Republicans!
Romney is light on foreign policy, his work in the Olympics is helpful as far as negotiating and knowing cultural practices of other countries, but that’s about all he’s got in his resume. This means he has to be clear on what his foreign policy views are (which I think he’s doing, see #7) and pick a competent VP who’s experienced in foreign affairs (like both Clinton & Bush did with Gore in 1992 and Cheney in 2000). Not Rice though, too much baggage.
April 10th, 2007 at 8:20 pm
Actually, I know I might get hammered for suggesting this, but Hagel would be a good pick for VP. He’s a strong social conservative, with military experience & good Senate record. Plus he’s popular with Independents and Liberals (roughly a third of whom don’t like Hillary, so would be looking for a reason to support the Repub nominee).
The question is whether Hagel would tone down his Iraq criticism and the two of them come to a common position (e.g. back surge, if it fails, get out).
April 10th, 2007 at 9:49 pm
Zach Mayo, et al,
I generally agree that Romney is lacking foreign policy experience. He has some, including his time spent overseas, his running of the Olympics, and his running of an international company. But generally, he doesn’t have a heavy resume. In this regard it will be more important to listen to what he says on the issues, rather than look at what Senate committees he has served on.
Regarding KT’s joke, the general quip was funny enough. What’s slightly sad is the degree to which KT regularly bashes the character of a man whom he knows very little about. Very very little. I’ve seen KT posts attacking Mitt that mention the wrong state of birth, incorrect business information, and now repeated claims that Mitt went to college in France. It’s common place to hear him attack Mitt for being two-faced, phoney, and any number of double-standard insults that only apply to people not named Rudy. Don’t get me wrong, KT, you’re a cool guy. But you gotta get the facts right if you’re gonna trash someone effectively.
April 11th, 2007 at 11:52 am
murphy, I think you are cool, too…and very eloquent in your writings. But, pardon me regarding my “getting facts wrong” about Romney, but just like the previous guy saying that I am “ignorant” – - you are not correct about me. I do not make statements without knowing the facts. The fact is, certain people jumped all over me because I made a quip about poor little Mitt. The fact also is, my comments about Romney’s place of birth are not my fault — they are Romney’s himself. He ran for governor in one adopted home state, where he only served one term (because he knew he would not win again so did not run for reelection) only to make his formal announcement for president from yet another adopted home state (Mich.). I do not recall saying anything about his business information, except for the fact that I dont think a two week olympic event compares to 8 years as mayor of the capital city of the world. As far as France, I said that I dont care whether it was college or college trip or what, the point is I was making a joke, ridiculing his perpetual need to magnify himself and anything he does (um, hunting, for example??)
April 14th, 2007 at 3:47 pm
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