Point 1. U.S. troops cuts and help improve the U.S. economy, with reduced military expenditure being diverted into tax cuts to help middle class families. Does anyone disagree with this?cnn wrote:PARIS, France (CNN) -- Barack Obama said Friday that persuading NATO allies to contribute more troops to Afghanistan could lead to U.S. troops cuts and help improve the U.S. economy, with reduced military expenditure being diverted into tax cuts to help middle class families.
"Part of getting that right is having the Europeans engaged and involved in this same battle that we're involved with," the Democratic presidential contender told CNN's Candy Crowley in Berlin, Germany, where he had addressed an estimated crowd of 200,000 a day earlier.
Obama's multi-nation trip, which has included stopovers in Afghanistan, Iraq and Israel, is aimed at bolstering his foreign policy credentials. The one-term senator has been criticized as inexperienced by Republican rival John McCain.
Obama also made a speech Thursday to tens of thousands of people in Berlin, Germany, and was in France on Friday meeting President Nicolas Sarkozy. His last stop will be the UK later Friday.
Asked what message his traveling abroad three months before the election sent to Americans, Obama said getting commitments from the United States' partners would help address some of the domestic issues Americans are facing.
"If we have more NATO troops in Afghanistan, then that's potentially fewer American troops over the long term, which means we're spending fewer billions of dollars, which means we can invest those billions of dollars in making sure we're providing tax cuts to middle class families who are struggling with higher gas prices that will have an impact on our economy."
Point 2. Bolstering his foreign policy credentials. A wise move considering his “experience” issues. Exposing yourself as a concerned and reasonable leader is not bad for world opinion. Sort of flies in the face of the “cowboy” picture they have of American leaders now.
Point 3. "If we have more NATO troops in Afghanistan, then that's potentially fewer American troops over the long term, which means we're spending fewer billions of dollars, which means we can invest those billions of dollars in making sure we're providing tax cuts to middle class families. This is a pretty good change as far as I’m concerned.
Point; Renewing American respect throughout the world. I call that good change.cnn wrote: Obama also said his trip was aimed at reasserting American respect in the world: "I wouldn't underestimate the degree to which people in Ohio -- or people in Michigan or Missouri -- recognize that our longterm safety and our longterm security is going to depend on how we can interact with key allies."
Good change there too.cnn wrote:The U.S. and Europe can and will achieve far more when we join in a common cause," Obama said.
Obama said his meetings with overseas leaders were meant "to send the message that Americans want to partner with these countries in order for us to be successful, and also to relieve some of the burden on our fighting men and women in Afghanistan and Iraq."
Comments? Criticisms?
