To address her apparent ignorance in this key area, Palin had a spate of meetings with foreign leaders on September 23 in New York City. She first met with President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan and then talked to President Álvaro Uribe of Colombia. To end her big foreign policy day, she met with that quintessential American foreign policy wonk, State Henry Kissinger.
So I guess Joe Biden won’t be able to say during the vice-presidential debate that Palin has never met with a foreign leader, but I don’t think her instant educational will convince people who are truly concerned about her knowledge of international affairs.
Senator Chuck Hagel (R, Nebraska), member of the Foreign Relations committee, expressed similar feelings last week, when he said, “She doesn't have any foreign policy credentials.... You get a passport for the first time in your life last year? I mean, I don't know what you can say. You can't say anything." Responding to the assertion that the proximity of Alaska to Russia evidences her foreign-policy experience, Hagel added, "I think they ought to be just honest about it and stop the nonsense.... That kind of thing is insulting to the American people” (Sen. Hagel doubts Palin's ready).
Even Laura Bush, of all people, said of Palin’s foreign policy background, “Well, obviously, of course, she does not have that.… but I think that she is a very quick study” (Laura Bush Calls Palin “Quick Study”)
Somehow I’m not reassured. When it comes to the person who is a heartbeat away from the presidency, I’d prefer someone who’s ready to do the job right now to a “quick study.”
Hopefully the American electorate is also concerned about Palin’s lack of qualifications and what McCain’s choice of her says about his leadership abilities.
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