President Biden Tries to Play the Global Stage - “The Sunday Political Brunch”—July 16, 2023

Sunday, July 16, 2023

 

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President Biden at NATO Meeting PHOTO: NATO

It is a rite of passage in about every U.S. presidency. Frustrated and handcuffed on domestic issues with Congress, presidents often turn to foreign relations, where they have a lot more latitude. It often coincides with a desire to seek a second term and appear more “presidential.” Let’s “brunch” on that this week.

 

“The Domestic Handcuffs” – To pass a budget, a debt-ceiling increase, a crime bill, and an economic stimulus package (and more), the president must deal with Congress, even if his party controls one or both chambers. It’s the separation of powers, checks, and balances. On international issues, the president has a lot more authority. As Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, he can send troops and weapons overseas, unfettered. And if he negotiates a treaty, he only needs Senate approval, the House has no say. Because of this, we see many presidents, late in the first term, or early in the second term, focus heavily on foreign affairs, but it doesn’t always work.

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“The Cluster Bomb Cluster” – In the past week, President Biden okayed sending so-called “cluster munitions” to Ukraine, even though there was pushback from both sides of the aisle. Cluster munitions are controversial because they can have repeated, sequential explosions after the first deployment on military combatants, thus increasing the chance for unintended civilian casualties. More than one hundred nations – including our allies, such as Great Britain, were not happy. Needless to say, it’s getting highly politicized. Biden also attended a NATO summit.

 

“Biden in His Own Words” -- “It was a very difficult decision on my part. And I discussed this with our allies, I discussed this with our friends up on the Hill,” Biden told CNN, adding, “The Ukrainians are running out of ammunition.” The concerns are that dozens of nations have banned the use of these weapons – many of whom are our allies. The other concern is about innocent civilian casualties.

 

“The Trump-et Blast” – Former President Donald Trump is trying to find a wedge, any place he can, so he weighed in with his opposition. "Joe Biden should not be dragging us further toward World War III by sending cluster munitions to Ukraine — he should be trying to END the war and stop the horrific death and destruction being caused by an incompetent administration," Trump said.

 

“The Trump Team Splits Again” – Former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence weighed in, with an opinion departing from his former boss. "I welcome the cluster munitions," added Pence, who suggested that providing the weapons is key to Ukraine's success in fighting Russia. "I think it ends by giving the Ukrainians what they need to win." But Pence is not exactly a Biden fan either. "But Joe Biden’s been slow on it," Pence said. "I mean, he just approved the cluster munitions, which the Russians have been using for a year and a half against Ukrainian forces."

 

“Biden’s Dilemma” – The problem for the incumbent is that this is not the first international controversy that could be used against him. The embarrassing collapse and departure of U.S. troops from Afghanistan early on in his administration was a setback. But Republicans, who had many opportunities to use those horrifying images in 2022 midterm campaign ads, failed to do so to any large degree. The result: the GOP failed to take the Senate, and only took the House by a handful of seats. It was a strategic campaign blunder.

 

“Other Presidents on Foreign Affairs” – President Lydon Johnson is one of the few who moved from foreign affairs back to domestic issues. He exchanged the unpopularity of the Vietnam War with the surging call for Civil Rights for all. Ultimately the stain of Vietnam was too strong, and he did not seek reelection in 1968. But think about Richard Nixon shifting from a bad economy, to making trips to Russia and China. Jimmy Carter pivoting from a sinking economy to the Camp David Accords. Ronald Reagan had a great economy, but he still said, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” George H.W. Bush prosecuted a highly successful and popular Gulf War in Iraq, but when recession hit after that, it torpedoed his 1992 reelection. So, these issues can cut both ways.

 

“A Third Rail?” – All of this divisiveness just underscores the growing call for a third-party. The centrist “No Labels” organization is looking for a third presidential option in 2024. Enter the often-speculated Senator from my political home base these days in West Virginia. “It is clear that most Americans are exceedingly frustrated by the growing divide in our political parties and toxic political rhetoric from our elected leaders,” Senator Joe Manchin (D) West Virginia said in a statement, announcing this coming Monday’s town hall meeting. “Our political discourse is lacking engaged debates around common-sense solutions to solve the pressing issues facing our nation. I am looking forward to modeling this type of conversation with my good friend, Gov. Jon Huntsman, (R) Utah, and the No Labels community.” Manchin and Huntsman will both speak at the town hall in New Hampshire.

 

“But Are Alternatives Surging?” -- Given the volatile nature of this campaign, though it’s early in the process, are the doubts creating any openings for opponents? Apparently not. A new Morning Consult Poll shows that the number two choice behind Trump is sliding. The poll had Trump at 56 percent to 17 percent for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and 8 percent for tech-guru Vivek Ramaswamy and 7 percent for Mike Pence.

Mark Curtis, Ed.D., is Chief Political Reporter for the seven Nexstar Media TV stations serving West Virginia, its five neighboring states and the entire Washington, DC media market. He is also a MINDSETTER™ contributing political writer and analyst for www.GoLocalProv.com and its affiliates.


 

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