ON CUBA: REAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN OBAMA, CLINTON...

[babylonsister]

ON CUBA: REAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN OBAMA, CLINTON...
John Nichols



It is often suggested that there is not much difference between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton when it comes to the stands they have taken as senators. And on the question of how the U.S. relates to Cuba – an issue that has suddenly moved to the forefront with the news that Fidel Castro is stepping down as the leader of the Caribbean nation – the candidates can sound similar.

When word came of Castro's move, Obama said the Cuban president's decision to hand power to his younger brother "should mark the end of a dark era in Cuba's history. ... Fidel Castro's stepping down is an essential first step, but it is sadly insufficient in bringing freedom to Cuba."

Clinton said, "The United States must pursue an active policy that does everything possible to advance the cause of freedom, democracy and opportunity in Cuba."

That's reasonably standard language for presidential candidates talking about Cuba.

But this is a case where the records behind the words really do tell different stories.

During their shared tenure in the Senate, and over the course of the current campaign, Obama and Clinton have taken different stands and sent distinct signals.

They have even voted differently on an issue that has provided a regular test of congressional sentiments regarding U.S. policy toward Cuba.

more...

http://www.thenation.com/blogs/campaignmatters?pid=287406

[LakeSamish706]

1. And as I recall in the debate last night Barack made it clear that he would...

talk to our enemies and that included Cuba (even though I don't consider them to be an enemy). Hillary was having nothing to do with plan...

[trthnd4jstc]

2. Some of the problems with our system is the Knee Jerking that goes on...

When a candidate states his or her position, if well thought out, and yet goes against the rigid confines of someone, or group in the electorate. The issue of Cuba and what the shape of our foreign policy should be is an example of this. I know a wonderful family of Cuban Americans who left in 1959. Except for a second generation member of the family, I cannot talk about loosening BushCo's policies with them. Unfortunately, the hurt and anger run too deep. One of the things that I remember about Ross Perot that I liked was his idea of coming together with commissions to come up with policy. We the people need to talk out the situations before us to come up with the most pragmatic solution.

[Briar]

3. So on the subject of Cuba

and any country that chooses not to fall into the blackhole of the "free" market, both Hillary and Obama presume to know better than the Cubans how they should run their own lives. No change there then - just more effort to impose capitalism on the world.