Bernie Sanders on the conduct of foreign affairs -- "Judgment matters too"

No one running for president has as much experience in foreign policy as Hillary Clinton.  But, as journalist James Zogby has written, ". . .  before suggesting that Sanders lacks the wisdom to conduct foreign policy, pay attention to the judgment and foresight he demonstrated in what he has rightly termed the most critical decision Senators were called on to make in this century."

Zogby cites a speech that Sanders gave in October 2002, during the drum-beat for us to invade Iraq and topple Saddam Hussein.  In that speech, Sanders outlined his reasons for opposing the war, including his concerns about "unintended consequences" -- long before that became a catch-phrase for what went wrong.   He likes to point out that he and Clinton heard the same "evidence" for weapons of mass destruction.  He didn't believe it;  she did.

Zogby says, in repeatedly bringing up his opposition to the Iraq war, Sanders not only distinguishes himself from Clinton, he also lays the groundwork for "a more thoughtful realist-based foreign policy grounded in respect for international law and institutions, cooperation with partners, and diplomatic engagement."    Zogby then makes the case that Sanders "might be the true heir to Barack Obama in his approach to foreign policy and the process through which we approach the larger world."

In response to claims about Clinton's vast experience, Sanders likes to say:   "Judgment matters too."  I agree.

Ralph