Foreign Policy Divide Is Slim for Bush, Kerry
WASHINGTON — Despite all their sparring over the war in Iraq, President Bush and Sen. John F. Kerry have one thing in common when it comes to foreign policy: Neither wants to draw attention to how much they actually agree.
The two candidates disagree strongly over Bush's decision to invade Iraq last year. But they agree it's vital to rebuild Iraq and train Iraqi troops to secure the country. Both promise to support U.S. forces in the field and bring them home as soon as possible. And as a long-term strategy, both pledge to work with allies, reduce America's depen- dence on Mideast oil and foster the spread of democracy in that volatile region.
"They might not be in the same ZIP Code, but they're in the same area code," said James Lindsay, director of policy for the Council on Foreign Relations.
What really divides Bush and Kerry in the foreign policy arena is not the question of goals, but means -- not what they plan to achieve, but how they plan to achieve it. And that comes from the very different ways in which they view the world, a contrast that will underlie their answers in tonight's first presidential debate of 2004, which deals with foreign policy.
"This is a race between two men, both of whom are internationalists, both of whom believe the United States should be engaged overseas," Lindsay said. "What divides them is how the U.S. should engage the world."
For Bush and most of his closest advisors, the coin of the international realm is military might, which scholars often call "hard power." For Kerry and most Democrats, the United States' power consists both of hard and "soft" power -- not only military, but also economic and political influence, often exercised through diplomacy, trade and international organizations.
In essence, the central question is: Is it better for the United States to be liked or feared?
Bush and his administration have generally shown more of a preference to be feared than liked. In his stump speech, the president underscores his "resolve" to defend America "whatever it takes." While he praises those countries that are serving with the United States in Iraq, one of his biggest applause lines emphasizes a go-it-alone approach: "One thing I'll never do is I'll never turn over our country's national security decisions to leaders of other countries."
