While Democratic presidential candidates are growing more vocal about foreign policy issues, especially Russia, they don’t talk much about war and peace in their televised debates. Foreign issues matter less to most voters than so-called “kitchen table” issues of jobs and health care.
But no small part of the next president’s job will be to manage the global U.S. military empire and nuclear force, plus the various wars that the U.S. is waging (or supporting) in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, and Yemen.
While there’s hardly unanimity in their views, half the candidates speaking tonight have staked out antiwar positions
Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has been the most outspoken candidate about the use of military force and Pentagon spending. New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, has delivered a forceful and detailed call for ending U.S. involvement in “endless wars.” Tech entrepreneur Andrew Yang is a critic of the military industrial complex and “forever wars.” Washington Governor Jay Inslee says the Trump is “beating the war drums” against Iran and “we must speak out against it.
The other candidates appearing Wednesday night have made their world priorities clear.
- Former Vice President Joe Biden criticizes Trump’s trade wars and tariffs and promises to stand up to China.
- In response to Trump’s embrace of authoritarian leaders, California Senator Kamala Harris declares, ‘We need a new commander in chief.”
- Colorado Senator Michael Bennet insists “we need a strategy” to defend the 2020 election from Russian interference.
- Former HUD Secretary Julian Castro makes immigration reform the centerpiece of his foreign policy.
- New Jersey Senator Cory Booker has spoke otu about Sudan.
