Trump's FP speech?

Fire away.  pl

http://www.peoplespunditdaily.com/policy/2016/04/27/donald-trumps-america-first-foreign-policy-speech-full-transcript/

Comments

[elev8]

The speech reads like an amalgam of the pre-presidential rhetoric of Kennedy, Reagan, Bush II and Obama. Trump adds trade, immigration and burden sharing among allies to the mix.
Kennedy and Reagan were lucky in that Krushchev and Gorbachev played into their hands. Looking at Trump's ambitious agenda, I see possibilities for significant successes for him on the burden-sharing, immigration and anti-ISIS fronts.
However, there is a fundamental contradiction in his outlook that he doesn't address: an apparent desire to increase military spending that runs counter to his promise to improve both the U.S. trade balance and the living standards of American workers.
He is proposing to do much more than he will realistically be able to deliver, but his rhetoric leaves no clue as to where he might compromise. Evaluations of this speech will likely reduce to affirmation of pre-conceived notions about Trump's character. My assessment of his personality doesn't let me share in the optimism of his fans.

[elev8]

The speech reads like an amalgam of the pre-presidential rhetoric of Kennedy, Reagan, Bush II and Obama. Trump adds trade, immigration and burden sharing among allies to the mix.
Kennedy and Reagan were lucky in that Krushchev and Gorbachev played into their hands. Looking at Trump's ambitious agenda, I see possibilities for significant successes for him on the burden-sharing, immigration and anti-ISIS fronts.
However, there is a fundamental contradiction in his outlook that he doesn't address: an apparent desire to increase military spending that runs counter to his promise to improve both the U.S. trade balance and the living standards of American workers.
He is proposing to do much more than he will realistically be able to deliver, but his rhetoric leaves no clue as to where he might compromise. Evaluations of this speech will likely reduce to affirmation of pre-conceived notions about Trump's character. My assessment of his personality doesn't let me share in the optimism of his fans.

[LeaNder]

That's probably one of the better statements, Fred

But: Ironically enough the spreading of democracy has triggered from very, very early on questions about "Western Values" and or the "Western Civilization" at home too, and it is exactly this constantly increasing dissent from the earliest post 9/11 years on that he is trying to exploit.

Let's see to what extend he can please his supporters.

Basically, I by now assume that the 'American machinery' has quite a bit of inbuilt inertia concerning abrupt change. What worries me most is the challenge he offers with this as a signal: Let's upgrade and develop our nuclear arsenal, but never ever even allow the Iranians to study the field even for peaceful means.

I don't think the Russians and Chinese will like this patronizing position. And strictly I doubt Europeans do.

But if he considers it a piece of the puzzle in how to make America great again, so be it. ;)

[LeaNder]

Yes, Tidewater, one of the obvious contradictions in a speech something thinks: may please Russia.

"Poland and the Czech Republic", the Czech Republic made me slightly wonder in this context, admittedly. Could it be, he hasn't yet looked it up on a map? I am not aware of any demands by the Czech for defense shield, neither of any historical activities there post 1989. A shield defending against whom exactly? Could only be Russia really. (1968, Prague Spring in mind ;) - could this provide a start for talks?) But then, doesn't he say the Cold War is over?

In earlier times of this young century I watched US neoconnish activities moving or surfacing there. Some via Berlin caught my attention and I took a closer look.

[alba etie]

Tyler
Who do you think Trump has on his short list for VP - Senator Jeff Sessions perhaps ? Sen . Sessions has been very skeptical of foreign engagements they might make a formidible national ticket .

[LeaNder]

can you translate, steve:
"but damned if it ain't killing them internally to have to admit it so we get this half ass soft pedaling."

Accepting to be part of the "some people": I am somewhat hypnotized by Trump's brilliance and superior intellect, but it is killing me internally to admit I am. Resulting in no clear support but instead in half-assed criticism? Or skepticism?

[divadab]

You are right - it's a call-out to the rubes by the master carney.

[divadab]

Right - because the US ruling class is ideologically and psychologically unable to feel any obligation to the common people. The neo-liberal consensus is fundamentally traitorous, which Mr. Trump has pointed out.

[Bill Herschel]

My completely idiosyncratic personal opinion. First, he does say a lot that is well outside the neocon dogma. And a lot that is well inside. But this is what impresses me. Like Cyril Raffaelli at the beginning Banlieue 13 he has defeated the entire "deep bench" of Republican candidates, one against many, in a closed room. You don't have to share my opinion that the "deep bench" was spawned by Satan in the bowels of Hell in order to acknowledge that the American people have been deceived once too often and are truly pissed off. This will be a Presidential Campaign for the ages.

[divadab]

Here's Brookings' rather dismissive selective take on Trump's FP speech:

http://www.brookings.edu/blogs/order-from-chaos/posts/2016/04/27-reviewing-trump-foreign-policy-speech-wright?utm_campaign=Brookings+Brief&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=29001338&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_8xfP4FxUBALqkpJj9GzKQWbDt0s7Nz6t_vAxatr-MVQZjuZJAfpNFiZDIoX_edZ9uh8XDi9uW18mw7XmzHMhcGQcrMA&_hsmi=29001338

[Chris Chuba]

Tactically, he is giving HRC a lifeline in the debates. Twice he mentioned the 'line in the sand' in Syria. Actually, that makes him sound a little Archie Bunkeresque, it was a 'red' line, but in any case if he tries to drive home the point that Obama didn't enforce the 'line' then the harpy's head will spin around with glee as she will point out that she was all in on bombing Syria and even arming the rebels early.

I hope Trump sticks with his more consistent argument against regime change and doesn't fall for the neocon argument that you should follow through on a bad idea just because you made a threat just to look strong. It also reeks of partisan sniping which is one of the reasons I think that voters are rejecting the traditional candidates.

[turcopolier]

LeaNder

Both Poland and Czecho joined NATO. pl

[turcopolier]

LeaNder

Trump is unabashedly an American Nationalist unlike the Borgists who have followed Europe in a search for universal identity. He sees US interest as his prime criterion, not "fairness," and certainly not "fairness" in the "right" of Iran to possess nuclear weapons which he sees as ultimately a menace to the US when combined with the ICBM that they rather clearly are working on as a goal. pl

[jonst]

I'm not aware of Trump taking a strong and leading position AGAINST building a "wall", as Hillary did supporting TPP. So I fail to see the comparison to Hillary. He may be dead wrong about the wall..or disingenuous about it, but he has done nothing to contradict himself re his previous positions. Like Hillary has once she started running for President.

[turcopolier]

oofda

IMO he was not incoherent. Many of his statements are conditioned one upon the other. i.e., we will be great allies and you will love it once you do what we want. this is a standard business technique in negotiations. pl

[jonst]

yeah, but when those "dynasties" you speak of 'Fall'--so far, anyway, they never rise up to anything substantial (compared to their previous positions) again. When the Romans/Spanish/Portuguese/Dutch/English (purposeful not UK) go down...one still is left with Italy, Spain, Portugal, Holland, and the UK....not grandeur, but not bad places to live, visit, and do business in.

[jonst]

every one she announces, just might be met by a Bernie supports saying, publicly or not, 'I'm outta here.'

[jonst]

and South Korea, too. And India, to a lesser extent.

[A. Pols]

The lesson I drew from reading the transcript is: we're over extended.
Much of the rest talked about ways to extend that over extension.
But I do understand the need to throw red meat to the dogs.

[turcopolier]

A Pols

Yes, IMO some of it is what he really thinks and some is just BS to keep the "special interests" off his back in order to get elected. pl

[Fred]

The audacity of hope. Of course he won't build it. Think of the jobs program for returnees that will be created when Mexico builds it.

[Fred]

Max,

Just the question to ask the Governor of Ohio.

[Fred]

LeaNder,

This is not an abrupt change, it is a manifestation of the societal resistance to the changes unleashed by the 1960's generation.

[LeaNder]

Hmm, not quite mentally present, I better keep my fingers off the keyboard for a while. And return to other interests.

I meant: a member of the SST community, or short: someone, suggested that Russia and Israel will be pleased. I am not so sure about Russians, really. It's a mixed bag.

Sorry, Tidewater, and whoever else concerned.

[turcopolier]

Walrus

Wonderful! On our side of the river we have a lot of left people in Alexandria, but they are different from those who lurk in Washington, DC across the Potomac. The ones over here are a mixture of; yellow dog Democrats, Yankee carpet bagger immigrants who didn't understand that they really wanted to be in DC or suburban Maryland, blacks, and as yet unassimilated Latino working class folks. This assemblage makes an electable majority, but these are not powerful people (except in municipal affairs). The true Borgist grandees live in Washington or perhaps Bethesda, Maryland. Alexandria, is oft referred to in Richmond as "the people's republic of..." I would have "refugeed" long ago but I would have had to leave alone and without the dogs. I do promise you though that when the creatures in city hall start removing the names of Confederate soldiers from streets I will do all I can to create a stir in favor of removing all mention of Washington (a major slaveholder) from this fair city. the Chamber of Commerce and the like in the business community will not like that. This is Washington's home town and his name brings a lot of money here. pl