Does International travel qualify Bush/Condi as effective foreign policy leaders? Why?
952849
George Bush never set foot outside the US until he became President. How could he possibly make a remotely rational decision on foreign policy? Travel as President of the US wouldn't give you any opportunity to assess the situation in any way other than from the view your handlers wanted you to have. Not only is the US foriegn policy isolationist, its the product of an isolated and insular executive.
987024
George W. Bush has not had this country at the fore front of his  agenda . He has followed his own agenda and has had the support of his Republican congress to aid in that agenda . The country as a whole has suffered slow economic recovery , highest gas prices in our history , and  we as a Nation are disliked by other Nations due to his leadership and head strong do or die attitude . Its my way or the highway isn't working for him now and the polls are showing the nations feelings for him as a president . I would have to agree with you in saying he is right up there on top of the heap of useless presidents .
783487
Bush likes to emulate John Wayne.  Just walk into the bar and challenge anyone to a fight.  Though the Duke never followed the Bush doctrine of "shoot first and ask questions later."  It would be nice if Bush were forced into having more chairs at the table, but his agenda does not call for the kind of help you describe.  Mayor Daly once said in Chicago, "our police are not here to prevent disorder but to preserve it."  I think Bush's plan for the middle east has all along been to destabilize the region,not to make it right.  The other countries you mention could all prove helpful, but that might disturb the no bid Halliburton contracts Cheney obtained for his company.  We can only hope.
940813
Is George Bush far too to the Right For the US. [By the way you're the US not America, America North and South are Continents not countries, unless of course Bush has taken over everywhere.]\n\nThe US needs some Left Wing policies to bring some balance back some sanity to the insanity created by Bush.
628803
False, but VERY close...\n\nThe real Bush legacy:  "Ask not what you can do for your country; ask what you and your country can do for me and my rich buddies."
117895
Honestly, no president can be trusted.  I feel that Bush definitely has questionable tendencies and does not have the interest of the country in mind, but there have been former presidents who did the same thing.\n\nPresidents are figureheads.  They are not to be treated as if all-knowing and all-wise.  Most were lawyers before, they became congressman, and we all know what's up with lawyers!  They do what's best for their clients.\n\nDon't think that other countries are that different either.  They run in a similar corrupt fashion.
872680
I strongly disagree. Their foreign policy is disastrous. Look at Iraq continually sliding to all-out civil war. Look at the support Bush gave the repressive regime in Azerbaijan just because it is a supporter in the war on terror. Even though I agree with both Bush and Blair on social issues, I would not think twice of electing even the most liberal candidate to replace them.
544620
American foreign policy is largely run by the military.  There is a fundamental disconect.  Bear with me a moment.  The act of war is not an end in itself. It is merely a small part of a larger process - governing.  However, America is very bad at the final phase of conquering - the civil administration.  It's a little like getting a hockey team that can get the puck into the goal area but simply cannot get the actual goal.  However close they get, they will always fail as they can not achieve getting the puck into the net.  So it is with American  wars.  \n\nThe failure to place an effective government (Iraq, Somalia, Vietnam) means the war never actually concludes - and eventually the military will fades as it must - and any gain is lost.  Had an effective government (any government) been established in Iraq the pressure from the military would have been eased.  Instead this basic disconnect continues and the American effort will inevitably end badly.\n\nExamples of how it could be done can be seen in the Roman Empire, the French Colonisation of french African states, the British Empire and the Chinese expansions of the last  3000 years.  All have had enormous success, and have included in their model civil governance. Additionally there was a strong will of the colonizing nationals to participate in the new regime - as civil administrators, settlers, farmers and shop keepers.  How many Americans do you see queueing up to set up shops in Baghdad? It simply isn't a part of the US psyche. They'd rather be in California.\n\nWhile the military dominate foreign policy (and ironically the CIA), there will simply never be a solution. It doesn't matter how big or technological the military are - it never has.\n\nJFS
871629
Two days before holding of elections in the USA for the Presidency will certainly benefit the Republicans. Junior Bush has done what his father as the President of the USA had started 11 years back. It will certainly influence the US voters who want always to see the US dominating the global politics. This is how Richard Nixon, also, used to fool the American voters.
619273
The US has a bad foreign policy at least in the middle east Sorry to all US citizens but that's the truth the rest of the world has judged it and they are in the majority. \n\nThe US haven't always had such a bad one a string of presidents during the cold war got it right. Why now because of 9/11 the US feels the most threatened country on Earth the American public needed to see Bush doing something so he attacked Afghanistan. Iraq is a mistake the true reason for the invasion is still unclear. The US however in their heightened sense of paranoia tend to see threats everywhere from anyone. \n\nThey aren't the only country being attacked in Iraq and tehy aren't the only country to have suffered devastating terrorist attacks so don't forget it. \nBritain suffers to for following the US into Iraq and Afghanistan. Israel suffers daily suicide bomber's. Countries in Africa suffer famine, tribal conflict, genocide and all the US can do sat high on its pedestal is announce plans to stop attacks on the US. \nGlobal peace is something we all strive for but it won't happen whilst tribal conflict, the need for revenge, different religions and differing ideas exist. It also won't happen whilst one nation thinks it has the right to do anything and everyhting in another persons country. \n\nThe US should open its eyes and realise whilst its economy affects the world globally it is becoming overshadowed by other countries and its continued military actions and the threat of military actions are infuriating the world. Americans still wonder why they are attacked by suicide bombers and roadside bombs in Iraq. Cover ups and covert operations are mounted to get rid of the people they dislike. The evidence is all around you America until you see it you will continue to be attacked until the world slaps you in the face and tells you in overwhelming numbers to get lost and look after your own country. \n\nStop thinking the US is the greatest nation on earth it isn't. It interferes too much with other countries which should be left to the U.N that's what its there for.\n\nLike I said the Americans have got it right in the past they should do so again. America has done good in the world and by listening to the worlds problems and sorting them out through organisations desgined for that purpose they can do even more. America will continue to lose power and respect on a global scale if its current foreign policy continues.
136128
Well, assuing you mean the secreatry of state it would be:\n\nThe secretary is the president's foreign policy adviser. The incumbent is responsible for coordination among various agencies in developing and implementing foreign policy; leading and coordinating U.S. representation abroad; conveying U.S. foreign policy to foreign governments and international organizations through U.S. embassies and consulates in foreign countries and diplomatic missions to international organizations; conducting negotiations and concluding agreements and treaties on issues ranging from trade to nuclear weapons; and coordinating and supporting international activities of other U.S. agencies and officials.\n\nHope that helps, below is a link to job descriptions for the presidents entire cabinet :-)
425900
Nice try, NO, Condi is intelligent, her major flaw in my opinion (aside from embracing republican ideology) is that she lacks integrity as evidenced by her continued support for Bush. Remember Colin Powell had the good sense to "bail out", why not Condi?....it's an integrity issue, she lacks it.  Hillary can win in 2008, she's the country's only hope to clean up the mess Bush and his goons have made. Remember her closest confidant and adviser would be Bill.
701723
Yes. Bush further destabilized one of the most important regions on the planet. Big time. And the Middle East will stay in chaos for decades. Until we leave and the Iranians with their nuke take control of the region.\n\nThe dumbest unilateral US foreign policy move ever. And we ain't seen nothin yet.
386438
Agreed. Ol' Condy has been nothing but a "yes-woman" for the Bush administration from the get go. There's no way I would willingly endorse anyone who is going to continue this administration's disasterous policies for another four years.\n\nMs. Rice is a step above Hillary in my book, but leagues below other qualified people that could fill the leadership void. For what it's worth, my personal choice for president would be Colin Powell. Even though he has said he won't run, that guy has sense beyond his years and I would be honored to call him "president."
578443
Your right about this. I did have some reservations about Colin Powell, but I think after Bush fired him to get the real puppet with Condi, what is there really to say. Colin really wanted to work on the peace of the Middle East, and George Bush wasn't having any of that. I am still in awe of the Enron Criminals trying to use the we haven't done anything wrong rhetoric as a defense for stealing. This could be what is to come from this administration, since they use the same defense. I am hopeful for indictments starting in January of this year.
1087055
President Bush is one of the few political leaders who seems to make decisions based on what is right for this country and the world as opposed to the opposition who seem to push for only regaining power for their party.   What is good for this country is bad for the democratic party.
768261
i think youre talking about the checks and balances idea we have in the us. and its so one branch can't run away with power the problem is that right now with bush there is no one checking him. i heard a stat that clinton administration got 'checked' over a 1000 times by congress and the bush administration just once. some thing is wrong with that. but benefits is to keep a dictatorship from happening.