Building a Better, Safer World

The Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota held an event today entitled “Building a Better, Safer World: What Would a McCain Presidency Do?” Sen. Joseph Lieberman was a late-addition, he dominated the panel discussion. Other panelists included Ambassador Robert Portman, former Reagan Security Advsior Robert McFarlane and Richard Williamson, a foreign policy advisor to Presidents Ronald Reagan and George HW Bush. All panelists are currently advisors to Sen. McCain and his campaign.

Much of the discussion focused on foreign policy issues set in the Middle East and the need for free trade agreements to cement American allies around the world. “Our image in a lot of the world is better than we think it is,” Sen. Lieberman said. “Iraq now is potentially a great model for the future in the Islamic world in this sense: Al Qaeda’s been rejected ultimately by the Sunnis because they were brutal. Now you have the possibility in Iraq of a self-governing, self-defending and self-developing country economically.”

Ambassador Portman focused mainly on trade. “Trade is a politically controversial issue these days but is an essential issue of soft power.” He continued, “Trade is single best weapon we have to reduce poverty. It’s about more than trade with these countries, it’s about countries being able to trade with each other.” Both Lieberman and Portman agreed that free trade should be increased during the next presidency.