On this day when a debate goes on about who will or will not use or discuss use of nuclear weapons in Pakistan or against Al Queda, I decided to write a diary touching on a different aspect of the nuclear question, and John Edwards's approach to it, past and present.
Not very long ago, I wrote a diary here about a front page story in the Washington Post on July 9, 2004, entitled, Edwards Sets Self Apart on Foreign Policy; Terrorism Was Top Focus Before Sept. 11 Attacks
The Post article referred to an Op-ed entitled Targeting Terrorism that appeared in the Littleton Observer on August 16, 2001, where Edwards said:
As a member of the Senate Intelligence committee, I've become convinced that terrorism is the most important national security challenge our country will face over the next decade. That is why I am working on new ways to address the threat of terrorism.
Without a doubt, at a time when Bush's head was in the sand, and others were focused on missile defense, Edwards was prescient.
More below the fold.
Edwards’s current plan to fight terrorism, along with video highlights can be found here. A transcript of his 5-23-07 major policy address before the Council on Foreign Relations, regarding foreign policy, can be found here.
In the Q & A following his CFR speech on 5-23-07, Edwards said we should his foal is the elimination of nuclear weapons from the face of the earth:
Cora Weiss: -- in keeping with your expression used today that there should be no excuse to abandon international law, and in keeping with the international court's unanimous opinion that all countries should eliminate their nuclear weapons, and in keeping with Mr. Kissinger, Sam Nunn and Schultz' op-ed in The Wall Street Journal calling for the elimination of nuclear weapons, when you are president, what will you do about nuclear weapons given that Mr. Bush has just announced the complex 2030 plan to redesign and develop a new generation of nuclear weapons?
John Edwards: Well, let me say first, I think I would want to associate myself with the concepts that are conveyed by Kissinger, Sam Nunn and others in the op-ed piece. I thought it was very thoughtful. And I think essentially what they said if I remember -- I don't remember the precise language -- was that we should aspire to a nuclear-free world. I agree with that. Now, there are a lot of steps that have to go between here and there. Some of them are pretty obvious, which is America should not be building new nuclear weapons. And then I think America should be doing things like leading an international effort to close the holes in the NPT. There are clearly serious flaws in the NPT. And I think America, leading an international effort to reduce the supplies nuclear sense in the world -- all aimed at the general goal that's described in that piece that you just spoke about.
A diary about his comments can be found here:
http://www.dailykos.com/...
Returning to the Post article from 2004, which showed Edwards’s foresight about terrorism even prior to September 11, 2001, the article also touched on the issue of nuclear proliferation. As with terrorism, here is yet another area where Edwards showed not only leadership, but as seen below, a recognized ability for presenting a solution in how to address the problem.
That is something great about Edwards from my perspective. Not only does he define problems in simple, straightforward terms, he provides specific approaches and remedies. This applies to health care (where he is still the ONLY one to have a truly universal plan); global warming; poverty in America and globally; working class issues like further increasing the minimum wage, tax reform and access to college; rural issues; labor issues; rebuilding New Orleans; and foreign policy and terrorism, among others. I hope you will visit his issues page to see the breadth of his plans and proposals to rebuild one America. It will give you a clear, up front idea of where he wants to take us and for what things he will advocate. Here is a link:
According to the Washington Post article:
On the world's deadliest weapons, Edwards staked out "the most comprehensive and far-reaching" position of any other Democratic candidate, according to a survey by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
http://www.carnegieendowment.org/...
So what did the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace say? Have a look:
On December 15, Democratic Presidential candidate John Edwards presented a comprehensive plan to combat the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Edwards' policy establishes new standards and safeguards to stop the spread of unconventional weapons, gives the international community new tools to punish nations that violate these standards, and improves America's ability to become an international leader in this effort. Governor Howard Dean and Senator John Kerry also recently advanced strong, new proposals. Below, we summarize each of the three initiatives, and we will track all of the candidates' positions though the campaign.
Edwards' speech was the most comprehensive and far-reaching of three proposals. He offered a five-part strategy designed to bolster the Non-Proliferation Treaty. His plan includes:
1.) Creating A New Global Nuclear Compact
Within six months of assuming the presidency, Senator Edwards' would convene leading nations to develop a new compact that would reinforce the NPT. This compact would heighten security for existing nuclear facilities and materials; ensure more frequent verification that nuclear facilities are not being misused; authorize international inspectors to mount no-notice challenge inspections in countries that have a record of non-compliance; set specific limitations on the capability of nations to produce nuclear materials and increase the international community's role in providing nuclear fuels for peaceful programs; and authorize strong, immediate multilateral penalties aimed specifically at the military capabilities of any nation that quits the NPT. Edwards said:
"Right now it is too easy for a country to cheat or use a legal civilian power program as the jumping off point for an illegal military one; by withdrawing from the Treaty on short notice and having a weapons capability within months. We cannot accept the false choice between the administration's dangerous doctrine of preemption and a multilateral regime that isn't up to the current challenge. That is why I will create a Global Nuclear Compact to reinforce the NPT. The Compact will close the loophole that allows civilian nuclear programs to go military. We must reinforce the NPT by creating a Global Nuclear Compact to meet the needs of our times-keeping the capabilities and materials required to make the world's worst weapons out of the wrong hands."
2.) Triple Funding for Nunn-Lugar Programs
Edwards would secure and eliminate former Soviet weapons by the end of the decade by tripling funding for Cooperative Threat Reduction programs (CTR). Edwards plans to fund this increase by canceling the Bush Administration's plans for new nuclear weapons and cutting spending on the national missile defense program. He also intends to fully implement the G-8 Agreement reached last year and expand CTR programs beyond the former Soviet Union - to countries like India and Pakistan.
3.) Create International Norms Against Nations that Violate Non-Proliferation Agreements
Edwards proposes ending the North Korean nuclear program and preventing other states from developing or acquiring nuclear weapons, working through the United Nations Security Council and using other mechanisms to establish international norms that treat countries that violate non-proliferation treaties, as criminals.
4.) Improve Intelligence Capabilities to Understand and Respond to WMD
According to Edwards, the "intelligence failure" in Iraq and the September 11 attacks highlight the urgent need to improve domestic intelligence capabilities. He plans to create a new agency to combat terrorism and reform both technical and human intelligence related weapons of mass destruction.
5.) Appoint a High-Level Non-Proliferation Director
This official would bring focus and energy to national non-proliferation efforts and consolidate the work that currently takes place under six different agencies.
Of course, 2007 is not 2003. Times have changed, different challenges and issues arise. And people evolve. Edwards’s remarks to the CFR shows that he is no exception. No longer tied to the red state constituency of North Carolina, his approach to issues is more liberal and humanistic, and less driven by consultants and pollsters. Thankfully, he continues to grow as a leader, unafraid to speak out, to learn from his past, to remedy wrongs, to study problems and identify solutions, and to be bold.
All of this bodes well for America, particularly as we try to repair ourselves with the rest of the world. In this regard, one of his competitors, back in 2005, before he was a candidate for president, acknowledged the leadership shown in being able to admit a mistake, and how, in fairness, respect and trust should result from such an admission:
Nearly four decades ago, John F. Kennedy took responsibility for the Bay of Pigs Invasion. He admitted that mistakes had been made. He didn't spend a good deal of time publicly blaming the previous Administration, or the other party, or his critics. And through these decisive actions, he earned the respect of the American people and the world - respect that allowed his diplomacy to be trusted a few years later during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Americans everywhere are crying out for this kind of leadership today.
http://www.barackobama.com/...
This diary was not to get into the specifics of a plan submitted four years ago, but to show that even in 2003, Edwards was about specifics, details, and serious plans to address serious problems. It’s therefore no surprise that Edwards is the candidate who submits plans now. That is his way. He does his homework. He tells us what he intends to do. He does it to make America and the world more human and humane, a place where we and our families can live better lives and have a better chance to evolve and reach our own potentials. More than any other candidate, John Edwards portends real transformation. He has staked his claim to be the champion of all people. We need a champion now more than ever.