State of Kentucky Archives: on Foreign Policy

Amy McGrath: We need strong military, but also strong diplomatic corps

Our foreign policy must be directly linked not only to our national security but also to our interests, which are defined by our American values--those enshrined in our Declaration of Independence and in our Constitution. Our role in the world is unique and we must strive to be the champion of democratic movements, human rights (including women's rights), justice, equality, opportunity, and the freedoms of speech, religion and the press.

The major concern for the security of our nation remains the threat of a nuclear device in the hands of a violent non-state actor--we must be relentless when it comes to seeking nuclear nonproliferation. Many serious threats--information warfare, pandemic disease, violent extremist ideology, climate change--cannot be resolved with more fighter jets and aircraft carriers. Not only do we need a strong military, but we must invest in a strong diplomatic corps and in international development.

Source: 2020 Kentucky Senate campaign website AmyMcGrath.com Jun 30, 2020

Steven Cox: America is ignoring our role as stewards who save the world

America is the greatest nation in the world. When you think about that, with the changes that need to happen in the world, as an American, you think we should be at the forefront of that. We should be leading the way. We should be the ones "riding off into the sunset" saving the world. Traditionally, that is what we have done. You go back to WWII. Had we not intervened with that, there would probably be a very different kind of a world today. We are ignoring our role as stewards and heroes. Source: Max Micallef on Medium.com on 2020 Kentucky Senate race Jul 18, 2019

Steven Cox: America is the greatest nation; we should lead

America is the greatest nation in the world. When you think about that, with the changes that need to happen in the world, as an American, you think we should be at the forefront of that. We should be leading the way. We should be the ones "riding off into the sunset" saving the world. Traditionally, that is what we have done. You go back to WWII. Had we not intervened with that, there would probably be a very different kind of a world today. We are ignoring our role as stewards and heroes. Source: Medium.com on 2020 Kentucky Senate race Jul 18, 2019

Jim Gray: Stand with our allies to protect our global interests

It's clear that ISIS will stop at nothing and use unconventional methods to strike fear into our hearts. We must destroy ISIS where they are and prevent them from attacking us here at home. To stay ahead, we must be strategic, strong and innovative. Vital American assistance has enabled our allies in the region to shrink the territory ISIS controls and we should continue that aid as long as it is achieving results.

We must also stand strong with our allies to identify and root out terrorists and protect our global interests. One of our most important allies in this fight is Israel. Jim supports a strong US-Israel relationship because of our strategic alliance, as well as our shared commitment to pursuing peace, democratic principles, human rights and religious freedom. Israel must maintain its qualitative military edge. To that end, the US should quickly ensure its access to the weapons Israel needs to maintain the peace and its security.

Source: 2016 Kentucky Senate campaign website, GrayForKentucky.com Aug 8, 2016

Mitch McConnell: 1985: Led anti-apartheid bill through Senate

Mitch McConnell's foreign policy transformation is one of the bigger untold political stories of this election year. McConnell's signature anti-apartheid bill is an example of these seeming contradictions. As a Southern freshman, he spoke out strongly in July 1985: "Many people might overlook or discount the significant internal political turbulence which has scarred the last decade of South African history," McConnell said. "But apartheid & the severity of life under its discriminatory weight is not a problem we can continue to wish 8,199 miles away. We are a nation and international community bound together by principles of freedom, equality and justice," he added. "I share a commitment to those values and I am troubled by the inevitable damaging consequences of their betrayal."

But the same passion is entirely missing in a 2009 McConnell biography: McConnell's South Africa stance is described as one calculated to "demonstrate his political independence" from the lame-duck Ronald Reagan.

Source: Politico.com e-zine on 2014 Kentucky Senate race Mar 26, 2014

Matt Bevin: No unilateral action in Eastern Europe

I asked about how Bevin would respond to Russia's intervention in Crimea, were he in the Senate. "When you come from a position of waffling and equivocation and weakness, you don't curry respect from the world's leaders."

But would he want missile defense restored in Eastern Europe? "So much of that is contingent what the people in these places where the bases would be built have to say about it. We can't tell people unilaterally that they have to put missile bases on the

Source: Slate.com CPAC coverage of 2014 Kentucky Senate race Mar 7, 2014

The above quotations are from Commonwealth of Kentucky Politicians: Archives. Click here for definitions & background information on Foreign Policy. Click here for other issues (main summary page).
*2020 Presidential contenders on Foreign Policy:*
	*Democrats running for President:* Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO) V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE) Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC) Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT) Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN) Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ) Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX) Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI) Rep.John Delaney (D-MD) Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA) Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT) CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA) Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) Marianne Williamson (D-CA) CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY) *2020 Third Party Candidates:* Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI) CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV) Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI) Howie Hawkins (G-NY) ~~Gov.Gary Johnson~~(L-NM) ~~Howard Schultz~~(I-WA) Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN)	*Republicans running for President:* ~~Sen.Ted Cruz~~(R-TX) ~~Gov.Larry Hogan~~ (R-MD) ~~Gov.John Kasich~~(R-OH) V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN) ~~Gov.Mark Sanford~~ (R-SC) Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY) Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL) Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY) *2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:* Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA) Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC) Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK) Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA) Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO) Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA) Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL) Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA) Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX) Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA) Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA) Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
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Page last updated: Oct 13, 2021