Ed Gillespie in Foreign Policy


On Free Trade: Aggressively open markets for exports

Many voters think Obama's stewardship of the economy has been inconsistent and even counterproductive. This makes it imperative for the Republican candidate to make the case for promoting trade and greater international economic engagement. Obama's failure to match other countries in aggressively opening markets for exports and jobs should be tied to his responsibility for high domestic unemployment and an anemic recovery.
Source: Karl Rove & Ed Gillespie in Foreign Policy mag, "Beat Obama" Feb 27, 2012

On Foreign Policy: Emphasize American exceptionalism; a force for good in world

The Republican nominee should adopt a confident, nationalist tone emphasizing American exceptionalism, expressing pride in the United States as a force for good in the world, and advocating for an America that is once again respected (and, in some quarters, feared) as the preeminent global power. Obama acts as if he sees the United States as a flawed giant, a mistake that voters already perceive. After all, this is the president who said, "I believe in American exceptionalism, just as I suspect that the Brits believe in British exceptionalism and the Greeks believe in Greek exceptionalism." Voters also sense he is content to manage America's decline to a status where the United States is just one country among many. As he put it, his is "a U.S. leadership that recognizes our limits."
Source: Karl Rove & Ed Gillespie in Foreign Policy mag, "Beat Obama" Feb 27, 2012

On Homeland Security: Condemn deep and dangerous defense-budget cuts

The Republican nominee must condemn the president's precipitous drawdown in Afghanistan and his deep, dangerous defense-budget cuts. Both are viewed skeptically by the military: The former emboldens America's adversaries and discourages its allies; the latter is of deep concern to veterans and other Americans who doubt Obama's commitment to the military.
Source: Karl Rove & Ed Gillespie in Foreign Policy mag, "Beat Obama" Feb 27, 2012

On War & Peace: Foolish to say that Iran is not a serious threat

The Republican nominee should use the president's own words and actions to portray him as naive and weak on foreign affairs. Obama's failed promises, missed opportunities, and erratic shifts suggest he is out of touch and in over his head. For example, before he was elected, he promised to meet with the leaders of Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and Venezuela "without precondition." Nothing came of that except a serious blow to the image of the United States as a reliable ally. During the 2008 campaign, he also argued that Iran was a "tiny" country that didn't "pose a serious threat." How foolish that now seems.

The Republican candidate must make clear the existential threat to Israel from a nuclear-armed Iran.

Source: Karl Rove & Ed Gillespie in Foreign Policy mag, "Beat Obama" Feb 27, 2012

On War & Peace: Victory against Islamic terrorism must be our national goal

The Republican candidate must address at least four vital areas.
  1. The most important is the struggle that will define this century's arc: radical Islamic terrorism. He should make the case that victory must be America's national goal. As in the Cold War, victory will require sustained U.S. involvement and a willingness to deploy all tools of influence--from diplomacy to economic ties, from intelligence efforts to military action.
  2. He must condemn the president's precipitous drawdown in Afghanistan and his deep, dangerous defense-budget cuts.
  3. He should focus on the dangers of rogue states, particularly Iran and North Korea.
  4. The fourth line of attack must be about America's fragile economy and how to restore it. Source: Karl Rove & Ed Gillespie in Foreign Policy mag, "Beat Obama" Feb 27, 2012

    The above quotations are from Columns and news articles in Foreign Policy magazine.
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