Council for a Livable World

Political action to reduce nuclear threats

  • Elections
    • Senate Candidates
    • House Candidates
    • Political Analysis
    • Who We’ve Helped Elect
  • Legislation
    • Key National Security Legislation
    • National Security Legislative Calendar
    • Legislative Analysis
    • Legislative Achievements
  • Take Action
    • Issues
    • Join Our Email List
    • Become a Member
  • About
    • Staff
    • Press
    • Newsletter
    • Boards & Experts
    • Jobs & Internships
    • Financials and Annual Reports
    • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • Search
You are here: Home / Blog / The Obama Doctrine in Progress

September 16, 2008

The Obama Doctrine in Progress

During the Q&A at the Truman event today, Rep. Ike Skelton of Missouri, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, asked Richard Danzig and Bill Perry what Obama’s national security strategy might look like.

During the Q&A at the Truman event today, Rep. Ike Skelton of Missouri, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, asked Richard Danzig and Bill Perry what Obama’s national security strategy might look like.

Danzig laid out three principles of the emerging Obama Doctrine:

1. The U.S. can’t do everything by itself

  1. The U.S. must get its allies to assume the burden militarily
  2. International security problems require the U.S. to use non-military assets

Anne Marie-Slaughter, dean of the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton, said at the event that this emerging doctrine should be called “Strategic Leadership.” Danzig suggested “Sustainable Security” or “Balanced Security.”

Danzig also recommended that when talking about Obama’s national security credentials this election season, Democrats should emphasize two things.

First, Obama’s character and temperament should be offered as evidence of the type of Commander-in-Chief he will be. Obama’s even-keeled disposition will allow him to stay calm during times of crisis. This stands in stark contrast to John McCain, who is known to react angrily and quickly when things don’t go his way.

Second, Danzig said Democrats should play up Obama’s desire to be surrounded by people who disagree with him. This will ensure that Obama does not fall victim to the type of groupthink that facilitated the Bush administration’s irrational push for war in Iraq. McCain has demonstrated similar tendencies. He likes to cast around for an idea and, once he finds it, he latches on, digs in, and blocks out dissenting opinions.

Finally, both Danzig and Perry noted that Obama’s national security policies have really set the tone of the debate recently. The Bush administration and the Iraqi government both have now endorsed Obama’s call for a timeline for withdrawal in Iraq. And McCain has adopted Obama’s policy of sending more troops into Afghanistan to help quell resurgent terrorist activity.

Posted in: Blog

Tweets by Livable World

Recent Posts

  • Statement on the Passing of Former Congresswoman Patricia Schroeder March 15, 2023
  • House Elections: Democratic and Republican Target Seats March 13, 2023
  • An early look at the 2024 House elections March 7, 2023
  • An early glimpse at 2024 Senate elections February 21, 2023
  • Press the Button: The Clock is Ticking February 14, 2023
Council for a Livable World logo

820 1st Street NE, Suite LL-180
Washington, D.C. 20002
Phone: 202.543.4100

Elections

  • Meet The Candidates
  • Senate Candidates
  • House Candidates
  • Who We’ve Helped Elect

Legislation

  • Key National Security Legislation
  • National Security Legislative Calendar
  • Legislative Achievements

Take Action

  • Issues
  • Join Our Email List
  • Become a Member

About

  • History & Mission
  • Staff
  • Press
  • Newsletter
  • Boards & Experts
  • Jobs & Internships
  • Financials and Annual Reports
  • Contact Us
  • Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook

© 2023 Council for a Livable World
Privacy Policy