MABB has a pretty good rundown of the current US presidential candidates’ positions on Latin America. Basically, it’s unclear what (if any) position McCain has beyond free trade. Obama, on the other hand, has a lengthy position paper on the subject.
It’s getting harder to argue the “experience” mantra. After all, experience can be overcome w/ careful study & deliberation. And lack of experience can be a plus if it frees one from harmful pre-conceptions.
Of course, presidents don’t really matter. Er, they shouldn’t really matter. I prefer my presidents to be ceremonial ribbon cutters, not policy wonks w/ detailed agendas. Congress should pass laws, not presidents (and not the courts, either). I’m always troubled by presidential pledges that start: “If elected, I’ll do X.” I’d rather hear: “If elected, I’ll ask Congress to do X.” But I guess the new imperial presidency is probably here to stay, eh?
My former colleague & department chair at Dickinson, Andy Rudalevidge, wrote a recent book on the subject: The New Imperial Presidency: Renewing Presidential Power after Watergate
