Obama Not Up to the Job

Democratic U.S. Senator from Illinois and presidential candidate Barack Obama has followed up his naive comments in the YouTube debate about meeting with foreign leaders with irresponsible remarks suggesting that he would order military strikes in Pakistan. At a point in time when the United States can ill afford to put a foreign policy novice in the White House, these statements clearly show that Mr. Obama is not ready for prime time.

Of course, the inability or unwillingness of Pakistan to ferret out terrorists, including Osama bin Laden, hiding in the mountains is problematic for the United States. However, Pakistan is a nation with a significant population of Islamic radicals that also possesses nuclear weapons. The last thing that the United States wants to do is rattle sabers in such a way that destabilizes that government.

With over a year remaining before next year's general election, it is too early to speculate on how this race will play out. However, looking at a year when voters may reflexively vote Democrat in response to the perceived ineptness of the current administration, it is disconcerting to this observer to realize that the best equipped, serious contender being offered by the Democratic party is Hillary Clinton.

Not good.