The Price Of Cheap Shots

Jimmy Carter campaigned for the presidency on the opposite set of promises. He pledged to cut defense spending, or at least limit its increases. Trouble was, the Kremlin heard his speeches, too. The Soviet Union reacted to America's build-down with its own buildup; it expanded its nuclear forces in Europe and stepped up interventions in the Third World, most dramatically with the invasion of Afghanistan. Over the course of his term, President Carter--his campaign rhetoric in tatters--ended up proposing spending increases for the Pentagon that were larger than any since the Vietnam War.

Foreign-policy wonks have been moaning about the lack of attention being paid to international issues during this campaign. This is partly because, like all special-interest groups, we thrill to hear ""our issues'' discussed on national TV by public figures. We also believe that the national interest is better served by a public discussion. But looking at what this campaign has done for domestic policy--with both candidates promising to balance the budget without cutting a single entitlement program--the benign indifference to foreign affairs may turn out to be a blessing.

© 1996