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Three Cheers for John Edwards: First Global Poverty Proposal of the ‘08 Presidential Campaigns. Who’s Next?
March 16, 2007
By Sarah Jane StaatsJohn Edwards released the first global poverty proposal of the ‘08 presidential campaigns yesterday. In “Restoring America’s Moral Leadership by Fighting Worldwide Poverty“, Edwards’ campaign says:
John Edwards believes that the United States must be a global leader in the fight against poverty. Solving global poverty is a moral imperative, but it is also a security issue. Global poverty increases the risk to America by providing a safe harbor for instability, extremism, and terrorism. Edwards’ strategy against global poverty will require every weapon in our national security arsenal. For the last six years, too many burdens have been placed on the Department of Defense–not because it has asked for this mission or is the best suited to handle these challenges, but because it has been the most capable and well-funded national security institution.
As president, John Edwards will fundamentally transform America’s approach to the world. He will bring high-level attention to help people in three priority areas: primary education, preventive health, and greater economic and political opportunity.
Of note, Edwards vows to appoint a new cabinet-level position within the White House to coordinate global development policies across the federal government, including USAID, the State Department, Treasury, Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, and the U.S. Trade Representative. The creation of a single, cabinet-level development agency (more than just a position) was one of the key recommendations in “On the Brink“, a report of the Commission on Weak States and U.S. National Security, co-chaired by Stuart E. Eizenstat and John Edward Porter and sponsored by CGD.
Edwards also promises to replace the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 with a new Global Development Act to “modernize, consolidate and simplify foreign aid and call on Congress to revamp its committee structure to create clearer and more effective lines of authority.”
Three cheers for John Edwards for being the first presidential candidate of the 2008 campaigns to put forth his proposal on global poverty. Who’s next?
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9 Responses to “Three Cheers for John Edwards: First Global Poverty Proposal of the ‘08 Presidential Campaigns. Who’s Next?”
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March 16th, 2007 at 5:55 pm
Kinda funny coming from the most protectionist candidate out there…What good will a cabinet level post do for developing countries if he won’t trade with them?
March 20th, 2007 at 10:56 am
Restoring America’s Moral Leadership by fighting Worldwide Poverty John Edward 08, America was known for that in the late Sixties when I did my Primary education we used to get powdered eggs, powdered milk, oil and mealie meal as a mode of assistance. Looking critically on what I have heard over the radio(global warming)and the effects brought about by this, there is need for America to restore that moral leadership. The three killer desease AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria aggravate the poverty. Investing in clean water immunizations and preventive medicine will surely counteract the poverty cycle in the long run. Above all, appointing a senior advisor responsible for global poverty will prove the highest rate of accountability by the responsible Organization. God bless you.
Presented by:
Francisca ‘Mapitso Matsoha
March 20th, 2007 at 10:56 am
Restoring America’s Moral Leadership by fighting Worldwide Poverty John Edward 08, America was known for that in the late Sixties when I did my Primary education we used to get powdered eggs, powdered milk, oil and mealie meal as a mode of assistance. Looking critically on what I have heard over the radio(global warming)and the effects brought about by this, there is need for America to restore that moral leadership. The three killer desease AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria aggravate the poverty. Investing in clean water immunizations and preventive medicine will surely counteract the poverty cycle in the long run. Above all, appointing a senior advisor responsible for global poverty will prove the highest rate of accountability by the responsible Organization. God bless you.
Presented by:
Francisca ‘Mapitso Matsoha
March 21st, 2007 at 1:43 am
This definitely won’t make him a front-runner for the primary, but it does make me hope he can become one.
In response to earlier posts, maybe his cabinet-level minister will tell him that he ought to trade with them =).
March 21st, 2007 at 2:10 am
The proposals put forward by John Edwards are very interesting and practical if at all are not aimed primarily at gaining political support and winning an election. The priority areas of education, preventive health and greater economic and political opportunity will offer a new hope for the majority children not able to be in school in developing countries.
One thing that has to be given due attention is how John Edwards and his team will work with the International NGOs and other development Partners to achieve this dream. There are Agencies like Christian Children’s Fund that have gone miles in Uganda for instance, establishing schools, water sources, providing scholarstic materials, training local communities-families with livelihood skills that have changed the family living conditions. Am just giving one example here but there are a host other agiencies like ACDI/VOCA that establishes local network roads, Compassion International which is majorly dealing with child education support. I believe there is need to work with these agencies, share their experinces and have plans, goals and expected outcomes that are feasible.
Economic and Political provision has to be tied to the ‘openning up’ of markets that the developing countries have been asking for decades now. The United States’ moral leadership restoration has to open and widen their domestic markets for the goods and services from the developing countries than just micro enterprise and promotion of labour and property rights. Again here Mr. Edwards has to take care of the political agenda that has dominated US support since the 1948 Marshal Plan. Overall, this strategy from Mr. Edwards is workable.
Paul Mayende,
Graduate Student, International Relations and Diplomatic Studies, Makerere University, Uganda.
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:39 am
The proposal looks good and promising but of course it depends on how “serious” that cabinet level position would be, i.e. accountable for policies and programs. Another administration post to throw money on the problem and create antipoverty programs without being accountable to deliver results is not going to solve the problem or do much real good.
Foreign Assistance Act is in need of a major “upgrade.” It is a different world today from the one of the Cold War. Now we have to turn nations and people from becoming terrorism breeding grounds, before it was about buy those nations to keep the Soviets out.
In all sincerity I don’t think Edwards will win the nomination (primary) with this program, but any other candidate, from both parties, will need to provide something as similar and serious looking (if not even better) to restore the seriousness and sincerity of the U.S. in economic development of LDCs and its foreign policy.
April 4th, 2007 at 3:38 pm
Ditto Jessica’s statement. I was thinking the exact thing. What does Nancy have to say about Edwards’ protectionism.
April 4th, 2007 at 3:40 pm
A parallel question would be regarding Sam Brownback. He’s committed to fighting global poverty, yet he’s got big ties to the farm lobby.
July 2nd, 2007 at 8:16 pm
Hooray that John Edwards is at least putting global poverty on the table. Have any other candidates (from either, or an unaffiliated, party) put forward comparable proposals?