Sarah Palin: Swimming in the Kiddie Pool

Politico Arena Topic: Is Palin correct in her Obama-Israel slam?

Do a few trips abroad really “burnish” a presidential candidate’s foreign policy credentials? Heck, if that’s the case, there are thousands of American college kids who would be qualified to serve as Secretary of State after they return from their semesters abroad. I don’t see how Sarah Palin can overcome her lack of foreign policy knowledge, a perception continually compounded by numerous damning You Tube videos. “Foreign policy expert” is not a title earned by getting your passport stamped a few times or chatting up a few foreign leaders. It’s not a test you can cram for.

As former Reagan speechwriter, Peggy Noonan, once observed about Palin’s vice-presidential candidacy: “She was out of her depth in a shallow pool.” Well, the foreign policy challenges facing America in 2011 reside at the deep end of the pool where the grown-ups swim. President Obama shouldn't worry about criticism of his foreign policy from Palin. After all, you can’t see Israel from the kiddie pool.

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