Al Gore possible presidential campaign, 2016/Foreign affairs
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 Al Gore |
Vice President of the United States (1993-2001) U.S. Representative (1977-1985) U.S. Senator (1985-1993) |
 Democratic candidates: |
2028 • 2024 • 2020 • 2016 |
This page was current as of the 2016 election.
Military preparedness and budget
In his 2000 bid for president, Al Gore supported "sensible" increases in military spending.[1]
National security
- In a presidential debate with George W. Bush on October 3, 2000, Al Gore said:[2]
| “ | Our military is the strongest, best-trained, best-equipped, best-led fighting force in the world and in the history of the world. Nobody should have any doubt about that, least of all our adversaries or potential adversaries. If you entrust me with the presidency, I will do whatever is necessary in order to make sure our forces stay the strongest in the world. In fact, in my ten-year budget proposal I've set aside more than twice as much for this purpose as Governor Bush has in his proposal. Now, I think we should be reluctant to get involved in someplace in a foreign country. But if our national security is at stake, if we have allies, if we've tried every other course, if we're sure military action will succeed, and if the costs are proportionate to the benefits, we should get involved. Now, just because we don't want to get involved everywhere doesn't mean we should back off anywhere it comes up. I disagree with the proposal that maybe only when oil supplies are at stake that our national security is at risk. I think that there are situations like in Bosnia or Kosovo where there's a genocide, where our national security is at stake there.[3] | ” |
International relations
- In a presidential debate between Al Gore and George W. Bush on October 11, 2000, Gore said of America's role in international relations:[4]
| “ | There is some resentment of U.S. power. So I think that the idea of humility is an important one. But I think that we also have to have a sense of mission in the world. We have to protect our capacity to push forward what America's all about. That means not only military strength and our values, it also means keeping our economy strong. You know, in the last, or two decades ago, it was routine for leaders of foreign countries to come over here and say you guys have got to do something about these horrendous deficits because it's causing tremendous problems for the rest of the world, and we were lectured to all the time. The fact that we have the strongest economy in history today is not good enough. We need to do more. But the fact that it is so strong enables us to project the power for good that America can represent.[3] | ” |
He also stated, "One of the criteria that I think is important in deciding when and if we should ever get involved around the world is whether or not our national security interest is involved, if we can really make the difference with military forces. If we tried everything else, if we have allies."[4]
Recent news
This section links to a Google news search for the term Al + Gore + Foreign + Affairs
See also
Footnotes
- ↑ New York Times, "Defense Policy Positions," October 22, 2000
- ↑ Commission on Presidential Debates, "October 3, 2000 Transcript," October 3, 2000
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Commission on Presidential Debates, "October 11, 2000 Debate Transcript," October 11, 2000
