THE INSULARITY OF THE INTERNATIONALISTS:

The Democrats and Latin America (MARCELA SANCHEZ, 8/30/08, THE WASHINGTON POST)

For months, Barack Obama's disconnect with Latin America has left many officials and observers in the region wondering what a Democratic administration would mean for future relations. Now the search for an answer continues with Obama's choice of a running mate.

Sen. Joe Biden was picked not just for his appeal to working-class white voters, but also for his reputation as a foreign policy expert. But those hoping that Biden's presence on the ticket would beef up the inexperienced Obama in Latin America might be disappointed.

During his 35 years in the U.S. Senate, the last 10 in leadership positions on the Foreign Relations Committee, Biden has participated in just four congressional trips south of the border, two to Colombia and two to Mexico. Biden's experience and interests are elsewhere – Europe and the Middle East, particularly Iraq. He has almost a “blank slate” on Latin America, as Peter Hakim, president of the Washington-based Inter-American Dialogue, put it.

The Unicorn Rider and his vp pick are nowhere more conventional than in their Atlanticism. Asia, Africa, and Latin America better hope Maverick wins and continues the attention they got--for the first time ever--under W.

Posted by Orrin Judd at August 30, 2008 9:07 AM