“I would reduce foreign aid to many, many countries, but there’s a problem because Pakistan has a nuclear weapon,” Bachmann said. “We have more people affiliated with al Qaeda closer to that nuclear bomb than in any other nation.”
Sorry, that mindset won’t fly: the 800-lb gorilla should not be paying protection money to a punk. If expediency and pragmatism guides her foreign policy decisionmaking, she has no business in the White House.
Colonel, USAFR
Bachmann is living in the real world. You aren't. We have over 100,000 troops in Afghanistan. They need logistical support. Much of it transits Pakistan. We have been using foreign aid to Pakistan and other countries in the region to get basing rights and other considerations as part of our logistical support to wage war against AQ.
Pragmatism is and has always been a part of our foreign policy. I say that advisedly having served as a diplomat for over 28 years. Bachmann and Santorum were the only ones who seem to understand how the real world operates when it comes to foreign policy.
I was disturbed by many of the remarks made by the candidates during the debate. They should be reminded that their comments are not only being viewed and heard domestically, but globally as well.