By: Todd Wheatley
(c) IQ-2k 12-23-14

Immediately following the announcement of renewed diplomatic relations with Cuba Republican presidential hopefuls Senator Marco Rubio and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush voiced their strong opposition to any change under the present conditions. Yet despite the close ties both of these politicians have to the Cuban community in Florida their exceptionally rapid public condemnation should give voters pause towards promoting the presidential bids of these hopefuls. Still the problem does not come from their highly vocal opinions just their seeming lack of thoughtful consideration.

Granted this issue lacks the gravitas to ruin a candidacy, however Rubio and Bush both failed in the vital skill of statesmanship. Instead of waiting to give a measured comment Rubio and Bush shot from the hip looking more like the constant wall of Republican opposition than potential presidents themselves.

The issue here is human rights and dictator control. The long time dictator Fidel Castro with the help of the Soviet Union kept control of Cuba with brutal efficiency. Yet no news from Cuba has matched Tiananmen Square massacre in China nor the deadly work camps still in operation. Now consider that the Soviet Union has been dissolved for more than two decades and the infirm Fidel Castro barely able to speak and out of power. The aging Raul Castro will be gone soon and the peaceful transfer of power might only happen with the United States in the background rather than 90 miles away and without a voice.

Something to think about. Though given their fast response it seems Bush and Rubio did not. I am particularly disappointed in Jeb Bush given his family ties to global diplomacy and the fact that he is not currently holding an office. After all, any potential loss or gain of Cuban-American votes will not sweep the former Governor into the presidency, but looking unpresidential can certainly sweep his candidacy away.

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The proper (early) response should have been: While I am cautiously optimistic about the historic change in Cuba - U.S. relations I will not support lifting the embargo until Cuba's human rights abuses have been addressed.
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For those who still don't know I am in no way part of the "liberal media" though I think credit should be given where credit is due. So while President Obama may be failing in a number of areas I believe history will show that he got this one right and it will be up to congress to create a more comprehensive policy towards Cuba moving forward. Yet whatever your brand of media it's hard to miss the constant opposition to everything the president says and does. Worse yet it seems reminiscent of squabbling children. Perhaps congressional leaders should reconsider some of their positions given that the president�s approval rating (48%) is in the stratosphere compared to theirs (14%). If not at least our broken government could be fixed if congress could strike a more diplomatic tone in their opposition.

It's one thing to have disagreements and quite another to be disagreeable. This is the essence of the change in relations to Cuba. So if we are going to have embassies in Russia, China, and even Venezuela, not to mention continued talks with Iran then beginning a dialogue with Cuba is long overdue. Still we attempt to force our will without meaning negotiations. Sadly this has been the "go to" position in foreign policy for some time.

NO ONE LIKES A BULLY.


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