A TOUGHER AMERICA? – AT 11:31 A.M. ET:   Field Marshal of the United States, including Massachusetts, Barack Obama will leave office in 15 months.  That's the good news.  The bad news is that he will leave a foreign policy in shambles.  Americans are expressing their concerns, and the polling seems to be having an effect on the presidential campaign trail.  From The Wall Street Journal: 

Americans don’t think Russia and Syria are a threat to the U.S. now, but believe they will be in the future, according to the latest Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll.

The poll found 56% of those surveyed said Syria likely will be a threat to the U.S. “soon.” Another 23% said Syria is an immediate threat. Only 16% said Syria poses no threat.

With Russia, 60% said is poses a “long-term military threat” and 14% said it is an “immediate” military threat. Just 23% said Russia is not a military threat.

The poll results help explain the hawkish foreign policy positions being articulated on the 2016 presidential campaign trail. Republicans, with the exception of the struggling Sen. Rand Paul (R., Ky.), have pledged a tougher stance against both Russia and the Islamic State, which is operating in Syria and Iraq. Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton last month said President Barack Obama’s policy to train Syrian rebels failed.

The poll found most Americans agree with Mrs. Clinton about the president’s Syrian stance. Only 34% said they approve of Mr. Obama’s handling of the Syrian conflict, compared to 54% who disagree. Among Democrats, 59% approve of Mr. Obama on Syria, while 28% disapprove. Republicans disapprove by an 81% to 10% clip.

Agreement on the long-term Russian and Syrian threats cut across party lines. For both Democrats and Republicans, 60% said Russia poses a long-term threat. Democrats were more likely to say Russia doesn’t pose a threat and Republicans more likely to say it poses an immediate threat.

COMMENT:  The real distinction may not be between Democrats and Republicans, but between mainstream Democrats and the leftist faction that has increasingly taken over the Democratic Party in the age of Obama.  Any potential Democratic presidential nominee has to take that faction into account, then pivot toward the center when the nomination is achieved.  I expect some of that from Hillary, who is known to be somewhat to the right of Obama on foreign policy.

October 24, 2015