E3G

Clinton, McCain, Obama – Europe’s opportunity to shape a Presidency

By Jennifer Morgan

Who will lead the USA back into a meaningful international engagement on climate change in 2009? And who can Europe work with best?

Those are the questions raised by Stephen Boucher of the thinktank Notre Europe in his recent paper Clinton, Obama, McCain - Europe’s Best Hope for Fighting Climate Change.

Now, as one of a number of responses to Stephen Boucher’s paper, E3G’s Jennifer Morgan gives her perspective on this crucial matter. A pdf version of Jennifer’s paper is available her for download.

Clinton, McCain, Obama – Europe’s opportunity to shape a Presidency

Stephen Boucher’s paper “Clinton, Obama, McCain – Europe’s Best Hope for Fighting Climate Change” provides a thorough assessment of the candidates’ positions in the field and a thoughtful set of actions that Europe should pursue to reengage the United States.

I would like to make 2 key points in response – firstly the nature of the challenge we face, then secondly the question of Europe’s next steps.

1. The nature of the challenge

We must address our analysis and responses within the context of the broader foreign policy goals of the candidates.

Each candidate recognizes the poor standing of the United States in current foreign affairs and the need to rebuild US standing and credibility in the world.

To reclaim our proper place in the world, the United States must be stronger, and our policies must be smarter. The next president will have a moment of opportunity to restore America’s global standing and convince the world that America can lead once again. As president, I will seize that opportunity by reintroducing ourselves to the world. I will rebuild our power and ensure that the United States is committed to building a world we want, rather than simply defending against a world we fear.”

Although this is a statement by Hillary Clinton in her Foreign Affairs piece on Security and Opportunity for the Twenty-first century, this statement could have come from any of the candidates. John McCain made similar points in his recent speech to The Los Angeles World Affairs Council and Barack Obama in his talk to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs last year titled “The American Moment”.

Each candidate, in his or her own way, has gone on to outline how the US can rebuild trust and standing in the world once s/he enters office. Each raises climate change as one of the new threats that must be solved, and notes the importance of US leadership at home and the vital interest of being part of the solution.

Climate change offers the new US President an opportunity to engage in a multi-lateral negotiation on an issue of immense importance to its major allies.

Europe should insist that climate change and the post-2012 negotiations are top priorities for the new President’s “first hundred days” and for the first transatlantic Summit in early 2009.