Foreign policy is a big issue for the top Democratic presidential contenders with Barack Obama claiming to have more people lined up behind him than former First Lady Hillary Clinton. Clinton, in a virtual deadlock with Obama in Iowa and slightly behind him in New Hampshire, is pointing to Obama's lack of experience in foreign affairs as another weakness in his position to become the next president.
Obama, according to a recent American Research Group poll posted on USAElectionPolls.com is now in third place in Iowa behind Clinton and John Edwards. The poll conducted December 20 to 23 shows Clinton a favorite of 34 percent of the expected Democrats at the January 3 caucus, Edwards with 20 percent and Obama with 19 percent. This is quite different from one conducted December 16 to 19, where Obama had 25 percent, Clinton 29 percent and Edwards with 18 percent.
Obama was quick to point to the number of foreign advisors that have indicated support for his candidacy, claiming the number to be higher than Clinton's even though many of them had worked for her husband Bill Clinton, during eight years as president. However, many experts point out that the advisors on Clinton's side of the fence have more experience and that Clinton has more experience in dealing with foreign relations.
Obama's lack of political experience is being dissected by many in both campaigns, with Obama saying his years on the foreign relations committee is more experience than many previous presidents had when elected, such as then-Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton. Hillary was quick to point out that it was that line of thinking that helped George Bush become President.
