While President Bush’s legacy with regards to U.S. efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan is uncertain and his approval rating stands at about 28 percent, his administration’s Africa policy was celebrated this week in Washington. At the White House Summit on International Development, the president was lauded by Liberian president Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and Irish rock star Bob Geldof. Ms. Johnson-Sirleaf, the first female leader to be democratically elected in Africa, has been nicknamed the “Iron Lady” of Liberia. She joked several times about President Bush’s February trip to Africa where, she said, he became a “YouTube sensation.” She didn’t hold back in her praise of President Bush:
Geldof called Bush’s efforts to support international development through the Millenium Challenge Corporation and fight AIDS and malaria “this administration’s great legacy.” “Yes, speak truth to power, absolutely. But also speak truth about power,” said Geldof.The Millennium Challenge Corporation links its aid money to a country’s commitment toward economic, political, and social reforms. The CEO of the MCC, John J. Danilovich, says that the MCC provides “incentivization.” If a country performs well according to 17 indicators, as measured by internationally recognized, non-government entities, it qualifies to apply for one of the MCC’s compacts. “We call it the MCC effect, the fact that countries make a big effort to improve themselves and in so improving themselves qualify for the MCC,” says Danilovich. On Tuesday President Bush spoke about the results-based model that his administration has brought to foreign aid. “For too long, foreign aid was designed to make us feel good. Now, we’re ensuring that our resources do good,” he said. The president also shared a stunning statistic. “For developing nations, the value of trade is nearly 40 times the value of foreign aid,” he said. “If you’re interested in helping the developing world, promote trade.” President Bush issued a warning about the dangers of protectionism in rough economic times, especially for the world’s poor:
While both McCain and Obama will probably continue to support a results-based development model, the Democrat has sent mixed signals, to say the least, about his commitment to free trade. Obama said in the third presidential debate on October 15:
As Matthew Continetti points out, Obama has had few positive things to say about free trade. Let’s hope that the next president and next Congress understand that a reversal on trade policy is not the change we need.
