Obama is not as unrealistic as Mr. Kaplan portrays him. If he were, McCain would have a surge of his own.

Look at Kaplan's summary of Obama's contentions:

Obama dealt with those points—in some cases not as strongly as he might have, but probably well enough—and made several of his own: the need to improve our standing in the world, to wipe out al-Qaida in Afghanistan, to focus on creative diplomacy and not just bluster to solve problems, and to devise a sound energy policy in order, not least, to blunt Russia's resurgence.

[End quote]

Two of these ("improve our standing in the world" and "focus on creative diplomacy") are about making a better impression on the world. If the US were to have a determined opponent during an Obama administration, would the situation be satisfied by obtaining nods from allies and by finding unexpected ways to talk?

One of these ("wipe out al-Qaida" in Afghanistan") has already created problems for his Obama's campaign. The problem is, the Taliban's and al-Qaida's base is in Pakistan. And the Pakistani President has already said plausibly that an invasion of the country would not be well received. This is the most prominent issue on which Obama has seemed unreasonably impulsive.

The final assertion (devise a sound energy policy in order, not least, to blunt Russia's resurgence) also implies ignorance. The Russians don't sell much oil or natural gas to the US, but to Europe. The people whose approval Obama hopes to gain. The Europeans would have to find a sound - better, effective - energy policy to escape Russian pressure. What Obama did about energy policy in this country would have only a mild, secondary effect.

Further, as Obama pointed out (unsuccessfully) about drilling, an effective energy policy in the US would take years to implement without damaging the economy. The Russians would be able to obtain many advantages were that the US's best response.

So Mr. Kaplan's summary shows only why he - Mr. Kaplan - should not have an important role in setting US policies. But we're safe, because neither Obama nor McCain could be expected to make such a mistake. Or to follow the policies attributed to Obama here.