Debating the Debate
(AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
I’m back after suspending my blog to rush to Washington D.C. and help with the economic crisis! So who watched the debate last night? I did and at the conclusion my initial reaction was that Obama won in terms of foreign policy and a stalemate in terms of the economic questions. We heard how Obama and McCain differed on foreign policy tactics, but the elephant in the room was the economy and it’s downward spiral.
I can’t say I was genuinely impressed by the candidates’ responses to Jim Lehrer’s economic questions. Of course they’ve spent the vast majority of their prep time focusing on foreign policy, so one has to give a little slack. We didn’t hear many specifics as to what would happen to the new budget once the financial rescue plan is unveiled, which to some degree is expected. You can’t really say what you’re going to change or eliminate until you know what kind of numbers you’re dealing with. That’s pretty much what Obama stuck to when repeatedly pressed by Lehrer to give examples of spending he’d cut given the current bailout plan and it’s estimated price tag. McCain and his “spending freeze on everything except veteran’s care and defense” consideration slapped me in the face like a wet rag. Are you serious? Gas prices skyrocketing, health care prices skyrocketing, roads and bridges falling apart, a vastly outdated energy grid, lagging education and you want to freeze spending on it all? I agree with continued support for veteran’s care, but the continued defense spending just goes to show that John McCain is in the perpetual mindset of “we’re at war with everybody, everyone is a threat”.
Following along that line of thought, John McCain repeatedly said that losing in Iraq is not an option. We cannot lose in Iraq. Victory in Iraq at all costs. I guess I’m confused as to what we’re trying to win exactly. As Mr. Obama so eloquently put it, John McCain has been wrong on Iraq since the get go. Someone needs to tell me what we’re trying to win over there. How do you win an occupation? The “win in Iraq at any cost” strategy just scares the living hell out of me. I’m so very proud of all our troops that have fought in Iraq, some on multiple tours, but it’s time to get them out of the quagmire and back home. Or at least, to somewhere an actual threat to the safety of this country exists. The threat isn’t, hasn’t been and won’t ever be in Iraq. I’ve had that belief since day one. I even protested against the war at the very beginning. I don’t know what John McCain and his extensive foreign relations experience has seen over the last several years, but I think it’s time for a fresh view on foreign policy. The viewpoint we’ve held for 8 years hasn’t done much good for this country.
I also don’t understand how ignoring other countries that are not behaving the way you want them to is seen as punishment. I mean, we’re not on the playground in 5th grade here. Ignoring someone because you don’t like them is not my idea of ‘presidential behavior’. So when John McCain made a big deal out of Obama saying he’d sit down with foreign leaders that are posing threats to the peace of the world (Iran, N. Korea, etc) without precondition, I didn’t see a problem with that. McCain seems to think that even looking in their direction constitutes American justification of their words and actions. I don’t see it that way. If you talk to them, one of two things can happen: They listen or they don’t listen. If they listen, you proceed with talking them down or out of what they’re doing, if they don’t listen, you step it up to the next level. Where’s the problem with that? The ideology of ignoring them while pointing a bomb at them from long range is completely outdated and in my opinion, immature. That’s not inherent thought process the leader of the free world should follow. Our leader should be above that, beyond that and not so brutish as to threaten before talking.
I was most impressed by Obama saying he will improve America’s standing in the world. That’s something I feel is critical to improving our economy and our foreign relations. America is seen as a bully right now. We’re seen as threatening, if we don’t like what you’re doing we talk about attacking you. Is that what you want this country to be? A menacing giant? We lead by example, and our example for the last eight years has been atrocious. It’s time for a new world outlook and last night McCain proved you won’t get that from him.
That’s all I’m feeling able to write on what took place last night. I’m sure I’ll have more thoughts along the way. Plus, next week we get the highly anticipated vice-presidential debate. Speaking of which, Joe Biden was available for interview following the debate last night and expectantly, Sarah Palin declined multiple invitations for interviews. In her stead, the GOP offered Rudy Giuliani (a clear equivalent) who strikingly spouted off pure rhetorical GOP propaganda like he’s paid to continually do.
Oh how I can’t wait until next week.
