When I talk to people who say they are going to vote for McCain, I ask them their top three issues. The one recurring issue I hear from McCain voters is "national security". The perception seems to be: McCain = military experience = Commander-in-Chief.
The perception from this side of the fence is:
Barack Obama has held assignments on the Senate Committees for Foreign Relations and Veterans' Affairs and Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. He also became Chairman of the Senate's subcommittee on European Affairs. As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Obama has made official trips to Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia and Africa. He majored in political science with an emphasis in international relations. (Not to mention, of course a law degree.) The guy is Smart (that's with a capital "S") and I don't think even McCain supporters would put McCain on par with Obama as far as intelligence. (Courage and moxie, sure)
Disclosure: McCain had stints on the Armed Services Committee, Commerce Committee and the Indian Affairs Committee.
What I thought was really interesting and revealing, though, are the answers of each of the candidates to the question "If you become President and knew Bin Laden was in Pakistan, would you send US troops in after him?"
Watch the video, but in short:
Obama: "if we have Bin Laden in our sights... we take him out"
McCain: "I'm not going to go there. Pakistan is a sovereign nation"
I am all for the Rule of Law, but international law also says the U.S. could pursue bin Laden in Pakistan as an act of self-defense.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_SOvB5VNvY
2 comments:
It drives me crazy that people still think the Republicans are better on national security issues. Bush got us into a nightmare war that has WEAKENED our military capabilities and taken focus off of Afghanistan, where the terrorists of 9/11 were based and planned their attacks. Not to mention that the lives of soldiers are measurably BETTER under Democratic administrations -- better benefits, better resources for the troops.
But to answer your question, my top issues are climate change and repairing the U.S.'s relations with the international community, so that we have a better chance of forging the alliances we need to confront the challenges (political, environmental, military) of the 21st century.
Nicely put, Carrie! I might quote you on my other blog...
Post a Comment