It is regretful that the presidential debate had been predominated by the economy, and both candidates did not manage to discuss foreign and security issues in this critical period. Currently, the United States and Iraq is negotiating on bilateral security pact. In addition to the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, nuclear threat by Iran and North Korea has not been eliminated. Russia and China are challenging the liberal world order guarded by America, Europe, and Japan.
A warrior who served in Iraq has raised a serious concern to Senator Barack Obama’s defeatist foreign policy, through quoting his running mate Senator Joseph Biden. An article by this brave soldier brings a vital fact home to the public, that is, current debates and commentaries on election are off the point to determine the quality of presidential candidates.
First of all, TV debates on the economy were no help for voters because Barack Obama simply criticized the Bush administration. Shortly after the final TV debate, Democratic consultant Chris Lehane said, "The debate was like a Rorschach test. If you like McCain, you probably thought he won, and if you like Obama, you probably thought he won. And since there are more Obama supporters than McCain supporters, then it is a good night for Obama" (“McCain deals no lethal blows in final debate with Obama”; Los Angels Times; October 16, 2008). This implies that Senator Obama’s “victory” over Senator McCain in the poll after the debate is a skewed result. Just think again. If Barack Obama showed a successful blueprint on the economy, why was he defeated by Joe the Plumber a.k.a. Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher?
The three time debates on the economy were not meaningful. More importantly, foreign and security issues are marginalized, while US leadership on the global stage stands at crossroads now.
According to a BBC report, it is the success of the surge in Iraq that has made foreign and security policy less of a priority (“US campaign bypasses foreign policy”; BBC News; 17 October, 2008). Sojourner, a journal of a Christian evangelist organization, warns that the coalition has not exterminated insurgents completely in Iraq, and careful attention is still required (“The Sad Truth about the Surge”; God’s Politics; October 17, 2008).
However, Senator Joseph Biden, Democratic candidate for Vice President, remarked the following controversial comment that spurred foreign policy debates.
Mark my words: It will not be six months before the world tests Barack Obama like they did John Kennedy. The world is looking. We’re about to elect a brilliant 47-year-old senator president of the United States of America. Watch, we’re going to have an international crisis, a generated crisis, to test the mettle of this guy. He’s going to have to make some really tough - I don’t know what the decision’s going to be, but I promise you it will occur. As a student of history and having served with seven presidents, I guarantee you it’s going to happen. (“Biden predicts international crisis if elected - McCain reacts”; The Vote Blog, Christian Science Monitor; October 21, 2008)
Senator John McCain jumped on this comment (“The Trail: A RETORT TO BIDEN McCain Jumps on Talk of Early Test for Obama”; Washington Post; October 21, 2008). Governor Sarah Palin followed McCain (“Palin agrees with Biden that Obama presidency will create crisis”; The Vote Blog, Christian Science Monitor; October 21, 2008).
In view of rising doubts to Senator Obama, Captain Pete Hegseth, Chairman of Vets for Freedom, has contributed an article to criticize his foreign policy (“Right You Are, Joe: America's enemies will see Obama as weak”; National Review Online; October 21, 2008). Captain Hegseth says that Joseph Biden understands Obama’s fatal weakness as the Commander in Chief as this presidential candidate believes in “peace through engagement” so naively that his policy will invite attacks to the Free World, rather than deter them. Also, Hegseth mentioned that Biden shows no concern that America’s enemies will test John McCain, if he is elected.
Hegseth argues lucidly and strongly. I agree with him. Obama is too innocent to believe that dictators like Mahmud Ahmadinejad, Hugo Chavez, Fidel Castro, and Kim Jong Il, will turn friendly to our Free World. Also, Obama is too innocent to believe that the United States listen to demands of radicals and enemies to improve relations with them.
I guess Senator Biden think of succeeding the presidential job. Judging from his comment, Biden scorns the inexperienced and unqualified presidential candidate deep in his heart. But it is all right for him. Barack Obama is more likely to be assassinated than any other president, if he is elected. Then, it is Joe the 6-term Senator who enjoys the great chance to become the President of the United States. How smart he is!
Other Links of Interest:
“After Debate, Glare Of Media Hits Joe: Plumbers Union, Tax Collectors Notice”; Washington Post: October 17, 2008
“Where McCain, Obama stand on the issues”; International Herald Tribune; October 20, 2008
“About Joe the Plumber, ‘average’ guy”; Patchwork Nation Blog, Christian Science Monitor; October 22, 2008
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