Poll: Does a Foreign Policy Debate Favor Obama Over McCain?

February 20, 2008

A Huffington Post contributor has made the case that Barack Obama should welcome a debate about foreign policy with John McCain. If you didn't read the story, included in Link Time, go check it out.

The piece argues that McCain is out of touch with all the major foreign policy issues, and that Obama will offer a stark contrast to McCain's hawkish tendencies toward Iran, and acceptance of the Bush-neo-conservative foreign agenda.

Go read the article and then tell me — will Barack Obama prevail in a foreign policy debate against McCain, a war hero with years of Senate experience?

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24 Comments

Daisie 5 years 12 weeks

Why is Clinton left out of this? Makes it look like the Dems made a choice...and the race is NOT over. Sorry Obamaphiles. =p

lilkimbo 5 years 12 weeks

I think who you prefer on foreign policy all depends on your views of what's best, given our current situation. They are both capable of diplomacy and of executing their own ideas successfully, it just depends on which ideas you agree with. Frankly, I think we should gradually pull out of Iraq, with gradually being the key word. If we withdraw troops too quickly, the ones still there will be faced with an even more daunting task than they already face. The U.S. maintains presence all over the world (e.g. the former Yugoslavia), so it doesn't make any sense to me to withdraw completely.

trésjolie 5 years 12 weeks

Because he support our troops, and didn't want them to die, or starve. Wanting to pull out doesn't mean that we shouldn't take care of the troops while they are there, and provide food and military supplies like body armour. Pretty silly argument.

Zahara Pitt 5 years 12 weeks

Jimmy Carter II

Zahara Pitt 5 years 12 weeks

Jimmy Carter II

Zahara Pitt 5 years 12 weeks

if Obama is so a gainst the war, why does he continue to bote to fund it and by the way he won't be able to bring the troops home during his first term, Go McCain, are we sure he wrote that speech himself and didn't borrow someone words :OY:

JuliusCaesar 5 years 12 weeks

Thanks for posting the speech Jillness - it's just shows how rational and 'grown up' Obama is. I think Obama's experiance of living in different countries, being part of different cultures makes a big difference too - he doesn't have the them vs us mentality of the current president (thank god!) and which McCain seems to be developing. McCain wouldn't be terrible at foreign policy but Obama would be better.

janneth 5 years 12 weeks

It could be a hundred years...It could be a thousand years...

indielove 5 years 12 weeks

Yes, McCain is a warmonger...that's for sure. I STILL can't believe what he said about Bin Laden...PROMISING with the utmost assuredness that he WILL get Osama Bin Laden if he becomes president? Nice sentiment but how can you promise that? He wants votes so badly, sthe nomination SO badly, that he'll say anything to get it. After 6 1/2 years of war, we still don't know where Bin Laden is...how can you be so sure that you can find him and make him pay for his crimes? PLEASE tell me how.Jude C: great post and haha @ the 'off-color' statement! that's a real jerky thing to do though.

indielove 5 years 12 weeks

Yes, McCain is a warmonger...that's for sure. I STILL can't believe what he said about Bin Laden...PROMISING with the utmost assuredness that he WILL get Osama Bin Laden if he becomes president? Nice sentiment but how can you promise that? He wants votes so badly, sthe nomination SO badly, that he'll say anything to get it. After 6 1/2 years of war, we still don't know where Bin Laden is...how can you be so sure that you can find him and make him pay for his crimes? PLEASE tell me how. Jude C: great post and haha @ the 'off-color' statement! that's a real jerky thing to do though.

nyaradzom2001 5 years 12 weeks

Wow jillness thanks for the speech.

hotstuff 5 years 12 weeks

McCain scares the hell out of me. He wants to continue this war...why? Also I heard him say something about wanting to make the guys who kidnapped him in war pay for doing so and killing his friends! WTF! Yes it's horrible what they did to him but how many donkey years ago was that? He seems war hungry.

trésjolie 5 years 12 weeks

If one wants an extension of Bush then McCain is your guy. And if you do, then I can't convince you otherwise.

juju 5 years 12 weeks

Jude C - I totally agree! And Jillness -- thanks for posting that speech!

juju 5 years 12 weeks

Jude C - I totally agree! And Jillness -- thanks for posting that speech!

Jude C 5 years 12 weeks

I don't think foreign policy is all about the military, therefore I don't regard John McCain as the end-all and be-all of foreign policy in this race. There are subtleties of diplomacy and statesmanship far more important than the mastering of military strategy--and I don't think John "Tells Off-Color Alzheimer's Jokes To The Elderly" McCain is particularly capable of learning those subtleties. Obama will be a fantastic representative of our country to the world.

onabanana 5 years 12 weeks

I have to say I am very satisfied with the my choices for president. I would be disappointed if Obama didn't win but I think despite my reservations about McCain and Clinton, they're both very good representatives to their states and they are intelligent people. Which is far better than what we've got, not that the bar is too high. McCain out of all the other prior republican candidates certainly was the least offensive choice. I do respect him.

indielove 5 years 12 weeks

"I am not opposed to all wars. I'm opposed to dumb wars."I LOVE THAT! He is so wise! Haha. Gotta love 'Bama.

indielove 5 years 12 weeks

"I am not opposed to all wars. I'm opposed to dumb wars." I LOVE THAT! He is so wise! Haha. Gotta love 'Bama.

Jillness 5 years 12 weeks

I think Obama has the best weapon in this debate...a clear and ACCURATE prediction of what happened in the war. Especially because Iran has some eerie similarities to Iraq.Barack Obama Oct. 2nd, 2002...BEFORE the war began..."Now let me be clear - I suffer no illusions about Saddam Hussein. He is a brutal man. A ruthless man. A man who butchers his own people to secure his own power. He has repeatedly defied UN resolutions, thwarted UN inspection teams, developed chemical and biological weapons, and coveted nuclear capacity. He's a bad guy. The world, and the Iraqi people, would be better off without him.But I also know that Saddam poses no imminent and direct threat to the United States, or to his neighbors, that the Iraqi economy is in shambles, that the Iraqi military a fraction of its former strength, and that in concert with the international community he can be contained until, in the way of all petty dictators, he falls away into the dustbin of history. I know that even a successful war against Iraq will require a US occupation of undetermined length, at undetermined cost, with undetermined consequences. I know that an invasion of Iraq without a clear rationale and without strong international support will only fan the flames of the Middle East, and encourage the worst, rather than best, impulses of the Arab world, and strengthen the recruitment arm of Al Qaeda. I am not opposed to all wars. I'm opposed to dumb wars."(full speech here)http://www.barackobama.com/2002/10/02/remarks_of_illinois_state_sen.php

Jillness 5 years 12 weeks

I think Obama has the best weapon in this debate...a clear and ACCURATE prediction of what happened in the war. Especially because Iran has some eerie similarities to Iraq. Barack Obama Oct. 2nd, 2002...BEFORE the war began... "Now let me be clear - I suffer no illusions about Saddam Hussein. He is a brutal man. A ruthless man. A man who butchers his own people to secure his own power. He has repeatedly defied UN resolutions, thwarted UN inspection teams, developed chemical and biological weapons, and coveted nuclear capacity. He's a bad guy. The world, and the Iraqi people, would be better off without him. But I also know that Saddam poses no imminent and direct threat to the United States, or to his neighbors, that the Iraqi economy is in shambles, that the Iraqi military a fraction of its former strength, and that in concert with the international community he can be contained until, in the way of all petty dictators, he falls away into the dustbin of history. I know that even a successful war against Iraq will require a US occupation of undetermined length, at undetermined cost, with undetermined consequences. I know that an invasion of Iraq without a clear rationale and without strong international support will only fan the flames of the Middle East, and encourage the worst, rather than best, impulses of the Arab world, and strengthen the recruitment arm of Al Qaeda. I am not opposed to all wars. I'm opposed to dumb wars." (full speech here) http://www.barackobama.com/2002/10/02/remarks_of_illinois_state_sen.php

Princesskitty22 5 years 12 weeks

I think it depends on which side of the debate you're on, I think. It's hard to tell at this point.

indielove 5 years 12 weeks

I think Obama could most definitely repair foreign relations between the USA and other countries around the world. McCain, not so much, well I don't have any faith in his abilities on this topic. Same old crap, if he gets voted into office. Another 4 years of a broken American society, I shudder at the thought.

onabanana 5 years 12 weeks

McCain is clearly more experienced in Foreign Policy and he understands the the trauma of being in war but I think despite the experience my vote is for Obama. I'm tired of the same old politics! It's time to take a chance on something and someone new. Obama seems like a rational man and though he may not have as much experience, he is someone who can listen and is thoughtful. Few presidents are truly ready for the task before them...but I think what's key in repairing American stability and standing is creative and well thought out decisions.

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