Another perspective on McCain vs Obama

[Yeager]

Just some philosophical excercising based on the content of the debate last night:

The Presidents most important role, and the one where he has the most immediate impact, is in *dealing with foreign governments.    Here McCain is the clear choice.  No question.

Obama dominates the game when he discusses economic issues.  But it is here, economics, where the power wielded by the President is considerably weakened.  The President must work with congress, congress must work between the houses, there are vetos and fillibusters, and government shutdowns and walkouts, fighting between the parties........a much more time consuming and fully vetted process, one where the Presidents opinions and philosophies play a far less prominent role.  So, Obamas great strength, economics, is far less important than McCains great strength, Foreign policy.

Thoughts?

*The president has the ability to immediately launch a nuclear attack, there is the war powers act giving the president the ability to single handedly deploy military forces at his whim anywhere on the globe without authorization from anyone.  This is a role that could completely alter the lives of every single American in a matter of minutes.

[Angus]

The prez of the USA can still flick us down to Neanderthal level with a button? Or drop down troops anywhere?
Is the USA a dictatorship country then, allowing that power for a single person?
Anyway, why is foreign policy so important with a country that is rich with its own materials????

[bustr]

Obama's statement of dealing with Pakistan assertivly, who is an ally, and a nuclear power, shows he is not ready to be the leader of the US. He made no real effort to gain strategic knowlege about politics in Pakistan before throwing down the gauntlet on a program viewed by the world. Obama has security access to that knowlege because he is on a committee that has to analyse strategic security and political information from Afganistan and Pakistan. McCain tried to give Obama a way out of his foot in mouth, then gave him the most explanation he could in public without violating national security as to why his gaff would complicate real time relations with a nuclear ally.

Next week in Pakistan there could be real world repercussions based on Obama's thougtless retorhric to make the soccor mommies swoon and vote for him. McCain made sure the same world watching him, understood he was not a potential loose cannon for votes, and that he had an oceans depth of knowlege about U.S. foreign relationships, Pakistan in particular.

Pakistans hardline muslims are protecting Ben Laudin in the tribal regions. The Pakistani army does not want the hardliners party to win the majority in parliment. The hardliners want to use Pakistans 5 nukes to nuke Israel and the U.S.. Obama just gave the hardliners more reasons to keep protecting Ben Laudin and win the majority in parliment, while marginalising our relationship with the militairy and current moderate government. Obama threatened a Muslim country on world television. Obama threw Pakistan under the bus to garner votes at home.

[Angus]

And...Pakistan is a nuclear weapons holding country.
And...the USA used to support Bin Laden. And Iraq..in the war against Iran.
Must have all been from the dems...

[lasersailor184]

I'm sorry, but a Socialist?  Dominates the economics game?









HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

 

[bustr]

The prez of the USA can still flick us down to Neanderthal level with a button? Or drop down troops anywhere?
Is the USA a dictatorship country then, allowing that power for a single person?
Anyway, why is foreign policy so important with a country that is rich with its own materials????

Because Iceland stopped being a strategic refueling stop to the United States and Europe when the world moved to jet engines. China doesnt even see your island as a colonizing candidate. And Iceland is only this year coming out of the neolithic age by allowing 200 Palistinian refugees to relocate to the island.

[mg1942]

How is McCain the clear choice in dealing with foreign goverments...

?

[Yeager]

How is McCain the clear choice in dealing with foreign goverments...

?

Just from an experience perspective mostly I think.  Thats a statement reflecting my personal opinion only.

[Speed55]

How is McCain the clear choice in dealing with foreign goverments...

?

My opinion: About 25 years in the military, and over 25 years in politics, makes him more qualified overall on every issue.
He's far from my first choice out of other possible candidates, but i see him light years ahead of obama.

[mg1942]

To O.P.

How exactly did McCain "defeat" Obama in regards to foreign affairs? Specifically, what about Obama's answers were displeasing in regards to his abilities at relating to and dealing with matters of foreign affairs. Obama laid out clearly how he would approach foreign "enemy" diplomats. He explained the importance of America's role both as an ideal and a physical entity in the World. He even went so far as to explain how McCain's plans and policies have failed (which even Gen. Petraeus partially agrees with), and how they will continue to fail. Added to that, Obama choose probably the greatest choice (in this particular field) for Vice-President in Biden, a man who has as much if not more foreign affairs experience as McCain (which is also a good sign of good leadership qualities: choosing a running mate that can not only compliment your own abilities, but also fill any gaps you might have). So, what more do you really need?

That being said, economic policy has greater long term effects, but foreign affairs can have greater short term effect, so you are partially correct that foreign affairs matters more to immediate concerns. McCain certainly entered this debate with the label of "Foreign Policy Expert", but whether he proved this label, or proved that Obama does not qualify to also be called an "expert" is highly debatable.

[Yeager]

McCain certainly entered this debate with the label of "Foreign Policy Expert", but whether he proved this label, or proved that Obama does not qualify to also be called an "expert" is highly debatable.

The one comment I would make is that Obama himself said, and I agree with him, (paraphrasing) that anyone worried about his lack of experience should understand that its not just about the individual thats making decisions, its about the people who advise him and everyone can be sure he (Obama) would surround himself with the best people. 

I agree with that statement, and its true of anyone in a position of power such as president.  They all rely on advisers to give them guidance.   But for me, factoring in my own understanding and preferences, would rather that McCain be the one with those advisers.  Again, that's my own judgment call on behalf of the single vote I get to cast.   

[mg1942]

I agree with that statement, and its true of anyone in a position of power such as president.  They all rely on advisers to give them guidance.   But for me, factoring in my own understanding and preferences, would rather that McCain be the one with those advisers.  Again, that's my own judgment call on behalf of the single vote I get to cast.   

Well said. I think we can both agree that what makes a great leader is not only personal abilities, but also the ability to choose the best staff possible. Some Presidents have failed in this respect, trusting either their own misunderstood opinion, or hiring the wrong advisor (Bush 2.0 is the immediate example that springs to mind), while some Presidents have succeeded greatly by hiring the right people (Nixon hiring Kissinger, for example).

[68valu]

its about the people who advise him and everyone can be sure he (Obama) would surround himself with the best people. 

How can we be sure that his choices to "Advise" him would be good?
Absolutely no way to assure that.
At least McCain would have the ability to take advice and still come to his own hopefully "best interest for our country" decision based on his experience,  regardless of advisors input.

[mg1942]

Well we have to be careful of who the President chooses to surround himself with so we don't get any Grant administrations.

[bustr]

McCain vs. Obama = Eisenhower vs. Montgomery.

In North Africa Monti came in after the germans had used up their supplies and strung out their supply line. His predissesor had badly misusued the british troops but in the process had forced the germans to use up their resorces. He was flamboyent, articulate and well loved by the common man. Obama could have stepped in and won the battle with advisors. Montogery showed his true lack of ability in Holland 2 years later and threw away his and our forces. He fell into obscurity after that.

Eisehhower mentored under MacArthur and was picked as the youngest theater supream commander in U.S. history. His leadership brought the allies to victory over Germany. Then he became a 2 term Republican president of the United States over seeing almost a decade of growth and prosparity.