Debate on Foreign Policy

GOP Debate, Source:cnn,com

                The tenth debate for the Republican candidates was held on Saturday in South Carolina; the topic centered on foreign policy. The debate was the first to feature any discussion about foreign policy which included the war in Afghanistan, nuclear weapons, foreign aid, and even torture. The focus on such topics has not been prominent thus far in the campaign as the most popular topic has been the state of the economy. While the candidates differed on some issues, it was evident that none of the possible Republican nominees are used to discussing such intense and controversial topics. In contrast, the Obama administration has successfully been able to state that foreign policy has been President Obama’s strong point in his first term.  With the elimination of Osama bin Laden, successful drone strikes against ranking figures in Al Qaeda as well as the fall and death of Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi in Libya, President Obama has been able to stop the typical Republican criticism against Democratic foreign policy. However, last night, the candidates did not hesitate to voice their opposition to President Obama’s various policies and actions in regards to foreign countries.

                Among the attacks against the current Commander in Chief made by the Republican candidates were opposition to the use of water boarding, Iran and nuclear weapons, and the war in Afghanistan.  Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney stated that he believed Obama was acting too quickly with his withdrawal of troops. Romney believes that Obama had political motives in making the decision had to bring troops home by next September while his own timetable would have troops home by 2014. More criticism came when discussing Iran and how to deal with their recent supposed attainment of nuclear weapons or the material to create them.  While some candidates like Romney and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich feel the need to use military force when dealing with Iran, others like former Texas Governor Rick Perry suggested economic sanctions. Although they various views on the matter, all candidates agree that President Obama will not effectively deal with such issues.

                The candidates gave the most heated arguments when dealing with the use of torture to obtain information from detainees, more specifically water boarding. The issue divided the candidates as some feel that water boarding is a form of interrogation while others see it as torture that should be made illegal. Former CEO Herman Cain directly stated when asked that he believed that water boarding should be used in order to obtain certain information. He added that he trusts the US military to use the technique appropriately; Representative Michelle Bachmann agreed. Known for his isolationist approach to foreign policy, Representative Ron Paul made clear his stance on the matter. He believes that such a technique is torture. Jon Huntsman, former Utah Governor,  agreed stating that “We diminish our standing in the world and the values that we project, which include liberty, democracy, human rights and open markets, when we torture,”(nytimes.com). The following video includes the discussion about torture.

http://video.nytimes.com/video/2011/11/12/multimedia/100000001168688/republican-candidates-on-torture.html 

                 

                 The debate held at Wofford College in South Carolina showcased the candidates in a different light. They were all forced to give their opinions and ideas on issues that many may not have ever dealt with before. Former ambassador to China, Huntsman, claimed our country’s future can be found in Asia. Romney also gave another steady performance as he stays ahead in the polls. Herman Cain also gave a decent performance taking into consideration his recent comments in regards to foreign policy and his inability to name the president of Ubeki-beki-beki-beki-stan-stan. Overall, the candidates survived yet another debate with basically the same results.

Below you'll find a clip from the debate that took place on Wednesday night. Enjoy!



Sources:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/13/us/politics/up-for-debate-foreign-policy-and-obama.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&ref=politics
http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/12/politics/gop-cbs-debate/index.html
http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/13/politics/things-we-learned-gop-debate/index.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/foreign-policy-debate-brings-gop-candidates-to-south-carolina/2011/11/12/gIQALIEEGN_story.html