The Third And Final Presidential Debate - Foreign Policy

How many American voters will tune in tonight to hear our two candidates debate about foreign policy?  Assuredly, 50, 60 or 70 million Americans will be listening tonight but my guess is that they will be watching the debate much like the NFL games of Sunday.  Cheering for their team (candidate) and hoping for a sack, fumble, interception, and of course, the game-winning touchdown.  Foreign policy for most Americans is about as exciting as watching two last-place teams face-off in Week 16 of the NFL season. 

How many Americans are worried about Israel’s security?  How many are concerned whether Iran develops nuclear capability?  Is Syria an important issue for the American voter?  How many want clarification on what happened in Libya?  How many even know that our Ambassador and three colleagues were killed serving their country?  How many Americans actually know how many soldiers are in theatre in Afghanistan? 

My best guess is that far fewer Americans than one would expect are worried about our relationships with other nations.  No, I think they are more worried about their job, health care, the economy and the price of gas.  We’re all grateful for the service and security our military provides.  We will gladly donate dollars for all types of support to our military families but do we really pay attention to what they are doing in Afghanistan?  Sure, there are some of us who do pay attention and recognize that the world is much smaller than it just was a decade or so ago. 

Some recognize the importance of our role in the world and why we need to be engaged.  Military families are well aware of why we are in Afghanistan, why we were in Iraq.  It is very personal for them as they have loved ones serving our nation.  The occasional terrorist attack heightens our interest and involvement as a people but quickly recedes once it has fallen down the ranks of reported stories on the news.  Our nation and our leadership no longer ask us to sacrifice in times of conflict and war.  Afghanistan might as well be the Moon for as involved as we Americans are in following the action of our troops.

Tonight’s debate will hopefully answer some of the questions that must be considered when selecting our next President.  We know President Obama’s course of leadership and style when it comes to foreign policy.  We need a better understanding of what he hopes to accomplish in this area over the course of the next four years.  For Mitt Romney, we need to know that he will be able to handle the rigors of foreign policy.  Candidates love to make promises and talk tough when it comes to foreign policy.  Just like Romney is doing right now with China regarding trade and currency manipulation. 

It is easy to talk tough and make promises.  It is significantly more difficult once you occupy the White House and recognize that even a small gesture has huge implications.  Some of us will be tuning in to hear some serious talk about our role in the world.  Others will be rooting for their candidate hoping for an end zone celebration.           

"I AM THE PRESIDENT!"

theawl.com

Tuesday Night at Hofstra University in the State of New York, the President of the United States showed up and made it abundantly clear that he isn’t giving up his championship belt without a fight.  It was a thing of beauty.  Battered and bloodied from Round One, all eyes were on the President wondering if he would be on the receiving-end of the knock-out blow by Mitt Romney, the challenger.  All were gathered at ringside looking for the Number One Contender to deliver the fatal blow.

The two fighters walked to center ring, touched gloves, referee Crowley welcomed one and all and then the fight was on.  Obama landed a big first punch minutes into the contest and never looked back.  From the opening bell, the President owned the night.  He started strong taking the fight to his opponent and never once let up.  Obama kept moving in closer and closer with body blows throughout the fight countering everything that his opponent threw at him.  The Number One Contender fought a valiant fight but as the final bell was approaching, Obama seized the opening provided by his opponent and moved in with a flurry of uncontested punches leaving his opponent helpless and unable to respond.

npr.org

“I am the President” was the resounding theme throughout the debate as President Barack Obama separated himself from his opponent.  It was remarkable how you could tell which candidate was the President of the United States and who was fighting to become President of the United States.  Mitt Romney had a good night.  It was just that the President had a better night.  Well-prepared, Obama won on substance, style and strength and reminded everyone why he currently sits in the Oval Office.

The President came with energy and enthusiasm and it showed.  He engaged the undecided voters in the room and was well at-ease gaining strength as each minute passed within the debate.  Neither man chose to follow the rules of the forum in strict fashion but Romney made it more of an issue than Obama did and he looked more like a child protesting to a parent, Candy Crowley, that he wasn’t receiving his fair due.  Not an attractive quality in someone wanting to be President of the United States. 

Although candidates in the debate process hardly ever provide simple answers to questions, President Obama did a better job of this offering some specifics.  Romney continues to fail at the specifics.  Case in point was the total non-response to a woman asking about mortgage deductions and the child earned income credit.  Romney loses credibility every time he walks away from answering these types of questions. 



csmonitor.com



The president prevailed or held his own on nearly every issue and question raised.  President Obama won handily on the issue of immigration and women’s rights, two significant voter-sensitive issues.  The last word of the night belonged to the President and he took full advantage by holding Romney accountable for his 47 percent comments.  It was a slam-dunk finish. This debate was far and away the most interesting, combative and memorable debate I can recall.  The President’s performance will be remembered and reviewed by every future candidate for the office of the Presidency.

Can’t wait for Round Three!     

Are You Ready To Rumble?

Every day I receive an email from President Barack Obama or one of his key advisors within the campaign.  The emails make a point to let me know what’s going on within the campaign and how much they need my financial support to make the difference.  This has been the case every day for the last three months.  The emails are informative and they all drive home the same message that they need my support to be successful.  Many times it is only a request for a $5 contribution, more if I am able. 

Tuesday Night’s debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York promises to be a significant turning point in this competition for the highest office of our land.  Both candidates will do their best to sharpen the differences between themselves in hopes of reaching the voter.  Mitt Romney will be looking for a knock-out punch to the President after his woeful performance in the first debate.  President Barack Obama will be looking to regain lost ground by delivering a knock-out performance of his own.     

Romney will hammer away at high unemployment, no jobs, no economic growth, a failed foreign policy, growing debt, a health care plan that bears the President’s name and on and on.  The President will counter these arguments by going on the offense pointing to slow but continual growth in jobs, a sluggish but growing economy, a plan to reduce the debt and a health care plan that will help all Americans in need. 

This debate is a town hall format allowing members of the audience to ask all the questions.  On the surface, this format does not necessarily favor either candidate.  It does however create an environment for some interesting and potentially surprising questions.  One that will come as no surprise to Mitt Romney will be someone asking him about his forty-seven percent comments.  Count on Romney to have his canned answer prepared.  Count on President Obama to pounce if the question is asked. 

Obama supporters are counting on the President to show up and get aggressive on this very question.  This one question best frames the difference between the Obama Administration and a potential Romney Administration.  This one question opens the door for the President to speak of the differences between the two men and how they will govern.  It is a winning argument for President Obama but only if he can make the case. 

The second question the President has to be hoping for is the hanging curveball question of Medicare.  This question will also allow the President to differentiate his position from that of Romney’s.  Romney will focus on the billions of dollars being cut from Medicare by the President’s Affordable Health Care Act.  Once again, the President’s supporters hope that he has a clearer explanation and answer to this charge to debunk Romney’s claim.

Tuesday Night’s debate will most likely become an instant classic.  This election is at an important crossroads.  Both candidates must feel a win Tuesday Night could indeed propel them to victory.  A bounce for either candidate coming out of this debate will be meaningful as voting has already commenced across the country.  Both candidates have worked very hard preparing for this moment.  More than likely it will be a draw with some winning and losing moments for each candidate.

There will be those watching hoping for a rumble.  More than likely, they will be disappointed.  No matter what, it will set the stage for the final few weeks of the campaign and the final debate between the two men. Do well Mr. President and I will send you that $5.00 you have asked for, maybe more.             

VOTE OUR WAY OR LOSE YOUR JOB - A CASE OF POLITICAL HARRASSMENT!

bet.com

Is tomorrow the day you receive the email, letter or phone call from your boss, Chief Executive Officer or owner directing you how to vote in the upcoming presidential election?  It just may be!  Sadly, it appears to be happening across the nation as Chief Executives and owners are sending emails to their employee groups warning them of a vote for President Obama. 

Warnings include higher gas prices, unprecedented regulation, runaway inflation, Obamacare and a host of other terrible, terrible things.  The most significant warning is that you could lose your job if the President is reelected.  I have read three of these emails sent to employee groups.  Each of the emails has been carefully crafted to create a sense of anxiety and fear within their respective employee base.  One has to wonder if the entire corporate marketing team was pulled off other marketing efforts to brainstorm the best approach to creating anxiety in their workforce.  Who knows?  Maybe it was an intern from the local university.

asg.com

Each email makes a point or disclaimer might be the better description to point out that every employee should vote for the candidate who best represents their views.  Somehow, that seems to soften the directive received from the guy who signs his name to your check every two weeks.  Obviously, it is not enough to show up every day, show up on time and put forth the work you are employed to do. 

The word is fear.  It works!  Create a level of fear, a feeling of anxiety and all of a sudden, people will fall in line so that they do not suffer the consequences.  If you vote this way, bad things will happen.  If you vote that way, you get to keep your job.  Arthur Allen, Chief Executive Officer of ASG Software Solutions, wrote to his employees, “If we fail as a nation to make the right choice on November 6^th, and we lose our independence as a company, I don’t want to hear any complaints regarding the fallout that will most likely come.” Ooooohhhhh.  The Boogie Man!

I am reminded when I read such statements of a man I worked for who owned his own business.  All he would do was talk about how tough it was for him.  It was always “woe is me.”  He worked hard, no question.  He’s the one who took the risk to be in business.  He’s the one who built the business.  However, he did not do it alone.  Everyone including the folks who worked for this man had their own burdens and responsibilities.  The only thing is, they hardly ever took the line, “woe is me.”  More often than not, they accepted their challenges with glad faces, saved their money and provided for their families.         

These types of tactics almost remind me of the ‘casting couch’.  How can you call it anything else?  Sleep with the boss or get fired.  Sleep with the boss or don’t get promoted.  Political harassment is alive and well just as voter suppression seems to be the order of the day with all the new voting identification restrictions across the nation. 

David Siegel, Chief Executive Officer of Westgate Resorts, sent an email to his employee group warning of layoffs if President Obama is reelected.  “It’s quite simple.  If any new taxes are levied on me, or my company, as our current President plans, I will have no choice but to reduce the size of this company.  Rather than grow this company I will be forced to cut back.  This means fewer jobs, less benefits and certainly less opportunity for everyone.” 

How can you argue with that?  The boss has spoken.  Climb aboard or see you.  First it was Citizens United and the opening of the floodgates to unlimited political financial contributions by corporations.  Now, let’s make sure we tell our employees how to vote.  America – land of liberty and freedom – you think?

"BUNCH OF STUFF"

rollingstone.com

My favorite line of the entire Vice-Presidential Debate was when Joe Biden uttered “that’s a bunch of stuff.”  Give Martha Raddatz credit for trying her best to follow-up with Mean Joe.  She must have been hoping that the Vice-President was going to say what he really meant when he said, “that’s a bunch of stuff.”  Martha didn’t get lucky but it did give Joe Biden the opportunity to zero in on the inconsistencies being put forth by Mitt Romney’s surrogate, Paul Ryan. 

It was a good debate and Martha Raddatz did a credible job moderating it.  She let them spar when appropriate.  Both candidates did their best to put forth their respective views pointing out their marked differences.  All in all, it was a positive for both parties and their candidates.  However, it was clear on Friday that all the post-debate talk was about Joe Biden.  Everyone was talking about his smiling, laughing and his overall body language throughout the debate.  They were also commenting on his stepping on Paul Ryan’s lines and interjecting his voice on top of both Ryan and Raddatz.

Joe Biden did what President Obama needed him to do.  He was Joe Biden, the seasoned veteran of  the Senate who minces few words and finds it difficult to sit still for any of the nonsense around him.  Everyone agreed that Joe Biden stopped the bleeding for the President.  For me, I believe Joe took it even one step further.  I believe he set the stage for the remainder of the campaign pointing succinctly to what it is that President Obama, the Vice-President and his most potent weapon, President Bill Clinton will be communicating to the voters of the undecided battleground states.    

Tax cuts, Medicare, Social Security and the 47 percent will dominate the discussion for the Democrats as they push toward Election Day.  If Obama can make a credible argument over the next three weeks about the difference between him and Romney on tax cuts, the election will be his.  I believe it is that simple.  He needs to stay on message and focus entirely on the middle class argument he has been making.  It is this argument that is effective and compelling and ultimately can win the election for him. 

Framing the tax cut issue with Paul Ryan’s Medicare proposals and the continuing conversation of privatizing Social Security are all winners for the President.  Throw in the 47 percent comments made by Mitt Romney and the small number of uncommitted middle class voters will fall the President’s way.  My guess is that President Obama will find a way to tie Romney back to the 47 percent comments.  I believe Romney said exactly what he meant to say and Obama needs to convince the American voter if Romney is elected, his administration will not consider the 47 percent.

I am still convinced that this election is President Obama’s to lose.  Polls always tighten as the election nears and it seems unlikely that one less than sterling debate performance could alter the outcome.  Nevertheless, I suspect we will see an engaged and committed President of the United States in this coming week’s debate.     

MY SILENCE IS OVER

politico.com

The last sixty or so days, I have been incredibly silent about our nation’s politics.  I have written no words to express my attitudes and feelings about this presidential election.  There has been plenty to write about but I was unable to engage and put my mind to work.  Thankfully, I awoke from my slumber just in time to communicate what little influence I might add to this conversation. 

I have missed plenty of opportunity to write of my concerns regarding these two candidates.  I have missed ample openings to dissect and evaluate the failings of each candidate and their campaigns.  Even today, I am tempted to dredge up many of these stories over the last two months and put my own spin to them.  Just thinking about it now makes me laugh to think of what golden opportunities there have been to punch holes in both of these men.

No, I am confident that each day going forward to that fateful day in November will be filled with opportunity for me to cast aspersions on Mitt Romney and accolades toward Barack Obama.  For now, I will resist going backward and choose to move forward with the conversation.  I will occasionally refer to the debate performance of our two candidates but will refrain from recapping a story that has been told and retold over and over again.  I will say however that I can’t and won’t leave Mitt Romney’s forty-seven percent comment alone like President Obama during the first debate.

Truth is - the forty-seven percent comment will pepper nearly everything I write for the next 26 days.  If the President’s team has any sense at all, they will continue to focus all of their attention on the forty-seven percent comment.  To me, it is what the election is all about.  This one comment by Mitt Romney tells the tale of this election.  It is fairly that simple to me. 

Tonight’s Vice-Presidential debate will be fun to watch.  Everyone is expecting Joe Biden to be the bulldog and to hammer away at Paul Ryan and Mitt Romney.  No question that Biden won’t hold his tongue like the President did.  No question that Biden will step in it somewhere during the debate performance.   Certainly, the Republicans hope for this but many of us who support the Vice-President and his counterpart hope for the same.  We want Joe Biden to be Joe Biden.  We want the guy who said to the President, “this is a big (expletive) deal.”

Joe Biden is the heart of the middle class.  He is a champion of the people.  He is one of us.  President Barack Obama needs Joe to be Joe tonight reminding all of us that he is a real genuine American middle-class man.  A fighter and a survivor-just the kind of man we would want in the trenches with us.  A guy who understands what life is like for those of us working nine to five, raising a family and trying to make sense of it all.  That’s Joe.  He gets it.  Frankly, Joe is probably the only one of the four candidates who truly knows what it’s like for the rest of us. 

Count on Joe not to dismiss the forty-seven percent comment.  Count on Joe to drive it home all night long.  He’s one of the forty-seven percent that Mitt Romney spoke of and Joe Biden is proud to be.  Joe’s success tonight may or may not capture the pundit’s attention or praise.  One sure bet is he will speak to the hearts and minds of the Democratic Party faithful.  Joe’s success will come on Friday and throughout the weekend when our Democratic checkbooks are opened and checks written, credit card numbers punched in.  The base will get the message and the dollars will roll in. 

My oldest son commented to me last night that he would give up a World Series win by the Cincinnati Reds, a National Championship by The Ohio State Buckeyes for a Barack Obama victory in November.  Here’s hoping he doesn’t have to give either.  The silence is over.  I’m back and ready to rumble.      

"I Hope You Still Believe In Me."

swampland.time.com

"I believe in you.  I hope you still believe in me" , said President Barack Obama to the crowd gathered at the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel for a fundraising reception Tuesday Night. 

I am able to answer that question with an emphatic "Yes, Mr. President, I still believe in you."  This is a tough week for you.  I know you have had a bunch of them over the last three years.  This week though has to be one of the most difficult given the decisions coming forth from the Supreme Court.  Although the Arizona immigration ruling wasn't a complete victory, it was still an important and solid victory for you.  I am hopeful that Thursday's ruling will be a favorable one too. 

These last few hours I have reflected on what you must be thinking this week prior to the Court's ruling on the healthcare bill.  Landmark legislation that will forever be linked to your presidency.  I know you have prayed that the Justices will uphold the law.  I also know that you are less concerned about your legacy with the legislation as you are wanting the American people to have health insurance.  Please remember that every President who has occupied the White House since FDR has wanted to pass a healthcare program.  They failed where you succeeded. 

tnr.com

I know that there are millions of Americans who are uncertain about the healthcare act.  The opponents of the legislation have been successful in distorting much of what the law provides and doesn't provide.  The national conversation has been interpreted in such a fashion as to confuse most Americans.  Millions of dollars have been spent trying to sway people and their opinion of the law. 

dailymail.co.uk

Whatever decision the Court makes on Thursday, I for one, believe in you and your leadership.  These difficult times have required enormous leadership and you have delivered time and time again.  I haven't agreed with all your policies or programs but I have believed in your leadership for our nation.  Times have been difficult for me during your tenure in the White House but your voice and belief in me and my fellow Americans has been uplifting.  You have worked the problems of our nation with very little cooperative effort from Congress.

You have tried to be bi-partisan and I believe most reasonable people acknowledge that.  You have accomplished a great deal during your years and I am confident that more achievements and success for our nation is sure to come when you are reelected in November.  You will be reelected.  Not everybody agrees with your handling of issues but you have led our nation effectively.   

I stand by you and with you no matter what the Justices rule on Thursday.  As you do, I am hopeful that the Court will take a step forward, not backward with their ruling.  Everyone knows that the law is not a perfect one but it is a good beginning.  The same goes for our economy.  It is happening very slowly but it is happening.  The economy is growing and jobs are returning.  Not nearly as fast as anyone would like but forward progress is being made.  You need to stay the course and continue to fine-tune the details and lead the debate.

I am glad that you still believe in me.  That's important to me.  It makes a difference for me.  Just know that I believe in you.  So do a bunch of your fellow citizens.  I'll be watching for the ruling.  I'm feeling pretty good about it right now.  I hope you are too.