Well, that was really something fellas.
Several things were made clear to me during last night’s final Presidential debate that focused on foreign policy.
The first is that I don’t trust Mitt Romney with the command of the most powerful military in the world. The second is that he clearly understood that the American electorate has made foreign policy a second-class issue this election despite our continued loss of blood and treasure overseas. He played not to lose the debate, and in doing so probably gave himself a chance of winning on Nov. 6.
I also learned the President will not be challenged on his use of deadly UVA attacks that wipe out terrorists and civilians alike anytime soon. Bob Schieffer or Romney could have at least pressed him on the policies that are involved in making the decision to use that force, but that would have required both men to be conscious. I know drones are popular with the public because it reduces our casualties, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be questioned and made more transparent. I haven’t made up my mind on this issue, so it would have been nice to hear some discussion about it. For those of you interested in more information on that topic, check out Esquire’s Lethal Presidency series.
Last night’s debate also kept bringing me back to a theme my younger brother—who serves in the U.S. Air Force—has been talking about for months now. For the first time in 80 years, we have two Presidential candidates—and two Vice-Presidential candidates—who never served in the military. While they were discussing broad foreign policy initiatives, I couldn’t escape the feeling that they didn’t have a complete understanding of what they would mean for our servicemen and women (even factoring in Obama’s experience as commander-in-chief). There wasn’t a whole lot of discussion on what budget cuts and potential crises were going to mean to military personnel and their families. That’s a failure on the part of both candidates and something we all should be ashamed of for not making it apart of our national discussion.
While you’re making up your mind on who to vote for, check out some of the best reactions to the debate on Twitter last night:
Several things were made clear to me during last night’s final Presidential debate that focused on foreign policy.
The first is that I don’t trust Mitt Romney with the command of the most powerful military in the world. The second is that he clearly understood that the American electorate has made foreign policy a second-class issue this election despite our continued loss of blood and treasure overseas. He played not to lose the debate, and in doing so probably gave himself a chance of winning on Nov. 6.
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| One of my favorite Internet memes from last night's debate. |
Last night’s debate also kept bringing me back to a theme my younger brother—who serves in the U.S. Air Force—has been talking about for months now. For the first time in 80 years, we have two Presidential candidates—and two Vice-Presidential candidates—who never served in the military. While they were discussing broad foreign policy initiatives, I couldn’t escape the feeling that they didn’t have a complete understanding of what they would mean for our servicemen and women (even factoring in Obama’s experience as commander-in-chief). There wasn’t a whole lot of discussion on what budget cuts and potential crises were going to mean to military personnel and their families. That’s a failure on the part of both candidates and something we all should be ashamed of for not making it apart of our national discussion.
While you’re making up your mind on who to vote for, check out some of the best reactions to the debate on Twitter last night:
For me, Bob never will surpass the work he did moderating Jackson-JQ Adams. #debate
— Charles P. Pierce (@ESQPolitics) October 23, 2012
Schieffer looks like the stage manager in a production of Our Town
— Tom Junod (@TomJunod) October 23, 2012
Candidates: "It’s great to be at this completely made-up, fictional college called Lynn University" #debates
— Onion Politics (@OnionPolitics) October 23, 2012
#LethalPresidency RT @tomjunod mitt: "we can't kill our way out of this mess.". Obama: yes we can.
— Esquire Magazine (@Esquiremag) October 23, 2012
It's remarkable to hear these two struggle to explain the wars they won't fight, which in fact they really do want to fight.
— Daniel McCarthy (@ToryAnarchist) October 23, 2012
All this talk about arms is making me self-conscious.
— Invisible Obama (@InvisibleObama) October 23, 2012
It's actually not "disregarding the premise of the debate and pivoting to the economy" if you mention Greece #debate #protip
— James Poniewozik (@poniewozik) October 23, 2012
Rightwing ragegasm breaking out on that horses and bayonets answer. Must have been a good one. #debate
— Charles P. Pierce (@ESQPolitics) October 23, 2012
I’d be more interested in this debate if it included a ninja sword round.
— The Batman (@God_Damn_Batman) October 23, 2012
If one of them would've just wore a bacon tie, I could've turned this off by now. #undecided #debates
— Daniel Gordon (@DanGordon) October 23, 2012
Romney's sweat mustache is so fucking hipster.
— Erin Gloria Ryan (@morninggloria) October 23, 2012
Romney: Love me some drones. My drones will dronier than the drones we now have.
— david carr (@carr2n) October 23, 2012
RT @thatdrew: Romney has never said the word "vagina" out loud. I don't trust a man who has never said "vagina" out loud.
— Robyn(@aflyonthewall) October 23, 2012
All debates should from here on in be moderated by women. Jesus Christ, WHO HASN'T REALIZED THIS YET?
— Barbara Palumbo (@BPalumbo21) October 23, 2012
Romney's expression says "The afterlife is going to be so tough for you."
— Albert Brooks (@AlbertBrooks) October 23, 2012
Bob: "Guys, let's pretend I was conscious and asked a coherent question and follow-ups. What would you say?" #debate
— Daniel Ford (@danielfford) October 23, 2012
"Obama bin Laden": Schieffer needs a glass of water. Also: the drinking game just got unsafe. #debate
— Matt Sullivan (@sullduggery) October 23, 2012
RT!!! @bcappelbaum: Maybe they should let a print journalist ask the questions next time. #2016
— jodikantor (@jodikantor) October 23, 2012
The greatest threat to our National Security is an under-educated populace that is under-prepared to participate in a world economy… #DoD
— LeVar Burton (@levarburton) October 23, 2012
Please let the next words I hear from Mitt Romney be, "A few minutes ago, I called the President and congratulated him..."
— Mark Harris (@MarkHarrisNYC) October 23, 2012
Also check out 20 tweets from the second Presidential debate.
Awesome ... here were my faves:
ReplyDeleteBill Maher @billmaher
You're losing, Mitt - bring up the fact that we have fewer knives and rocks than we did during the French and Indian War
Bill Maher @billmaher
OK Mitt, one more try: we have fewer catapults and barrels of boiling oil than we had in the crusades.
Bill Maher @billmaher
OK, one last try: We have fewer Andrews Sisters and Ritz Brothers than we did in 1944. So glad we're done with THAT!
I enjoyed all of Bill Maher's tweets last night. Being a history guy, all these historical references made me smile.
DeleteWe should read these messages more often.
ReplyDeleteIndian adult