Exchange fire in presidential race nearing dead heat
(Dr. Jerome Corsi) – At the final presidential debate here, President Barack Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney exchanged fire on the hot topic of foreign policy. CBS News’ Bob Schieffer moderated the third, and last, presidential debate at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Fla.
The debate focused on foreign policy and was divided into six 15-minute segments: 1) America’s role in the world, 2) Afghanistan and Pakistan, 3) Israel and Iran, 4) The changing Middle East and the new face of terrorism (Part 1) 5) The changing Middle East and the new face of terrorism (Part 2) and 6) the rise of China.
With the presidential race in nearly a dead heat just two weeks before Election Day, strategists argue the final debate could prove critical. During the first presidential debate, Obama was criticized for his poor showing by his own supporters. After the second debate, which many argued was a draw, those in the legacy media dubbed Obama the winner.
Changing Middle East and the new face of terrorism, Part 1
The debate began with the subject of Libya, the Obama administration’s response to the Benghazi attack that included the murder of U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three Americans.
In the aftermath of the attack, the Obama administration blamed an amateur anti-Islamic film, which was not the cause of the bloodshed. In an appearance on Comedy Central, Obama recently told comedian Jon Stewart the deaths of the four Americans were not “optimal.”
As he often has this election year, Obama reminded Americans that Obama bin Laden was killed under his leadership.
Romney argued that Islamic extremism “is certainly not on the run.” He said America must “help these nations create civil societies.”
Obama accused Romney of calling Russia the greatest geopolitical threat to America and accused him of wanting to import foreign policy of the 1980s.
“Every time you’ve offered an opinion, you’ve been wrong,” Obama charged, assailing Romney for his comments on withdrawing troops from Afghanistan. He said Romney’s strategy “is wrong and reckless leadership that is all over the map.”
Romney responded, “Attacking me is not an agenda. Attacking me is not dealing with the challenges we’re dealing with in the Middle East.”
He clarified that he said Russia is a geopolitical foe, and al-Qaida is the greatest threat to the nation’s security.
The two debated withdrawal timelines for troops in Iraq. Obama charged Romney with wanting to keep soldiers there.
Meanwhile, Romney has blasted Obama for his management of the humanitarian crisis in Syria as more than 30,000 civilians have been killed in the rebellion against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Obama said the U.S. has mobilized sanctions against the government and “mobilized the moderate forces in Syria.”
“What we’re seeing taking place in Syria is heartbreaking,” Obama said. “[B]ut we also have to realize that for us to get more entangled in Syria is a serious step. … I’m confident that Assad’s days are numbered.”
However, he argued against “giving heavy weapons” to the opposition, and Romney agreed.
Romney said Syria’s removal of Assad is important, but America cannot be drawn into conflict there. He called for “a very effective leadership effort” and ensuring Syrians who are armed “are responsible parties.”
“We should be playing the leadership role there, not on the ground with the military,” Romney said.
Schieffer asked Romney whether he would put no-fly zones in Syria. Romney responded that he would not put the U.S. military in Syria. He said he wants to see responsible Syrians armed to defend themselves.
“This has been going on for a year,” Romney said. “This should have been a time for American leadership.”
What is America’s role in the world?
Romney said he believe that America has a responsibility of promoting freedom and free elections, but it must start by improving its own economy at home and strengthening the military for the long term. He promised to not cut the military budget and to stand by U.S. allies.
Obama touted his effort to end the war in Iraq, and he declared, “Our alliances have never been stronger.” He emphasized “rebuilding America,” improving education, slashing oil imports, developing “clean energy technologies,” and slashing spending.
Obama accused Romney of proposing “wrong and reckless policies” and supporting President George Bush.
Romney emphasized his role as a businessman who has created jobs while Obama leads a nation struggling with unemployment. He also advocated expanding development of energy resources, embracing Latin America “as a huge opportunity for us,” working to balance the budget and championing small business.
Obama chimed in, accusing Romney of failed policies for small businesses while he served as governor of Massachusetts. Then he discussed education reform and the importance of teachers in making a difference in producing a skilled workforce and promoting business creation.
Romney touted Massachusetts’ education record, which “allowed us to become the No. 1 in the nation.”
Schieffer attempted to redirect the debate to foreign policy. He asked Romney where he will get increased funding for the military.
Romney replied that he would cut discretionary spending without touching the defense budget. He promised to “get rid of Obamacare” on Day 1 and give programs such as Medicare to the states, “because states run these programs more efficiently.” He promised a balanced budget within eight to 10 years.
Obama argued that military spending has gone up every year he’s been in office.
“What you can’t do is spend $2 trillion in additional military spending … $5 trillion in tax cuts … and somehow deal with the deficit we’ve already got,” he told Romney. “The math simply doesn’t work.”
Romney touted his experience balancing budgets in business and as governor of Massachusetts.
“Our Navy is smaller now than any time since 1917. … Our Air Force is older and smaller than any time since it was founded in 1940,” Romney said. “This, in my view, is the highest responsibility of the president of the united states, which is to maintain the safety of the American people.”
Israel and Iran
On the topic of Israel, Obama called the nation “a true friend”: “I will stand with Israel if they are attacked.”
“As long as I am president of the United States, Iran will not get a nuclear weapon,” Obama declared. “… A nuclear Iran is a threat to our national security and to Israel’s national security.”
Obama emphasized his administration’s efforts to impose sanctions on Iran. He accused Romney of talking “as if we should take premature military action,” calling it a “mistake” and “a last resort.”
Romney expressed his support for Israel, culturally and militarily. He said he called for “crippling sanctions” and would have put them in place earlier. He said he would tighten those sanctions and take on diplomatic isolation efforts, ensuring Ahmadinejad is indicted.
“A military action is the last resort. It is something one would only consider if all of the other avenues have been tried to their fullest extent.”
WND broke a story last week quoting Iranian sources as saying a deal has already been brokered between high-ranking U.S. administration negotiators and a representative of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that calls for Iran to halt part of its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of many U.S. sanctions against the Islamic regime.
The next day, the New York Times followed up with a story reporting Obama administration officials had confirmed the U.S. and Iran had agreed to one-on-one talks in what could be “a last-ditch diplomatic effort to avert a military strike on Iran.”
During the debate, Obama denied the reports.
More to come…
1776Nation.com
