The Debate We Want to Hear (How many of these topics will be touched??)

[tannybogus]

The Post asked foreign affairs analysts and other experts for their take on what the candidates should discuss in the first debate. Here are thoughts from: David M. Walker, Karen Donfried, Michael O'Hanlon, Patrick Clawson, Ronald D. Asmus, Stephen P. Cohen, David Makovsky, Michael Rubin, Nancy Soderberg, Danielle Pletka, Michael J. Green
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PATRICK CLAWSON
Deputy director of research at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, co-author of "The Last Resort: Consequences of Preventive Military Action Against Iran"

Russia and China are on a different page from us about Iran (and are not that well disposed toward us in general). For all the fine words from our European allies, they have done little to step up the pressure on Iran outside the U.N. framework. The only way to get help from Europe and Russia may be to put Iran at the top of our agenda. Is Iran that important? Put another way: How important is the risk that an Iranian nuclear breakout will lead to many more nuclear states, not least in the Middle East?

Should the United States state clearly that if necessary it will use force to preempt Iran from getting nuclear weapons, or is deterrence a better policy than preemption?

What are U.S. priorities with Russia? Should we be willing to accommodate Moscow on issues like Georgia if the Kremlin agrees to be helpful on issues such as Iran?

How can we structure talks with Iran in such a way as to serve U.S. interests, rather than strengthening the hard-line regime?
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/26/AR2008092601064.html?hpid%3Dopinionsbox1&sub=AR

I'll bet McCain digs at Obama every chance he gets and goes off message a lot. Obama can't pull a Dukakis and freeze on a question or dig that is outrageous, but he can't get sidetracked. McCain may put in play every lie known to man hoping Obama will tie up the time refuting them. I hope Obama has found a button to push on McCain. I have some clues, but I bet they could spot one by watching his townhalls. A question about the GI bill and the vets that don't agree with him??