Debate 3: The ending may surprise you

The debate was great to watch.  It moved smoothly due to a great moderator and both candidates stayed on topic... that is, most of the time.  Obama did a great job explaining how he has handled the military over the last 4 years and in that regard I would say he won the debate.  Mitt Romney however could not have had a better night.  While he ended up agreeing with most of what Obama has done militarily he actually ended the debate on a much higher note then Obama.  (if you can't read it all, make sure to read the last few paragraphs)

My favorite line of the night came from Obama after Romney brought up that our navy is the smallest it has been since before WWI.  Obama stated that we also have fewer horses and bayonets. LOL He stated military spending has gone up every year during his presidency. (This is true we are now up to $711 billion for 2011) Obama brought up a great point that we spend more then the next top 10 countries combined. He goes on to state that spending should not be determined by politics but by what the military needs. 

Romney later brings up that Obama's own Secretary of Defense called these defense cuts devastating.

On overall policy and drone use they are both on the same page.  Both wish to use military as a last resort and both agree with economic sanctions that are in play against Iran.  Obama constantly tried to bring up Romney's shifting position and stated we need someone consistent leading our troops abroad.  Mitt Romney kept stating that personal attacks are not policy and do not tell the country how the next four years will be better.  These were probably the best possible tack each candidate could take.

Romney also brought up the "apology tour" when Obama met with many Arab leaders and avoided Israel. Obama states it just isn't true. Romney then went on to quote Obama as saying America had "been dismissive and derisive" and had "dictated to other nations".  Romney states we have not dictated, we have freed people from dictators. (But couldn't both be true?  Doesn't America dictate to dictators?)

Romney did a great job clarifying his stance on Russia being our greatest political foe as they constantly block us in the UN.  He continued that in that same paragraph he had listed Iran as the nation who is the greatest threat to our national security.  The media has had a field day claiming Romney still thinks we're in the cold war.  These debates have finally given Romney opportunities to clarify statements that the media constantly miss-interprets...on purpose?  I think so. 

On Syria: Romney and Obama's stance is pretty much the same.  Romney said this is what we should be doing and Obama said we are already doing it.  In associated news however Qatar and Turkey and several other middle east nations say they have a plan to move forward with Syria but are waiting on the USA.  My guess is elections are stalling any real action on Syria for the moment.

Obama also during this portion came out saying that the USA is the one indispensable nation in the world.  a great statement as the republican party often paints him as an anti-nationalist.

On Iraq: 

The candidates traded sharp barbs.  Obama attacked Romney stating just two weeks ago he said we should still have troops in Iraq.  Romney came back clarifying that back in 2011 both Obama and he thought there should be a Status of forces agreement-this means we leave some troops behind.  Obama looked right at Romney and said "no I didn't".  CNN's fact check has proved Romney to be accurate.  The Obama administration fought to keep some troops behind in Iraq to continue training personnel but the Iraqi's wouldn't agree to it.  

On Israel and Iran:

Obama stated Israel is our greatest ally and we will stand with Israel if they are attacked.  But stopped short of declaring we would actually defend them militarily when asked by the moderator.  He reminds everyone that we have put down harsh sanctions against Iran.

Romney says we have their back not just politically, not just socially but militarily. The governor said we should tighten sanctions-don't allow another countries ships carrying Iran's oil to enter our ports.  Indite Iran's president (seems extreme seeing as how Iran actually hasn't done anything yet).  Romney had 7 steps to stopping Iran and sanctions is the first step, war would be the very last.

Obama-was tough on sanctions-put them in as quickly as world community would allow. Visited the Holocaust museum and and went to Steroke and reminded himself what this means and funded the Iron dome program to stop Hamas missiles from killing Israels.

Romney says he see our influence receding in the world.  Reminds us that Obama received a letter from 38 democrat senators asking him to repair the relationship with Israel.

On Pakistan:

Romney-Pakistan is important because they have over 100 nukes and terrorist in partial control of their country.  Pakistan needs a more stable government.  We need to continue to support them or terrorist may overcome all the work we have been doing in that region.  They are an ally even if though they aren't acting like one at the moment.

China: This segment just blew my mind.  Romney really knows what is going on here.

Obama shows how aggressive he has been by bringing lawsuits against china -now we can sell steel to china.  He also stopped cheap Chinese tires from being shipped into the USA and flooding the tire market. 

Romney:  China wants a stable world.  They have 20 million people coming out of the farms every year into the cities to find work.  They need job markets to grow.  I will label them a currency manipulator which will allow us to take strict measures against them.  They are stealing our designs and hacking into our systems.  -When the moderator asked if this would cause a trade war.  Romney's response was stellar!-   China has a lot more to fear from a trade war then us.  China exports this much to the US (hand up high by his head)  The US exports this much to China (hand down by his waist)  Its really unbalanced and if anyone has need to fear a trade war it isn't us.  There is already a silent trade war with china and it is costing American jobs.  China is selling cheap valves and counterfeiting products and duplicating serial numbers.  This cannot continue. (People are afraid the price of products would go up here in the USA, but with China's biggest buyer -the EU- in such a financial mess, their second biggest buyer -the USA- stopping trade with China it would destroy their economy.  China has been trying to stock up on raw materials from many countries.  They are well aware that if a trade war occurs, the world will side with the USA.)

Obama's response is simply that Romney ships jobs overseas.  (pathetic response- rhetoric is what you throw out when you have no plans of your own.  We have seen both candidates do it, but for the President to be so limited on how to deal with China is just sad) 

Domestic issues:  Watch out Obama, Romney is about to throw another Grenade at you!

Obama picks up with a thought that the government has been investing in research.  Stating that the private sector never does enough research and research needs government help.  Romney's retort is that government investments do not make us successful.  Making battery operated cars is not research.  Investing in Solyndra is not research! (for those who don't yet know- Solyndra went bankrupt because it had a solar tech that didn't use polysilicon which at one point was $400 a kilogram.  However before the government even gave them money the price had dropped to just over $50 a kilogram as plant productions increased the supply.  This meant that Solyndra's Tech was way overpriced and their bankruptcy was inevitable.  Private investors would do their homework before investing in something like this.  But what do democrats even care, its just tax payers dollars, right?) Romney continues that if you want to push technology forward you invest in universities and think tanks not manufactures.   

Romney- attacking me is not an agenda.  I am a son of Detroit and love American cars.  I said companies need to go through managed bankruptcies.  Obama says Romney said to let the car industry fail and Romney replied that we should provide guarantees as major manufactures go through managed bankruptcy.  Obama says "No you did not".  So what are the facts- according to the LA Times here is what Romney said. “A managed bankruptcy may be the only path to the fundamental restructuring the industry needs,” Romney wrote. “The federal government should provide guarantees for post-bankruptcy financing and assure car buyers that their warranties are not at risk.”  Romney never said we should liquidate the industry. 

Last Obama states that Romney was against hiring teachers-Romney's retort- Let states hire teachers.  We cut some funding in Massachusetts and still had the best rated schools.  We did it without the federal government. 

In Conclusion: Obama defended his military record admirably and as this was the main reason of the debate it is fair to say he won.  He and Romney were in agreement on so many military issues, you couldn't tell their programs apart.  However whenever it came to trade and economics I think it is quite fair to say that Romney put the Smack down on Obama.   Yeah I said it, I said it cuz I can.  Romney wants to increase trade with Latin America stating that Latin America has the same rough population size as China and would be much easier to work with, language, etc.  Obama has been one of the the toughest democratic military leaders in recent memory (compare to Clinton who kept giving North Korea money to stop them from building nukes...any guesses on what Korea did with the money?)  Mitt had a tough job of representing the traditional military party and trying to sound tougher then Obama while avoiding mention of war, which the American people are quite tired of.  

Extra:

Romney's plan to allow the middle east to reject extremism on its own

1.assist with economic development

2.provide a better education

3.promote gender equality

4.Promote rule of law

Many countries such as Qatar and Turkey could help with these type of endeavors.

Obama replies

We cannot do nation building in these regions.  We need nation building at home.

I guess that will do.   Now go vote.