"The Rubber Match"

In the words of the late, great Michael Jackson, "This Is It". Tonight is the last of the 2012 presidential debates, and the last chance for a mass audience to hear the candidates' accomplishments and positions on foreign policy.  Let's be clear...Mitt Romney has none.  His debacle at the 2012 Summer Olympics where he was publicly lambasted by the British prime minister and London's mayor, as well as several British newspapers for implying that security at the games might not be up to par, gave us a window into how he would handle foreign affairs.  His haste in jumping out with a press conference on the Libya incident gave us another, while also showing the American public that he will exploit any situation for political gain.

Barack Obama, on the other hand, has shown that he can make the tough decisions, and back them up, when it comes to foreign policy.  He has ended the War in Iraq, and is ending the war in Afghanistan, as he said he would.  He captured and eliminated Osama bin Laden, and other high-level Al-Qaeda leaders, as he said he would.  He ended the reigns of terror of Moammar Gaddafi, and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, he strengthened relations with China through engagement, and formed alliances with its neighboring countries.  President Obama also provided assistance to facilitate South Sudan's independence through U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice, who negotiated a peaceful conclusion.  Overall, he has improved America's image internationally.  I could go on, but I think I've made my point.

As we now see from the first debate, as evidenced by Mitt Romney's bump in the polls, tonight's debate may very well determine who will win the election.  Mr. Romney has provided President Obama a plethora of ammunition to call him on his flip flops and positions on foreign policy...going to war with Iran, and then backing down from that...vowing to increase the defense budget...and for what?..because you're anticipating going to war?...and the list goes on.  The president must call Mr. Romney out on ALL of these issues tonight.  For as good as his record is on foreign policy, and his recounting of them in the debate tonight, it's just not enough.

* Facts in this blog were provided by the article: "Obama's Top 50 Accomplishments" by Paul Glastris, Ryan Cooper and Siyu Hu of Washington Monthly Magazine.