"Ninety minutes are too quick for a debate about the world. In fact the globe shrunk to a few regions and a few issues in the final debate between President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney.
There was a lot of discussion about the Middle East, and the threat of new war, Pakistan and a bit about China, and the role of America in the world.
“America’s going to come back,” Romney said his closing statement. “This nation is the hope of the earth.”
Romney’s hope of the earth can be boiled down to a single idea, power. American power, strength, is the key to global stability.
“Our purpose is to make sure the world is more, is peaceful,” Romney said. “We want a peaceful planet. We want people to be able to enjoy their lives and know they’re going to have a bright and prosperous future, not be at war. That’s our purpose. And the mantle of leadership for the — promoting the principles of peace has fallen to America. We didn’t ask for it. But it’s an honor that we have it.”
However Obama said America “has to stand with democracy.” Even when uncomfortable such as uprisings during the Arab Spring. “What I’ve also said is that now that you have a democratically elected government in Egypt, that they have to make sure that they take responsibility for protecting religious minorities. And we have put significant pressure on them to make sure they’re doing that; to recognize the rights of women, which is critical throughout the region. These countries can’t develop if young women are not given the kind of education that they need.”"
Get the Story:
Mark Trahant:
Elections 2012: A Debate About Power, But Not About Mother Earth
(Indian Country Today 10/23)
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