What Obama Could Have Said In Debate: "I Have News for You!"

[Better Believe It]

September 30, 2008
"I Have News for You!"
What Obama Could Have Said

By FATEMEH KESHAVARZ
Fatemeh Keshavarz is Chair of the Department of Asian and Near Eastern Languages and Literature at Washington University.

Presidential debates are not meant to be in-depth or analytical exchanges. The candidates are unlikely to reveal new information or venture into unexplored and risky territory. Neither are they encouraged to make bold and original comments. However, as safe and familiar scenarios, carefully polished and tested out by campaign strategists, are dished out to national audiences of these debates, a small doze of reality could be refreshing. The first presidential debate left much to be desired with regard to the candidate’s vision of a foreign policy informed, realistic, and able to deal with changing global conditions.

The biggest fiasco of the evening, however, was Senator McCain’s total and patriotic opposition to unconditional negotiations with Iran. He is, of course, entitled to his views and proposed policies. Neither am I naïve enough to expect Senator Obama to intervene on behalf of Iran and say something totally unpatriotic such as “Iran is a large, diverse, and young country. Wouldn’t it be wise to think about turning it into an asset for America in the region?” He would certainly be committing political suicide if he went a step further and cited facts such as “We would have not won our initial war with the Taliban if it were not for Iran’s help through its connections with the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan” or, “Iran is the only country in the region in which al-Qaida does not have a safe haven.”

But when Mr. McCain made fun of his opponent, lampooning his way through an imaginary scenario in which diplomatic contact between the U.S. and Iran was reduced to a silly exchange between the two presidents during which the evil one proclaimed “I want to wipe Israel off the map!” and the good (but weak) one endorsed the evil deed with his presence, he should not have got away with it. Senator Obama didn’t have to do anything risky such as explaining that foreign policy of a nation requires a more solid base than a mistranslated sentence. Neither did he have to point out that Israel is not an ink blot to be wiped off a piece of paper. It is a country equipped to defend itself (not to mention that her Western friends could do things to Iran that would make the Iraqi casualty figure look modest). As fun as it would have been, no one could expect him to suggest that Mr. McCain better stop using Israel as a step in his political dance to the next war.

But Mr. Obama could have done something really cool. He could have pulled out a shocker, a piece of news no one seems to have had access to so far. “John,” he could have said “I have news for you! No American president would be able to negotiate with Mr. Ahmadinejad, no matter how much he would like to. The guy’s term in office is coming to an end in May … and his popularity beats that of Mr. Bush.”

That might have made Mr. McCain turn around and look at him.

Please read the entire article at:

http://www.counterpunch.org/keshvaraz09302008.html

[kenny blankenship]

1. Yeah that's a zinger, but you know what those GOP assholes would say?

"Obama seems remarkably well informed about Iran. He seems remarkably close to their goings-on. But maybe he knows a little bit too much about Iran and maybe he's a little too close to what goes on in Iran's government?"

They're not above saying something like that and Americans are not above listening to them.

[Better Believe It]

3. But McCain Could Not Respond With That Line In The Debate

It would never occur to him to say that to begin with. He might have mumbled something in response but that's about all one could expect from him.

[truedelphi]

2. I also wish that Obama showed abit of "punch" to his debate with Mccain

Democrats never understand the need to simply use a sound byte to shut up the opponent and help move things along.

Reagan did - his "There you go again" to Carter was not seen as rude. and really gave him a lot of points in that debate.

Dems seem unable to do this. Why I don't know. They spend as much as Repugs on consultants.