Question 1: (To Romney) Thoughts on the Middle East policy unraveling.
- Romney: Complete change in the Middle East due to and following the Arab Spring, We can’t kill our way out of this mess, Al Qaeda is back
- Obama: Al Qaeda “core leadership” has been diminished, Responded to the attack in Libya, Says Romney’s plan is not to make America safe.
- Romney: We don’t want another Iraq or Afghanistan, promoted economic development/aid to the Middle East, Gender equality
- Obama: Romney you said Russia was the biggest threat not al Qaeda, you’ve been wrong on every opinion
- Romney: Attacking me is not an agenda, Russia is a geopolitical foe, I’m not going to give Putin more flexibility after the election
- Both candidates talking over each other quibbling over forces in Iraq
- Obama: We can’t continue to do nation-building in the Middle East
Question 2: (To Obama) Should we reassess our policy about Syria to address the violence?
- Obama: We made sure that Assad is isolated while assisting in aid, Syrians have to determine their own future, I am confident Assad’s days are numbered
- Romney: Humanitarian disaster, Syria is Iran’s ally, We don’t want to send military there, organize the opposition to take lead/leadership in Syria, arm the responsible parties to aid change
- Obama: We organized the Friends of Syria, we need to take moderate leadership as done in Libya
- Romney: I don’t think we need to put our forces into Syria (no no-fly zone), we need to organize the opposition forces so they can complete their mission of getting rid Assad
- Obama: Romney’s ideas are the same as ours
- (To Obama) Do you regret saying Mubarak had to go?
- Obama: No. Now that Egypt has a Democratically elected leadership they have to protect the minorities and abide by the treaty with Israel, encourage opportunities
- (To Romney) Would you have stuck with Mubarak?
- Romney: No. Wish we had been more proactive with the Arab Spring, our debt is a national security threat
Question 3: (To Romney) What is our role in the world?
- Romney: We have the responsibility to promote and defend freedom around the world, we have to strengthen our economy here in order to be able to help those around the world, maintain a strong military and support our allies, stand for our principals
- Obama: America remains the one indispensible nation, our international relationships are stronger now than they were 4 years ago, we have to reduce our deficit, Romney is wrong and reckless
- Romney: I will get America working again, Obama has failed to keep his promise to the economy, encourage small businesses , reform education
- Obama: Your policies in Massachusetts didn’t promote small business growth, we’ve reformed education, need to hire more teachers in math and science, Romney’s policies are bad
- Romney: Massachusetts students ranked #1 in both math and English
- Obama interrupts….
- (To Romney) Where are you going to get the money for a bigger military?
- Romney: We remove the programs not needed, move state programs back to the states, cut discretionary spending
- Obama interrupts…
- Obama: The math doesn’t work. Military spending has gone up. Budget needs to be driven by strategy.
- Romney: I know how to balance budgets. If you don’t balance budgets, you’re out of business. Obama has yet to balance a budget. Want to ensure the Navy and the Air Force has the resources needed.
- Obama: Sequestration will not happen.
Question 4: (To Obama) Would you declare than an attack on Israel is an attack on the US? Would that not deter Iran?
- Obama: I will stand with Israel if they are attacked. We’ve assembled the largest sanctions on Iran. Iran will face a united world if they don’t stop nuclear development.
- Romney: If Israel is attacked we’ve got their back militarily. Nuclear-capable Iran is unacceptable. Our goal is to stop Iran with diplomacy before militarily.
- (To Obama): What is the deal you would accept with one-on-one talks with Iran (if reports are true) would you accept?
- Obama: They have to accept the international conditions already placed on them. The clock is ticking. All options are on the table.
- Romney: Iran sees weakness in the current US leadership. Obama’s apology tour and lack of support for Green revolution in Iran. Increase sanctions until Iran caves.
- Obama: Nothing Romney said was true. The world was divided when I entered.
- Romney: We’re four years closer to nuclear Iran. We should not have wasted that time. Explains apology tour. Notes he skilled Israel.
- Obama: Describes world tour as candidate (Israel).
- (To Romney) What if Israel called and said our bombers on the way?
- Romney: Let’s not deal with hypothetical’s. Such a scenario wouldn’t happen without prior notice. Our international influence is receding.
- Obama: Romney has been all over the map on foreign policy. We killed Bin Laden. We need clarity of leadership.
Question 5 (To Romney) What do you do if the deal line for withdraw comes and Afghanistan isn’t ready to police their country?
- Romney: Our troops and surge has been successful. The training is going on as scheduled and should be ready by 2014. Pakistan is important to us. Have to help Afghanistan and Pakistan become more stable and secure.
- Obama: We have met many of the objectives in Afghanistan. We are in a position to transition out now. It’s time to do nation-building here at home.
- (To Romney) Is it time for us to divorce Pakistan?
- Romney: No, especially since they have nuclear weapons and terrorists operating within their borders. Don’t blame Obama for strained relationship with Pakistan. Support tied to expectations for civil development.
- (To Romney) What is your position on use of drones?
- Romney: Support usage of the technology against those that are threats. Have to do more than just killing bad guys. Must move world away from violent extremism.
- Obama: We’ve created partnerships to deal with extremism. “Me” stood with Tunisia.. Al Qaeda is weaker now than when I entered office.
Question 6 (To Obama) What do you believe is the greatest future threat to national security?
- Obama: Terroristic threats. China economically. Set up trade task force to protect US workers. Need better education here at home.
- Romney: It’s not government that makes businesses successful. Greatest threat is a nuclear Iran. China wants a stable world to protect their own economy. We need to be partners not adversaries. Trade relations that work for us. Will label China a currency manipulator.
- (To Romney) Will you start a trade war with China if you call them a currency manipulator?
- Romney: Trade war already happening due to trade imbalance. Stop counterfeiting of US intellectual property and goods.
- Obama: Romney is right. … but wrong? (confusing response). US exports have doubled to China. Currencies are advantageous. America is a Pacific power.
- Romney: Attacking me is not an agenda. Rebuffs Obama’s claim about letting Detroit disappear and start importing Chinese cars.
- Obama interrupts….
- Romney: … managed bankruptcies, not liquidate the industry.
- Obama interrupts…
- Obama: You were clear that you would not provide US assistance to the auto industry. Your plans will not make the US more competitive.
- Romney: I will not go back to the policy of the last four years. We have to make America the most attractive place to work in the world again.
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