Questions for the Candidates at Tonight’s Debate
Some pointed questions about the surge directed to both candidates in advance of tonight's town hall face-off.
Tonight we will witness the final debate between Senators McCain and Obama that may include questions on foreign policy and military matters. To date, the mainstream media has neglected to directly ask some questions of literally vital importance, and time is running out to get candid answers.
The organization I chair, Vets for Freedom, has joined with the American Legion, Military Families United, and the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies to ask these tough questions. Together these organizations represent 3.5 million Americans who share many common concerns about the next commander in chief.
Will he comprehend America’s current strategic position, and know how we got here? Will he have the judgment to recognize what must be done, and the courage to lead us to face these challenges?
Vets for Freedom, in particular, has been challenging the candidates to address the facts about the surge in Iraq. Back in July, John Dickerson at Slate wrote that, since the surge was a key part of our recent strategy, “Obama’s take on the surge also tells us how he processes information about Iraq. This has direct bearing on how he shapes his policy for the country today.” The same is no doubt true for McCain.
We must know what the candidates think about the surge. We know McCain led support for the surge, and that Obama opposed it. We know that Obama predicted an increase in violence as a result of the surge, and that he predicted the Iraqi government would not make hard choices if the U.S. stayed in Iraq. It turns out he was wrong on both counts. But what do the candidates believe now?
The candidates have been able to say as much or as little about the surge as they care to. When they have used carefully-worded talking points to say one thing but imply another, most of the mainstream media has neglected to follow up. In the first presidential debate, when many Americans were sincerely paying attention to this election for the first time, Jim Lehrer asked one question about Iraq: “What do you see as the lessons of Iraq?”
Now, I understand that there were many topics to cover, including homeland security, Iranian nukes, Pakistan’s place in the War on Terror, and Russian aggression … but this is all we get on Iraq, a conflict which has dominated foreign policy discussion for most of the decade? This is supposed to reveal to the American people what the candidates really think about how we got here and where we need to go?
A healthy democracy demands more pointed inquiry. So, for the respected moderator of tonight’s debate, Tom Brokaw, we submit a question of substance:
Dexter Filkins of the New York Times recently reported on the overwhelming reduction in violence and local reconciliation among Sunnis and Shias in Baghdad. Do you agree that the “Surge” achieved its stated goals — militarily and politically — and is the reason for stabilization in Iraq? And, knowing what you know now, would you again support or oppose General Petraeus’s counterinsurgency strategy?
If Tom Brokaw is unwilling to ask these questions, we hope that a town-hall participant has the presence of mind to do so. If neither the moderator nor the audience asks, we implore the candidates to challenge each other.
And if someone does ask but either John McCain or Barack Obama are unwilling to directly address these questions, someone should insist on candor.
Now is not the time for obfuscation. These issues are serious, and the American people deserve straight answers.
Pete Hegseth is Chairman of Vets for Freedom. He previously served with the 3rd Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division for their deployment to Iraq from 2005-2006, was an infantry Platoon Leader in Baghdad during the nationwide elections in October and December 2005, and as a Civil-Military Operations officer in Samarra.
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28 Comments
1. Tired:The first person to answer “my opponent…” should be slapped!! I haven’t heard a single question yet that asks “what would your opponent do” yet the only frickin answers I’ve heard to “what would you do” is “what my opponent would do”. Would someone please grab their balls and make these bastards answer the frickin question!
Oct 7, 2008 - 12:40 pm 2. ST333:I agree with Tired….They should have O’Reilly there to immediately cut them off, shout them down and then re ask the question demanding the candidates answer the question asked.
Oct 7, 2008 - 1:04 pm 3. Marc Malone:The first to tell the truth… loses. You step out there, and the other guy gets to throw tomatoes. He looks smart by making you look dumb. His crticisms seem valid, and put you on the defensive, trying to disprove his lies. It makes you look weak, and him strong.
Generally speaking, it’s better to be on offense. Thus, “my opponent”. They do this, because most people are incapable of critical thinking. They are speaking to the majority, sadly, not to you.
Oct 7, 2008 - 1:11 pm 4. cedarford:Sorry, but Iraq has been debated to death, at the expense of other issues that both Parties ignored or failed to lead on.
When books are written on how Bush II had a failed Presidency, I think much will be made about how Bush became so fixated on “Evildoers” and Iraq that he neglected his other duties. And Congress so wrapped up in Iraq debate, and morals of war minutea that they failed to address a host of critical economic, financial, and trade matters. As well as neglecting urgent foreign policy issues outside the “WMD, evildoer, Iraq” matrix – as “unimportant”
Think of it as train engineer Dubya busy texting Iraq and “war on evildoers” messages and failing to spot signals a trainwreck was coming unless he started paying proper attention…
Think of Congress as a rail firm so obsessed over proper response to “terrahist!” threats to the rails and managing the Iraq railroad acquisition that they failed to ensure good domestic railroad operation and safety.
I hope that the debate ignores Capt. Peter Hesgeth’s question and any other on Iraq.
But unfortunately, and naturally, McCain will bring up the Surge yet again and Petraeus as his Personal God…If Obama is smart, he will let McCain talk away about Iraq and it’s noble freedom-loving people – as much as possible.
With voters now more concerned with the country’s future than they were the day after 9/11, the candidate that seems more interested in Iraq than their fellow American’s personal financial disasters, deep job and health care fears and the economy (and who should pay for getting us in this possible global Depression) – will lose 5-7 points right after the debate.
Oct 7, 2008 - 1:14 pm 5. rwbrust:Why do we have a Muslim candidate for president? To remember 9/11?
Oct 7, 2008 - 1:28 pm 6. justaworkinstiff:I guess I missed the part where the Iraqi government has made some progress on stabilizing their political system that this blog identifies.
Oct 7, 2008 - 1:31 pm 7. Grandma Bea:Yes I understand our military presence reduced violence as it was expected to do…it should have been handled with more man power at the outset. But I don’t recall the Iraqi government making much progress on reconciling their differences between Sunni, Shia and the Kurds.
Could someone clear this up for me?
I can’t understand why Obama hasn’t demanded McCain to reveal his medical history! He’s had three cancer operations, and is rumored to have a large growth on/in his neck. We voters have a right to receive this information, and the candidates a duty to do so! I understand there are hundreds of Doctors who’ve signed a petition to have him disclose his health history. If he dies in office…God forbid, Sarah Palin would be President…in that case…I vote for Tina Fey!!
Oct 7, 2008 - 1:51 pm 8. nlcatter:Surge did not work
violence betwen Shiite and Sunnit still existed
UNTIL the triabl leaders got fed up
thus it was the Awakending
ae you saying sunni should forget about shiite bombers? tell that to those bringing up Ayers.
Oct 7, 2008 - 2:09 pm 9. David:Why are these two men running for President? Think about it. McCain has nothing to gain and nothing to lose. He has served his country for YEARS in the military and in public office. It’s not power, he already has that and handles it well on both sides of the aisle. He’s not beholding to anyone so there will be no corruption by lobbyists. It’s not for financial gain, so it’s not greed that motivates him. He has no future ulterior motives beyond the presidency so he has no reason to lie. What is left? LOVE OF COUNTRY and a desire to SERVE the American people. Period.
Oct 7, 2008 - 3:02 pm 10. AMS:Now, let’s examine the OTHER SIDE and what they have to gain or lose…
I want the candidates to be ask if elected, will they do a complete probe into congress. Especially Barney Frank and Chris Dodd. According to news reports both sit on banking and finance committees and both received money from Fannie and Freddie. Barney Frank had a partner (lover)who was employed by Fannie. I want to know if either of the candidates will be will to shake up these committees and pursue criminal actions against anyone in congress w/such a obvious conflict of interest. I am a tax payer helping to bail out the criminal institutions! It looks like the foxes are guarding the hen house and I AM SICK OF IT. IT IS TIME TO GET RID OF ALL THE POLITICAL WHORES ON CAPITAL HILL!!!!!!
Oct 7, 2008 - 3:41 pm 11. cedarford:David – Think about it. McCain has nothing to gain and nothing to lose. He has served his country for YEARS in the military and in public office. It’s not power, he already has that and handles it well on both sides of the aisle.
I wouldn’t put him up on a selfless Hero Pedestal.
He is no different than Hillary, John Kerry, Teddy, Mitt Romney – all richly festooned in wealth and power. Or in the private sector, people like Gates, Dick Fuld, Jack Abramoff, Oprah.
Wealth and power is never enough for such people, they want more of one or the other, or both. Their egos demand it.
Oct 7, 2008 - 3:47 pm 12. Believer:I’d like a little discussion about Freedom of Speech.
Read what michellemalkin.com is reporting re SNL skit and the video that disappeared – and will reappear to be more “up to standards.”
And then there’s the author of “The Case Against Barack Obama” and the troubles he’s had…
Oct 7, 2008 - 3:58 pm 13. clr33:Obama is one of the slimiest, lack of experienced, half-white, no talent except talking frauds I have ever seen pull the wool over the American citizen’s eyes in my life. I almost hope he does win, because he will then really be exposed for the fraud he is, and then the Dems will be kicked out starting in 2 years, and this Country can start moving on without the Dem block in the Senate & House.
Oct 7, 2008 - 3:59 pm 14. Wadeusaf:If nothing else, answering that question will tell us how much the candidate has paid attention to what is going on day to day vs how often they have one finger stuck in the air and the other stuck up somewheres else. There is no excuse for not knowing exactly how much reconciliation is really going on and how far the Sunni and Shi’ah powers that be have still to go. The day to day operations of government, in the cities, especially in Baghdad has allowed the kind of interaction that forces folks to not only acknowledge their differences but to overcome them. Such a discussion would not and could not occur without the Surge. And would not could not occur unless militias were disbanded or credibly loyal to the central government. The dance continues.
Oct 7, 2008 - 4:10 pm 15. Believer:Grandma Bea: Take a strong shot of whiskey and crawl in bed. Pull the covers over your head. When you wake up, repeat the process.
The reverse is true. Obama hasn’t revealed his health records. McCain’s personal physician has turned over his records and reports that he’s in fine health.
Sarah Palin is more qualified to lead this nation than the fraud.
Oct 7, 2008 - 4:18 pm 16. Matt, Esq.:*When books are written on how Bush II had a failed Presidency by left wing shills who wouldn’t know foreign policy if it bit them on the ass…”
See, fixed that for you.
Oct 7, 2008 - 4:31 pm 17. Believer:And how about asking BO why he lied about his knowledge of Ayers’ domestic terroristic activities? Not to mention how close the friendship/working partnership has been over the years.
His campaign is now admitting he did know his radical past. More information is coming out — like Barry writing a foreward to Ayers’ book. You don’t do that without knowing the guy. Other threads here explore their close association over the past few decades.
How can we trust someone who is a liar — and hides who he is and what he’s done? Ask Barry if he can understand how much trust means to us — that if we’re wise, we won’t go with the guy who lies and hides information from us. “Wouldn’t be prudent.”
Where are the records of birth, college, health, travel(passport), and most of all – some humongous amount of money – campaign contributions – that he has failed to identify the donors. Many have come from outside the US – particularly Gaza. They’d set up phone banks there to call and encourage Americans to vote for Barry…
How does he feel about Hamas and other terrorist organizations supporting his candidacy?
Oct 7, 2008 - 4:42 pm 18. cfbleachers:I just read at protein wisdom, something that I find a bit incredible…even for leftists.
Apparently, Sen. Obama has hit Sen. McCain with a broadside on the US not getting oil contracts from Iraq…you know…we spend all this money building a democracy there and they go ahead and give the first big oil contract to China. Sen. McCain, how do you account for that.
Well, apparently….John Kerry, Chuck Shumer and Claire McCaskill…killed off the US contract already designed to go to us.
The leftists, of course…had a whipsaw argument at the ready. (blood for oil would have been drooling from their breathy and sanctimonious lips)
You see, when you care less about your countrymen than you do about infusing the leftist “message” into the body politic…you can screw the economy (right Barney?) and blame the other side without a hint of conscience to slow you down.
Oct 7, 2008 - 4:51 pm 19. proud elitist:Muslim? Obama? Really? ((rolls eyes))
Obama has not been wrong on Iraq like McCain has been wrong on Iraq. You are so obsessed about Obamaa recognizing Teh Surge but less obsessed about the crap that happened pre-Surge and necessitating Teh Surge. You certainly don’t want to delve into the myriad of factors that led to the “success” of Teh Surge. Let’s see…war in Iraq started in 2003. Teh Surge happened in 2007. Let’s discuss the stellar strategy employed between 2003 and 2007.
At least he’s not a fake Christian like McCain.
Or an entitled bratbaby – mediocre in the Navy – like McCain.
Or quite a willing participant/advocate of philosophy which led to the current economic crisis.
Or a youthful carousing adulterer.
Or so desperate for attention that he was in the premeire episode of “24″, in “Wedding Crashers” and hosted SNL many times.
Oct 7, 2008 - 4:55 pm 20. SAF:The democrats have brilliantly left at the republican door step both the oil crisis and the economic crisis as if they had absolutely nothing to do with it.
Unfortunately the republicans have become the party of the inept and cannot defend themselves. The dems and the MSM have them completely cowed.
One of course could argue that’s what Americans really want since we keep electing the same scoundrels to office. If the public screamed “liar” to the NY Times for example and stopped buying the paper they’d undoubtedly get the message.
Never gonna happen.
Oct 7, 2008 - 4:59 pm 21. Believer:proud elitist:
“At least he’s not a fake Christian like McCain.”
I have an idea you know little about the faith.
John McCain forgave those who tortured him. And his example led his wife to do the same. The indwelling Spirit of God allows fallen man to show love and compassion.
In contrast, your candidate has used the Christian Church – in partnership with his “spiritual” mentor, Wright – to promote the teaching of hate and division between men. To not forgive, but to demand recompense. The very antithesis of Christ’s message.
John and Cindy give generously from the wealth God has given them to aid others not so blessed. And yes, because they are so generous, God has multiplied their wealth. And they continue to share it. That is the law of God. You cannot outgive Him.
Your candidate has promised to help others – namely a Kenyan school that chose to name itself after him because of his promise – but he has failed to follow through. A Christian organization began taking contributions to cover your candidate’s failing.
Your candidate says “I am my brother’s keeper.” And yet, knowing his own half-brother lives on $12/yr. in a hut, fails to send any monetary aid from his own $4million/yr salary.
The Christian calling is high. Few find it. It is easy to be a “fake” Christian. You might reconsider, though, your judgment of John McCain.
Oct 7, 2008 - 5:22 pm 22. Jules Crittenden » Gloves Off!:[...] Capt. Peter Hesgeth, Vets for Freedom, at Pajamas: Some pointed questions for tonight … [...]
Oct 7, 2008 - 5:26 pm 23. Marc Malone:proudelitist – Okay, let’s talk about Iraq. McCain voted for it, as did HIllary. MOst did, because the info given them made it the only responsible action to take.
Obama wasn’t in the Senate yet. he was running for it, so he took an anti-war stance. How brave. No skin in the game. Once he was electe, he stated in 2004, he’s “not sure how he would have voted, because he didn’t have access to the info the Senators had.”
In 2003, McCain criticized the “Mission Accomplished’ nonsense. He went over there and talked to the troops and generals. He started calling for a change even then. This persisted for years. He kept telling people the war would be won soon, which it should have been.
You can’t fault McCain for his Iraq decisions. He, at least, followed up and demanded better, identifying specific problems and calling for certain solutions. He deserves a lot of credit for the success there, and no blame for the failures. He was a pain in Bush’s backside during the losing years.
Oct 7, 2008 - 10:06 pm 24. Gordon K.:For these anti-Obama accusations, Id like to see some footnotes – especially about his 4 million dollar income. Tell me also how many of these bloggers are still on active duty and which ones are with military PR organizations.
Obama’s religious faith is not Muslim and even if it was, read up on Islam. The Osama Bin Laden types of Muslim are in the minority and probably wouldn’t have the following they have, had it not been for the “Christian” atrocities since the Crusades.
Oct 8, 2008 - 12:23 am 25. Broadsword:Cedarford…”When books are written on how Bush II had a failed Presidency” They are already in print. And selling like boll weevil cakes with creamed earthworm sauce!!
Oct 8, 2008 - 3:39 am 26. RV:Grandma Bea…”I understand there are hundreds of Doctors who’ve signed a petition…” Was one of them a cigar smoker with a grease paint mustache named Quackenbush? Heh.
Obama’s “wrongness” on the surge is vastly trumped by his “rightness” in not wanting to invade ni teh first place.
Then there is the fact the McCain/Petraeus are been given credit for the surge, even though field commanders have been crying out for more troops before they even left Kuwait.
Then there is the fact that the surge had a very minor role in the reduction of violence. Violence would have been reuced even if there was no surge, since the ethnic cleansing/civil war that had been going on was winding down. Whole cities and neighborhoods cleansed of the opposing view, and of course the thousands of Christians that were once allowed to worship openly. And once the cleansing was close to being completed, oh they built 20 foot walls separating neighborhoods, again a much greater factor in reducing violence, especially in Bahgdad. I mean, when people who hate each other cannot actually get to each other, of course violence will go down.
And then there is the awakening, which did more good for the Iraqi people then anything else. When the Iraqis realized that they, and only they, are the ones that can turn their lives around. And again, this happened before the surge was announced.
Oct 8, 2008 - 5:47 am 27. Believer:Gordon, it’s been reported his income last year totaled over $4million – due in large part to sales of his two ‘memoirs.’
If he’d only made $1million, would it have excused not helping his brother or following through on his promise to financially aid the school?
Admit it — the man can talk a pretty story. What has he ever done to back up his words? Name one thing. Not even his campaign team could do that when questioned by the tingling leg himself, Chris Matthews. And even Matthews had to laugh at how absurd. But his leg just felt too good, and the rest is history…
Oct 8, 2008 - 5:51 am 28. Marc Malone:RV – Sorry, but the surge was the foundation for the success. The Awakening was certainly starting, but it was successsful, because the additional troops made security in areas possible. We had to take and hold ground, aand defend the people.
Most importantly, the Surge was a clear message to the Iraqis that we were determined to stay. They could count on us to back their change of sides.
Btw, McCain called for more troops in 2003.
Oct 10, 2008 - 1:39 pm