Meet The Candidates: 2012 GOP Thread

None have the foreign policy experience, but they've got the same amount Obama had in 2008. It will be a tough sell to the American people that Obama will be stronger on National Security or foreign policy than a Republican candidate.

On the National Security front, I find it comical how all of W's war powers stuff got blasted by this administration on it's way into office, and now they're pulling out all the same stops as the previous administration.

None have the foreign policy experience, but they've got the same amount Obama had in 2008. It will be a tough sell to the American people that Obama will be stronger on National Security or foreign policy than a Republican candidate.

As a senator, Obama was on the Senate Committees for Foreign Relations and Homeland Security. He and Senator Lugar travelled to the former Soviet states to inspect the destruction of WMDs and they did craft a piece of legislation to keep nukes out of the hands of terrorists. That was before he become president.

In terms of what he's accomplished since becoming president, the list is long and as of right now most Americans, I think 61%, approve of his handling national security. Very far from a tough sell.

Huntsman of course has foreign policy experience, but alas I think his campaign is an extremely uphill battle

As a senator, Obama was on the Senate Committees for Foreign Relations and Homeland Security. He and Senator Lugar travelled to the former Soviet states to inspect the destruction of WMDs and they did craft a piece of legislation to keep nukes out of the hands of terrorists. That was before he become president. And Sarah Palin could see "Russia" from her house and that counted as foreign policy experience too. :)

This was simply an expansion of the Nunn-Lugar Act of 1991 and has been an ongoing initiative. (Are there any Ds left like Nunn, BTW?)

In terms of what he's accomplished since becoming president, the list is long and as of right now most Americans, I think 61%, approve of his handling national security. Very far from a tough sell.I'm from Missouri on that one, you'll have to show me. With his approval ratings in the mid-40s, I find it pretty hard to believe he's got a 61% approval on National Security. I'm not saying you're wrong, but I've got to see the poll.

That being said, in the general election (folks voting normally have 30 sec soundbite knowledge of the issues, at best) it is extremely difficult for a D to win the "strong on defense" issue.

Here you go young fella. National Security is one of the things no one cares about it until something happens. You know, like a bombing or a potential threat. The WH has been keeping score and will make sure that Repubs will not own this issue.

Obama doubled down in Afghanistan and keeping his promise to bring the rest of the Iraq troops home by year's end. I'll believe it when it happens. Romney could make some desperate and wildly inaccurate statement about President Obama being weak on defense, but it won't stick. Not even a little.

Killings boost Obama's national security credentials – USATODAY.com (http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/story/2011-09-30/obama-analysis/50619058/1)

Obama: 2012 Is Like Basketball, and I Don’t Miss Clutch Shots - ABC News (http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/10/obama-2012-is-like-basketball-and-i-dont-miss-clutch-shots/)

Here you go young fella. National Security is one of the things no one cares about it until something happens. You know, like a bombing or a potential threat. The WH has been keeping score and will make sure that Repubs will not own this issue. Folks like us that follow things understand what's going on and to Obama's credit he's done some good things on National Security.....some not so good too. At the end of the day the Rs will point to defense cuts, Obama simply reaping the benefits (the al-Qaeda kills) of what the Bush Admin started, and mention that he had no foreign policy experience when he came in. I don't see NS being an issue that helps Obama.

In Nov. 2012, "It's the economy stupid", and 39% approval numbers a year out from re-election ain't good.


Killings boost Obama's national security credentials – USATODAY.com (http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/story/2011-09-30/obama-analysis/50619058/1)That poll was done right after Bin Laden was killed....c'mon man.

Obama: 2012 Is Like Basketball, and I Don’t Miss Clutch Shots - ABC News (http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/10/obama-2012-is-like-basketball-and-i-dont-miss-clutch-shots/)He better hope the economy doesn't continue to give him this:

President Obama Injured In Pick-Up Basketball Game - Business Insider (http://articles.businessinsider.com/2010-11-26/sports/30035117_1_pickup-basketball-game-president-obama-stitches)

He better hope the economy doesn't continue to give him this:

President Obama Injured In Pick-Up Basketball Game - Business Insider (http://articles.businessinsider.com/2010-11-26/sports/30035117_1_pickup-basketball-game-president-obama-stitches)

LOL...that's funny. A buddy works at the WH and I've been dying to ask him who popped Obama in the lip, but we usually stay away from politics.

Folks like us that follow things understand what's going on and to Obama's credit he's done some good things on National Security.....some not so good too. At the end of the day the Rs will point to defense cuts, Obama simply reaping the benefits (the al-Qaeda kills) of what the Bush Admin started, and mention that he had no foreign policy experience when he came in. I don't see NS being an issue that helps Obama.

In Nov. 2012, "It's the economy stupid", and 39% approval numbers a year out from re-election ain't good.

That poll was done right after Bin Laden was killed....c'mon man.

Yeah that's a tough sell for Rs, that Obama's reaping the benefits of Bush when he's doubled Bush's success in 3 years and put a hole in Bin Laden's head. In terms of defense cuts, Robert Gates proposed $78 Billion in cuts and he's Bush's appointee. Besides most Americans understand that our defense budget is unsustainable and has been a drag on our economy. The majority of Americans want to end these costly wars like yesterday.

Mitt Romney proposing an increase in defense spending at a time when the middle class has been squeezed like never before, income disparity is the highest it's been in 30 years, and we lack investment in education and energy, I think that's a debate Obama is happy to have Romney.

Robert Gates proposes $78 billion US defence cuts - Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/8244278/Robert-Gates-proposes-78-billion-US-defence-cuts.html)

Obama Said to Seek $400 Billion Defense Cut Through Fiscal 2023 - Bloomberg (http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-04-13/obama-said-to-seek-pentagon-cuts-that-go-beyond-defense-chief-gates-s-plan.html)