<a https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7467335'> Year 12s: what will be the first way you research your future options? >>

McCain vs. Obama

Sanyore

Hello all. I'm not an Economist-reading die-hard political maverick, but I was looking over the policies of both McCain and Obama on Pakistan and here they are, respectively:

McCain: "McCain maintains a relatively moderate stance concerning Pakistan, although he has recognized the South Asian nation as an important part of US Foreign Policy. In the aftermath of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's assassination (in December 2007) McCain appeared to rule out the option of US forces entering Pakistan, saying that it was not an appropriate time to "threaten" Pakistan.[71]"

Obama: "On August 1, 2007 Obama declared in a foreign policy speech that the United States must be willing to strike al Qaeda targets inside Pakistan, with or without the consent of the Pakistani government. He claimed that if elected, "If we have actionable intelligence about high value terrorist targets and President Musharraf won't act, we will".[72]"

This isn't so much about which perspective is right, I just thought I'd ask how likely you think an invasion of Pakistan is, in the coming decade or so, judging by Pakistan's previous track record?

Scroll to see replies

Reply 1

PeeWeeDan

In this political climate in Pakistan an attack on their sovereign soil would not be intelligent, now that it would have been before: I am simply not qualified to make that judgment. However I'm qualified to say that right now it would be a bad idea. Not that it is going to be held against Obama, he didn't know what would happen.

Reply 2

naz707

Launching attacks into Pakistan even if there are Al Qaeda etc isn't the smartest option. Usually what happens is that innocent civillians die (not saying its purposefully done but it happens) such images are then shown on Pakistani channels and hey what is a fairly anti US society in Pakistan gets even more hostile. Many Pakistanis would feel justified and it would in an odd way give the Taliban etc greater legitimacy as they would be seen to be attacking the attackers. I'd say McCain's got it right, Obama is trying to pander to patriots that claim Pakistan has Bin Laden and highlight GWB failures, but undermining a nations sovereignty makes the US be viewed as a colonionalist power.

Reply 3

a.sheikh

look i am a pakistani and ofcourse belive that america has no rigth to attack pakistan which is a soverign country..... america unfortunately doesnot relaise how many sacrifices we have made on the war on terriorism.... we have lost more troops than nato and the american army.... yet america is soo ungrateful. pakistani is doing all it can to play its role in this war so obhama better keep his mouth shut and so should that ediot karzai... what the heck does karzai think of himself... i tell you he is soo ungrateful ... pakistan has accepted and accomadted soo many afgan refugees not only now but also during the times of the russian invasion... america should realise that pakistan is suffering the most due to the war on terror since these millitants are boming our tribal areas and explosions in the main cities are also imminent

Reply 4

DeepStar

I dont think invading Pakistan is the smartest or the most beneficial option - the most likely outcome will be deaths of innocent people. Although Pakistan should consider more effective ways to continue the war against terrorism I think America fails to recognise or appreciate the sacrifices that Pakistan has already made in the hope to bring peace.

Reply 5

RoyalHollowayHopefully

I'm probably the only one thinking this but maybe Obama's rather 'hurried' approach to Pakistan and terrorism, as some may deem it, may be due to all the controversy surrounding his Muslim middle name. Perhaps creating an image where he puts Americans before foreigners and, it sounds blunt, Muslims is one he needs to boost his campaign.

Reply 6

Agent Smith

RoyalHollowayHopefully

That might be true, but alienating a key ally isn't going to serve America's long-term interests. The ordinary American in the street probably doesn't care about that very much, though, so I think you're right to highlight the "something to prove" factor as a reason to be wary of Obama.

He needs to learn that there are certain things that you DO NOT SAY to your allies; and fairly high on the list is "we will send troops into your country without your permission". That's called an invasion.

a.sheikh is right. If America suddenly turns on Pakistan now, it will be disastrous for its foreign relations, quite apart from the problems it will cause for the so-called "War on Terror".

In fact, I can't help wondering if Obama intends to sabotage that "War" because he disagrees with it. Invading Pakistan would certainly have that effect.

Seriously. Just look at those two words. "Invading Pakistan". Anyone with even a shred of political brains would call it unthinkable.

Reply 7

DiscoPirate

maze.e

I'm not a Macain supporter but have been following the American presidential race mainly out of boredom of our own politics, I wanted to start a discussion to why you think Macain will probably win despite him and his vice president not being the best choice for the country.

In your opinion.

Reply 8

miki_da_magpie

Obama needs to step it up a notch. Cain has experience in office, he knows about war, he's white (yes its bad to say it but its a valid reason), and he chose a better VP candidate than Obama did. The republican voters arent going to vote for the democrats, and visa versa (obviously) so you need to hit the 2% of the american public that are unsure. I think last month Obama had them on his side, I think this month, Cain has them. November will be interesting

Reply 9

tis_me_lord

- America is naturally a right-wing country.
- Obama is very very socialist for Americans
- Obama is half black, which might disuade SOME people
- Palin will secure the psycho Alamaba type voters
- Palin will secure some Hillary supporters
- McCain will grab some liberals/libertarians
- He has more experience than Obama

To name a few?

Reply 10

Gaara.

Hispanics will vote for him.
Republicans will vote for him.
Hilary Clinton supporters will vote for him.
Most the white population will vote for him.

Doesn't leave much for obama :frown:

Reply 11

crazygirl4521

DiscoPirate

In your opinion.

I know its my opinion its self-obvious, you can add your opinion to why hes going to win even if you think he is the right choice for the country.

~~Because the Americans see a Hollywood Actor and an Ex-Beauty Queen credible?~~

Anyway it is useless to say now, as the elections haven't even finished. As long as Dubya is out, I'm happy.

I think Obama needs to step up a gear to secure the presidency. Although he is enjoying a good lead.

Reply 14

Thomas McDowall

miki_da_magpie

Obama needs to step it up a notch. Cain has experience in office, he knows about war, he's white (yes its bad to say it but its a valid reason), and he chose a better VP candidate than Obama did. The republican voters arent going to vote for the democrats, and vise versa (obviously) so you need to hit the 2% of the american public that are unsure. I think last month Obama had them on his side, I think this month, Cain has them. November will be interesting

A better VP candidate? One decent speech, which was highly negative and hardly talked about the positive things the Conservatives will bring to the table, does not alter her past and change the fact that shes not got the capability to step up as president or the correct family situation to be able to focus on her job properly. I stick by my view that no woman with 5 children, one newborn, one teenager mother and one with downs syndrome has the time or energy to run a country, especially as she is more likely than any other VP to step into the Presidents shoes.

Reply 15

RobbieH

The % of votes at this stage are always close. McCain and Obama have an almost equal chance of winning.

Reply 16

Kondar

maze.e

I wanted to start a discussion to why you think Macain will probably win despite him and his vice president not being the best choice for the country in my opinion.

I love loaded questions

Reply 17

e-lover

You can always expect a bounce for McCain after his convention (and a very powerful speach), I say wait until the debates start before you start making sweeping statements ... ...

Reply 18

sunspoon

Captain Crash

I don't

That second poll was done in March this year, so it a bit out of date.

Reply 19

DiscoPirate

maze.e

I know its my opinion its self-obvious, you can add your opinion to why hes going to win even if you think he is the right choice for the country.

He isn't going to win. It's just that the margin that the democrats will won't be as large as it was expected to be, but that's down to the hype surrounding Palin, and not McCain to be honest. Palin is certainly presidential gold and i would expected her to run for Republican presidential candidate in the next elections.