Discussion on 1/4

On 1/4 we'll be discussing the candidates' foreign policy statements from Foreign Affairs. Below is my first draft at the questions we'll be discussing. Please post or email (mereaby@gmail.com) to me any additional questions or comments on the questions so we can have a high quality discussion! Thanks. M

Foreign policy and the 2008 election
AP US Government

1. What do you think should be the foreign policy priorities for the next president? What tenor or tone do you think the next president should have with other countries and international organizations? Which candidate best meets your foreign policy vision? To what degree do you believe that the candidates can fully articulate their foreign policy vision on the campaign trail?

2. What are the candidates’ positions on Africa and Latin America? Do you support their positions? Do you think these continents are receiving enough attention from the candidates in their statements? What do you think should be the foreign policy priorities for the president in Latin America and Africa for the next presidential administration?

3. What are the candidates’ positions on how the U.S. should proceed in Iraq? If they think we should leave, what specifics do they give for how we should do that? If they think we should stay, what specifics do they give for how we can “win” the war on Iraq? What is your opinion on their positions and why? Do you think the candidates spent too much time or too little focusing on Iraq in their statements?

4. What are the candidates’ positions on how the U.S. should relate to Iran? To what degree do they see Iran as an enemy? Do you believe that Iran is a serious enemy of the U.S.? Do you think the next president should use “carrots” or “sticks” when dealing with Iran and why?

5. How do the candidates’ describe the Bush administration’s foreign policy? What are their criticisms or compliments for how Bush has conducted our foreign policy? To what degree do the candidates think we should be more multilateral? What type of tone or communication do they want the president to have with the American and international community on foreign policy?

6. What do you think should be the foreign policy priorities for the next president? What tenor or tone do you think the next president should have with other countries and international organizations? Which candidate best meets your foreign policy vision?