Monday, October 22, 2012

Getting Ready for the Final Debate

          Last Week I meant to post this for those of you commenting on China in your blogs, the Chinese would like to have a word themselves about the U.S. Presidential race: http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2012-10/16/content_15819728.htm

         The Article discusses some points about how China bashing has been more prevalent in this election season than in previous ones. Because the bashing has been this way, the Chinese are wary about the fact that although in previous instances of China bashing during the election season, the winner usually reverts to an amicable disposition. However, they are hoping these two candidates do not go so far as to damage bilateral relations.

          Tonight, we will see how far the candidates will go. While China may not be first on the list of topics for tonight's debate, the debate will certainly highlight the subject of China as a rising global power.

          Both Romney and Obama have been heavy on the "China bashing." Mr. Obama accuses Mr. Romney for having a penchant for advising companies to send jobs or other investments overseas to China, while Mr. Romney rebukes Mr. Obama for not being tough enough on China as a currency manipulator. From my perspective, Mitt Romney is catering to a group of Americans that are not exactly knowledgeable on the subject. Earlier this year, the IMF downgraded the rating of China's currency from "substantially undervalued" to "moderately undervalued," raising the question: "How far is Romney willing to push China over this issue?" (IMF Summary Report)

          Granted that using a foreign rival (a Communist one at that) as a proverbial punching bag is a move many politicians would make, but diplomatically-speaking, denouncing China as a "currency manipulator" is  a very insensitive position for a president to take. The president is the face of America when it comes to international relations, and attempting to stir up bad blood with the number one foreign holder of U.S. public debt and our second largest trading partner is a precarious action to take.

          In terms of the other topics on the table for tonight, there is the Attack on the U.S. Embassy in Benghazi, the War in Afghanistan, relations between Israel and Iran, and the Crisis in Syria, among some other international issues. Although the last debate was very heated, it will be interesting to see what the candidates have has to say about one another in this debate. Romney has made many political gaffes abroad while Obama made the mistake a few weeks ago of mislabeling the Attack on the U.S. Embassy as a protest. Their positions on the War in Afghanistan are relatively similar, but I imagine they will certainly be more contrasting on the situations regarding Iran and Israel.

          As this is the final debate and the most relevant one to the two candidates' potential future job as Commander-in-Chief and liaison to the International Community, I encourage you to enjoy the final debate if you get the chance.
       

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