By Jason Miks
Fareed Zakaria discusses the importance of the third and final presidential debate taking place tonight in Florida, and looks at the issues likely to be tackled.
How many Americans really care deeply about foreign policy issues?
Well, the substance of the issue they don't care about. Foreign policy is a little bit different from domestic policy. In domestic policy you’re trying to see whether the candidate agrees with you or whether you agree with him. It’s often a checklist of things: abortion, the economy, taxes.
Foreign policy is really a prism through which people look at the character of the person, the values, the strength, the consistency. So it is important, but not in a direct way in the way that domestic policy is.
On the front of the “Drudge Report” today there’s an array of pictures, and they show President Obama supposedly bowing to these foreign leaders, continuing this "apology tour", something I’m sure that Mitt Romney will bring up tonight.
I think he'll bring up the “apology tour.” I don't know to what extent he'll bring up those photographs. Three of the four people there are, in fact, kings or queens, and what President Obama was doing was a kind of gesture of respect I suppose. But certainly he’s going to try to present himself as a tougher, somebody who doesn’t apologize for America. Not that there are actual instances that President Obama actually apologized, but that’s the line he’s going to use.
I think the key for Romney is going to be to come across a little bit less as an attack dog and more as a president.
The last debate he was very aggressive in his body language. Actually both candidates were very aggressive, but in this particular debate they will be sitting at a table. I think that at least the Republican base likes aggressiveness in their candidate.
I think they do. This will be Governor Romney’s 26th debate, having done some in the Republican primaries. And he’s gotten very good at it. But he’s also gotten a little aggressive because the Republican base does like that. I wonder whether that works as well with the general electorate. But I expect a very strong performance from him. He’s a very good debater. He’s one of the best debaters I have ever seen in presidential politics.
President Obama did a great job [on Libya] in the second debate, crafting his answer to his advantage. But it will be tougher this time around.
It will be tougher because there are, in a sense, two separate issues. There’s the issue of whether or not we were unprepared, and I think on that, substantively, I would say it’s very tough. In retrospect you can always say you should have accepted a request for extra security. But remember, there are 265 diplomatic missions around the world. Any given week I guarantee you two dozen of them are asking for more security and you have limited resources. It’s not clear what you do.
But that gets conflated with the aftermath of the crisis where there was a certain clumsiness in terms of how the Obama administration handled things. I don't think they were trying to deliberately deceive anybody, but they handled the situation badly, they got their facts wrong, they went out to the press too early. And as a result the whole thing gets conflated into a failed policy.
That’s what President Obama is going to have to deal with.
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Obo doesn't have any character. For a man to lie to the American public at any given moment, plus his narcissim personality disorder, get him the he 11 out of that office before he does any more damage
Wow, look who is talking about lies and liar? every single word you said here is a lie, crawl back under the rock, you are safe there.
This is blatant hatred Annirich blared out. Why does this person hate Obama? Is it because he's half Afro-American?
Not only the Americans, the whole world is holding its breath and watching this debate and election closely. Many world leaders would no doubt prefer to see Obama re-elected.
Baseless reply.
Liar!
Pu pu face!!
I'm telling mom!!!
j von... why do you comment on Obama's half Afro-American? Why do you hate white people? Why do you not say Obama's half Anglo-Saxon and though half white, people dislike his idiotic policies versus what color people choose to see him as? 'Forward' my shiny-hiney!
Love how Zakaria writes about 'character'... Wasn't he suspended briefly for plagiarism?
@ von hettlingen
I would have to agree with your statement that people outside the US watching the election would prefer to see Obama re-elected. Here in Canada there was a poll on who we would prefer to see elected, and Obama won hands down. I hope Obama is re-elected because they sure had a m0r0n in for the last eight years!!
Annirich, just calling our president Obo, that shows how much of a character expert you are... go and crawl back under your rock.
That is the character of the author of his article.
Obo can get lost!
I suppose that referring to the President of the United States as "Obo" is your idea of expressing character.
what i find hilarious is the people who make what they think are cutting,funny,original or smart little names for obama,like obo or obummer,it is these small minded people who like a man called MITT,really MITT? and you make fun of obama as a name.Fact is repub drones,your boy has lied since day one,flipped on more subjects then people can remember.Is a complete robot of the mormon church,you all love to bow to your mormon overlord
I assume you also belittle the guys that say, Mittens, Wrongney or the like, correct?
"For a man to lie to the American public at any given moment, plus his narcissim personality "
You are clearly referring the Mr Etch-A-Sketch.
Romney is now out of his comfort zone, and cannot reinvent himself like a chameleon as he has since the GOP primary. Over 40 times his "facts: did not check out in the first debate. Last week, he had his Libya moment and his "binders full of women" moment. Before that he had his Olympic moment. Soon he will have his Syria moment and his Iran moment. Romney intends to follow the Bush doctrine since he has surrounded himself with most advisors primarily from Geoge Dubya Bush. In fact, 17 of his foreign policy advisors are Bush Neocons: As the website "polymic" pointed out, "Any foreign policy advisory board that seeks the counsel of Cofer Black, Michael Hayden, Dan Senor or John Lehman, to name just a select few, is a real cause for concern. Of that crowd, Black is the most worrying. Cofer “the gloves come off” Black was one of the most brutal figures in CIA history, heading the agency’s Counterterrorism Center at the time of the 9/11 attacks. Think Obama’s counterterrorism program is perverse? Black is about as “dark side” as you get, an American exceptionalist in the worst sense of the word, and perhaps the most vocal advocate for extraordinary renditions and so-called “enhanced interrogation techniques.”" If Willard Mitt Romney is elected, we can expect a couple of $1 trillion wars like the ones George Dubya dragged us into.
This guy is a walking Democrat talking points memo. sigh...
Foreign is tricky for Romney, because his (and the far rights') American exceptionalism is a fraud. true, America has done exceptional things and occupies aunique place in the world, both historically and at present. The problem is that we represent five percent of the worlds' population and we MUST understand that there are people ( lots of them) who don't see the world like we do, who have ambitions of their own, and who have no desire or reason to kowtow to America. Declaring that they should or must respect, fear, and bow to American Exceptionalism cuts no cheese with them. In short, basing foreign policy on the belief and expection that the rest of the world wants , needs, and will settle for what we think they should is foolish and increasingly dangerous. Mr. Romneys' foreign policy team , inherited from George W. will lead to unmitigated disaster.
ThomasJefferson 1797,
Thank you do MUCH for posting this information. My hope is that Americans will peel back the layers and really understand what a Mitt Romney presidency will look like....war, war and more war!
What a jack-ass Republican liar.
Compared to the last guy (Bush) you Neocons elected Obama is a saint, Bush lied up a storm about Mushroom clouds etc. and hes just beginning to repair the damage created by the last administration. You think you would have learned electing a Business man from Bush (Oil Man) they only care about the stockholders, they could care less about the workers.
You haven't a clue what you are talking about. You are simply repeating the lies about President Bush that have been told for the last decade. Saying something over and over again doesn't make it true.
PK. they're not lies. It's common knowledge that airhead W was an uber-airhead.
Compared to you a Bush was a genius!
@PK
the man was an intellectual m0r0n, lacking in social graces, inarticulate and just such an a$$ hole. This was the best you had to offer for POTUS? There wasn't anybody else who was more qualified, with a better education, or less embarassing military record?? oh, wait, he's white, so that makes it ok.
Agree, why would we want to trust a Muslim sympathizer who is a 'closet Muslim himself". A president who is bent on turning this nation into a Muslim caliphate operating under sharia law.
"American"
Please share EXACTLY what evidence do YOU have that clearly indicates that President Obama is a Muslim who wants to turn the US into a caliphate. If you make such a charge, BACK IT UP WITH FACTS, if you have any.
American – you are another one of those willfully ignorant americans – there is good and bad in every religion – I actually know Muslims who are better people than some of the people who claim to be Christians.
I support Romney but I have to agree with Gary on this one. I believe that President Obama is a Christian and I also believe he was born in this country. I simply disagree with most of his policies.
Do mind your words, in telling our president is a Muslim, He goes to church regularly. He is far better than Bush. If you call him Muslim, then we can call Mitt a non-christian (I know that Mormons are not real Christians). Keep your mouth shut while typing a post.
What are you saying boy?! Obama is a secret Christian! Now I am really pis*ed.
Those remarks are completely out of line. Going 'religious' is the Republican thing!!
I couldn't agree with you more! Obama has lied his way through his entire presidency. Its high time to vote him OUT OUT OUT!
and the fact that Romney has changed his views and policies to suit every audience he's spoken bodes well for HIS honesty?? Which Mitt will show up today? The 'severely Conservative' Mitt or the Governor of Massachussets that brought in Romneycare?
Now that Mitt, he's REALLY got character. Supported the US War in Vietnam while in Paris, doesn't mind paying his taxes to support Neo-Con Wars, encourages his FIVE sons to fight in those wars. Yep, almost as much character as the last Neo-Con PREZ, George W.
sonny chapman – I agree with you.
I don't understand your argument. Did President Obama serve in the military?
no but Dubya chose to serve the Coast Guard (or some type of service in the US) while others were dying in Vietnam. When you're born into a rich white family, you don't want your sons dying in a messy war overseas. That's for other people's sons.
If we're going to measure character by the number of lies told, Governor Romney would have zero character. However, there is one area that Governor Romney excels at clearly, he changes his positions on the issues more than anyone that has run for the presidency in modern times. If you don't like his position in the morning, don't worry, he'll change it before the days over.
texcal68- You are so right!
I sent an e-mail to DNC suggesting a MittvsMitt webpage , mentioned in every ad and speech, featuring VIDEO of Mr. Romney disagreeing with himself on various positions. I haven't gotten a bite yet.. Maybe we could Have candidate Romney debate himself.??
)
Agreed!! he's changed his mind so many times i doubt he remembers what he's said to who.
You got to love that CNN chose Zakaria to write an article on character. Someone who committs plagerizism knows nothing of character.
Bravo...you are right on the mark!
Come on...stop this rhetoric on plagerizism...give him a chance...who does not copy stuff in this world!!! stop it guys...
Ero...There is a world of difference between copying a line out of book to include in your term paper and STEALING another's work when your job is writing on a national stage. You cannot downplay the magnitude of what Zakaria did and then for him to have the gall to write on character is out and out vulgar.
the person has went through all the fire to try to come up clean for the next try...when you can give another chance to a murderer why not this guy...I know you understand what I am saying here...just let it go this time (only).
Wow, if you don't like a narcissistic liar for president, you're a racist.
you had one in Dubya! oh sorry, no, he was just st oo pid.
Who in the world are you talking about but then republicans who live in such a constant state of fantasy they never know what they are talking about. THE LIAR HERE IS ROMNEY. FACT CHECKERS HAVE HIM OVER HE MOON WITH ALL THE LIES HE HAS TOLD IN THE DEBATE. But as I said republicans and tea bags don't know what's real and what's not. All they do is reap the benefits of the economy starting to improve that was sent in a ditch by the previous administration. And thinking about the 12m jobs Romney is lying about creating well he might if he brought all the jobs he has sent to China back to the US>
Last time I checked the fact checkers found an equal amount of exaggeration on both sides. Oh and way to lump all republicans together.
Romny needs to work on his character.
http://www.factcheck.org/2012/06/romneys-jobs-record-is-best-or-worst/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governorship_of_Mitt_Romney#Unemployment_and_new_jobs_creation
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/fact-checker/post/mitt-romneys-massachusetts-record-proof-of-strong-leadership/2012/06/12/gJQArQUQXV_blog.html
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2012/06/04/494282/5-facts-about-the-massachusetts-economy-under-mitt-romney/
Really, you are going to talk about character? I think that is a very important subject but it would be like Fat Albert telling people to watch there diet.
Do you mean "their" diet? Maybe you should go back to school instead of spewing cra p on blogs!
You mean crap not cra p.
Does it seem odd to anyone that the guy writing the article on character, was suspended from both Time Magazine and CNN for plagiarism?
Or the head Democrat in charge of determining whether Mitt Romney has been truthful is.....Bill Clinton – who was indicted for lying?
Anyone? Anyone?
Attacking the messenger rather than critiquing the actual contents of the article doesn't exactly add to your credibility.
Zakaria was cleared by both TIME and CNN of that plagiarism charge. You sound like Joe McCarthy.
He was cleared of the plagiarism charge after *admitting he did it*. Read the Huffington Post article on it. He admitted he did it, said it was a terrible mistake, and was forgiven.
I was thinking the same thing, how funny. Only CNN would have Zakaria and character in the same sentence, LOL, CNN once again showing what a hack organization they are.
Well we all know that rpublicans wouldn/tknow the truth if it bit them in the butt.
What is it called when somebody lumps a whole group of people together like marjee just did?
I seem to remember those that attacked Clinton for lying (on a subject that should have been between him and his wife in the first place) were later found to have been guilty of extra-marital affairs, cheating on income tax etc. People who live in glass houses.........
If this is about character, Mr Obama will lose even worse than the first debate. Hopefully Mr Romney will bring up what a "flash/critical" communication is in the Intelligence world and how fast he would have been notified of the attack on our Consulate in Benghazi. How many Command Centers were online listening within 10 minutes of the initial attack because a communication of this level sets a procedure in motion and everyone involved knew this was no response to a movie.
I know! Romney some how got intelligence so fast that he was able to make a statement before anything even happened! It was crazy! Must be retroactive intelligence like his retroactive retirement.
I hope obama brings up the fact that mitts party sent over 5,000 americans and countless iraqs to their death over a lie.Remember a certain man called Bush,yes i would love to vote for your party again after you sunk america in a hole and lied to its people and used their children as cannon fodder for your wars!
@ Paul Cos, Right because NO democrats voted to send troops into harms way in Iraq. It was ALL BUSH'S FAULT. Better do a little fact checking next time.
the Democrats who voted for the Iraq war did so after being briefed by the Bush Administration's intelligence appointees (NOT the career pros mind you). They, like the American people were LIED to. The facts have borne this out.
That's simply not true Gary. Nice try though.
Typical dummycraps here. Can't debate the facts, so they just attack. O'brainless has no character, but he is certainly a character. He will soon move to his rightful place in history as the worst president, followed closely by Carter and his lost peanuts. Good bye and good riddens to the both of them.
Aint gonna happen
Clearly Bush is at the TOP of everones list
People need to learn a little bit of history. Neither Obama nor Bush was the worst president in history. (Technically, I suppose Obama might have time to become the worst, if he gets another term, but it's very unlikely he'll be worse than the worst presidents we've had.)
Buchanan
Pierce
Fillmore
Hoover
Grant (although he was a great general, he was a lousy administrator and had corruption going on right under his nose)
-Rusty u are like the tin man in the wizard of oz u need some oil, u better ask G.Bush for some. Such bigotry and hatred will lland u in hell...u need to learn how to be your brothers keeper. Remember life in time is short.
Obama 2013 A.D.
Rusty: They do have ways of measuring effectiveness and Obama will be touted as one of the most productive presidents in history as it is facts not opinion that determine this.
Very productive indeed. 16 trillion debt, 12% real unemployment, record gas prices, Fast-N-Furious, 4 killed in Lybia, but he did improve his golf handicap and took lots of vacations, I have to give him that.
I guess no Republican president ever had anyone killed on his watch? I guess that you think that Obama is responsible for the 5T accrued in deficits before he took office?
Productive, too funny. Only if you're talking about the prolific number of golf games he's played in since becoming POTUS.
@ KK Denver: ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! : )
@rusty
considering he's trying to clean up the mess that the Republicans made I think he's done a pretty good job! They handed him a plate of S^^T as they skulked out the door, and acted like 2 year olds having a tantrum when he asked them to work together in Congress. They responded with their desire 'to make him a one-term President'!! They have learned nothing in the 4 years since they were kicked out office, so why you think they have anything new to offer boggles my mind!
Cleaning up a mess on the scale you Americans exported all over the globe is not something one country can do all on its own. The people who can pull you out of trouble by buying your products are themselves in trouble, and are in protectionist mode in their own country.
@Rusty
considering that Dubya has the record for most vacation taken during a presidency, I'll firmly say that Dubya was AWOL when he should have been working!!
You know the more republicans that post the more you realize that they are the dumbest bunch going. ROMNEY IS THE ONE WHO JUMPED OUT IN FRONT AND GAVE THE WHOLE LYING ASSESMENT OF THE ATTACK. He got it wrong from start to finish. And if the Fox republican informerial channel didn't know that our president presented the whole true facts that was relayed to him by the CIA why did they take the tape where he told the public what was going on and edit it to make it seem as if OUR president was saying something entirely different. That's republicans for a lie a second.
"...the aftermath of the crisis where there was a certain clumsiness..."
Ya think! Talk about an understatement. Obozo is a national embarrassment and the clock is ticking. and yes Chris Matthews, I can in fact be critical of the president, even insulting if I want to.
don't matter what you say, so long as you type 'Obozo' or 'NObama' I have to believe you're right
And again the republicans show their ignorance and disrespect by using these silly names. You don't see Democrats calling romney names. But then WE HAVE CLASS AND CHARACTER and not the mentality of a fifth grader.
@ marjee123: ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Democrats never call Romney or anyone names. That's a good one marjee.
wow, Zakaria-the-plagiarist has the cheek to talk about 'character'!
Never let anything go, right?
@texcal68: Well, to be honest, that plagiarism thing is pretty big. Such a thing would (and should) normally ruin a journalist's career. But I guess it's okay if your bosses like what you say...
Romney will say anything to get elected america wake-up.........
He's so right. It's not about issues and looking at the policies of the last four years. It's purely about how they act in the debate.
these debates are only for undecided voters, if they are undecided at this point too, they better sit at home and not vote, because they can never decide what is imp for them. USELESS.
how about a foreign/economic/war profiting question?
http://www.foxbusiness.com/government/2012/10/22/biden-ties-eyed-in-hillstone-iraq-deal/
Obviously Zakaria is not talking about himself when he talks about "character"
Zakaria was cleared by both TIME and CNN of that plagiarism charge. You sound like Joe McCarthy.
He was cleared of the plagiarism charge after *admitting he did it*. Read the Huffington Post article on it. He admitted he did it, said it was a terrible mistake, and was forgiven.
He wasn't innocent.. And he admitted his deceit only when he got caught. If no one had caught him, he would be merrily repeating his "cut and paste intellectualism" that is lapped up by vapid viewers. Give me a break.
The phrase is "slap on the wrist" shmuck!
Another great CNN "analysis." Early on he talks about what people care about: "abortion, the economy, and taxes." Seriously? Abortion is your number one?
Great summary of how Obama did a great job on Libya in the last debate. Interesting, no mention of the Candy bail out. I'd love to do a lie detector test on all the top Democratic officials and campaign advisors regarding this debacle. The fact they're sticking to the claim that this video idea came from the top of the intelligence community would imply we as Americans have wasted tens of billions of dollars a year on the CIA, etc., only for them to make us look like a big joke to the rest of the world.
The CIA works for and gets its marching orders from the executive branch. Blaming the "intelligence community" is like a coach blaming the players he picked, coached, and taught his playbook to for having a bad team.
100% agree. I'm sure 99% of the agents never believed this insanity. However, it remains to be seen if the very top levels were "encouraged" to promote this narrative. If they went along with that, we need new CIA leaders.
Operatives in the field and analysts at Langley are NOT micro-managed by the White House. That's ridiculous.
@JohnRJohnson
"Marching orders" and "micromanaging" are two different concepts. Look at what happened under Bush: The CIA knew what the administration wanted the storyline to be, and the CIA obliged by focusing in that direction. It's possible the same thing happened here: In a very unclear situation, the intelligence community went with a story that was more to their boss' liking. I'm not even saying they did it consciously. But if you know that a coordinated al Qaeda attack is going to look worse for you and your bosses than a spontaneous uprising over a video, you could very easily convince yourself that the video explanation is the more likely one.
Fareed Zakaria should be banned from ever using the word character again. Who are you to ever sit in someone else's judgement on character? Stealing someone else's work and claiming it as your own shows to me your true character. And the facts are still coming to light about the murder of our Ambassador to Libya and we find out that the original lie was indeed a lie and the cover up lies following the original lie are indeed lies. Lies to cover lies from the President of the United States should be grounds for impeachment and are proof of why his approval rating and poll numbers are dwindling. The debates have proven to be a great awakening for the voting public. Obama got to hide for 4 years and now he is being forced to stand on his policies that he can't defend having 2 full years to pass any jobs bill, immigration bill, birth control bill, gay marriage bill anything he wanted he could have passed without needing a single republican vote. He did nothing but pass his government take over of private health care. And the few policies he did pass like cash for clunkers have proven to be failures.
Zakaria was cleared by both TIME and CNN of that plagiarism charge. You sound like Joe McCarthy.
Being cleared by Time and CNN is not really being cleared. Two not-so-stand-up outfits. These guys are all in the tank for O'brainless. "Too-Much-Candy" showed that in her stellar debate against Romney.
you sound like Candy Crowley
He was cleared of the plagiarism charge after *admitting he did it*. Read the Huffington Post article on it. He admitted he did it, said it was a terrible mistake, and was forgiven.
JOSHUA, YOU ARE A NO BRAINER. what do you think you are? gumbag.
You are not in the league of Fareed Zakaria, you are too small, too insignifcant, too nothing.
a coverup? for what possible purpose?
Romney has not character of integrity. Debate over.
Very succinct, great argument................ coming from "Starship Trooper"......................
Mike, no matter where or who it came from, it's the truth. Face it, Governor Romney is a liar. For example, look how many time he had to have his staff clarify his position on the issues. He is a moderate Republican pretending to be a extreme conservative, that alone, makes him a liar.
LOL..hopefully you don't think the last 2 Dem presidents have had any integrity either. Puh-lease.
Just ignore Zakaria's comments . He will go away like a bad tooth.
character? Written by a plagiarist. Classic
Zakaria was cleared of plagiarism by both CNN and TIME.
He was cleared of the plagiarism charge after *admitting he did it*. Read the Huffington Post article on it. He admitted he did it, said it was a terrible mistake, and was forgiven.
Romney tracked down, bullied, and brutally assaulted a classmate at private school.
On the basis of character, Romney = failure.
A lot of kids during that era did some outrageously intolerant and cruel things. The big problem with Romney is not what he did as a teenager, but what he might do as president.
i'm surprised no one has tracked that guy down and interviewed him.
Rmoney revealed his "character" when he protested in FAVOR of the draft during VN, then promptly ran and hid in France until it was safe to come home again.
Kind of like the way his grandaddy did to keep marrying all those YOUNG "sister" wives. Just how many young girls did Rmoneys grandad molest before he died?
"But remember, there are 265 diplomatic missions around the world. Any given week I guarantee you two dozen of them are asking for more security and you have limited resources. It’s not clear what you do." Seriously? In Libya, You don't know what to do? That is a pretty sickening cop out. If you don't know what to do in a country where there is ciaos, someone else needs to be doing that job!
Jobs-
Obama: Look! We increased these jobs
Clinton: Uh ... those are federal, TAXPAYER-supported jobs
Nancy: Those are NEW IRS positions
Reid: THOUSANDS of positions
Biden: Who's the IRS?
Obama: Just leave that minutae out!
All-together: PERFECT!!!
Fact: The number workers in the public sector has decreased by 500,000 since Obama took office. There was a temporary bump in the number during the census.
Of course CNN's Zakaria is saying "It's about character." Because if a foreign policy debate actually focused on foreign policy, Obama would lose in a heartbeat.
Well, the theme of tonight's debate is foreign policy, so we'll see how many superficial talking points Mitt is able to memorize. He sure can't point to any track record, good or bad, and has earned a reputation as being inept during trips to other countries. Romney has no access to intelligence briefs and has spoken to only a handful of other leaders, yet he's going to pretend to know more about foreign policy than a sitting president. Should be quite entertaining.
'cept for ending Iraq; winding down Afghanistan; showing balance and restraint on Egypt, Libya, and Iran; droning Al Queda into submission; surgically ending Bin Laden,...
i find it infuriating the way the Republicans think they have the "divine right" to rule in the US, and that no other opinion matters but theirs. And that others accomplishments have no merit. Obama has done a lot for the US, and those who can't see past their nose, or their backyard will never appreciate what they have.
I'm quoting another poster here: the Republicans have been on the wrong side of every major issue in your country in the 20th/21st century: civil rights, abortion, Viet Nam, women's rights, equal pay, ERA, the environment. What makes you think they're suddenly right THIS time with a leader who can't make up his mind about his own policies?
I've flushed things down the toilet that have more "values" than a republican. Hahahahahahahaahha
If it will be based on character the President will win hands down Romney is worse than Nixon.
Not a slam dunk. Nixon won in a massive landslide over McGovern even as Watergate was being reported...
if this is all about character then ROMNEY wins in a LANDSLIDE since o'dumbo can't even spell character much less exhibit it.
"NObama", "Obozo", "Obummer, "O'dumbo" — Karl Rove drank 6 pots of coffee and crumpled three trees worth of paper to spawn these gems...
Obama had two full years to pass anything he wanted without needing a single republican vote. He could have passed immigration reform, tax increases on the rich, a jobs bill, an energy bill, a gay marriage bill, an abortion bill, a contraceptives bill, closed gitmo, brought the troops home from afghanistan, but he didn't. He passed his government take over of private health care law that nobody wanted. What few things he did pass like cash for clunkers turned out the be failures. He then goes on a blame bush and the republicans for not getting anything done like we are supposed to forget that the democrats had majority rule for 2 years. Then he goes on a world wide apology tour and sits by while Egypt, Libya and Iraq are over run by the muslim brotherhood hoping that they brotherhood would be our friends. When the ambassador is murdered by the brotherhood, he lies to make it look like a stupid youtube video was to blame. Being worse than Jimmy Carter and still thinking you deserve 4 more years takes something else beside character.
ummm, actually not. He had a filibuster proof majority for 130 days in 2009/early 2010. Sen Franken was not seated until June, then Kennedy was sick, and in Feb 2010 Brown was seated. He passed a stimulus bill that was too small with 3 GOP votes. The GOP decided that they did not want to help the American people.
Also, you may want to read the ACA...it is not a government take over of healthcare, and not even close to that.
JOSOHUA, YOU GET YOURSELF WORK UP FOR NOTHING.
THE FACT YOU ARE STILL SCREAMING AND KICKING UNDER OBAMA WATCH. THAT CREDIT GOES TO HIM.
GO GET YOUR BRAIN CHECK OUT
If Romney gets elected you will find out how many people don't want Obamacare, including all those insurance company execs who've enthusiastically spent billions implementing it. Meanwhile you might want to ask how ithe Bush-appointed conservative Chief Justice of the Supreme Court came to cast the deciding vote upholding almost of Obamacare...
To joshua: Very well said. Those opposing this view make excuses. And to the accusation that Repulicans didn't want to help the American people - I'd say being fiscally responsible and not adding to the deficit is helping the American people - but then many people live on credit cards and can't figure out why they have NO money to spend. The difference is when we can't pay our foreign borrowed money back, and China comes to collect, what will we give them to pay that debt - OUR LAND?
CHARACTER...REALLY.
These guys came out endorsing obama, and yet so many still support this socialist lefty looon.
Obama draws praise from Chavez, Putin - and Castro family
YES, EVEN ENEMY PRIASE HIM, OF COURSE, AMERICAN TOO.
YOU GOT SICK, GO HOME.
They aren't praising him, they are endorsing him. They want someone they feel they can control and they perceive the president to be weaker than Romney.
Romney is shoulder-to-shoulder with the Russian mafia at the teller windows in the Cayman Islands
Hey Fareed, character you asked? In the past four years, have you seen any teapublican anywhere across America who has exemplified character with their blatant and outrageous display of bigortry, racism and name calling? I doubt it for one minute.
Let's face it, when you ask the American people to trust you with their lives and their future and to trust you with their family's lives and future but then you refuse to trust these very same Americans to see what's in your tax returns, then you have no character at all.
Wrong.
We are not so stupid, Fareed.
Tonight is about the subject matter.
Tonight is about the colossal failure of this administration to maintain the role of the US as a global leader.
Character has little to do with this. Policy, or the lack of one, does.
From missteps on Iran, through Iraq, Syria, Libya, Egypt, Israel, China... and the list goes on.
And you need not even be a Republican to say so... Read today's news:
Former US president Jimmy Carter said on Monday that Washington had "zero" influence over Israel and the Palestinians to resolve their decades-long conflict, and its sway had dropped to the lowest level in 45 years.
It's going to be a fun debate to watch...
Two mideast wars on the GOP's tab, tens of thousands of Iraqi civilians consumed as a result of GWB and the GOP's genocide and war atrocities and you are complaining about this administration which has ended the illegitimate Iraqi war, saved lives and restored our credibility? You must be a teapublican. You people also see things through your pie hole.
if it were really about character, we'd never have elected Clinton to a 2nd term or JFK at all. don't kid yourself. the race is about "spin" and Obama has a big advantage because of the biased media.
if it were about economics we'd never have reelected "The Big Napper" — Reagan
foreign policy is about israel's fundamental rights on us.
Zakaria, The Plagiarizing Socialist, talking about character? Wow. Next up, CNN will have Dominique Strauss-Kahn talking about morals. What a joke.
Romney doesn’t care about everyone
One should be wary of his plan
Thinks only about the rich
He might leave the poor in the ditch
We don’t buy what he pitch
Politically Mitt doesn’t fit
Obama, Mr Civility
Romney, Mr Hostility
Obama with great composure
Romney with indecent exposure
Obama’s comely winks
Romney’s nervous blinks
America wake up
Keep Obama on top
that's such garbage....
YOU ARE A BAG OF GABAGE, STINK
Obama has character. Mittens is a character.
Fareed is a pinhead... "Any given week I guarantee you two dozen of them are asking for more security and you have limited resources. It’s not clear what you do."... WHAT!!?? In LIBYA??!! With your people in an exposed "indefensible" location (the administration's words!)??? You MOVE them, that's what you do you pinhead!!! But. NOOO, the administration sacrificed those people in the name of politics and then in their headless panic after the fact continued with inane political excuses until it became obvious they'd been completely exposed... Anybody who doesn't see this and admit it is really, really challenged...
YOU PUT YOUR PINHEAD IN THE PIGEON HOLE.
Fareed is such an Obama brown noser......trying to throw blame on the Drudge Report...then, making excuses for Odumbo bowing to other leaders....
YOU ARE JUST AS STUPID AS ROMNEY
Shouting won't make your statement credible.
Hey Jason – did Zakaria plagarize this for you?
Annirich,
you are just as dumb as Romney. Drudge Report is a roadside gutter report, paid to say anything.
President Obama stand tall, admired by the world (vs shoe on Bush). In reality, Putin cares to do business with. China won't put up with Romney China bashing.
What's left? Romney is a loser, by the mile.
For some of you who don't like the Drudge Report, you can also try B r e i t b a r t . c o m or w w w . d a i l y c a l l e r . c o m or w w w . n e w s b u s t e r s . o r g or w w w . w e e k l y s t a n d a r d . c o m or the old standby, w w w . f o x n e w s . c o m
It's your right to choose your news. (I'm sure Planned Parenthood will like that slogan.)
The drudge report links to what other people are saying.
Yeah CNN, It's about character?
How did I know that this terrorist that CNN has writting for them would support Odumbo.
Get back in your trailer, bag-boy. Dukes of Hazzard re-runs are on.
Liberal are the ones who invented teabagging. The liberals were so ignorant of history, that they never even heard of the Boston Tea Party, which the movement was named after. The liberals just assumed it had something to do with their own nightly activities. (gross!)
Also, I noticed that liberals usually just make dumb meaningless insults whenever they have no argument, no facts, and nothing worthy of talking about.
America needs a good commander-in-chief
No Romney who dodged the military draft
A man of excessive mischief
Some big companies he gave the shaft
Romney believes money can buy power
Beware electorates or things go get sour
When Romney starts the war
There won’t be bunkers for the poor
So World Peace, cute little lines but nothing of worth. Have you ever heard of the LEGAL option to serving in combat? There are many who were Contientious Objectors and served in areas of support. Others chose different LEGAL options. He did not dodge the draft!
America needs a good commander-in-chief: And if service is the criteria, when did Obama serve?
Some big companies he gave the shaft: Like Staples with 90,000 employees; Steel Dynamics 6500 employess - you can read for yourself the other companies that tripled their growth as a result of Romney and his company helping them restructure and organize. Will stop with these even though I have plenty to say about your other lines. READ SOMETHING!
Obama never served in the military.
It doesn't matter that no major war was going on when he was 18. He could have gone to Greneda or Panama or somewhere else. Since he's so charming, he could have gone overseas to entertain the fighting men.
Case closed.
....since it seems that Obama will stay until 2016 (as per the "538" election blog on The New York Times), then I am looking forward to a Rush Limbaugh/Ann Coulter vs. Joe Bidden/Hillary Clinton election in 2016. That would be great!
Now, if Republicans are smart, then they would choose Condoleeza Rice/Colin Powell (not Jeff Bush at all) for 2016. "Smart" is the key word here. Follow the democraphic trends guys, it is that simple! The Tea Party cannot expect the rest of the world to move to their position, especially when every single day their demographic block bring less babies to the USA population pool. 2 + 2 = 4. It is a no brainer.
I am uncertain why the GOP pundits are making a big deal about any delay in calling the Libyan Embassy attacks the work of terrorists. Terrorists do violent acts so the media will cover them and leverage the message of the group.
As Margaret Thatcher said,
"We must deprive the terrorist(hijacker in those days) of the oxygen of publicity" . I think President Obama's approach to identified terrorists has been appropriate. The security at the Libyan Embassy was not adequate to withstand an attack
but the security in the Aurora CO theater was likewise inadequate. We live in dangerous times.
It's about being on the job 24/7 - THAT IS THE JOB OF THE PRESIDENT - unlike a the manager of a movie theatre. Oh, yeah, I mented acts of terror in that speech, we could spin that into calling Benghazi a terrorist attack, but then we'll have to spin why we insisted it was a response to a video for two weeks! READ the timeline. And you are right, these are dangerous times, so it begs the question why was our president so disengaged when our consulate was attacked? He managed to stay engaged for the Bin Laden killing - why not for the Ambassador's killing!
Character, when will Romney get any? This guys has lied to us for over a year. He has no character or cares if he does. He is a dictator over women and will be over the nation. For Romney, its his way or no way. I am the KING>
I like the way Zak says the Obama is "supposedly bowing", he WAS bowing... and I like the way he says "foreign leaders". It makes you think he's talking about European leaders... LOL
While I have not agreed with everything Obama has said nor everything Obama has done since taking office I have always believed that he has put his considerable intellect and to work in an honest effort to make America a better place for all Americans and in particular those most effected by the downturn . I am appalled at the disrespect shown to him in many of the comments here . Obama the man and the office of President deserve much better .
Now some call the President Odumbo
So is Romney the Rombo
Another war already in his channel
Hope one of his son will be a Army colonel
Now some call the president Odumbo
So is Romney the Rombo
Another war already in his channel
Hope one of his sons will be an Army Colonel
We have seen president's character in last two debate and he has servive with help main stream media specially reporting on war and middle east.
The Voice of Reason here. We all know that both sides are in the game. Both will be spinning facts. Both will be fact checked, and both will have problems with their facts. The real choice is this... Obama say things and if elected, he will push his Progressive agenda. Mitt says things and if elected, he will push his Conservative agenda. That is the choice. Unfortunately, our country is doomed to the way of Greece and Spain. None of these guys will reduce the national debt. So hold on to your hats, it's going to be a bumpy road... BTW, Obama will get us there sooner...
Wait. A plagiarizing dimwit like Zakaria is talking about character? Huh? Oh, I forgot, he works for CNN.
I thought they FIRED you plagiarizing ass.
Fareed – The character issue may be yours. See how I did that without saying you lack character? That's how this article is written. You've demonstrated that you're in the O camp in the past and proceed, here, to qualify anything positive about Romney. Whereas, you make the ridiculous statement that O did well on Libya last week. That's bizarre. That may be the O Camp spin but we all know the last month – including the debate – has been a slow-motion train wreck for the O camp around Libya. Just stop until after the election. You've become just silly with these one-sided "articles" (op-eds).
All my comments are being blocked by MY PLAGIRIZIST former countryman (from India)!
Here's man who has called
AMERICA AS A GREATER DANGER THAN AL-QAEDA!!!!
(Ref: Reflections on 9/11 and its Aftermath” CNN-GPS Sept 9th, 2011).
Does this remind you guys of the PLAGIARIST CHARGE against Mr.Zakaria?
CHECK OUT my following response I wrote on FZ-CNN-GPS on 08/28/2011
Mr. Zakaria has this uncanny "DESIRE" to stay in the limelight with all these "PROPHESIES" by "merely" stating the obvious by sewing & weaving ALREADY PUBLISHED FACTS....something that's not much of a no brainer to majority of informed Americans!
He does this typically by making broad, sweeping statements often times encompassing both sides of the aisle, leaving him just enough room to wriggle out in the event of an unsavory situation! Often times on issues closest to his heart, including support for Muslim issues all over the world, anti-Semitism, or America bashing we see him unleashing his passion with a variety of cherry-picked data, half-truths to further his cause".
"I think that at least the Republican base likes aggressiveness in their candidate." I wouldn't say that. We want someone who knows when to speak calmly and clearly, but will not let himself be walked all over. Look at the ridiculous inequity in time and interruptions in the debate; Obama talks right over both the moderator and Romney, and none of the moderators make much effort to level the playing field.
So, Fareed .......when do you think you'll find some of that character stuff, you're talking about. Seems you've had a shortage of it.
It takes character to stop handing out money hand over foot to countries who don't deserve it, it takes character to stop handing out money hand over foot to people who are born on welfare, live on welfare, and die on welfare. Let's expect people to go to work and build the "character" of this country before it's too late.
So THIS is where American children hang out after school!
Really, how old are you people? There is no substantive difference in the parties, both of whom are put in power with wall street money. You have common enemies–most notably the money men that have bought your democracy and its legislators.
Welch, the American people are hoping that their candidate has the ability and the will to avert economic disaster... (the scary part is that maybe half of Americans don't know that economic disaster is looming in the near future)..
The difference is as big as the Grand Canyon.
To claim anything else is a weak copout.
Under Obama, our country could look like road- k i l l after 4 more years of this, and our enemies, both domestic and foreign will hit us when they think we are the weakest.
What would Fartweed know about character? He has none!
Mr. Zakaria has been studying "character" and ethics a lot this year, after getting caught red-handed plagiarizing.
That reminds me: Martin Luther King dreamed of a day in which a man would be judged by the content of his character, instead of the color of his skin.
Well: 95% of blacks in 2008 judged the candidate purely based on the color of his skin, and 45% of whites also voted for the black candidate, giving him a fair and equal chance to govern.
This experiment in Affirmative Action voting has not worked out well.
However, we did prove that we are a fair and just nation, and the whites proved to the country that slavery is over and segregation is over. The whites paid their dues. We should not have to elect all black leaders for the next 150 years just to make up for the sins of other people we never knew, never met, and would not agree with anyway.
This time, let's just vote for the best candidate.
If its all about character than its all over because President Hypocrite has none. Mr. Bait and Switch is good at talking the talk but when it comes to following through he's a zero. I can hardly wait to see him try and wiggle out from underneath the Benghazi debacle. Knowing him he will try to pin it on Hillary Clinton. The American people will see right through his deception.
I simply don't believe Ba-rack is a good person nor is he the man I want to see in our White House nor is he trustworthy to represent the American People. He breaks laws he doesn't like, or refuses to uphold them – both actions are illegal and a demonstration that he believes he is above the law. He is a chief executive, not an emperor but he acts like the latter and does not understand the role of the former term. I do not believe he is honorable. I do not believe he is trustworthy. He has neither my respect nor my vote and I truly hope he is held accountable for the wrongs he has committed.
If tonight is all about character, then no need for the debate. Obama has already lost. Lied about Iran, Israel, and Libya. No integrity.
Character? What credibility do you have regarding character, Fareed? In addition, I just saw the conversation between Soledad O'Brien and Rudy Giuliani where O'Brien refers to herself as a "journalist." What a joke! She's not a journalist. Just like Fareed and everyone else at CNN she's a cheerleader for the Left.
Yeah, but WHICH Romney character will show up, tonight?
There's been so many............................................................................
The Author really did not watch the debate last time, as Obama and Crowley LIED, if there was any crafting then it was coordinating the lie. He may have done well enough through the rest of the debate with Crowley's help, but the last question was the tell tale mark of a setup.
My shotgun and I will take Obama's character over any republican politician's and any republican president's we have ever had, along with some of the democrats too. Twisting facts want change that!
Yes, it IS about character - and Obama had NONE!
Romny needs to work on his character.
http://www.factcheck.org/2012/06/romneys-jobs-record-is-best-or-worst/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governorship_of_Mitt_Romney#Unemployment_and_new_jobs_creation
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/fact-checker/post/mitt-romneys-massachusetts-record-proof-of-strong-leadership/2012/06/12/gJQArQUQXV_blog.html
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2012/06/04/494282/5-facts-about-the-massachusetts-economy-under-mitt-romney/
Zakaria's impartial? "Obama's foreign policy has been good. The question is: Can it be great?"
I think Mitt has substantial foreign policy experience. From his father being born on polygamist colony in Mexico, Mitt running to Paris to escape the draft, outsourcing American jobs to China all the way to hiding his money in offshore accounts. He certainly knows how to show the world American values and leadership.
I don't want to read an opinion article touting character in a presidential debate written by an admitted plagiarist.
You have ZERO creditbility in my eyes Fareed Zakaria. I don't car eto hear your viewpoints
FAREED ZAKARIA talking about CHARACTER?????
Now THAT's funny!!!!!
Hummmmmm......a debate is basically a discussion involving opposing viewpoints. So how is it possible to debate someone who's on both side of every issue?
An article about character..... Has anyone noticed Farreeeeeed is not writing because he is on probation for plagerism – He copied another writer's work and was given a time out! So much for liberal character!
"Zakaria: Tonight, it's about character"...so we're effed either way?
And what does Obama care about? (oil man post). George Clooney, partial birth abortion, Pimp With A Limp, Beyonce, and Snoop Dog? Yes, Osama Bin Laden is dead. So is our Ambassador Stevens. Know why? Because our President CHOSE to pass on 60% of his intelligence briefings and campaigned instead. In fact, he spun a web of lies the day after those heroes died and went .... campaigning. Obama is many bad adjectives, but I digress. Mostly he's dangerous for America and our our People. He does not LEAD, he parties. He does not pretend to like Leaders from other countries, he likes to be a rock star. I don't want a rock star for a President or one who CHOOSES to miss his security briefings because he's a know it all. He is responsible for the death of four Americans, personally and politically, and he's not man enough to stand up to it. Like everything since he's taken office, he "blames" everyone else. Fasten your seat belts all those you rode a wave of Hope and Dreams in 2008 and are now riding the wave of "BIG BIRD and BINDERS. Seriously, is that all you got? Obama will be a one-term President and will go down as one of the worst in history. The other was Carter - his soul mate.
As for Fareesh - you're biased. Extremely left. And you're the same person who said we all should rely on other methods of energy. Yeah, right. TAX PAYERS have already lost BILLIONS on Obama's solar energy fantasies. Soon, he can spend his own money on alternative energy. Let's see how much he puts out.
CNN is a hack lamestream media station and that's why your ratings are so low.
Adios Obama
Go vote now. Don't let CNN spin everything into voting for Romney. The long you wait the longer they will attempt to change your vote. I voted today and the exhileration is incredible. CNN's attempt to spin falsehoods cannot change my vote. Be in the driver'sseat, vote now.
It's been like this for charecter all along and Obama has only one charecter...himself and lies.
People are sick of Romney's Mormon style lying.., how can this man sleep at night? He has lied every day of his public campaign life for 2 years now... so many turnarounds... does he know liars go to HELL?
Character you say? Obama has none! In fact, Obama is nothing more than a mirage created by that slime bucket AxelROt!
All those who would dare to rate any President based upon one incident will be complicit with the "terrorists" that produced the debacle. In a sense, to "diss" this President because of what "terrorists" planned and executed may be reacting just the way the "terrorists" hope the Americana public will react. Just like Netannahu wanted to take control of our foreign policy by publicly trying to corner the President on Iran the terrorists in Libiya more likely than not had the same intent. So, fall for it – and you will be assisting the terrorists in their interference with U.S. politcs! Go ahead GOP show your ..........
Thomas E. Shafovaloff
Plenty more Marines,than diplomatic missions,Fareed.It was 9/11,after all.Although I believe that the Embassy and Ambassador were given to the terrorists,as a sop for too many I killed BinLadins.Security was taken from the embassy.We were lied to as to the quality of the Syrians,maybe fleetness of foot was a secret.Loaded arms not allowed?
Republican aggressive/Democrat sheep ?
American media – Too dumb to think for themselves,but have got to do it for you, ABC through NBC.
Validate your 2nd Amendment Rights.Carry.
I now believe Mitt was born a burly!
Mitt Romney definately appeled to the zero IQ foxnews watchers not average american. Romney does have rich backing him up and all he has to do now is throw out nasty negative ads paid for by rich boys..
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