tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20236701.post2709245077140536317..comments2024-01-02T19:45:37.874-05:00Comments on National Security Policy: GOP Debate: National Security EditionRobert Farleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12233771830519084383noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20236701.post-60868854163331311302015-12-16T22:26:16.891-05:002015-12-16T22:26:16.891-05:00Sen. Rand Paul and Gov. Chris Christie had one of ...Sen. Rand Paul and Gov. Chris Christie had one of the most heated exchanges in the Dec. 15 GOP debate. Gov. Christie asserted that he would enforce a no fly zone over Syria, including possibly shooting down Russian airplanes. In addition, he said that Obama was a "feckless weakling" when it comes to national security. Sen. Paul retorted by saying "if you're in favor of World War III, I think you have your candidate." He continued by saying: "what we want in a leader is someone with judgement, not someone who is so reckless as to stand on the stage and say 'Yes, I'm jumping up and down, I'm going to shoot down Russian planes." Paul continued, saying the US need to confront Moscow "from a position of strength," rather than at a "point of recklessness that would lead to war."<br /><br />The GOP, and the American people at large, are split between those who think we should challenge Russia and others believe that we should tread carefully. Sen. Paul, as a part of the libertarian wing of the GOP, believes we should not overextend ourselves overseas. Sen. Cruz portrays himself as a realist who believes that democratization should take a back seat to national interests. On the other side of the debate are folks who believe in escalating the fight against Daesh or even Russia, who supports Assad. The only thing certain about this debate is that the extremes of withdrawing from the world or indiscriminately bombing Syria until the sand glows pushes the GOP to the fringes. Secretary Clinton, a Democrat, is using this to espouse a middle road that tights immigration from visa-waiver countries and continues to bomb IS. She advocates nothing new, but she seems to be the most realistic and, frankly, the most adult of the candidates. The GOP is typically stronger with foreign policy, but this field is weakening that edge.Give Peace a Chancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03390305511466304527noreply@blogger.com