World | USA
Obama, McCain views on fighting terrorism more similar than campaigns claim
Both candidates have similar platforms on Iraq and Afghanistan and feel current strategy is too militaristic and unpopular.
- Los Angeles Times-Washington Post
- Published: 00:30 September 12, 2008
Washington: On the campaign trail, the two presidential teams have been savaging each other over what they contend are stark differences between how Barack Obama and John McCain would lead the United States in its multibillion-dollar war on terrorism.
Obama declared in his convention speech: "McCain likes to say that he'll follow Bin Laden to the gates of Hell - but he won't even go to the cave where he lives."
At the GOP convention, Sarah Palin, McCain's running mate, fired back: "Al Qaida terrorists still plot to inflict catastrophic harm on America - he's worried that someone won't read them their rights?"
But beneath the harsh rhetoric, the two candidates - who were to meet yesterday in New York City to commemorate the seventh anniversary of the September 11 attacks - seem to be moving toward consensus on their broad-brush strategies, an unexpected development on what was the most contentious issue in the presidential race four years ago.
"The process of political campaigning has exaggerated the differences of the two candidates on trivial issues," says Brian Michael Jenkins, of the Rand Corp, who is one of the world's leading authorities on terrorism.
Afghanistan, Iraq
He has studied the issue in the last seven presidential races. "But when it comes to where the campaigns have outlined their platforms on Iraq, Afghanistan and national security, there isn't a great deal of difference."
Both McCain and Obama have vowed to retool much of the Bush administration's global war on terrorism, if they take over as president and commander-in-chief, saying it has been too heavy-handed, militaristic and unpopular both at home and abroad. On Iraq, one of their most fundamental initial disagreements, the two candidates' proposals have converged.
Both now say they would withdraw troops within the next several years. Obama would draw down the troops by mid-2010 and McCain by 2013, but each with significant caveats that could prolong the US military deployment.
Both say more troops are needed to quell a rapidly intensifying insurgency in Afghanistan, and support a larger military force overall. They say a fresh approach is needed to capture Osama Bin Laden and deal with the growing terrorist activity in Pakistan. They also pledge to stop the torture of terrorism suspects.
Share this article
News Editor's choice
-
Ajtebi's phenomenal assent
The former camel jockey was at the peak of his powers when upstaging Garret Gomez
-
US pushing for more aid to Philippines
Obama administration eyeing $667m security assistance package
-
Mohammad launches H1N1 campaign
Shaikh Mohammad was the first one to receive the H1N1 vaccine.
