Morning Update: Tough GOP Language
Though attacks on Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton were a main focus of discussion in last night’s Republican debate, GOP presidential hopefuls also discussed a few foreign policy topics. Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX), who is against the war in Iraq, said Sen. Clinton (D-NY) is “endorsing the same policy” in Iraq that already exists.
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) said the United States must advance plans to build a missile defense system in Eastern Europe, despite objections from Russian President Vladimir Putin. Rudy Giuliani said the United States needs to “shore up” its relationship with democratic countries in Eastern Europe to “hedge” against Russia.
Former Sen. Fred Thompson (R-TN) called the recent Armenian genocide bill passed by a House panel “totally irresponsible.” Paul said the situation is “the Turks’ business. It’s not our business.”
Concerns Over Pakistan: McCain and Mike Huckabee also appeared on “Fox News Sunday.” McCain warned that the situation in Pakistan is “very serious.” Still, he said, a nuclear Iran would be a bigger threat than a Pakistan with a radical Islamic regime. Huckabee said: “The next missile bomb that maybe comes our way, the next terrorist attack, is probably going to be postmarked Pakistan.” Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE) told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos the United States should increase democracy-promotion efforts in Pakistan.
