Election 08: Tough Questions from Peace Action West Members
Last month we asked our members to submit questions to the candidates for the July 23rd CNN/YouTube debates. Not everybody's question could be used in the debates (there were over 2,000 questions submitted!) but Peace Action West members did a great job of asking the candidates to address some key issues.
US Nuclear Weapons: The Next President On Nuclear Weapons
In the upcoming Presidential elections, nuclear weapons issues are poised to take center stage for the first time since the end of the cold war. Already, candidates are frequently addressing Americans' concerns about the spread of nuclear weapons, and questions about the future of the U.S. nuclear stockpile. As the campaign progresses, Peace Action West will track public statements by the candidates on nuclear weapons issues.
The 2008 presidential race is already heating up, and the candidates are starting to formulate their positions on key foreign policy issues. With Congress engaged in a showdown with the Bush administration over the war in Iraq, much of the focus has been on how the next president will reverse four years of a disastrous war policy. While this debate is critical, we also need to know that the next president will not lead us into another unnecessary war, and has a vision for constructive diplomacy with other countries.
Thus far, the Bush administration’s policy toward Iran has been ineffective and dangerous. Saber-rattling and refusals to negotiate damage the cause of moderates in Iran and move us away from a sensible diplomatic solution to the conflict. With your help, Peace Action West will be working to show the candidates that Americans want a more responsible, strategic, and just foreign policy, including diplomatic engagement with Iran.
