While giving a town hall meeting in Watertown, South Dakota, Democratic co-frontrunner Senator Barack Obama of Illinois had harsh words to say to current US President George W. Bush and presumed GOP nominee Senator John McCain of Arizona. Obama said that the attack launched by Bush is the thing that causes the country to be split. He also said that it also causes many parts of the world not to like the United States.
He also blasted McCain for “supporting” Bush’s attacks on the Democrats. In addition, Obama blasted McCain for saying he isn’t the candidate who is fit to protect the nation, the nation that he loves. In short, Obama said in his own words that civility has gone down the drain. That could be perceived as an attack on McCain and a means to paint him as a hypocrite. Obama made note that McCain earlier talked about that politics needs more civility.
The day before, Bush said that there were people in Washington that wanted to please the terrorist groups. This could be aimed at the Democrats, moderate Republicans, and the anti-war Republicans. Bush had criticized the Democrats’ policy towards Iraq several days ago. Obama accused Bush of initiating scare tactics. McCain fired back at Obama calling him inexperienced.
This is possible foreshadowing that McCain and Obama may square off on Iran and other parts of the United States foreign policy. While it seems that Obama is close to getting the Democratic nomination, Democratic co-frontrunner Senator Hillary Clinton is still in the race. Despite what many have urged and requested, Clinton refuses to drop out of the race.
After May 6, Clinton’s candidacy took heavy damage. She barely defeated Obama in Indiana by at least two points. In North Carolina, Obama soundly defeated her by a double digit lead.
However, there is still the issue of the superdelegates, Florida, and Michigan. If Obama does come out as the Democratic nominee, this should net him ammunition to use against McCain. At the same time, McCain has ammunition to use against Obama as well. In this case, it will seem that Iran will inevitably become a hot button issue in the general election debates.