A debate I’d love to see:
Ahmadinejad said he would be willing to meet with Democratic candidate Barack Obama, who has taken fire from his opponents over his offer to talk — if elected president — with the leaders of several US foes including Iran.
“I announce my readiness to meet with all the (US presidential) candidates of the United States in front of the media,” the Iranian president told a press conference at the D8 summit of developing nations.
Can you imagine Obama being forced to defend the United States in a debate with Ahmadinejad? I honestly don’t think his heart would be in it. But it might be a teachable moment for him – a chance to realize exactly what the United States is up against. Firsthand exposure to the sophistry and rhetoric of the Iranian government might just awaken him to the futility of negotiations.
In any case, it would be interesting to see him in the role of defending the United States, rather than criticizing it. The simple fact that we haven’t seen him in that role heretofore should lend some guidance to voters’ decisions in November.
July 28, 2008 at 6:35 pm
“Firsthand exposure to the sophistry and rhetoric of the Iraqi government might just awaken him to the futility of negotiations.”
Typo? I think you meant to say “the Iranian government.”
July 28, 2008 at 6:37 pm
Uh yeah, you’re exactly right. I’ll just head on up and fix that.