McCain must show more cognizance of the difference between Shia and Sunni if there is to be a substantive debate on foreign policy. He also must show some knowledge of economics to address the deplorable conditions we now face.
His approach to the issue of Iraq is consistent with a military mind-set, one that is not needed now because the pattern that has taken place in Iraq based on pre-emptive military policies have been disastrous not only for that country but for the US economy.
Being an occupant of the Hanoi Hilton does not qualify him to be a substantial president. He was a participant in a failed foreign policy instituted by a Democratic Johnson.
The debate points, I agree, need to be addressed such as the failed policy decisions in Iraq,the plummeting dollar, the support of a country that violates human rights continually even when they are given import status, the race issue which is very much alive in this election and being used in a callous manner by one of the candidates, the sucking noise that Perot predicted about American jobs going overseas, the bailout of Bear Stearns with taxpayer money, the home mortgage debacle by criminal sub-prime lenders, the manipulation of election fraud through machines, the lip-service given to campaign finance reform where one of the major recipients of corporate money has been McCain...
Well I don't see McCain discussing any of these issues but falling back on his reputation as a war hero.