Cogs can think.

Speaking of sheep, I just sat down and watched last night’s debate between Clinton and Obama (all of it) - and I must say, it was a good debate. It was what I call a ‘table debate’, where the debaters are sitting down around a table, close together, instead of standing before choir stands like they do in some other debates. Table debates tend to be more focused on content, while also being looser and more intimate. Last night certainly confirmed that.

I did think Clinton ‘won’, but not by a huge margin or anything. To me, she showed her experience and deep knowledge on several key issues (especially foreign policy is what is important to me), but Obama wasn’t far behind. On two key issues they both reflected my feelings properly and strongly: Putin, and Iraq. They were both firm about condemning the undemocratic actions of Vladimir Putin, and did not tiptoe around that matter at all. I found it very encouraging to hear that - it’s something Dutch politicians can learn a lot from.

On the issue of Iraq, I was stunned and very pleasantly surprised about how much they both valued the concept of sovereignty - the question was, if the sovereign government of Iraq asks you, as potential president of the United States, to retreat all troops from Iraq, even a residual force, will you do it? Both were crystal clear: yes, we will. Sovereignty needs to be respected.

This meant a great deal to me, as sovereignty is a very important element in world politics; not only is it a concept, but it is also a feeling that people living in different nations around the world have. Sovereignty must be respected at all costs, and I’m very, very pleased to hear these two Democratic candidates commit themselves to respecting, and protecting, sovereignty around the world.

In the end, they’re both darn good candidates for the presidency of the US, and I believe both of them can give some much-needed change to not only the American people that need it the most, but also the rest of the world. It’s going to be a breath of fresh air to have an American president that is not, well, a total idiot.

Clinton-Obama. Clinton running for president, with Obama as vice-president. One may dream.