Tuesday night, The Heritage Foundation and American Enterprise Institute will team up to host the nations next presidential debate -- this one focused solely on foreign policy and national defense because the next U.S. president in 2013 and beyond is certain to face a slew of deeply significant foreign policy challenges.
CNNs Wolf Blitzer will moderate the discussion, which will air live nationally at 8 p.m. Eastern Time on CNN and CNN en Espal, and worldwide on CNN International, CNN Radio and CNN.com.
For those who found the questioning at the last debate squishy, rest assured a hawkish Blitzer is sure to hit the candidates hard with tough questions that get to the core of how well each candidate truly understands foreign policy, while also throwing out a few curve balls. To put it bluntly, the candidates for commander in chief must show up Tuesday prepared to address realities more fully than they did last Saturday at Wofford College.
For instance, this year alone, America has been engaged in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and now even Uganda. We've carried out strategic attacks in Yemen and Pakistan, where terror attacks against Americans overseas originate. China and Russia continue to challenge Americas power, and North Korea and Iran linger as major global threats. Voters deserve to know how a candidate plans on advancing American interests in these conflicts and how he or she plans to keep our military prepared for future threats.
Thanks to our current presidents failed foreign policy weve seen a harmful reset of U.S. power in last three years. Thus on Tuesday, the candidates should explain how they would repair our nations damaged reputation on the world stage.
The timing of the Heritage AEI debate is even more important because the very next day the much-anticipated supercommittee is expected to release a plan to cut an additional $1.2 trillion from the federal budget. At least $500 billion in defense spending is at risk, putting our troops and long-term security in jeopardy. In case lawmakers forgot, the federal government has a constitutional responsibility to provide for the common defense.
The candidates must prove to voters on Tuesday they understand this. Protecting America is also a fundamental duty given in large measure to our commander in chief. Feeling the strain of being stretched thin on a peacetime budget, our troops deserve to know the support they can expect from their next leader.
As the recent economic turmoil in Greece has proven, America is part of a growing global economy, which means our fiscal security is affected by events in Europe and Asia. Building relationships with the free economies in Latin America and Asia and emerging powers like India will be a challenge to the next president. On Tuesday night, the candidates must demonstrate through their answers they are up to this challenge.
The Heritage AEI debate will be held at Washingtons landmark DAR Constitution Hall, located across the street from the White House. The Daughters of the American Revolution built Constitution Hall in 1929 to host its annual convention and to this day it remains a historical symbol of our nations heritage. All of the Big Eight contenders will participate Tuesday: businessman Herman Cain, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Texas Gov. Rick Perry, former Speaker Newt Gingrich, Reps. Ron Paul of Texas and Michele Bachmann of Minnesota, former Gov. Jon Huntsman, and former Sen. Rick Santorum.
I hope you will join me in encouraging everyone you know to congregate with friends and family to host or attend a Debate Watch Party Tuesday night. Debate parties are a great way to gather with those who share your conservative principles.
Heck, why not throw in a little pre-Thanksgiving cheer as you watch the candidates vying to be our next commander in chief discuss how they would protect America and provide for the common defense.
Tune in!
Elizabeth Lincicome is the Southeastern regional media associate at the Heritage Foundation.
