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Obama, McCain take different approaches to addressing relations with Iran
By Jamie Munks
Posted: 9/9/08, 11:20 PM EST Section: News
"Why shouldn't we have the courage and confidence to talk to our enemies?" Obama said in a 2008 speech. "That's what strong countries do. That's what strong presidents do."
Republican candidate McCain has typically taken the view that the United States should not negotiate with Iran, but should instead use sanctions as a tool to stop Iran from engaging in any nuclear activity.
"Rather than sitting down unconditionally with the Iranian president or supreme leader in the hope that we can talk sense into them, we must create the real-world pressures that will peacefully but decisively change the path they are on," McCain said in a speech he made earlier this year. "Essential to this strategy is the U.N. Security Council, which should impose progressively tougher political and economic sanctions."
Boroujerdi said Obama might have an easier time connecting with Iranian people than McCain would.
"Obama, being an African-American, might have some in-roads in Iran," Boroujerdi said.
"Women and African-Americans were the first hostages released, because there are some feelings of mistreated minorities, and his administration might be able to tap into that," she said referring to the Iran hostage crisis of the 1970s.
Boroujerdi is less certain that McCain would be able to win over Iranian people.
"I don't think he can really take it anywhere since he's inheriting the Bush administration as the Republican candidate," he said.
To Jeffrey Stonecash, a campaign analysis professor, McCain represents the neo-conservative view, while Obama talks about multinational cooperation.
"It's very hard to have a conversation about Iran right now," Stonecash said. "It's the basic gut-level debate of the neo-cons versus the liberals. It won't move past that in this election."
Katy Soave, a senior international relations major, said she wants to see changes in the way Iranian issues are handled by the next administration.
Republican candidate McCain has typically taken the view that the United States should not negotiate with Iran, but should instead use sanctions as a tool to stop Iran from engaging in any nuclear activity.
"Rather than sitting down unconditionally with the Iranian president or supreme leader in the hope that we can talk sense into them, we must create the real-world pressures that will peacefully but decisively change the path they are on," McCain said in a speech he made earlier this year. "Essential to this strategy is the U.N. Security Council, which should impose progressively tougher political and economic sanctions."
Boroujerdi said Obama might have an easier time connecting with Iranian people than McCain would.
"Obama, being an African-American, might have some in-roads in Iran," Boroujerdi said.
"Women and African-Americans were the first hostages released, because there are some feelings of mistreated minorities, and his administration might be able to tap into that," she said referring to the Iran hostage crisis of the 1970s.
Boroujerdi is less certain that McCain would be able to win over Iranian people.
"I don't think he can really take it anywhere since he's inheriting the Bush administration as the Republican candidate," he said.
To Jeffrey Stonecash, a campaign analysis professor, McCain represents the neo-conservative view, while Obama talks about multinational cooperation.
"It's very hard to have a conversation about Iran right now," Stonecash said. "It's the basic gut-level debate of the neo-cons versus the liberals. It won't move past that in this election."
Katy Soave, a senior international relations major, said she wants to see changes in the way Iranian issues are handled by the next administration.
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