However after Romney prevailed in the first round of their TV debates, the opinion polls proved unbelievably that Romney was a few steps ahead of the incumbent president. Several analysts of the U.S. affairs suggest that one should wait and see the result of the second TV debate between the Democrat and the Republican contenders. Khabar Online conducted an interview with a senior Iranian analyst of strategic issues Farhad Koleini to observe the latest development in the United States presidential campaign. Mr. Koleini believes it's possible that the nearness of people’s votes in the upcoming national election causes Romney to outweigh Obama, win the presidential race with just a few more votes and repeat the Republicans victory in the election of 2000.
At the beginning please tell us about the position and slogans of the two Democratic and Republican candidates in their campaign.
They traditionally attend various TV debates on different issues (economy, the U.S. foreign policy and so on) particularly on October 22 they will have a TV debate on the U.S. foreign policy which is an absolutely significant issue. People witnessed the vice presidential TV debate between Joe Biden and Paul Ryan and the argument will be continued. The experience Republicans had at the time of Ronald Reagan vs. Jimmy Carter presidential election campaign who could boost their approval rating is comparable with the current situation. By now, Romney has been able to raise his approval rating after his first TV debate with Obama.
What's your evaluation of the game played by the Republicans at the moment?
During last days, Romney has been providing the ground to improve his argumentative skills in debates with Obama, so he has highlighted the issues related to the American foreign policy in the Middle East challenging what Obama has done by now. They are trying to magnify the increasing empowerment of Russia or the murder of the U.S. ambassador to Libya, J. Christopher Stevens, who was killed in the militants’ attack in Benghazi. They have focused on the challenges the United States has faced in the Middle East including Iran's nuclear program and development in Syria to question the competence and credibility of Obama’s administration.
What's the difference between the position of the Republicans and Democrats on the issue of Iran's nuclear program?
Romney's team is indebted to Israel and tries to gain the favor of The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Romney is making efforts to make up for his debt, therefore he has set the issue of military threats against Iran at the agenda of his foreign policy and has proposed to impose more economic sanctions on Iran. On the other hand, he tries to weaken Obama's critical position on the Republican’s foreign policy in the past and push his rival to a passive position. The Republicans also aim to show Romney as likely to favor the wealthy and gain the support of the American lobby of power.
How was Obama prevailed by his rival at the first TV debate?
The economic problem in the United States has turned to a key issue for criticizing Obama's administration. The current banking crisis, the international value of dollar, budget deficit and other issues which are closely felt by people are at stake. The American Society is not politicized and economic features put a greater impact on the framework of that society, so criticizing the current economic situation helped Romney to get numerically ahead of Obama.
What role AIPAC, the well-known lobby of the Zionists is playing in the upcoming U.S. presidential election?
In general AIPAC has sided with the Democrats. It can be said that 75% of AIPAC members favor them. Actually, minorities of the U.S. population back the Democrats. But what Israel currently demands is not congruent with the present situation of the U.S. Due to their status in the capitalist system of the country and their role in leading the media, AIPAC and the Jewish society there are not that much approved of Netanyahu’s plans. His plans are rather more in harmony with Romney’s mottos, although some in the Jewish society of the U.S. believe Netanyahu has bet on a losing horse.
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