In Search of McCain and Obama’s Views (by means other than googling them)

http://mobile.nytimes.com/article?a=229284&f=28

I agree with the authors that it is important for Americans to clearly know where both candidates stand on issues. And their questions are overall pretty good, hitting on a wife range of current and eternal foreign policy questions that will face the next president.

Aside from expressing my sincere hope (and skepticism) that the TimEs will actually let or force the candidates to answer them in their pages I would just note that, despite never having worked for either campaign or having the credentials to call and ask, I can probably answer half the questions myself.

McCain thinks if there is any semblence of chaos in Iraq our troops should stay - even if it lasts for 1000 years. Obama has said that if we know where the Taliban or Al qaeda are in Pakistan we should hit them whether or not the government there gives us a green light.

I could continue on, but I have a real job. I only would ask the authors if perhaps it might have been a more effective use of everyones time and the million eyes their story will garner to have informed people about positions rather than just bemoaning that everyone doesn't know them.