Quad Citians react to final Presidential Debate - CBS4 - WHBF Quad Cities, IL-IA News Weather Sports

Quad Citians react to final Presidential Debate

By: Christine Souders, csouders@cbs4qc.com

Quad City voters were glued to the T.V. Monday night, watching the debate.  CBS4 stopped by St. Ambrose where students and professors listened to every word the candidates had to say.

It was all about foreign policy for the third and final debate.  The Benghazi attacks, Iran nuclear crisis and War on Terror really got people talking.

"I think the President may have been a little too aggressive with calling out some of the flip-flopping and the President hasn't really talked about what he did as President," said one St. Ambrose student.

"I think the President handled himself very well," said another student, "I think Governor Romney at times deflected back to domestic issues, which I was unhappy to see because it was a foreign policy debate."

Candidates want the same outcome, peace in the Middle East and to strengthen relationships with American allies.  But how do we get there?  International Studies Assistant Professor Doctor Duk Kim said President Barack Obama wants to limit our presence in the Middle East.

"President Obama is coming from a perspective that we have spent too much money on different security, but at the same time, he tries to find a way to secure our national borders and protect our national security and interests," said Dr. Kim.

Dr. Kim also said Governor Mitt Romney wants to maintain leadership overseas, and not cut the military budget.

"Romney tries to make an argument that by reducing the defensive budgets spending, how are we going to secure our national interests and how are we going to secure our national borders and security," said Dr. Kim.

Doctor Kim said these are the kinds of issues that will have a lasting effect on Americans.

"One foreign policy can make a huge impact on the U.S. economy and the ways Americans conduct our daily lives."

Another key issue for students was where both candidates stood on the Iranian nuclear crisis.