McCain, Obama campaigns battle over nuclear arms

Representatives from the campaigns of both Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) speaking at the Arms Control Associations annual luncheon argued their candidates position on nuclear weapons in a changing world. John Holum the former Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security under Former President Bill Clinton speaking on behalf of Sen. Obama told the audience that Obama would place a high emphasis on prevention. “To Sen. Obama a nuclear free world is not just a dream on the horizon but an idea we can achieve,” said Holum.

Stephen Biegun a Corporate Officer and Vice President of International Governmental Affairs for Ford Motor Company representing the McCain campaign chastised what he viewed as the Obama campaign unfairly trying to tie Sen. McCain to President Bush. “The good thing is that John McCain is not President Bush, he’s John McCain.”

Biegun agreed though with the Obama campaign that engagement over nuclear disarmament is key with other nations but that civilian nuclear energy needs to be harnessed. “We will look to engage Russia on reduction of their weapons and will use civilian nuclear energy as an important way to contribute to the energy in America.”

While the two men remained civil throughout the exchange the idea that Sen. Obama would meet with the Iranians with no preconditions drew strong criticism from Biegun. “Meeting with no pre-conditions in the first year Obama would give the Iranian President more credibility than he needs.” Holum countered by saying “the absence of diplomacy has not worked (referring to the Bush Administration).