QUESTIONS TO ASK at a TOWN HALL FORUM

1. We live in a global marketplace now, and with 95 percent of consumers living outside the U.S., we cannot afford to not engage with the rest of the world. We only spend about 1% of the federal budget for export pro- motion, diplomacy, development assistance, and emergency food assis- tance. Do you agree we need to continue and maintain our International Affairs Budget, which funds these efforts around the world?

2. Our military leaders like General David Petraeus and former Defense Secretary Bob Gates have talked a lot about how our national security depends on not just a strong military, but also strong diplomatic and global development operations. Do you agree and will you support strong diplomatic and humanitarian efforts, alongside our military efforts, to keep our nation safe?

3. For Democratic Candidates: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has talked about the importance of a “smart power” approach to foreign policy, where we use defense, diplomacy, and development together to meet the challenges we face around the world. Do you agree we must utilize strong diplomatic and humanitarian efforts to meet the challenges we face around the world?

4. For Republican Candidates: President Bush left a legacy of strong support for fighting AIDS in Africa and our humanitarian efforts around the world. He considered this part of our national security. Do you agree we need strong diplomatic and global development efforts, along- side our military, to keep our nation safe?

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