In contrast, Senator Obama cited a range of other problems, including al-Qaedas continuing operations and Osama bin Laden's continuing freedom-one of the Bush administration's great failures. Senator Obama also made an important point which obviously eluded Senator McCain: "It is important for us to understand that the way we are perceived in the world is going to make a difference, in terms of our capability to get cooperation and root out terrorism," yet "We are less respected now than we were eight years ago or even four years ago." Senator McCain's ignorant yet bullying stands on most international issues almost certainly would make such cooperation even less likely. Which may be why he didn't bother to respond to Senator Obama's argument.

Forget debating points. On substance, Friday's contest was a knock-out for Senator Obama. He, like Senator McCain, shares much of Washington's failed conventional wisdom on such issues as NATO. But Senator Obama, unlike his opponent, appears to understand that the world is complex and that the United States cannot unilaterally bend the rest of mankind to Washington's will. Such understanding certainly does not guarantee a successful presidency, but after eight years of George W. Bush, it would be helpful to bring an appreciation for international nuance and measured judgment back to the White House.

Doug Bandow is the Robert A. Taft Fellow at the American Conservative Defense Alliance. He is a former special assistant to President Ronald Reagan, and the author of Foreign Follies: America's New Global Empire (Xulon).