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Frank Gaffney focused his presentation on a theory of “building peace through truth” arguing that US policy makers must come to terms with the scope of the terrorist threat to this country. He asserted that the 2004 elections will mainly revolve around the candidates’ declared ability to uproot both domestic and foreign Islamist terrorist cells in addition to their policy proposals for the future of reconstruction in Iraq -- or the avoidance of a “cut and run” plan.

M.J. Rosenberg devoted his lecture to confronting the myths and realities of the Jewish vote in past presidential elections. He explained that as a result of the desperate situation in Israel, the allocation of Jewish-American votes—overwhelmingly favoring the Democratic party since 1928—will be up for grabs depending on the candidate’s guarantee of proactive involvement in the peace process. He asserted that American Jews want Israel to find a solution to the current situation and reaffirmed the need for Bush to be diplomatically engaged.

Joseph Wilson focused on the current war in Iraq, arguing that this will be the deciding factor in the elections. Wilson argued that he supported the basic premise of invading Iraq, however, he deeply disagrees with the Administration’s unilateralist approach during the war and throughout the reconstruction process. In the 2004 election, he asserted that most Democrats will focus on the current administration’s failure to truly internationalize the reconstruction efforts as well as our inability to provide either public security or humanitarian needs and services.

Finally, James Zogby discussed the growing realization in the United States of an Arab-American vote. He described how a candidate’s capacity (and willingness) to pursue a multilateral and even-handed, comprehensive policy toward the Middle East—particularly with regards to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict—has now become an issue presidential candidates can not avoid.