I think an important question to ask is why the candidates don't feel that this is an important issue to address. They wouldn't necessarily have to be asked an explicit question about global poverty to address it in the debates, why don't they bring it up?

If I had to give an answer, I would say it's because most Americans don't see eliminating global poverty as America's responsibility. The candidates don't talk about it because they don't feel Americans want to hear about it. I think this ties into the earlier article about the $5 bill and the influence of America on international politics, and a reluctance to "step up to its responsibilities as a world leader". We want to enjoy the benefits of this position without accepting the responsibilities that come with it.

I agree with Anonymous in that the absence of discussion concerning global poverty at the presidential level is appalling; however, I disagree with his reasoning. I believe that just as Americans want the US to be the world power, we also want to be the world's hero, take the overwhelming support for “Operation Freedom” in Iraq for example. (The Iraq example pertains to the passively patriotic citizens who unquestioningly confide in the US government and its answers to difficult questions. With this comment, I do not wish to be condescending or dismiss the honorable service of our military, but to spark questioning and diminish blind support.) Regarding the presidential candidates addressing global poverty, because the US is enormous so we live in our paradise-like bubble, we are raised to be pure capitalists, and a little untrusting in all things foreign, Americans are accustomed to only being concerned with ourselves even though we are an extremely compassionate people; thus, the candidates take the easiest way out by tailoring to our unfortunately selfish concerns. Not to mention that American government officials will do whatever it takes to maintain their superiority in world politics. But honestly, who would willing give up their world-wide power?

Americans are great people, now lets make our government reflect who we are!

An interesting survey commissioned by Compassion International, one of the world’s largest child development organizations, and conducted by Barna Research Group, found major differences in attitude toward global poverty between supporters of John McCain and Barack Obama:

The survey commissioned by Compassion International and conducted by Barna Research Group found that 80 percent of those surveyed who identified themselves as strong McCain supporters believe fighting the war on terror should be a higher priority for the next president than to end extreme poverty.

Only about a tenth of the Arizona senator’s strongest backers prioritized the fight against global poverty over the fight against terror.

In contrast, only 30 percent of Obama’s strongest supporters place a greater emphasis on fighting terrorism than on ending global poverty, while 45 percent of this group placed ending global poverty above efforts to stop terror.

Among undecided voters, 40 percent of this group placed fighting terror over ending global poverty.

OneWorld.net offers coverage on how the candidates stand on a variety of global issues. Check it out.

I believe the question is not whether the US presidential candidates want to help or not. But the question is: Are we prepared should they offer a helping hand. So many resources can be pumped into "Global Poverty Eradication Programs", but we surely wouldn't want other individuals to work on our behalf whilst we spend time fighting and morning for help.

We've been doing that for the past so many years but i think it's high time we rise up to the occasion. Look at it from this perspective:
*The presidential candidates have not mentioned much about global poverty maybe because that's not the major concern of the majority of Americans. The American people are concerned about how to grow and maintain what they have and if any of these guys does not address those issues of concern, he'll lose the election. So the little effort and indication they have put so far is not that bad at all.
*Now, if more individuals in poverty stricken nations were to take the same stance as the Americans, I'm sure we'll go a long way to seeing the "change we need". This is the stance that takes initiative and does not have to always wait for someone.