[media-credit name=’LUKAS KEAPPROTH/Herald photo’ align=’alignnone’ width=’648′][/media-credit]

Students for Obama hosted a panel Thursday afternoon to discuss the foreign policy strategies of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.

Adm. John Nathman, former U.S. Fleet forces commander and veteran of operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, spoke on behalf of Obama’s character as well as attesting to the Democratic candidate’s qualities as a leader.

Nathman remarked upon the attributes of a leader, one of them relating to the character and integrity of a leader and their ability to make tough decisions while still being able to “recognize good advice, and reject bad advice.”

Nathman said after a plane ride, he became convinced of the Illinois senator’s ability to handle the executive office.

“I spent an hour with him on a flight to Arizona, and just being able to see the type of person that he was, and how thoughtful he was when answering a question is something I have not seen in many of our past leaders,” Nathman said.

Sarah Sewall, director of the Carr Center for Human Rights and public policy lecturer at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, accompanied Adm. Nathman and brought her take on Obama’s outlook on foreign policy to the table.

Sewall previously worked in the Pentagon as assistant secretary of peacekeeping under former President Bill Clinton’s administration before speaking of Obama’s foresight and “strategic thinking.”

The discussion covered a wide range of foreign policy issues, from the Darfur crisis to China’s growing economic power and influence over the United States.

Among many points stressed by the advisors was the idea of stability in the Middle East, especially uniting in the insistence of a functioning autonomous government in Iraq as well as doubling the foreign aid budget.

UW freshman Molly Layde said she was interested in knowing the details of Obama’s foreign policy views and hoping to learn more about her candidate.

“This meeting really helped me understand Barack’s stand on issues like his plan for Afghanistan and Iraq,” Layde said.

The members of the student audience were grateful with the thorough and honest answers given by Sewall and Nathman.

“I was really impressed,” said UW junior Lavilla Capener, communications director for UW Students for Obama. “They were very knowledgeable on foreign policy.”

UW senior Julie Bohl said she was also pleased as she gained understanding of the candidate she supports and “heard a lot of the answers that I wanted to hear.”

Students for Obama State Coordinator Bryon Eagon said he was happy with the turnout and the meeting overall.

“I think having top policy advisors here to speak engages students not only as voters, but as informed and civic-minded citizens,” Eagon said.