Whether you see the presidential debates as a boxing match or standup comedy, it does pay to listen closely to what the candidates are proposing.

Indeed, the debates have revealed that the candidates all want to demonstrate their commitment to a strong and secure nation.

For that reason, if the presidential debates were to boost any one sector, it would be the defense sector.

Even though none of the candidates have thoroughly explained their approach to military spending, the risks across the global political landscape are intensifying, and the candidates are all inadvertently pumping up the defense industry.

National Security – Topping the Charts

Defense, security, and military spending have taken center stage in the 2016 campaigns thanks to growing political threats from North Korea, China, Russia, Syria, Libya, Iran, and ISIS, just to name a few.

Republicans and Democrats alike are trying to convey that they’re focused on national security and know how to keep America safe and strong.

As one would expect, the more jingoistic talk comes from the Republicans, who tend to have a somewhat vague and one-dimensional view of an all-powerful military.

Donald Trump wants a military so strong that “no one will mess with us.” Trump stated over the summer, “Our enemies are getting stronger and stronger, and we as a country are getting weaker. Even our nuclear arsenal doesn’t work.”

When pointing out that the arsenal’s equipment is 30 years old, he said, “It was horrible when it was broadcast on television, because boy, does that send signals to Putin and all of the other people that look at us and they say, ‘That is a group of people, and that is a nation that truly has no clue.’”

Needless to say, Trump supports lifting the caps on the defense budget – as do his Republican rivals, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, and John Kasich.

Cruz defends his call for “carpet-bombing” militants, saying his plan is “dramatically different” from anything President Obama has offered. Cruz also notes that military morale is lower than ever.