What is America’s place in the world?

That is the fundamental, boiled-down question that both President George Bush and John Kerry should have to answer during tonight’s debate in Coral Gables, Fla.

The question, which will focus on foreign affairs, will take many forms and jump around the globe, from Iraq to Afghanistan to North Korea to China to Iran. The question will be wrapped in the context of a miserable war in Iraq that was predicated on misinformation, Iran and North Korea’s pursuit of nuclear weapons and the danger of allowing Afghanistan to slip back into a system of warlords, drug smugglers and jihadists. And the question means answering how this country should fight militant Islam and the terrorism it breeds.

The candidates should define, clearly, what actions they will take to protect the country and to eradicate al-Qaida.

They should be called to answer for their actions in regard to the war in Iraq. For Kerry, that means explaining his votes and statements. The two have sometimes seemed at odds. It’s true that Kerry has maintained a consistent position on Iraq – despite the charges of flip-flopping. The problem, however, is that the position is difficult to articulate and lacks the clarity of Bush’s straightforward “the world is safer without Saddam.”

President Bush faces the tougher task tonight. He will likely face questions about accountability. He was in office when al-Qaida struck in 2001 and he led the country to war with Iraq based on bad information without appropriately planning for the aftermath of the invasion. Two major failures and yet no one in his administration has been held accountable.

Both men should also be forced to face reality.

Kerry has made his ability to attract more international support for duty in Iraq central to his plans. What’s been missing is an explanation of why countries that opposed the war would suddenly risk soldiers and money to help sort out the mess.

Bush paints a rosy picture of the progress being made in Iraq and often talks of January elections. But the truth is harsher. The situation on the ground has grown more violent and insurgents control broad swaths of the country. Yet he questions the patriotism of critics and essentially accuses them of aiding the enemy.

Tonight at 9, President Bush and Sen. Kerry will stand before a national audience to answer questions about what they have done and what they will do. The temptation will be to grade the event like a drama critic at a high school play, concentrating on body language and slips, looking for some insight into character.

Real attention should be paid instead to the answers that are given. Ignore the platitudes and stage direction and look instead for a description of America’s place in a dangerous world and a plan for how we can get there.