Debate Moment: Who’s tougher on Iran?
By Ben Harris on Apr 17, 2008 in Barack Obama, Featured, Hillary Clinton, Presidential Race, debates |
Last night Barack Obama reminded us why some hawkish pro-Israel folks prefer Hillary Clinton.
Asked whether he would extend American deterrence to Israel, Obama, carefully crafting his words, promised “appropriate action” in the event of an Iranian attack:
As I’ve said before, I think it is very important that Iran understands that an attack on Israel is an attack on our strongest ally in the region, one that we — one whose security we consider paramount, and that — that would be an act of aggression that we — that I would — that I would consider an attack that is unacceptable, and the United States would take appropriate action.
When it was Clinton’s turn, she one-upped Obama, promising — twice — “massive retaliation” against Iran. She also laid out a three-point plan that would extend American deterrence to other allies in the region.
You can’t go to the Saudis or the Kuwaitis or UAE and others who have a legitimate concern about Iran and say: Well, don’t acquire these weapons to defend yourself unless you’re also willing to say we will provide a deterrent backup and we will let the Iranians know that, yes, an attack on Israel would trigger massive retaliation, but so would an attack on those countries that are willing to go under this security umbrella and forswear their own nuclear ambitions.
“appropriate action” gives you “the willies” and “massive retaliation” without thoughtful consideration doesn’t? Now THAT gives me the willies
KS in TX | Apr 17, 2008 | Reply
KS you obviously don’t understand Israel’s position - - geographically.
JJ | Apr 17, 2008 | Reply
JJ Israel is the 900lb gorilla in the room with nukes and an expansionist policy. Please don’t play the victim.
SR | Apr 17, 2008 | Reply
KS in TX…“appropriate action.. thoughtful consideration??Omg Stop and look at the scenerio! Iran nukes Isreal and ummm wait let me think about it hmmm still thinking uh uh hmm uh hmm uh uh (thinking how great it is im the President) uh hmm.hmm Should we retaliate hmm or would that be bad? hmm.I Wonder if Mahmoud Ahmadinejad would be mad if we retaliate uh uh.Wake up and smell the Kool Aide, Obama has no clue on foreign policy.VOTE HILLARY VOTE SMART!
Vote Hillary | Apr 17, 2008 | Reply
Vote Hillary - stop drinking that Kool Aide. Iran’s nuclear fuel program is monitored by IAEA, Israel’s isn’t. Besides, Israel is a big boy with nukes, they can protect themselves. VOTE OBAMA, VOTE FOR AMERICA
SR | Apr 17, 2008 | Reply
MY FELLOW “BITTER”, STUPID, WORKING CLASS PEOPLE
If you think like Barack Obama, that WORKING CLASS PEOPLE are just a bunch of “BITTER”!, STUPID, PEASANTS, Cash COWS!, and CANNON FODDER.
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think Barack Obama with little or no experience would be better than Hillary Clinton with 35 years experience.
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think that Obama with no experience can fix an economy on the verge of collapse better than Hillary Clinton. Whose
husband (Bill Clinton) led the greatest economic expansion, and prosperity in American history.
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think that Obama with no experience fighting for universal health care can get it for you better than Hillary Clinton. Who anticipated this current health care crisis back in 1993, and fought a pitched battle against overwhelming odds to get universal health care for all the American people.
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think that Obama with no experience can manage, and get us out of two wars better than Hillary Clinton. Whose
husband (Bill Clinton) went to war only when he was convinced that he absolutely had to. Then completed the mission in record time against a nuclear power. AND DID NOT LOSE THE LIFE OF A SINGLE AMERICAN SOLDIER. NOT ONE!
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think that Obama with no experience saving the environment is better than Hillary Clinton. Whose
husband (Bill Clinton) left office with the greatest amount of environmental cleanup, and protections in American history.
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think that Obama with little or no education experience is better than Hillary Clinton. Whose
husband (Bill Clinton) made higher education affordable for every American. And created higher job demand and starting salary’s than they had ever been before or since.
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think that Obama with no experience will be better than Hillary Clinton who spent 8 years at the right hand of President Bill Clinton. Who is already on record as one of the greatest Presidents in American history.
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think that you can change the way Washington works with pretty speeches from Obama, rather than with the experience, and political expertise of two master politicians ON YOUR SIDE like Hillary and Bill Clinton..
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think all those Republicans voting for Obama in the Democratic primaries, and caucuses are doing so because they think he is a stronger Democratic candidate than Hillary Clinton.
Best regards
jacksmith… Working Class
p.s. You Might Be An Idiot!
If you don’t know that the huge amounts of money funding the Obama campaign to try and defeat Hillary Clinton is coming in from the insurance, and medical industry, that has been ripping you off, and killing you and your children. And denying you, and your loved ones the life saving medical care you needed. All just so they can make more huge immoral profits for them-selves off of your suffering…
You see, back in 1993 Hillary Clinton had the audacity, and nerve to try and get quality, affordable universal health care for everyone to prevent the suffering and needless deaths of hundreds of thousands of you each year.
Approx. 100,000 of you die each year from medical accidents from a rush to profit by the insurance, and medical industry. Another 120,000 of you die each year from treatable illness that people in other developed countries don’t die from. And I could go on, and on…
jacksmith | Apr 18, 2008 | Reply
DON’T BE DUPED !!!
Large numbers of Republicans have been voting for Barack Obama in the DEMOCRATIC primaries, and caucuses from early on. Because they feel he would be a weaker opponent against John McCain. With Hillary Clinton you are almost 100% certain to get quality, affordable universal health care very soon.
But first, all of you have to make certain that Hillary Clinton takes the democratic nomination and then the Whitehouse. NOW! is the time. THIS! is the moment you have all been working, and waiting for. You can do this America. “Carpe diem” (harvest the day).
I think Hillary Clinton see’s a beautiful world of plenty for all. She’s a woman, and a mother. And it’s time America. Do this for your-selves, and your children’s future. You will have to work together on this and be aggressive, relentless, and creative. Americans face an even worse catastrophe ahead than the one you are living through now.
You see, the medical and insurance industry mostly support the republicans with the money they ripped off from you. And they don’t want you to have quality, affordable universal health care. They want to be able to continue to rip you off, and kill you and your children by continuing to deny you life saving medical care that you have already paid for. So they can continue to make more immoral profits for them-selves.
Hillary Clinton has actually won by much larger margins than the vote totals showed. And lost by much smaller vote margins than the vote totals showed. Her delegate count is actually much higher than it shows. And higher than Obama’s. She also leads in the electoral college numbers that you must win to become President in the November national election. HILLARY CLINTON IS ALREADY THE TRUE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE!
As much as 30% of Obama’s primary, and caucus votes are Republicans trying to choose the weakest democratic candidate for McCain to run against. These Republicans have been gaming the caucuses where it is easier to vote cheat. This is why Obama has not been able to win the BIG! states primaries. Even with Republican vote cheating help.
Hillary Clinton has been OUT MANNED! OUT GUNNED! and OUT SPENT! 4 and 5 to 1. Yet Obama has only been able to manage a very tenuous, and questionable tie with Hillary Clinton.
If Obama is the democratic nominee for the national election in November he will be slaughtered. Because the Republican vote cheating help will suddenly evaporate. All of this vote fraud and republican manipulation has made Obama falsely look like a much stronger candidate than he really is. YOUNG PEOPLE. DON’T BE DUPED! Think about it. You have the most to lose.
The democratic party needs to fix this outrage. Everyone needs to throw all your support to Hillary Clinton NOW! So you can end this outrage against YOU the voter, and against democracy.
The democratic party, and the super-delegates have a decision to make. Are the democrats, and the democratic party going to choose the DEMOCRATIC party nominee to fight for the American people. Or are the republicans going to choose the DEMOCRATIC party nominee through vote fraud, and gaming the DEMOCRATIC party primaries, and caucuses.
Fortunately the Clinton’s have been able to hold on against this fraudulent outrage with those repeated dramatic comebacks of Hillary Clinton’s. Only the Clinton’s are that resourceful, and strong. Hillary Clinton is your NOMINEE. They are the best I have ever seen.
“This is not a game” (Hillary Clinton)
Sincerely
jacksmith… Working Class
jacksmith | Apr 18, 2008 | Reply
i will vote obama because he is a peacefull man.we wont war,israel is israel and america is america,we are 2 different countries,
david | Apr 18, 2008 | Reply
Iran will whoop ass on USA in the long term. They have so much more capaccity to absorb damage and hurt. We flip out if gas gets too expensive. We are spoilt and they are the opposite. They ahve been around to fight many empires. I do not recommend attacking Iran. We should import oil and saffron from them and leave them alone to wallow in thier idiotic brand of Islam util they reach their renaissance.
kINDOO | Apr 18, 2008 | Reply
Israel has its own nuclear defense capability. As of 1996, it was the sixth largest nuclear power in the world. It can defend itself. Further assistance requires careful consideration.
http://www.wisconsinproject.or...../nuke.html
Israel’s Nuclear Weapon Capability: An Overview
The Risk Report
Volume 2 Number 4 (July-August 1996).
Today, Israel is the world’s sixth most powerful nuclear state, with a stockpile of more than 100 nuclear weapons and with the components and ability to build atomic, neutron and hydrogen bombs. Israel’s nuclear program began and still operates under tight secrecy, but in the 1980s a series of revelations showed the crucial role played by foreign suppliers.
KS in TX | Apr 19, 2008 | Reply
If Israel is worried about an “attack” by Iran, this is a delusion. Without nuclear weapons it is not even possible militarily. Even if Iran gets nuclear weapons they cannot attack Israel. As other posters have pointed out, the retaliation would be complete and total. I can even see the Russians jumping in, as this would a precedent that any sane person could never allow to be repeated.
Why would Iran do this? Because they “hate” Israel? Perhaps, but the regime in Iran is not suicidal. Why does anyone believe that a country would commit national suicide for such a goal?
It does not matter what Obama or Hilary says about what they would do. Does anyone believe that any President would not destroy Iran for such an act? This is a silly, stupid, ridiculous argument. The Israelis are, in this matter, functionally insane, seeing threats where none exist. We know where this comes from, but its been a long long time since Israel was under any credible existential threat.
If Israel wants a credible threat to its existence, go ahead attack Iran, and live with the ravenous blowback. Even then there is no threat to Israelis existence, but there will be a great deal of pain.
And finally since every Presidential candidate has assured Israel that they are under the US nuclear umbrella will they renounce nuclear weapons? If Israel were to do so this would eliminate any need for nuclear weapons in Iran, since to the extent that there is a programme, this programme’s primary function would be to deter an American/Israeli attack on Iran.
Gary_7vn | Apr 19, 2008 | Reply