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Maybe more than at any other time in this presidential contest, the politics of Iran came into sharp focus today, as President Obama engaged with his GOP rivals -- though not by name -- over that thorny subject.
And it highlighted the starkly different world views between the incumbent president up for re-election in November and the Republican candidates who are vying to replace him.
“What's said on the campaign trail -- you know, those folks don't have a lot of responsibilities,” Obama said this afternoon in the White House Briefing Room during a news conference, his first in three months and just so happens to fall on Super Tuesday. “They're not commander in chief.”
He criticized them for talking about war with a certain “casualness.” “This is not a game,” Obama said. “And there's nothing casual about it.”
He derided the field for “bluster” and “big talk” that’s “more about politics than actually trying to solve a difficult problem.”
Romney today, showing just how starkly different his worldview is from Obama.
“Israel does not need public lectures about how to weigh decisions of war and peace,” Romney said during a speech before AIPAC, the pro-Israel in Washington. “It needs our support.”
He called the president’s policy, one of “procrastination” and said that he, instead, would make this specific promise: “I will station multiple aircraft carriers and warships at Iran's door.”
Rick Santorum today during his speech before AIPAC echoed the hard-line hawkish views toward Iran that he has espoused throughout the campaign.
“If they do not tear down those facilities, we will tear them down ourselves,” Santorum said, referring to Iran’s nuclear facilities.
He added, in almost direct response to the president’s criticism, “This is not bellicosity and warmongering. This is preventing the most radical regime in the world from having a weapon that could fundamentally change the security posture not just of the Middle East, but as we've seen with planned attacks here in the United States, a nuclear Iran with a nuclear shield to project terror around the world is a nightmare for all freedom-loving people in the world.”
But that’s par for the course for Santorum. Campaigning in New Hampshire back in January, Santorum said that if Iran were to acquire a nuclear weapon, he contended, events like the terrorist attacks on 9/11 would become “a routine occurrence.”
Newt Gingrich during his speech to AIPAC today – once again – invoked a potential “second Holocaust.”
“I would provide all available intelligence to the Israel government, ensure that they had the equipment necessary, and reassure them that if an Israeli prime minister decides that he has to avoid the threat of a second Holocaust through preemptive measures, that I would require no advanced notice to understand why I would support the right of Israel to survive in a dangerous world,” he said.
On Capitol Hill, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) called for a “declaration of war” vote as a credible step in showing Iran that moving toward making nuclear weapons is unacceptable, NBC’s Debra Pettit reports. He called sanctions useful, but said they haven’t deterred Iran from going forward with their nuclear weapons plans.
Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) said he is "against any rush" to have such a vote.
"I think we have to be very cautious," Reid said, adding, "I am not going to be going forward rushing for a declaration of war.” And, like the president, he urged Republicans to stop throwing around the word "war" so casually."
Santorum also acknowledged the politics of the day, this being Super Tuesday.
“This is a somewhat important day in my life today,” he said. “But I wanted to come off the campaign trail to come here, because one of the reasons that I decided to run for president is because of the grave concern I have about the security of our country.”
When asked about Romney's criticism of his foreign policy at today's news conference, Obama showed he's ready for the general-election fight.
"Good luck tonight," he said. "Really!"
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most of you should move to Europe.
Amen to that!!!!
Better healthcare in Europe, but why don't you GOP neo-fascists move to a country that has a cultist strongman, king, or a miltary dictatorship like Burma, saudi Arabia, or North Korea? Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany aren't available.
As usual MSNBC puts out their defense of the Idiot and Chief.
Just last week Obama himself said that ALL OPTIONS were on the table. Now this week, after Israel told him to stick it, he's suddenly attacking the GOP for saying that all options are on the table, EXCEPT of course going to Iran and smooching up to the Ayatollahs and their President, something ONLY Obama feels that will work and has apparently already bought the chapstick.
I guess all of you on the left think that Iran would never hurt you because, after all, you're the "tolerant" Americans, right? Never mind the filth, the lies, and the out and out hate you throw at those you don't agree with. And never mind that the political and religous leadership of Iran has threatened not only Israel, but this country also.
Why don't you go READ what Iran has said, what the Ayatollahs have said? No, you can't do that, because then you might have to face the TRUTH, wouldn't you?
It's so much easier to just simply choose to not understand, they want YOU DEAD too!
maybe we could send them some demotrolls on this thread.
Amen to that!!! They will not ever live in the truth. They think the truths of this world are all relative some day they will find out!!!!
Cheryl, you would have a point if that was what Obama said, but he didn't.
It's really unfortunate conservatives will say anything, accurate or not, to regain power.
As McConnell and Boehner both said, unseating the president was first on their agenda. Not jobs, not social issues, not foreign relations, not ending the wars or getting OBL. Pretty pathetic.
Oh, the GOP ignorance fear factor. How is Iran's 19# of uranium a weapon being a signatore of the NPT? Or how are Israel's warheads not a theat considering they are indeed violating the NPT? Iran is being told by the US and the Zionists to prove a negative. That is the oldest trick in the book to justify an illegal war. The smooching up to Israeli foregn agents- disguised as AIPAC- by US elected officials is treasonous and, the shameless GOP are causing more tension running their priviledged mouths off irresponsibly.
by the way... you decide whether or not to enter the Armed Forces.
you don't have to go.
WELL SAID PRESIDENT OBAMA !!!!
"BEATING THE DRUMS OF WAR" is absolutely correct about the GOP and the TEA Party. They find that it will cure everything in our ECONOMY. Well it is to late. They have OVERSPENT on Wars and they will continue with their REGIME TACTICS to OVERSPEND and drain all else for the WAR CHEST.
They are all MAD and INSANE ! McCain will vouch for THAT and so will all the other OLD GEEZERS of the PAST !!
i hear Greece is nice this time of year.
sounds like your work ethic would fit right in.
Jason: Stop trolling and take issue with the subject matter- if you have any knowledge on the subjects.
I FIND the REPUKEALINS and TEA CRAPPERS very DISTURBING with their DEVIL IDEOLOGY.
I think the GREEN PARTY should replace these NEED A SHRINK NAZI TYPES !!!
Jason you should move to SING SING ISLAND
might be a good idea.
you could pay for my indolence for awhile... Lord knows I've been paying for yours for years.
As the old song goes, "War! What is it good for? Absolutely NOTHING!" Thank God we have a president who is intelligent, pragmatic and sees the big picture for what is best for our country. His press conference yesterday showcased what an excellent Commander in Chief he is. None of the republicans can hold a candle to Obama. "Republicans! What are they good for? Absolutely NOTHING!"
Cheryl your first lesson is READ THE BIBLE you may see some INSIGHT that will help you in LIFE.
DEPT and DEFICIT ??? Lets see I DO NOT hear or see the INSANE GOP and TEA SLOGGERS stopping the BANGING THE WAR DRUMS do I.
I hear quite the OPPOSITE !!!!! And HOW MANY TRILLIONS DO WE HAVE TO SPEND ????? Depending which WAR we have or may start ?
Speak of lost touch ! more like LOST IN SPACE !!!
I don't think anyone understands what is like to be president. You would think that the candidates would understand by now that you have to work with Congress and other countries. You just can't head into things like a bull in a china closet. Are the candidates talking to the military leaders about what they think is best or don't they care or don't they know they should be asking questions? It reminds me of children who don't understand that their consequenses to bad decisions and this is on a bigger scale then children's play. Even I get that and I am not a brain surgeon.
no doubt about that!!!!
Iraq cost untold billions of dollars which we didn't have, killed over 100,000 Iraqi civilians, and cost the lives of more Americans that Osama. A war with Iran would eclipse those losses and destroy the economic recovery as well as rocketing the national debt. Through international cooperation, Iran is being brought to its knees and is becoming isolated. The time and effort required is a tiny fraction of cost and a complete saving of lives.
Islamic dictators are not worth "our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor". The Republican rhinestone cowboys running for nomination are soul mates of Bush, Cheney, Wolfawits, and Rumsfeld, who they never mention. These candidates seem to be determined to start a war of aggression and recondition the economy to a bigger collapse than than 2008 - 9. They also want to undo the repairs to health care made as well as all the legislation passed to prevent and mitigate a total economic disaster and the protection of the elderly, disadvantaged, and circumstantially poor families. Women's health care is under fire for a reversal of the past 47 years.
How compelling is the idea of reversing civilization in the United States and becoming a second rate, threatening pariah among nations?
What do Republicans really mean?
When they call the President a socialist, but he's not a socialist, what do Republicans really mean?
When they call the President "illegitimate" to be president, but he clearly is legitimately the President, what are Republicans really trying to say?
When they call the President a Muslim, and he's not a Muslim, what do Republicans really mean?
I think we all know what they really mean.
You got it. Republicans are really saying that a muslim president is shying away from bombing muslim Iran.
When will all the YELLOW ELEPHANTS enlist? You idiots want war, first explain why you are to CHICKEN to serve, then second, how to pay for the war? Then when you come home from war, well gee golly molly, we have to cut your benefits, it's because we have to pay down the "don't matter deficit."
And I'm sure the YELLOW ELEPHANTS would go along with that right? You frigging arm chair generals need to learn something besides thinking war is a movie. Think Russia and China will sit on the sidelines while the US attacks Iran?
Iran is a threat, no doubt about it, but trying to bully them is not going to work. Especially by the US and Israels, as Iran thinks they are their worst enemies. When enough countries sign on about the sanctions, then start your campaign about using force.
I have no doubt that had McCain (somehow) won in 2008, the U.S. would
now be at war with Iran and gas prices would be even higher. This is why I
voted for Obama and why, given the ridiculous chicken hawk saber waving by Santorum,
Newt, and Mitt, I will do so again in November. I am no fan of Ron Paul but I
agree fully with his logic that Iran has as much of a right to the bomb as
Israel, which already has it. By the way, did any in the Republican field serve
in the military, including the state national guard? It would seem that for such tough talk at
least one of them would have personal experience putting his risking life and
limb for country.
All you democrats feel save in the U S A. Thank the military period. This country seems to be rational( Iran) but with closer exam he does not care about sanctions he want Israel gone and the U S also. Why don't we wait and see how he going to do it oh wait he does not have the news media to say how and where he will strike. maybe we can let him have CNN news so we will know when and where he will hit us. I think that monkey's with machine gun are dangerous also. Shame on me!!!!!! All of you make me feel so safe here but that's only because we have never been bombed at our homes or had to deal with air raids ask some one in France if they like war. No they don't but when a country that could get its hand on such a weapon of mass destruction is allowed to complete the task while the world looks from a far is not a smart thing, Maybe just send our ambassador to have a chat with him. Israel knows that he is not playing around, that's why they are so vigilant and they want to protect there way of life. If the U S A would think of more than just monetary efforts it might be filled with worry because we will just let it happen with a democrat for president.
Iran is not a threat to the US and more than Iraq was. Israel doesn't want anyone else in the mid east to have what they already have. I don't blame them but that's life, get used to it.
Many countries have nuclear capabilities but no one has ever used them since the US did, for good reason, in WWII.
Republicans are fear-mongers for political purposes, nothing more and nothing less.
Conservative columnist George will said; "Republicans want to bomb Iran yet they are afraid of Rush Limbaugh".
Amazing posts. Amazing country. A very tolerant bunch of people. Obama who has never gone to war, never run a company sounds like a miracle worker in this blog. Unemployment and the economy are recovering and life is getting good. Wrong! Unemployment and the economy are in worse shape than ever. Independent economist, not the government manipulated Labor Department with their creative math, are showing that we are in bad shape. But in order to win his election he must show us that the economy is turning around. He is using 3rd world tactics. Telling us things are getting better but as you look around and see stores, neighbors, friends and struggling. He is the Jim Jones of this country and has the Demo and Republicans being petty and fighting each other. Remember. HIs lifelong career is a community agitator. Now country agitator. Under the premise of doing good he is actually screwing this country and all those that value this country for its uniqueness and freedom.
Economy is in worse shape than 3 years ago when we were losing 800,000 jobs a month, market was half the value it is now and banking was on the verge of collapse?
Get back into the real world Russ, it's much more useful.
Mark. The ecomony may look better but it isn't. ie. . if I gave you a loan to help you get on your feet, you would look good as well.. or until the loan money runs out. this economy is propped up by govt printed money. our dollar has lost so much value because of this. Obama has printed zillions of dollars and has increased the debt more than we can possibly recover from. Remember govt. doesn't make money. It takes it and it prints it. Our dollar because of all the printing in the last three years is almost worthless. We are now feeling the inflationary effects of this. With respect to the stock market, it is based on speculation not reality. Easy up , easy down. It will crash again. People will take their profits and get out. Companies that really create nothing ie Google are flying high. In a country that bases much on appearance Obama is king and wants to be king. He doesn't like answering to anyone and uses the constitution whenl it works for him and tromples on it when he doesn't. Would you let a lay person do your accounting...Im sure no. But we have a President who has never been to war, never been in the military, never run a company etc run our country. That is a miracle.
Russ, we are creating 200,000 jobs each onth instead of losing 800,000 jobs a month.
Stock market is somewhere around 40% higher than 3 years ago.
Commercial banking industry has stepped back from collapse.
The dollar has strengthened against the Euro, not weakened.
Corporate profits are higher than 3 years ago.
Housing market has stabilized, new construction is improved.
It's really hard to understand how you can reconcile these factual developments with your claim that the economy is worse, though we both know why you try.
I don't care if he hasn't run a popsicle stand, the results speak for themselves.
BTW, who among the recent presidents has run a business (please don't say Bush II) and who has been in the military (again, please don't cite Bush II). Bush I was the only president I believe since Nixon who served.
Mark, I don't know where you are getting your numbers on the economy. Probably from the Govt. . They are using creative math. Trust me. I am from a third world country where the govt. tells you one thing but the reality around you is different.
we are creating 200,000 jobs each month instead of losing 800,000 jobs a month. Whos numbers? Obama?
Stock market is somewhere around 40% higher than 3 years ago. Sure. It is all based on speculation. Will go down again trust me. Has nothing to do with Obama. People gambling on companies that also cook their books.
Commercial banking industry has stepped back from collapse. With borrowed money. Have they all paid it back in full? Loan me money. I will step back from collapse as well. I too can look good for the short term.
The dollar has strengthened against the Euro, not weakened.Thats not saying much. Europe is headed downhill faster.
Corporate profits are higher than 3 years ago. Of course. They are not hiring but maxing out those that are working for them. I am doing that as well.
Housing market has stabilized, new construction is improved. You have got to be kidding. What news are you reading.
It's really hard to understand how you can reconcile these factual developments with your claim that the economy is worse, though we both know why you try. Why do I try??? I am neither a democrat or republican. I just see these 2 parties bickering as the great Agitator Obama wants. You all are fools.
I don't care if he hasn't run a popsicle stand, the results speak for themselves. The real results of what he is doing are not on the surface. He is very smart, savy and silver tongued.
BTW, who among the recent presidents has run a business (please don't say Bush II) and who has been in the military (again, please don't cite Bush II). Bush I was the only president I believe since Nixon who served. Won't respond to this. Not trying to pick fight. I do know that my wise grandmother said you can judge someone by thier company and when you see the company Obama kept it is not hard to see where is heart and mind are. The only truth that i see with this president is the one where he said he will radically transform this country, and he is.
Bullsh!t
Russ, it's difficult to discuss an issue when one side refutes the facts.
Where are you getting your facts. I can prove that the numbers being used by the Labor Dept. have been done using creative math and for the sole purpose of propping up this president for re-election. I can send you links and if you have an open mind you will read them. They are not getting their paychecks from Washington.
Check out this post:
Mark. The ecomony may look better but it isn't. ie. . if I gave you a loan to help you get on your feet, you would look good as well.. or until the loan money runs out. this economy is propped up by govt printed money. our dollar has lost so much value because of this. Obama has printed zillions of dollars and has increased the debt more than we can possibly recover from. Remember govt. doesn't make money. It takes it and it prints it. Our dollar because of all the printing in the last three years is almost worthless. We are now feeling the inflationary effects of this. With respect to the stock market, it is based on speculation not reality. Easy up , easy down. It will crash again. People will take their profits and get out. Companies that really create nothing ie Google are flying high. In a country that bases much on appearance Obama is king and wants to be king. He doesn't like answering to anyone and uses the constitution whenl it works for him and tromples on it when he doesn't. Would you let a lay person do your accounting...Im sure no. But we have a President who has never been to war, never been in the military, never run a company etc run our country. That is a miracle.
Mark,
I don't know where you are getting your numbers on the economy. Probably from the Govt. . They are using creative math. Trust me. I am from a third world country where the govt. tells you one thing but the reality around you is different.
we are creating 200,000 jobs each month instead of losing 800,000 jobs a month. Whos numbers? Obama?
Stock market is somewhere around 40% higher than 3 years ago. Sure. It is all based on speculation. Will go down again trust me. Has nothing to do with Obama. People gambling on companies that also cook their books.
Commercial banking industry has stepped back from collapse. With borrowed money. Have they all paid it back in full? Loan me money. I will step back from collapse as well. I too can look good for the short term.
The dollar has strengthened against the Euro, not weakened.Thats not saying much. Europe is headed downhill faster.
Corporate profits are higher than 3 years ago. Of course. They are not hiring but maxing out those that are working for them. I am doing that as well.
Housing market has stabilized, new construction is improved. You have got to be kidding. What news are you reading.
It's really hard to understand how you can reconcile these factual developments with your claim that the economy is worse, though we both know why you try. Why do I try??? I am neither a democrat or republican. I just see these 2 parties bickering as the great Agitator Obama wants. You all are fools.
I don't care if he hasn't run a popsicle stand, the results speak for themselves. The real results of what he is doing are not on the surface. He is very smart, savy and silver tongued.
BTW, who among the recent presidents has run a business (please don't say Bush II) and who has been in the military (again, please don't cite Bush II). Bush I was the only president I believe since Nixon who served. Won't respond to this. Not trying to pick fight. I do know that my wise grandmother said you can judge someone by their company. When you see the company Obama kept, it is not hard to see where is heart and mind are. The only truth that i see with this president is the one where he said he will radically transform this country, and he is.
Well said
Interesting. In this age of Obama transparency some links to some non government economic sites I noted in my comment will not publish. I guess it might reveal data that the government can't edit...
Right is right
Left is wrong
Simple
From Therman Mermen: Conservative columnist George will said; "Republicans want to bomb Iran yet they are afraid of Rush Limbaugh". Yes the elitist cowards are very afraid to challenge his narrative or the GOP mythology.
Possessing nuclear weapons is perfectly legal and moral. For Iran as well. It would take an illegal action to remove any nuclear weapons capabilities. Most calling for military intervention are immoral hypocrits with absolutely zero legal or moral standing in a civilized World. The religious fundamentalist (ie Santorum) are on par with the fundamentalist mullahs. Stop all US Taxpayer charity to the terroist state of israel now.
They give inmates soccer fields and computers now?
If some GOP donor's company got a contract in 2002 from the federal security state feed trough- and Gitmo has it all, water torture boards as well- of course.
This country is war weary and I appreciate the President saying that when people take a casual view of getting into another conflict he takes a view of the costs in the lives of our people. The cost to the American people for the Iraq and Afghanistan war cannot be overestimated, and I am not talking about dollars, when you take into account the cost of the lives lost, the families destroyed, the horribly injured young people and the children that will grow up without ever knowing their mother or father because of their death.
The criminal war in Iraq has a tab of nearly $3 trillion due to overwhelming medical expenses. "Deficits don't matter", according to Pentagon pimp and Halliburton man Dick Cheney. Such crooks, and the defense from many Americans is to ignore the Bush-Cheney 8 year calamity.