McCain, Obama Stake Out Differences on Iranian Missile Tests
Barack Obama pointed to a new missile test Wednesday by Iran as a reason to open diplomatic relations with the country, while John McCain said the test indicates a need for a strong missile defense system based in Europe.
Iranian state television reported that Iran test-fired nine long- and medium-range missiles that officials said were aimed at showing the country??s ability to counter Israeli or American attacks. The country is in a protracted diplomatic battle over its nuclear program, which it says is for peaceful energy purposes, but which the U.S. and its allies believe otherwise.
Asked on morning shows about the news, Obama cautioned that the reports about the missile tests were still coming in, but said the current method of dealing with Iran appears broken.
??I would want to talk to the national security team to find out whether this indicates any new capabilities on Iran??s part. At this point, the reports aren??t clear. It??s still early,? Obama told CBS?? ??Early Show.?
??But I think what this underscores is the need for us to create a kind of policy that is putting the burden on Iran to change behavior. And, frankly, we just have not been able to do that over the last several years. Partly because we??re not engaged in direct diplomacy,? he said.
In a statement, McCain said: ??Iran??s most recent missile tests demonstrate again the dangers it poses to its neighbors and to the wider region, especially Israel. Ballistic missile testing coupled with Iran??s continued refusal to cease its nuclear activities should unite the international community in efforts to counter Iran??s dangerous ambitions.?
McCain also raised the issue of a U.S. missile defense system that is under development in Europe, and which on Tuesday was the subject of a military threat by Russia. Russia said it would have to take military action if an agreement over the system were ratified between the Czech Republic and the United States.
??Iran??s missile tests also demonstrate the need for effective missile defense now and in the future, and this includes missile defense in Europe as is planned with the Czech Republic and Poland,? McCain said.
McCain also took aim at Obama, who he criticizes for his plans to open direct diplomacy with Iran. ??Working with our European and regional allies is the best way to meet the threat posed by Iran, not unilateral concessions that undermine multilateral diplomacy,? McCain said.
On Tuesday, McCain addressed a question over American exports to Iran, but his initial response ?? which he said was an intended joke ?? drew a scolding from his wife, Cindy.
??Maybe that??s a way of killing them,? McCain told reporters about the export of some $158 million in cigarettes to Iran in recent years. His wife, sitting next to him at a Pittsburgh sandwich shop, poked his back without looking up.
??I meant that as a joke,? McCain quickly explained. ??As a person who hasn??t had a cigarette in 28 years,? he began to say, when his wife corrected him: 29 years.
Taking a more serious tone, McCain said, ??I??d like to look into? details of exports to Iran. ??This is the first that I??ve heard about it,? he said.
Obama said the trade report shows a discrepancy in U.S. policy toward Iran.
??There??s a story that exports from the United States to Iran have actually increased during the Bush years. So we??ve been combining bellicose rhetoric with not very effective action. And that??s one of the things that I??d like to change when I??m president,? Obama said.
McCain, Obama Stake Out Differences on Iranian Missile Tests - America’s Election HQ
I don't think that the Iranians are much for chit-chat about issues like this.
Have a good one!:s4:
McCain, Obama Stake Out Differences on Iranian Missile Tests
We should invent a crazy new super addictive drug and secretly smuggle it into Iran. Then we can get them hooked which will allow us to grab them by the balls! Alright thats a little farfetched but hey it worked for Britian right? Anyway back to reality....I think both candidates bring some very interesting points to the table. I mean Obama's right in the sense that we shouldn't just ignore Iran, but rather talk to them to maybe work out some agreement. I know it sucks having to confront a douchebag country but essentially we can't play god here and dictate what a country can or can't do. Its much easier to attempt to reason with them rather than ignore them entirely and figure out a way to squeeze their arm hard enough to give up. But at the same time we can't be pussy's about it either. We do need to show them we take this issue seriously and thats where I agree with McCain. His ideas about new missile defenses in Europe is an excellent idea because we all know what needs to be done if Obama's diplomacy idea fails. And I think what will influence Iran most is that thought in the back of their minds that if they mess with America, their pretty much boned. But still, by using diplomatic approaches we can show that we do have a sense of rationality. I mean as a country we need to show them some sort of respect despite the fact that we can obliterate them. Giving them a little respect will ease the tension between us. Thats my dumb little rant...
McCain, Obama Stake Out Differences on Iranian Missile Tests
Probably both approaches could work simultaneaously and be effective. We need to open diplomatic channels if we want to avoid a war. And a missile defense makes some sense seeing as more and more countries are developing longer range missiles, including Iran.
Clearly what is NOT working is the Bush approach, which has got us to the point where we are right now. We've been telling them, "We won't negotiate with you until you agree to meet all of our demands." What kind of negotiation is that? No wonder they tell us to go fuck ourselves and then just do whatever they want. We did the same with North Korea, and now they have a nuke. That approach does not work.
McCain, Obama Stake Out Differences on Iranian Missile Tests
well it kind of worked for North Korea in the sense that they finally agreed to disband its nuclear facilities, but then again they talk a lot of bs so I'm not putting much faith in their words. But at the same time North Korea is dealing with different circumstances. I think for certain countries it could possibly work but I really don't think it would work for Iran, because they can use a lot more against us than North Korea could. Its literally at the point where North Korea will fail as a country unless it attempts to make some sort of diplomatic approach with us and I think their now begining to realize it. Iran, however, can survive without us, but would suffer if we went to war with them. So if we did take the Bush approach with Iran it would probably involve some sort of fighting before Iran would begin peace negotiations, but then again thats just a simple guess. Of course the more likely scenario would be an Isreali attack on Iran or vis versa before it would get to that point with us.
McCain, Obama Stake Out Differences on Iranian Missile Tests
Quote:
Originally Posted by Psycho4Bud
??I would want to talk to the national security team to find out whether this indicates any new capabilities on Iran??s part. At this point, the reports aren??t clear. It??s still early,? Obama told CBS?? ??Early Show.?
Translation: Please, someone. Help me. I have no idea what the hell I'm doing.:cool:
McCain, Obama Stake Out Differences on Iranian Missile Tests
Quote:
??I would want to talk to the national security team to find out whether this indicates any new capabilities on Iran??s part. At this point, the reports aren??t clear. It??s still early,? Obama told CBS?? ??Early Show.?
Quote:
Originally Posted by FreshNugz
Translation: Please, someone. Help me. I have no idea what the hell I'm doing.:cool:
You are suggesting because he would want to talk to the national security team to find out whether Iran test firing some missiles indicates any new capabilities on Iran??s part, that for some reason he doesn't know what he is doing? Why is that? It seems like a logical thing to want to know. Are these some kind of new missiles with a new capability, or are they the same missiles that Iran has already demonstrated? Any president who did NOT ask this kind of question would be an idiot.
Maybe you already know the answer and wouldn't have to ask, FreshNugz. I'm actually really curious to know the answer myself, so if you have that information please let us know. Does this missile test indicate a new capability on Iran??s part, FreshNugz?
McCain, Obama Stake Out Differences on Iranian Missile Tests
They fired four missiles, one of which misfired. And then they doctored the photograph to look like they all fired successfully. So...they have four missiles to shoot off in their "show", and we have to consult the national security team??? Please!!
You were right to make your comment as I did not articulate. But the 'national security team' hasn't been the best course of action in history(their "advice" never seemed to work for Vietnam).
Why in the hell would he need to consult them anyways? Its not like the missiles could reach American soil, so what does it have to do with your national security??
The point I was trying to make is that he was all about talking straight to Iran..no going through advisers and taking cues from ex-generals, he said he wants to engage in direct talks.
Oh but now, since he is the dem. nominee...he has to speak with his national security team.
When I say he doesn't know what he is doing, I mean that it seems his "change" approaches aren't as good as he thought. So, now that he recognizes this, he has no idea what to do, because each day he changes from the iconic rhetoric speaker he was to a puppet whose comments are carefully scrutinized.
I was suggesting he doesn't know what he is doing because he has just realized his "sit and talk" with Iran isn't plausible.
If that makes sense to you.
