What Are Our Politicians Saying About Iran

Iran is on the precipice of becoming not only a nuclear power, but an unhinged nuclear power at that. The Iranian mullahs haven't been shy about their intentions - to wipe Israel from the map, not to mention anyone who stands against them. That pretty much includes everyone else in the Middle East and within missile range (which, in a matter of time will include Europe as well).

So, with this grave and gathering threat to international stability and US national security interests, what are our political leaders saying about this?

John Kerry has stepped in with the following comments:

"Iran has made a dangerous and silly decision of confronting not just the U.S. government but the entire international community," Kerry told reporters in the southern Indian technology hub of Hyderabad during a visit to India.

Kerry's statement came as officials from Britain, France and Germany plan to meet their counterparts from China, Russia and the United States in London next week to discuss Iran's decision to restart sensitive nuclear work.

Kerry said Iran could be referred to the U.N. Security Council if the crisis continued.

"If all diplomatic channels fail, we have no choice but to take the issue before the international body," Kerry, a strong proponent of nuclear non-proliferation, said.

No word on what would happen if the issue goes before the UN and it fails to take action, or only produces a resolution. Further, no word on the use of force to compel compliance with international law. In other word, it's a punt to the UN and foreign nations all while Iran presents a threat to US national security, regional stability in the Middle East, and threatens our interests and allies in the region.

Jason at Generation Why sums up Kerry's foreign policy mojo thusly:

"I'm telling your mother on you!"

In April 2005, Sen. Joe Biden made the following statements:

Biden tells host Chris Wallace in Fox News Channel's "Iran: The Nuclear Threat" airing Sunday night, "To have a despotic theocracy in possession of a nuclear weapon, creates a much bigger danger than having a democratically elected government in control of a nuclear weapon. ... They're much more likely to use it or threaten to use it or attempt to use it for blackmail."

Wallace asks: "You're saying at this point a nuclear Iran is unacceptable?"

"Correct," Biden replies.

Nothing has substantively changed in Iran's status - except that their leadership has been ever more vocal in their calls to eliminate Israel.

In July 2005, Rep. Nancy Pelosi has said that the Administration hasn't done enough to rein in Iran - calling the US response essentially limited to rhetoric and reliance on the European diplomatic efforts. Considering that the Democrats have long complained that the US didn't do enough diplomacy before going into Iraq to depose Saddam and the Ba'athists, this smacks of political opportunism. If the Democrats want consistency, they would have supported the ongoing US efforts in Iraq, since it could clearly be a launching point for dealing with Iran (which is right next door and shares a common border).

Of course, Congress has addressed the issue before. The House passed the Iran Nuclear Proliferation Prevention Act in 1998, but it never got anywhere in the Senate. The US also approved the Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000. Those are good starting places for those who are trying to research comments made by various politicians.

Meanwhile, Pamela at Atlas Shrugs notes that there are indications that the latest Iranian plane crash killing a bunch of Iranian military leaders may not have been accidental. It could indicate that there is dissent within the ranks to Ahmadinejad's insane rantings, but this is all speculation.

At the same time, the rhetoric is being ratcheted up on all sides.

On January 13, 2006, President Bush stated that a nuclear armed Iran poses a 'great risk.' Vast understatement there, Mr. President.

Expect more comments to be forthcoming on tomorrow's morning talk shows. It will be interesting to see how the various politicians see the threat posed by a nuclear Iran, as well as what the US can and should do.

If you've got quotes of politicians on both sides of the aisle regarding the Iran crisis, post them in the comments.

UPDATE:
Posted to Wizbang's Carnival of Trackbacks, Basil's Blog, Jo's Cafe Saturday Specials, Don Surber,

UPDATE 1/15/2006:
Generation Why has a roundup of the latest comments by politicians on Iran. There seems to be a bit of wayback machine operating as many of the comments made about Iran were made about Iraq only a few short years ago. Considering how quickly the Democrats abandoned their positions on the war in Iraq, one has to wonder whether they'd do the same thing with respect to Iran.