The Gift That Keeps Giving

What Democratic presidential candidate originally said:

“They don’t pose a serious threat to us in the way the Soviet Union posed a threat to us,” Obama told a cheering audience, explaining why he doesn’t think we need to worry about “tiny” countries like Venezuela, Cuba, North Korea, and Iran. Obama also displays a weird sense of history when he suggests that the Berlin Wall fell because we engaged Mikhail Gorbachev

That's right folks, we don't need to worry about tiny countries because they wouldn't have the capacity to kill Americans or disrupt the US economy. Like say 19 hijackers on 9/11? State sponsored terrorists or a proxy force operated by Iran could do all that and more. I'd say that Obama hasn't quite learned any lessons and is thoroughly and permanently stuck on 9/10. Since our energy interests are tied to such tiny countries, I'd say that our security interests are tied to what happens in these places.

The waffle flipper speaks:

Obama said he fully realizes the danger posed by Iran, but that it is nothing compared to those presented by the former Soviet Union.

"The Soviet Union had the ability to destroy the world several times over, had satellites spanning the globe, had huge masses of conventional military power, all directed at destroying us," he said. "So, I've made it clear for years that the threat from Iran is grave. But what I've said is that we should not just talk to our friends. We should be willing to engage our enemies as well. That's what diplomacy is all about."

Obama repeatedly stressed the risk posed by Iran, as he suggested that danger has grown because of policies supported by McCain.

"Iran is a grave threat. It has an illicit nuclear program. It supports terrorism across the region and militias in Iraq. It threatens Israel's existence. It denies the Holocaust," he said. "The reason Iran is so much more powerful than it was a few years ago is because of the Bush-McCain policy of fighting in Iraq and refusing to pursue direct diplomacy with Iran. They're the ones who have not dealt with Iran wisely."

So, hours after claiming that Iran isn't a threat, he's now saying that it's a grave threat. Laughable. He can't stick to his talking points long enough, and his comments once they come under scrutiny simply don't hold up.

What policy, precisely does Obama think would work with Iran? Talking isn't working - that's the current Bush effort that includes WTO admission and other various offers if Iran gives up its nuclear program. Iran refuses, so the US isn't backing down on its economic initiatives to undermine the mullahs.

Talking without conditions? That's the Obama proposal, which would essentially give Iran everything it wants without giving up anything in return. Where have we seen that kind of proposal before? Jimmy Carter's Agreed Framework scenario utilized by President Clinton with North Korea in 1994. That worked out just famously - as North Korea proceeded to go nuclear.

Sen. John McCain responded in comments earlier today, and again schools Obama on his illiteracy about world events and foreign policy.



Hot Air and Ace have more.