Perhaps Barack Obama should just stick to domestic issues, the entire foreign policy thing is not working out so well:
«I think it would be a profound mistake for us to use nuclear weapons in any circumstance,» Obama said, with a pause, «involving civilians.» Then he quickly added, «Let me scratch that. There's been no discussion of nuclear weapons. That's not on the table.
The Illinois senator warned Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf earlier this week that he would use U.S. military force in Pakistan even without Musharraf's permission if necessary to root out terrorists.
However, when asked by The Associated Press after a breakfast with constituents whether there was any circumstance where he would be prepared or willing to use nuclear weapons to defeat terrorism and al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, Obama replied
«There's been no discussion of using nuclear weapons and that's not a hypothetical that I'm going to discuss.
When asked whether his answer also applied to the possible use of tactical nuclear weapons, he said it did.
I find it scary that a man who has a shot at being the next president would just give up the biggest deterrent the U.S. has when dealing with enemies. No president would want to use nukes and, in fact, most probably wouldn't except in extreme circumstances. But not one of those presidents would ever say that. I'm sure China and Russia are happy to know that a President Obama would not use nukes but would invade Pakistan -- a nation that has nukes and would use them in a heartbeat against us or India.
So there in lies the question: Suppose, Perez Musharraf was overthrown--and with the state of things in Pakistan, that's not far-fetched -- and a nuke was secreted to terrorist elements who then detonated it in New York or LA. The CIA or FBI track its origin to Pakistan's new government. Wouldn't a tactical nuclear response be justified if not warranted? To take the use of nukes off the table under any circumstance shows exactly how naive and green Obama is.
I would suggest his campaign people put him on the shelf, far from the media for a few days or a week, this guy increases Hillary Clinton's numbers every time he speaks and makes another inane comment.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 2)
1. So Obama misspoke, he clarified it later saying it was a hypothetical question he couldn't really answer.
"There's been no discussion of using nuclear weapons and that's not a hypothetical that I'm going to discuss."
Don't you have anything better to write about? For all of our strengths, the media sure does seem to be a week spot in American society.
John from Hardy VA at 3:42PM on Aug 2nd 2007
2. These surprise questions elicit a gut level response. Who would commit to using nukes in a hypothetical situation? Later, after giving it some thought, there is a clarification, as there would be from any candidate.
The only problem is, in a nuclear confrontation, there may be no time for anything but gut.
Steve Bonomo at 5:02PM on Aug 2nd 2007
3. obama is not ready to lead a nation,his global knowledge is very very shalow.
a.g.nikkhoo at 10:55AM on Aug 3rd 2007
4. obama does not have sufficient global knowledge to lead our nation.by no means he is ready for presidency.
A.G.Nikkhoo at 10:54AM on Aug 3rd 2007
5. Obama's dead meat... Just the thought of upsetting the fragile imbalance in Pakistan and provoking an overthrow, has most Americans scared to death... Aparently he didn't know they have nukes!
motcon at 6:41PM on Aug 2nd 2007
6. His true inability and naive view of world relations is showing again. Given some time, he may be ready to be president-not now.
Rodney Field at 6:58PM on Aug 2nd 2007
7. Invading a sovereign nation without their permission----hmmm----who's "Bush-Cheney like" now?
We need Hillary's experience. Someone who is for peace, yet can stand strong in the face of our enemies.
Patrick at 7:21PM on Aug 2nd 2007
8. Another prominent, popular democrat -- a president in fact -- made a blanket declaration that he would not use ground troops in Kosovo. President Clinton still managed to have a few pretty successful years in office. Foreign policy won't be Obama's strength, but there are worse mistakes to make than saying he wouldn't use nuclear weapons...especially since the U.S. is a leader in nonproliferation work internationally.
Rosie at 7:30PM on Aug 2nd 2007
9. Hillary is a joke,and Obama is who America desperately needs. Someone who is not afraid to say whats on his mind is a man. For all you Democrats that think Hillary would be strong on foreign policy,you are sadly mistaken. Many world leaders refuse to speak to a female. Our nation would be worse than even now with the joke you people call president,Bush.
kenneth at 8:05PM on Aug 2nd 2007
10. Even before the election, how many times and how much more mistakes Obama is going to make? Somebody said he is empty suit, I can say his mouth is 90% of the body. He is not a material for the President because he doesn't know the virtue of modesty, he likes to preach, he may speech when he is sleeping. He said he is ready, but I don't think so. I hope he pay more attention what real people say about him and control himself.
kreisch at 8:19AM on Aug 3rd 2007
11. This is for kenneth,Don't you know that there are powerfull nations led by women now, We need Hillary now Hussen Obama is still to young you cannot make statements then say I am sorry I did not mean that and retrack we may be blown up by that time !!!!!
Tommie Cannon at 6:16PM on Aug 3rd 2007
12. This is what diplomats say is "a zebra showing it's stripes". Once a politico says something like that it's like Pandora opening the box...all you can say is OUCH.
It may or may not be the correct thing course of action to pursur but you never, never show your cards. International politics is a whole different arena which Obama has shown he is not ready for.
Hillary is also not ready for the International arena.
Jerry at 9:50PM on Aug 2nd 2007
13. When I read all of these comments and "opinions", the one thing that easily becomes obvious is that those commenting know even less about the subject than those they criticize. In this case, the original blogger is not interested in discussion, he/she is merely a "gossip", waiting for some democratic candidate to say something that can be "spun" like a top. These dufus have been spinning all of their lives and know nothing else.
Robert I. Laitres at 10:11PM on Aug 2nd 2007
14. One word- EXPERIENCE! Mr obama may be intelligent but he is absolutely not ready for this job. How can America affoard another inexperienced personality in this position? When it comes to experience, Mr Obama and Mr Bush are the SAME..think about it!
rakesh007 at 10:09PM on Aug 2nd 2007
15. EVEN THO' I AM AFRICAN AMERICAN, I WILL NOT VOTE FOR BARAK OBAMA, IT IS TIME FOR ME TO VOTE FOR A WOMAN, THIS COUNTRY IS IN SUCH A MESS, AND I THINK HER EXPERIENCE OUTWEIGHS HIS. WE ALAYS HAVE TOCLEAN UP THEIR MESS.
G. FORCH at 10:32PM on Aug 2nd 2007