The opposite of preemptive war is apparently preemptive surrender.
CHICAGO, Oct. 31 — Senator Barack Obama said he would “engage in aggressive personal diplomacy” with Iran if elected president, and would offer economic inducements and a possible promise not to seek “regime change” if Iran stopped meddling in Iraq and cooperated on terrorism and nuclear issues.
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Mr. Obama said that Iran had been “acting irresponsibly” by supporting Shiite militant groups in Iraq. He also emphasized that Iran’s suspected nuclear weapons program and its support for “terrorist activities” were serious concerns.But he asserted that Iran’s support for militant groups in Iraq reflected its anxiety over the Bush administration’s policies in the region, including talk of a possible American military strike on Iranian nuclear installations.
Making clear that he planned to talk to Iran without preconditions, Mr. Obama emphasized further that “changes in behavior” by Iran could possibly be rewarded with membership in the World Trade Organization, other economic benefits and security guarantees.
I wonder if Obama can explain exactly which of Bush’s policies caused the anxiety that led Iran to export Hezbollah’s terrorism all over the world. Perhaps he could also tell us how this talk of a military strike on Iran caused Iran to fully support Moqtada al-Sadr in Iraq way back in 2003. It strikes me that Obama probably didn’t pay very much attention to Iraq until he decided to run for President and he’s been getting his information since then from Highlights for Children and My First Pop-Up Book of Illegal, Immoral Wars to Enrich Fascist Oil Barons. I get the distinct impression that if someone showed him a few clippings from Mad Mahmouds Greatest Anti-Semitic and Anti-American Hits, it would honestly surprise him but not discomfit him very much. His campaign motto seems to be “Whatever is the opposite of George w. Bush, that’s me!” which is kind of silly if he’s not going to bother to do the required reading.
I think it’s pretty clear that Obama’s not ready for the big leagues quite yet. If the MSM hadn’t named him the Democrats Chosen Messiah, he’d be battling with the likes of Chris Dodd and Dennis Kucinich for the scraps of attention that fall from the media tables.
(via Hot Air)
