Dan Spencer has been blogging at, and as, California Yankee since 2003. He lives in Connecticut and practices law in New York. Here he will discuss the politics of the Right.
In "A Contrary View," Jay, unfortunately, mis-characterized what I said about talking with Iran.
I don't think I said, and I certainly didn't mean to say, that "any overture toward Iran by the U.S. government would be viewed as a sign of weakness." What I did say was, "Like Carter's failure to free the hostages, Obama's proposed 'aggressive personal diplomacy' will also be seen as a sign of weakness that will only encourage this state sponsor of terrorism." I also said, "I prefer the current approach to fighting the war the Islamic extremists continue to wage against us and McCain's 'Realistic Idealism' to the false hope of Obama's 'aggressive personal diplomacy.'"
I meant to convey my concern about Obama's naive statement that he will "meet with any leader of any state, including Iran's Ahmadinejad, without pre-conditions."
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has repeatedly threatened the destruction of Israel; is pursuing nuclear weapons; and his Revolutionary Guard is training Iraqis to kill American military personnel in Iraq. It is dangerous to offer to meet with Ahmadinejad without insisting that the rogue state change its belligerent ways -- serial statements about a world without America; parades in Iranian cities with participants shouting “Death to America”; active efforts to kill and maim Americans and Iraqis; Iran’s support for the Hezbollah terrorists, which until the 9/11 terror attacks, had killed more Americans than any other terror group; and Iran's refusal to obey the UN Security Council's demands that Iran cease its nuclear weapons development.
Talking for talking sake will not move Iran any closer toward acceptable conduct. No, such an unsophisticated policy will only convince the Iranians that their current abhorrent behavior got them what they wanted.
Topics:
2008 Presidential Campaign ,
Obama ,
Iran ,
McCain
The U.S. News Political Bulletin has rounded up the following state polls since my last state polling update: Colorado - Tied A Denver Post /Mason-Dixon poll of registered Colorado voters taken September 29-October 1 shows McCain and Obama tied at 44%.... Read More Topics:
2008 Presidential Campaign
Stanley Kurtz takes apart the New York Time's puff piece article which downplays the long relationship between Obama and the unrepentant Weather Underground terrorist, Bill Ayers. The article, written by New York Times reporter Scott Shane, was the catalyst... Read More Topics:
2008 Presidential Campaign
According to a new Rasmussen Reports poll, 59% of voters would like to replace the entire Congress. A separate survey found that just 11% of voters say Congress is doing a good or an excellent job. Democrats are less unhappy with Congress: Seventy-four... Read More Topics:
Congress
On "Meet the Press," Gwen Ifill reflects on moderating the Palin/Biden debate and being impersonated by Queen Latifah: For more info: Palin vs. Biden debate highlights ♦ A Palin performance ... Read More Topics:
2008 Presidential Campaign
With Obama's brotherhood of community organizers, the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, more commonly known "ACORN," caught trying to steal the election and helping to bring about the financial crisis, Obama tries to distance... Read More Topics:
2008 Presidential Campaign
"Our opponent ... is someone who sees America, it seems, as being so imperfect, imperfect enough, that he's palling around with terrorists who would target their own country" Republican vice presidential candidate Governor Sarah Palin on Saturday... Read More Topics:
2008 Presidential Campaign
Saturday Night Live does its version of the Palin/Biden debate: For more info: Governor Palin and Hillary address the nation on Saturday Night Live ♦... Read More Topics:
2008 Presidential Campaign