Democratic Presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., gestures during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, March 1, 2007 to discuss a bill to protect injured soldiers returning from war. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Posted on 03/02/2007 12:20:39 PM PST by NormsRevenge
CHICAGO - Democrat presidential candidate Barack Obama on Friday blamed Bush Administration failings in Iraq for strengthening the strategic position of Iran, which he says must be stopped from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Illinois senator said that means "direct engagement" with Iran similar to the meetings with the Soviet Union at the height of the Cold War.
"A consequence of the Administration's failed strategy in Iraq has been to strengthen Iran's strategic position; reduce U.S. credibility and influence in the region; and place Israel and other nations friendly to the United States in greater peril," according to a text of a speech Obama delivered to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
The Bush administration recently altered its position, with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice saying this week that the U.S. is willing to talk to Iran on security in Iraq.
Obama also emphasized in his speech his commitment to protecting the security of Israel, which he called "our strongest ally in the region and its only established democracy."
"Our job is to renew the United States' efforts to help Israel achieve peace with its neighbors while remaining vigilant against those who do not share this vision," Obama said.
The speech was the second time in recent months that Obama has formally addressed foreign policy in his hometown of Chicago. In November, Obama called for a reduction of U.S. forces in Iraq at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.
But Obama focused on Iran Friday, calling President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's regime "a threat to all of us."
A member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Obama said the world — not just the United States — must stop Iran's uranium enrichment program.
"While we should take no option, including military action, off the table, sustained and aggressive diplomacy combined with tough sanctions should be our primary means to prevent Iran from building nuclear weapons," Obama said.
Obama said Iranian nuclear weapons would destabilize the region and could set off a new arms race.
Fellow senator and Democratic rival Hillary Rodham Clinton has warned Bush not to take any military action against Iran without congressional OK.
Iran has refused to freeze its enrichment-related activities and the U.N. Security Council has imposed sanctions targeting its nuclear and missile programs and persons involved in them.
Iran has refused to halt its nuclear program, contending it is to provide energy — not weapons — for the country.
Democratic Presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., gestures during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, March 1, 2007 to discuss a bill to protect injured soldiers returning from war. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Democratic Presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., listens during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, March 1, 2007, to discuss a bill to protect injured soldiers returning from war. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Democratic Presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., stands in an elevator after leaving a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, March 1, 2007. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
This guy is completely clueless....as are most of the liberal socialist Democrats.
Well, that certainly clarifies the "empty suit" position. Thanks, Barack.
God, please help us save ourselves from these IDIOTS
What meetings? The ones in Iceland that RR walked out of I believe. What?
One would think that as a Madrassa graduate and the son of an Islamofascist, Obama might view a stronger Iran as a positive development. It must be a Wahabbist-versus-Shia thing.
This idiot needs a history lesson-it was his boy, that stupid peanut farmer Jimmmmah who crapped the bed regarding Iran.
Yes, there is a president to blame, Osama-Obama:
JIMMY CARTER!
never trust a man with blue lips
A presidential Candidate, with huge media support, saying that Iran's strategic position has been strengthened is what REALLY strengthens Iran's strategic position.
My my, what a "diverse" group, there.
Choreography?
You nailed it. He is as lost as an Easter egg.
"Damn joos!"
Thank you Barack... for more of the DEMOCRAT S.O.S.
I blame Obama Hussein for a stronger Iran. Carter and Clinton too.
Maybe we can get a red phone in the oval office with a direct line to the latest nutcase in control of Iran. Screen play
Red phone: Ring Ring
President pwn3dbama: Hello, The President Speaking.
Iranian nutjob: Death to America and the jooos!
President pwn3dbama: Let's talk about this can we?
Iranian nutjob: Israel is going to be destroyed!
President pwn3dbama: errrr don't call me again.
Iranian nutjob: Alllla!(Click)
Red phone: Ring Ring
President pwn3dbama: Hello, The President Speaking....
So the *very* junior senator says the US involvement in Iraq has strengthened Iran. He says he wants to pull US troops out of Iraq? What does this man think Iran's going to do then?
I would say that Iran is weaker. They are just closer to the bomb. Not quite the same thing, as Jung-Il is now learning.
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