Mondale backs pre-emptive missile strike (against North Korean missile)

AP ^ | June 23, 2006

[West Coast Conservative]

Former Vice President Walter Mondale said Friday he supports a pre-emptive U.S. strike against a North Korean missile, saying the U.S. should tell North Korea to dismantle the missile or "we are going to take it out."

"I think it would end the nuclear long-range dreams of this dangerous country," said Mondale, who was the 1984 Democratic presidential nominee and a former U.S. ambassador to Japan.

The tensions are over North Korea's apparent preparations to test-fire a Taepodong-2 missile, which is believed to have a range of up to 9,300 miles. That would make it capable of hitting much of the U.S. mainland.

Mondale, 78, said North Korea already has nuclear weapons and its ambition to develop a long-range missile is "one of the most dangerous developments in recent history." It's so dangerous, he said, because of the nation's isolation from the international community and its unpredictable leader, Kim Jong Il.

"Here's this bizarre, hermit kingdom over there with a paranoid leader getting ready to test a missile system that can hit us," Mondale said.

Former President Clinton's defense secretary, William Perry, also advocated a pre-emptive strike in The Washington Post, but National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley brushed aside Perry's suggestion. Mondale spoke about a pre-emptive strike during an appearance on WCCO-AM in Minneapolis.

Mondale and President Jimmy Carter took office in 1976 and were defeated by Republican Ronald Reagan in 1980. Mondale lost as the Democratic presidential nominee in 1984. He was appointed ambassador to Japan in 1993 and is now practicing law in Minneapolis.

[catholicfreeper]

There could a possibilty here that Bush is secret contact with this guys and they are working together. Bush might be very well asking them to make these statements to send cues to North Korea and too see their response. Having them make these statements in a public way and not from a offical agent of the US govt certaintly is helpful to gauge the situation without escalating the situation diplomatically. Its just a thought

[Armed Civilian]

Of course they want us to hit it on the launch pad. If they launch and we take it out with our missile defense system the legacy of Ronald Reagan will live on and live on through President Bush. Also, the demmies (rhymes with commies) need to LOOK hawkish right now, the pubbies are killing them on defense. I wonder what Deanie boy thinks about this tactic, or Kerry, her name that cannot be mentioned, Bubba, the RETIRED generals critical of operations in Iraq, Jimmuh Cartuh, all of the MSM talking heads...... You know the rest of the list.

[sinkspur]

I doubt Bush is using Walter Mondale as a bag man.

[West Coast Conservative]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2353068

[ArrogantBustard]

Back in the day, Fritz Mondale was a huge opponent of missile defense.

[catholicfreeper]

Well its just a thought. Despite Modale being a huge Dem he was the former Vice President and ambassador to Japan. It seems that his comments would get noticed. Perhaps I am naive but I have to think that a person like Mondale would have consulted someone before his made this statement.

[Tokra]

Seems to me that the DNC is having fringe Democrats making these statements. Sort of a "just in case" statement if something goes sour - such as, it launches, has a warhead; or it is fantastically successful; or we try to shoot it down and fail; etc..... Also, it could be a ploy to show that Dems are not "soft" on national security.

Okay folks - I believe we have a winner!!!!!

This is exactly what the Dims are doing - proving how "tough" they are on security. Only problem is that most of us know how phoney it is and how quickly they'd run away with their tails between their legs if they actually were in charge of the country's security.

Don't forget - to Liberals history began this morning.

[The South Texan]

But I thought the Rats and the MSM have been telling us that preemptive strikes or wars are wrong?

[js1138]

You mean like they did in Vietnam and the Iraq war?

Plus Cuba, and the cold war in general. The loss of the Soviet empire is a great source of pain.

[TNCMAXQ]

If a pre-emptive strike is launched and civilians are killed you will have all these same lefties screaming bloody murder about how Bush is the world's worst terrorist, the US is the true evil in the world, etc etc.

[sinkspur]

Perhaps I am naive but I have to think that a person like Mondale would have consulted someone before his made this statement.

He advocated raising taxes in 1984 when we were coming out of a recession.

Mondale is really this dumb.

[cripplecreek]

Big words from Walter, I'll bet he's hoping nobody asks him to do anything to back them up.

[The Sons of Liberty]

Is he still alive?

[DustyMoment]

Walter "Fritz" Mondale - still a dingleberry after all these years.

[CHUCKfromCAL]

Mondale was the US Ambassador to Japan for many years and did a pretty good job. I am sure he know quite a bit about the far east. I would consider what he has to say carefully.

[Huck]

Mondale's still alive?

[Abathar]

Notice the lack of responses? Can't knock one of their own....

[my_pointy_head_is_sharp]

Former Vice President Walter Mondale said Friday he supports a pre-emptive U.S. strike against a North Korean missile, saying the U.S. should tell North Korea to dismantle the missile or "we are going to take it out."

Good thing this idiot never became President. With his finger on the button...

[Ditto]

Do you think Ol' Walter checked in with the UN and Euro weenies to make sure it's ok with them if we kickoff Korean War II and get a million people in South Korea killed?

I can't figure what's up with these guys, but this smells like some coordinated PR campaign and I just don't trust them.

[Huck]

Hey Mondull, here's what America thought of your performance as VP:

1980

Reagan/Bush: 489
Carter/Mondull: 49

And here's what America thought of you as a presidential candidate:

1984:

Reagan/Bush: 525*
Mondale/Ferrarro: 13

*Highest electoral vote ever.