Posted on 10/02/2007 12:56:25 PM PDT by presidio9
US Democratic White House hopeful Barack Obama on Tuesday called for the elimination of all the world's nuclear weapons, and pledged to thrash out agreements, face-to-face with sworn US foes.
Obama marked the fifth anniversary of a speech he gave opposing the Iraq war, to launch his latest bid to chase down Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton, reigniting their simmering row on foreign policy.
With first party nominating contests only three months away, the Illinois Senator has scheduled a string of foreign policy addresses, apparently intended to deflect Clinton campaign claims he is too inexperienced to be president.
"We need to change our nuclear policy and our posture, which is still focused on deterring the Soviet Union -- a country that doesn't exist," Obama said, in remarks released by his campaign.
"India and Pakistan and North Korea have joined the club of nuclear-armed nations, and Iran is knocking on the door. More nuclear weapons and more nuclear-armed nations mean more danger to us all.
"Here's what I'll say as president: America seeks a world in which there are no nuclear weapons."
Obama stressed he would not direct unilateral nuclear disarmament, and would back a strong US deterrent while nuclear weapons existed.
"We'll be in a better position to lead," he said, adding that under his presidency, the United States would adhere to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
"It's time to stop giving countries like Iran and North Korea an excuse. It's time for America to lead."
Obama also promised a "new era" of American diplomacy, and pledged to be a president willing to talk to all nations friend or foe.
"I'm not afraid that America will lose a propaganda battle with a petty tyrant -- we need to go before the world and win those battles.
In July, Clinton branded Obama "irresponsible" and "naive" after he said at a campaign debate he would be willing to meet leaders of Iran, Cuba, North Korea, Venezuela and Syria as president.
In response, Obama mocked Clinton as "Bush-Cheney Lite" claiming she shared the views of the current White House, which sees talks with US enemies as a reward for bad behavior.
Obama, though not in the Senate at the time opposed the Iraq war, while Clinton voted in 2002 to authorize it, though now is a fierce critic of US Iraq strategy.
He has been trying to make the argument that Clinton's vote raises doubts about her judgement on foreign policy issues.
I’d agree with Obama if...
The rest of the world was populated by Amish.
If Obama somehow managed to get elected president, what terrorist worthy of the name would be neighborly enough to get rid of him for us?
Reminds me of John Edwards promising that he and Kerry would cure the crippled and blind. These mindless, absurd promises only demonstrate their contempt for the electorate.
I do not want a nuclear-free world. Can you imagine having to fight man-to-man the Russians and Chinese? We would be totally outnumbered. The only thing I regret is that they too have the bomb. Because of the bomb we survived the Cold War.
Peace & Love........................
The orator, the appointed pied piper leading the sheep to slaughter......./Just Asking - seoul62.......
Apparently, Obama thinks North Korea already did. From the article: "India and Pakistan and North Korea have joined the club of nuclear-armed nations."
I thought we had determined that their little test last year was a failure, and that they do not yet have a nuclear capability. You'd think somebody that wants to be the leader of the free world would at least be up on the intel.
Well, it's not every day that I agree with something that comes out of her mouth...
Interesting as it happens only last night was watching the History Channel on just this subject.
A guy came on who said that if you plotted out worldwide deaths per year from warfare over time there is a PRECIPITOUS drop that occurs in 1945. The unavoidable conclusion is that the discovery of the A-bomb has saved lives!
I wonder if Obama has read these data and has a response?
It wouldn't have anything to do with the fact that Japan Surrendered on August 15th, would it?
I'm guessing more human beings died on August 6th and 9th 1945 than just about any otherday in History. The firebombings of Dresden and Tokyo went on for several days.
I think you’ve missed the point a little bit. This guy was saying the average number of deaths per year going back a VERY long time, was very high until 1945 - and then it has been quite low ever since. Not a one time difference betweeen ‘45 and ‘46.
Free: All you can eat Peaches and Cream for everyone starting tomorrow!!!!
*snif*
Group hug!
That’s funny. It’s commie dems in government who sold our nuclear secrets to other nations. Dems cause turmoil and strife in the world and then turn around and complain about it.
When Obama stops thinking in terms of propaganda battles, he may join the adults at the big table.
Where does he stand on Clean Water?
Maybe madrass educated Barak Hussein Obama really is the Manchurian candidate and not the other possiblility, a moron.
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