Despite all his fearmongering, McCain admits he doesn’t know ‘the nature of the threat’ from Iran.
Despite all his fearmongering, McCain admits he doesn’t know ‘the nature of the threat’ from Iran.
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) regularly hypes the threat posed by Iran, saying they are “intent on acquiring nuclear weapons” and even attacking Democrats for allegedly not recognizing “the threat posed by an Iran with nuclear ambitions.” But when ABC’s Charlie Gibson asked McCain yesterday if an Israeli strike against Iran would be “jusified” in light of Iran’s recent missile tests, McCain said that he couldn’t determine “the nature of the threat” from Iran:
GIBSON: Would a strike by Israel be justified and what would you say to the Israelis?
MCCAIN: I can’t know whether a strike would be justified because I don’t know the progress or the significance or the nature of the threat. I know the threat is growing because of the continued development of nuclear weapons.
Later in the interview, however, McCain insisted that the Iranian threat was nevertheless “serious.” As Matt Duss notes: “McCain has repeatedly demonstrated that, regardless of whatever experience or judgment he may possess, he simply hasn’t done his homework on the region of the world most likely to command the next administration’s attention.”
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56 Responses to “Despite all his fearmongering, McCain admits he doesn’t know ‘the nature of the threat’ from Iran.”
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McCain=just another idiot Republican.
July 10th, 2008 at 3:56 pmJebus...one word, Bombin' Johnny: ARICEPT.
July 10th, 2008 at 3:56 pmLet's see, it could be a plague of frogs?
Or maybe Persian rug fleas?
C'mon, McIIIrd, you can do better than that, can't you?
July 10th, 2008 at 3:59 pmIt's easier to follow the talking points than it is to read the NIE.
July 10th, 2008 at 4:01 pmIs there No bottom to this abyss? Apparently McLooneyTunes is George W's idea of a legacy. That way if McMadman gets elected everybody will say, Damn, we thought George W was bad!
July 10th, 2008 at 4:04 pmHasn't America suffered enough?
Impeach Pelosi, Cheney and Bush and Save the Constitution!
Um...WHAT "continued development of nuclear weapons"? Has there been something concrete from our intelligence agencies since the Iran NIE that we missed?
McCain is going to need to provide some evidence with a little more substance than "we know they're really, really, really bad guys so they MUST be developing nuclear weapons regardless of what our intelligence tells us."
But since he claims to know what Iran is up to, perhaps the reason he isn't sure of the nature of the threat is because he hasn't had time to make it up yet.
July 10th, 2008 at 4:04 pmWow. I'm going to have to heavily consider my vote: I'm not sure he's qualified for Dog Catcher.
What? He's running for President of the whole US? Oh Sht!
July 10th, 2008 at 4:06 pmdo you think he is perhaps, dare I say it? tired out? exhausted? unfit for the task?
July 10th, 2008 at 4:07 pmFacts don't matter one whit to these Rethuglic party scum, only fear driving the masses does. Fear keeps the masses in line, no questioning of authority. Sounds just like Nazi Germany, doesn't it?
Israel is more than willing to fight Iran to the last American.
July 10th, 2008 at 4:08 pmRUCerious Says:
Let’s see, it could be a plague of frogs?
Or maybe Persian rug fleas?
C’mon, McIIIrd, you can do better than that, can’t you?
McDumbfck: "Oh yeah, Its brown people with more oil than we have."
July 10th, 2008 at 4:09 pmWow, this slow-motion self-destruct will be one for the political history books - or not, considering the idol-worship of the media.
July 10th, 2008 at 4:12 pmHis Busch loving and flip-flopping aside, this guy is just too old.
Not because he's 71, but this guy is too old.
¶ AIO
July 10th, 2008 at 4:12 pmRay Edmonds Says:
Iranians are White, not Brown. Please discuss thing factually and not urban legends. I have Persian friends and they are White.
And it isn't a homogenous populace, is it? I believe there are some with more Turkish looks, and others who are quite "swarthy."
July 10th, 2008 at 4:14 pm"I don’t know the progress or the significance or the nature of the threat. I know the threat is growing because of the continued development of nuclear weapons."
It feels like deja vu. Where have I heard this before?
July 10th, 2008 at 4:14 pmRay Edmonds, you are Tiresome. Why don't you take a little rest?
July 10th, 2008 at 4:17 pmPlease, just go away. Thank you.
July 10th, 2008 at 4:17 pmRay Edmonds = Jeff Fort = guy what thinks it's funny to take the name of Gangsters...
July 10th, 2008 at 4:19 pmtypes progress with a capital 'P'
is generally annoying...
894th out of a class of 899- Johnny's not one to do his homework.
July 10th, 2008 at 4:22 pmI hoope McCain wins and he nukes Iran. I would love that to see you Leftists cry.
July 10th, 2008 at 4:23 pmYeah, Ray, ri-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-ght.
And I'm Miss America. You aren't fooling Anyone, dear.
July 10th, 2008 at 4:24 pmRay , "I dated a Persian girl", I bet you've got one in every port. Are they all girls, or are some of them adults?
July 10th, 2008 at 4:25 pmObama now also says that Iran poses a “grave threat.”
“Iran is a grave threat. It has an illicit nuclear program. It supports terrorism across the region and militias in Iraq. It threatens Israel’s existence. It denies the Holocaust,” he said. “
Obama is just another shill for the Israel-first crowd and he has s**t for brains. McCain is a crazy old coot. Who will rescue America in our hour of need.
July 10th, 2008 at 4:25 pmMcStain couldn't find his a$$ with a map and a flashlight.
Yet the retarded trolls will follow him like a lost puppy, because compared to them, he's a genius.
July 10th, 2008 at 4:28 pmThat’s why I love reading about Persian... blah blah blah
How come they smell, but Mexicans don't?
July 10th, 2008 at 4:30 pmC. Oliver- FLAGGED!
RE claims to be a Democrat, but defends the neo-Nazi policies of the Rethuglic party. Go Cheney yourself!
July 10th, 2008 at 4:35 pmSpam cleanup in every aisle! All mops on deck!
July 10th, 2008 at 4:35 pmRay Edmonds Says:
Wayne,
Iranians are White, not Brown. Please discuss thing factually and not urban legends. I have Persian friends and they are White.
Seems the new "moderate Democrat" troll is as snark deficient as a republican troll.
July 10th, 2008 at 4:36 pmLeftside Annie, you have my vote for Miss America. Although I have to admit that having two left butt cheeks made the swimsuit competition tough.
My Flag button is getting worn out, I could use a little help fumigating the place. Nasty today isn't it? McCorpse is attracting some nasty vermin.
July 10th, 2008 at 4:36 pmSeriously, a Mexican can stand in the blistering sun all not and not break a sweat, but you get near a nicely dressed persian during the summer and wheeeeeeeeew, just don't take a deep breath.
Not prejudice, just fact.
Why do you type/communicate like a small child?
Don't respond to me, I find you offensive, and a smelly lover of smells.
July 10th, 2008 at 4:36 pmAnd when is TP going to ban by IP and eliminate the infestation of smelly, wore out, sock puppets?
July 10th, 2008 at 4:37 pmRE; BTW, you don't need me to look bad, you're doing a fine job all by yourself here.
July 10th, 2008 at 4:38 pmOne more note of realism. In 2003 the Iranians approached the Swiss ('Cause the Boy King wouldn't speak to them directly) and offered to give up their nuclear program, and to work directly with us in the 'war on terror', among other things. The Swiss conveyed the Iranian's offer. We told the Swiss that they had some nerve bringing us offers from the Iranians! Well, it looks like the Boy King really showed them!
July 10th, 2008 at 4:42 pmImpeach Pelosi, Cheney and Bush and Save the Constitution!
INCREDIBLE THE INCOMPETENCE !!
We can't afford another four years of McCain/Bush.
July 10th, 2008 at 4:50 pmRay Edmonds Says:
Uncle Ho,
I would love to get rid of Communist radical like you from the Democratic Party.
Uncle Ho is a veteran, you guttersnipe, and by attacking veterans on this board you will get ahold of something that will turn you every which way but loose.
July 10th, 2008 at 4:51 pmIn fact there are quite a few regulars that are veterans.
Watch your mealy mouth.
I would be too ashamed to belong to the Democratic party today. They are aiding and abetting war crimes and their perpetrators, indeed, even collaborating with them and protecting war criminals.
And yes, I will vote Communist party because the Democrats are too cowardly to hold Bush/Cheney and their accomplices to account for their crimes.
July 10th, 2008 at 5:05 pmRE; If you want me, come ahead on. I'll shove right back up your ass with a candle on it.
July 10th, 2008 at 5:06 pmI don’t know the progress or the significance or the nature of the threat. I know the threat is growing because of the continued development of nuclear weapons.
----------------
Ok is it just me or did he contradict himself in the space of two sentences. First he doesn't know the nature of the threat and then the threat is growing because they are making nuclear weapons.
Besides, it doesn't matter that most nuclear experts don't think that Iran is making nuclear weapons. All it takes is a few nuts in our government saying they are and all of a sudden it's the truth.
Finally, if they are making a nuclear weapon - so what. Why is it that Israel can have nuclear weapons but Iran can't? And please don't tell me because they intend to harm their neighbors. When was the last time Iran harmed a neighbor? Then tell me when was the last time Israel harmed a neighbor?
July 10th, 2008 at 5:13 pmIt's hard to tell what is going on inside Iran. You see, we used to have a covert intelligence operation in Iran to spy on their nuclear program. It's front was a fake energy consultant firm called Brewster Jennings.
Then a funny thing happened. The husband of one of the covert CIA agents in Brewster Jennings exposed one of the many lies being told about Saddam Hussein by the Bush administration at the time, and Dick Cheney got mad and blew her cover in retaliation, just to be pissy.
Well, of course, once her cover was blown, Brewster Jennings could no longer operate covertly and no one knows what happened to the CIA agents involved in the operation.
Anyway, I know it's a long complicated story, but that is why the US has very little intelligence concerning Iranian weapons programs.
July 10th, 2008 at 5:14 pmRE; Bring it on!
I will flop you lower than whale shit.
You really think that after Vietnam, that I should be afraid of a pussy like you?
Get real, you pro-Nazi phuckwad.
July 10th, 2008 at 5:15 pmRay = Troll
July 10th, 2008 at 5:15 pmGet'm Uncle Ho
Time to flag the chickenhawker trollsh!t out of existence.
Bye bye fake democrat
July 10th, 2008 at 5:35 pmRay Edmonds Says:
Wayne,
I voted for Clinton 92, 96, Gore in 2000 and Kerry in 2004. I support Obama. I’m a real Democrat of the tradition of Truman and JFK. I love my country and want economic justice.
Uncle Ho is an admitted Communist, are you?
I am a Constitutionalist, combat veteran of multiple engagements and you are a lying POS.
July 10th, 2008 at 5:43 pmRay Edmonds Says:
Wayne,
I voted for Clinton 92, 96, Gore in 2000 and Kerry in 2004. I support Obama. I’m a real Democrat of the tradition of Truman and JFK. I love my country and want economic justice.
Uncle Ho is an admitted Communist, are you?
I am a Constitutionalist, combat veteran of multiple engagements and you are a lying POS.
July 10th, 2008 at 5:43 pmRE; I gave the VC info on our troops?
You stooopid phuck!
I WAS the troops.
I'd bet my bottom dollar the only action you've seen was with the 101st chickenhawk keyboard battalion.
July 10th, 2008 at 5:47 pmI know Uncle Ho, and he's ok. I know Wayne, and he's ok too. I don't know Ray Edwards, but from reading the words, he sounds a lot like the Colombia lover of a few days ago, and he writes very similar to the nutjob who extolled the benefits of living in China a few days ago.
Bottom line: Ray appears to be a troll of numerous handles.
July 10th, 2008 at 5:53 pm"I know the threat is growing because of the continued development of nuclear weapons." - John McBane
Iran isn't developing nuclear weapons. This has been confirmed by the IAEA.
July 10th, 2008 at 6:02 pmstewarjt Says:
“I know the threat is growing because of the continued development of nuclear weapons.” - John McBane
Iran isn’t developing nuclear weapons. This has been confirmed by the IAEA.
And they are allowed to enrich uranium - just like us, Germany, Brittain, China, Japan, No & So Korea, Russia, etc...
We are not the bullies of the planet any longer - that's what really upsets our trolls. They can't be big and tough, only losers.
July 10th, 2008 at 6:07 pmA troll is a troll. I find it highly suspicious that our "new" ones showed up about the time school let out.
BTW, a lifelong Democrat would be aware of the fact that "communism" hasn't been a threat since the Soviets went bankrupt trying to "win" in Afghanistan. And, since Soviet Russia was communist in name only, communism itself never was much of a threat.
July 10th, 2008 at 6:10 pmNote to TP.
MODERATE YOUR PHUCKING SITE OR SHUT IT DOWN!!!
July 10th, 2008 at 6:29 pmWatching this anemic response to what McCain thinks is his strength, national security, demonstrates that he cannot respond to a crisis as simple as responding to questions on the topic. It was as poor and pathetic as his response to his senior economic advisor, Gramm, saying that Americans are whiners.
McCain is incapable of making thoughtful decisions. He needs a teleprompter.
July 10th, 2008 at 6:52 pmI'm done dueling with RE for the present- I just ate. Burp!
Why do these trolls keep changing their name almost by the hour? We need a program guide to keep up with all their aliases.
Good night all.
July 10th, 2008 at 7:32 pm" GIBSON: Would a strike by Israel be justified and what would you say to the Israelis?
MCCAIN: I can’t know whether a strike would be justified because I don’t know the progress or the significance or the nature of the threat. I know the threat is growing because of the continued development of nuclear weapons."
Really, folks, that's a statement we would expect from a high school senior. This man is running for President of the United States and the straightest thing he's said yet is that he doesn't know anything.
Daffy Duck on steroids. Who Who cares if he's fun at a barbegue? Republicans are retarded.
July 11th, 2008 at 1:09 am.
Senator Johnny McSpeaker says;
But he sure can sing a tune... NO?
.
July 11th, 2008 at 3:25 amEveryday I live in fear that I'll read something that will finally push me over the edge. I'm quite worried my head will explode before November.
How can this guy run for anything, and can someone explain the undying infatuation from the press?
July 11th, 2008 at 1:18 pmUnfortunately none of Candidates has grasp on international matters? Hillary had much better understanding on the subject than these two but not enough. McCain linked Al Qaeda to Iran. He kept repeating himself until someone had to interrupt and stop him making a fool of himself. During the debates O'bama appeared clueless on matters such as Russia. We really need someone far better than these candidates when it comes to foreign policy.
July 11th, 2008 at 4:10 pmMccain doesn't know much of anything and neither does Obama. Terrible to think we actually have a choice in this country.
July 11th, 2008 at 6:40 pm