Hillary on Iran

Posted: Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:05 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: 2008, Clinton

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
Clinton was asked this morning on Good Morning America to clarify her comments from the debate on Iran and American retaliation. (Iran starts at about 2:30.)

QUESTION: …Does massive retaliation mean you would go into Iran, you would bomb Iran? Is that what that’s supposed to suggest?

CLINTON: Well, the question was, if Iran were to launch a nuclear attack on Israel, what would our response be. And I want the Iranians to know that if I’m the president, we will attack Iran. And I want them to understand that, because it does mean that they have to look very carefully at their society, because at whatever stage of development they might be in their nuclear weapons program, in the next 10 years during which they might foolishly consider launching an attack on Israel we would be able to totally obliterate them. That’s a terrible thing to say, but those people who run Iran need to understand that, because that perhaps will deter them from doing something that would be reckless, foolish and tragic.

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Comments

Since you're not going to win the nomination, you won't have the opportunity to obliterate Iran, Hillary Clinton. You may be a tough gal, but you're also one who has run a pathetic campaign.

Enrique, Chicago (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:12 PM)

Obliterate them? Is this her way of appearing tough? She sounds more right wing than Bush here.

intellectual progressive Houston, TX (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:13 PM)

McClinton strikes again.....

James Tn (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:13 PM)

leave it to the democrats to eat their own

Thursday (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:16 PM)

Maybe she can team up with McSame. He'll "bomb, bomb, bomb Iran" and she will obliterate Iran. After she criticized Obama for being too hawkish on Pakistan, she threatens an entire country with obliteration. With all of the aid we give to Israel, I think they will be able to defend themselves on their own.

Jamil - Dearborn, MI (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:16 PM)

Another unilateral decision to go to war a la Bush? Where will she get the military from - all our people are tied up in Iraq. Or, will she have withdrawn our troops by then, just to send them back in to Iran? A stupid, unthinking statement...she can't possibly know what exactly she would do if that situation were to arise.

counting crows (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:17 PM)

The vast majority of Iran's population are good decent people, many of which have no ill will towards America. The problem is the government is brutally corrupt. Any type of strike like this idiot wants would be stupid.

The problem with Iran is the select few in power, not the vast majority of the population.

BL, Cincinnati OH (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:18 PM)

Anyone who thinks Obama shouldn't nuke Iran off the face of the earth should it nuke Israel, is naive. If you think Hillary is wrong, then you give us dems a bad name. As a Dem. I would not vote for anyone who would not nuke Iran should it nuke one of our allies, except China. Nuke the crap out of that country Iran.

Pat Huntington NY (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:18 PM)

Of course if Iran got nuclear weapons and blew up Israel the United States would attack Iran. Any U.S. president (except maybe Barack Hussein Obama) would do that. Clinton is stating the obvious. Any nuclear attack on Israel from Iran will of course elicit a response from the United States. The woman is TOUGH.

William, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:19 PM)

Could you imagine if Obama said something like this? He would be crucified about how this is an irresponsibile thing to say to the international community and that he doesn't have experience and so on and so on...

Ron, TX (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:20 PM)

Hillary, Why try to rig the vote...Get the names on the ballots!

Andress (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:21 PM)

McCain-Clinton '08. The question is, will she offer him the VP position also?

Mike, CA (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:21 PM)

Here's Hillary Clinton on Aug. 7, 2007 in response to Obama's answer to the hypothetical Pakistan question;

"Well, I do not believe people running for president should engage in hypotheticals."

War is Peace
Freedom is Slavery
Ignorance is Strength

D.Capehart (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:21 PM)

This is why, my friends, Senator Clinton should NOT be elected President. She shows NO understanding of the issue. Iran does not care if it's citizens die in an attack by the United States. And to speak of obliterating an ENTIRE nation as carelessly as one would swat a fly?

Even those of you who are devoted to Clinton must worry about this.

sotiredofignorance (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:22 PM)

Hillary before you can attack Iran, you will have to get permission from either President Obama or President McCain.

Sick of corruption, sick of the Clintons (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:22 PM)

This is smart on Clinton. It's called Deterence.

Think about it. Iran nukes Israel off the map.

Europe will do nothing. According to President Obama, the US should not retaliate. We just have sanctions against Iran. And all is well.

(Tell that to the Jewish people.)

The Truth Hurts (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:23 PM)

If she keeps saying stuff like this, she's going to anger her constituency in New York. Unless she's banking on running for president in 2012, she'd better cut the crap; the post-post-9/11 New Yorkers aren't impressed by hawkishness.

Brendan D, Niles, IL (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:23 PM)

Hillary, haven't you learned anything from Iraq. Islamists fanatics believe it is good to die as long as they take a few of us with them...Deter that!

You have no sense whatsoever!

I can't believe your running for president!

Some one Help Her (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:24 PM)

http://twocanpete.blogspot.com/
Are you kidding me, that old commando Hillary will personally fly in there and take out those Iranian snipers!

twocanpete (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:25 PM)

She was jealous that McCain got to sing “Bomb Bomb Bomb, Bomb Bomb Iran”, so now she’s joining in. They certainly sing in the same key.

Meanwhile, Obama is with Sam & Dave: “Hold On! I’m Comin’ “ and the rest of us are singing "Stuck in the Middle with You".

P, CA (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:25 PM)

Israel has their own nukes. Why should we get involved???

JR, Chicago, IL (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:26 PM)

I'm an Obama supporter, but I'm not that upset about this Clinton quote. I think this is a clear positions that all presidents have regarding the protection of Isreal. I've always thought it was an unwritten rule that a nuclear attack on Isreal would cause the offending country to disappear off the map. Maybe it's not wise for a presidential candidate to say this out loud, but I would hardly call this new policy.

And it's clearly not Bush or McCain policy. McCain has consistently said that a nuclear Iran is the worst of all worlds and has strongly hinted at bombings (even possibly nuclear) to "prevent" their opportunity to even build a bomb. That is the Neocon view of the US roll in the world (destroy them early at even the hint of danger). Clinton's statement goes more to the traditional "clear and present danger" model most presidents have followed.

Brian Purcell, Fairfield, CA (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:28 PM)

she doesnt sound like someone who should be close to the "button"

mike ca (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:28 PM)

I believe her original question/answer made it clear that she would protect ANY other country that Iran attacks. (i.e. Saudi Arabia) ...this is a HUGE foreign policy stance. And this portion of the issue is being entirely ignored.

jmp (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:30 PM)

1. HRC is not rigging the election and I wish the Obama Cultists would stop spreading that lie. The photo going around is of a campaign ad, not an official ballot. Maybe if you payed closer attention or actually were old enough to have been around prior elections you would know that.

2. Her words towards Iran is the right policy. It's more of a deterrant. We can not allow an unstable govt. who has been supporting terroism against Israel to acquire Nuclear Weapons. It's not only a threat for Isreal, but to every country including ourselves. That is a govt., that could easily get worse and you could never predict what could happen in a govt. overthrow.

3. The other part about the umbrella wasn't just about us, it was about having a coalition with Nato and our allies. Put politics and Obama/Clinton aside and think about it. If IRan gets Nuc's, then every other nation in the Middle East would attempt to acquire them out of fear of an Iranian attack. We cannot allow a Nuclear arms race in the most unstable YET richest region in the world. Could you imagine if Osama Bin Laden was able to get his hands on a Nuclear Weapon????? This isn't about Politics it's about National and Global security. And this isn't about the occupation of Iran. Don't let the mistake we made in Iraq, cloud your judgement about IRan.......

Chris Sp. seminole, fl (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:30 PM)

"...reckless, foolish and tragic."

Truer words have never been spoken.

CitizenJ (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:30 PM)

Obliterate "them"? Like they are ants? Are we talking about people here? My God... this is worse then the Republicans!

James, Wichita, KS (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:31 PM)

Hillary Clinton is stark, raving mad. Seriously. She is threatening to DESTROY another country with a NUCLEAR weapon. That is UNACCEPTABLE! Our only hope is that she may be lying - AGAIN! Sheesh . . .

Nashville_fan (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:32 PM)

OBAMA SUPPORTERS SHOULD TAKE NOTE, HILLARY SUPPORTERS WILL NOT ALLOW THIS ELECTION TO BE STOLEN. IF WE HAVE TO, WE WILL TAKE THIS TO THE CONVENTION AND WIN. DON'T FORGET FLORIDA AND MICHIGAN, IF THE ONLY WAY OBAMA CAN WIN IS BY DISENFRANCHISING TWO OF THE BIGGEST SWING STATES THEN THE PARTY WILL NOT WIN IN NOVEMBER.

HRC IN 08 OR JM........WE WILL NOT VOTE FOR OBAMA. I DON'T NEED MY SOLE FIXED.

http://www.hillaryis44.com/

logan FL (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:32 PM)

Do you really want this answering any phone in the anywhere. She's a nut job ... loco

Lanny Davis (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:33 PM)

What a war monger...Hillary says exactly what Bush was saying to prepare us for invading Iraq. And some Democrats are talking about having her become their leader in the senate????

She will say anything to further her personal goals. I can easily see her invade another country to deflect from another one of the Clinton scandals and feel quite comfortable with it.

The Harvard prof was right…Hillary is a monster.

Joe (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:36 PM)

I am no Clinton fan, but this needs to be clear from any and all of the candidates. You (Iran) can rattle and yell,we do not have the balls to stop you from developing, but when it comes down to it if you attack Isreal, you will all die! These are extremists, Ama-whatever thinks nuclear war might bring on the twelth Imam. He MUST understand we will not sit back and watch....

no misunderstanding (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:39 PM)

The question was not about a nuclear attack. It prefaced the question about their nuclear activity, but did not specify the type of attack.

This sounds like part of a Republican debate.

Jeff K, NC (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:39 PM)

This is still a watered down version of what she said.This question stems from the ABC(ambush)debate in which she had the answer to Obamas questions written down on paper and read them as she had to counter point his every answer. Questions given to him by her former henchman and lacky. She has moved futher to the Right Than McBush, I notice she did not reject the endorsement of That Melon Scaif guy but threw Move On.org under the bus.Then when you think about it her whole approach to the campaign when she did not get coronated On Super Tuesday. The most positive thing that has come from her campaign of recent was the Benefit given to her BY Elton John but even that had controversy. Elton and Hilly showed up wearing the same pantsuit.I trully believe that If she had not made any public appearances she would have received more votes.At least that way her and Frisky Bill could not have portrayed themselves to be the liars that they are.

SillyHillyAndFriskyBilly (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:40 PM)

I'm sorry but if Obama had made this same statement the media and political pundits would be hysterical with accusations of complete foreign policy incompetence. Hillary makes it and there is a collective yawn.
Does that mean she is not even taken seriously anymore because it's a pretty radical departure from any democratic position I ever heard of. With what army and what congressional approval is she going to obliterate anybody? My god, I think the woman has totally gone off the deep end.

AP from IL (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:42 PM)

Like Saddam was foolish in letting the US believe he had WMD (if indeed we fooled by our own faulty intelligence) and dragged us into a country for a war with little reason now (No prior ties to 9/11, no WMD).

The same faulty foriegn policy of the last 8 years that led to errors. 8 years later she will be refusing to apologise for this error. And someone keeps saying forget the past - what will they do now? Of course repeat similar mistakes and poor "experienced" judgement.

J. Richter (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:43 PM)

Hair Trigger Hillary
Nuke Iran and you take out the entire middle east.Are you really that ignorant? Iran will not nuke Israel for the same reason. It would be suicide to them. The fallout would be world wide. Israel has their own nukes. They are as aggressive as the rest of the middle east countries. You are truly crazy.

mary, Phx, Az (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:44 PM)

Wait. Wouldn't she need a vote from Congress to give her that authority? She, of all people, should know better.

Dan, Miami, FL (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:44 PM)

She also said, "Many people think the Iranians would like to be martyrs and will bomb Israel regardless of the consequences and I, just, think we need to test them on this"

Test them on this? Test them---with nuclear war...okay... Sounds like a McCain/Clinton ticket to me.

Sue, Bloomington, IN (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:49 PM)

Although I'm not a Hillary supporter I think her main point was no earth-shaking revelation. Since with Bush we are more Israel's tail than anything else when it comes to Mideast policy (and Bill C. wasn't much different), there is no big news here. Of course we'd nuke Iran. What is in fact more lamentable than Hillary's choice of words (and her entire campaign, which has been loathsome and self-contradictory at times, e.g. "Yes, yes, yes" Obama is electable, but hey, superdelegates, don't pick him, he's not electable!) is the very subservience to the apartheid state of Israel, the illegal-settlement, land-grabbing state of Israel. That's the radioactive subject no one will touch, so, the Israeli lobby can rest easy. But why do you think Bush mentioned a "Palestinian state" just days after 9/11? As if much of the hatred didn't arise out of Israeli/U.S. policy?

Tom, Massachusetts (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:50 PM)

How about starting by sending Chelsea Clinton over
there. No? Why not.

Obama '08

Kim M--AZ (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:51 PM)

Why would any American want to obliterate another People...Why is Israel so important anyway to cause such reaction from a Candidate..? does this speak to the Power of the Lobby ? I though she was against all special Interest Groups !!!!

Oskar Johnson (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:51 PM)

This is the problem with Obama supporters. All they care about is Obama, they could care less about whether his plans are the right plans or if HRC is correct with her comments on Iran. None of that matters, instead they'll act as if we should just let Iran drop Nuc's on what ever country they wish. Hell we should just let them bomb every country in the Middle East and then Move on to Europe and Asia. Not everything is about THIS Primary. Stop sipping your Kool Aid just for a second.

Chris Sp (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:53 PM)

Pat, it isn't U.S. policy to state that. If A happens, then we reserve the right to B response. But we don't say we absolutely will (in this case, nuke another country) unless we have signed well thought out security agreements to that effect.

Clinton is a foreign policy nitwit.

And her original comments were worse. She in effect proposed a nuclear shield over Sunni nations to contain, via cold war style, the Shi'ite power. She is reckless and dangerous, even as a candidate that someone in another country might take seriously.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:54 PM)

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