Top Republican: Obama 'charm offensive' won't halt Iran nukes
Possible 2012 contender Mitt Romney warns outstretched U.S. hand may become 'symbol of weakness.'
By Haaretz Service Tags: Iran Barack Obama US election Israel newsThe former Massachusetts governor and presidential hopeful, Mitt Romney, on Monday blasted U.S. President Barack Obama's outreaches to Iran as failing to thwart the Islamic Republic's nuclear ambitions.
"Stop thinking that a charm offensive will talk the Iranians out of their pursuit of nuclear weapons. It will not," Romney told the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a major American Jewish lobby.
"Agreements, unenforceable and unverifiable, will have no greater impact here than they did in North Korea. Once an outstretched hand is met with a clenched fist, it becomes a symbol of weakness and impotence."
The possible 2012 presidential contender's comments came after a new round of talks between Iran and world powers began in Vienna on Monday aimed at easing concerns about Tehran's nuclear intentions.
At the summit, Romney stressed that the negotiations would achieve nothing.
"The Iranian regime is unalloyed evil, run by people who are at once ruthless and fanatical," he said. "The Iranian leadership is the greatest immediate threat to the world since the fall of the Soviet Union, and before that, Nazi Germany."
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'MAD', mutually assured destruction, as a policy worked when you had 2 states(US and USSR), both mostly rational, opposing each other. It won't work with Iran, they are fundamentalists, radical, ideologically driven, and believe in martyrdom... do you know who hashemi rafsanjani is? maybe see who he is and what he said a few yrs back...then you will see how wrong you are..and anyhow, can anyone let alone israel afford to take the chance? see ya benboy...
U make me laugh with ur comment. u write "iran gets nukes, they`ll use them..and when they do, israel will vaporize iran...at which point, all nations economies will implode" so basicaly they are commiting selfdestruction. spending all the money so just they can kill themselves. that is most nonsense comment is posted. btw global economy is already in deep trouble. peace
what this? more short term thinking from the liberal left? more appeasement? for all of you either blind people or those with rose color glasses on, iran is a threat to the region, which becomes a threat o the world. If iran gets nukes, they'll use them..and when they do, israel will vaporize iran...at which point, all nations economies will implode..to say nothing of the ripple effect of who joins who in the ensuing shootout..so stop with your leftist crap...the whole reason we are in this position is BECAUSE of the left! bloody fools...
You mean like Obama?
Massachusetts. Something Obama would never be able to pass in Congress, for the rest of the USA. Romney, when compared to Obama *now*, as opposed to Obama *in primaries*, is already well positioned for 2012.
Maybe him and Palin could team up for a real dream team and their future armagadon biblical fantasy.......PEACE EVER?
He's never held a job with the federal government, elective or otherwise. He lost to John McCain because he could not convince the Republican base that he was conservative. He'd been governor of Massachusetts (Taxachusetts) when they mandated insurance for everybody (socialized health insurance?). He's never had a job dealing with international security or even US domestic security.
without relying on the unsubstantiated rhetoric that's the source of his accusation? there's not much you can say that's "good" about the iranian regime; but to label it as the greatest threat to the world today based on its islamic nature, it's sentiments towards zionist israel, and its desire for nuclear independence is totally ludicrous.
Obama needs to learn from Cesar Milan how to deal with brutal creatures like the Iranian regime.
Mitt Romney will say and do anything to get elected...including pandering
Don't listen to this guy. He was governor in my state and truth be told, he was all "hair."
The republican party, quite happy to back Bush for nixing an Israeli strike on Iran is now panting and drooling for the chance to Pummel Obama for his wars in Afghanistan and Iran. But first they have to get him to escalate Afghanistan and start one with Iran. Actually, given Obama's craven toadying to Netanyahu, Bibi can start it and the US will be drawn in.
Of course, the "Obama charm" factor works! Look at his latest success - using charm to end the genocide in Darfur! The same charm he used to win over Chavez, and bin Laden! Well, you know where it does work? When he smiles while destroying our Freedom of the Press and Speech while bringing McCarthyism back to the US. And in fighting off attacks on that group promoting child prostitution - ACORN! Such a charming guy. http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20091019/pl_afp/ussudandiplomacy_20091019141106
In the mind of many still able-minded Americans, this man was the best choice instead of the stubborn crybaby we have running the country. Thanks for more evidence!
Romeny dreams to be elected in 2012 and say whatever AIPAC wants him to say. But we know that the most pro-Israel presidente Bush once said: "You can't bomb knowledge"!!! Nither Obama or any incoming president will bom Iran! Simply because Iran is not a direct menace to USA (10000 km)! Israels's should learn to live with Nuclear Iran!!
It's about time you opened your mouth.
Ignorance over how Western gestures or attitudes are read in the Middle East, specially in Iran and the Arab world. Wishful thinking, "Yes we can" and "I have a dream" work in the land of the brave and home of the free, but not necessarily elsewhere. Iran sees that it can further clench its fist with no consequences whatosoever. So does Turkey, Syria, and all the terrorist proxies of Iran. Only Pakistan is acting against terrorism as it sees a pattern of determination by Obama.
I totally agree with Romney. He will have my vote. THis is the kind of person we need in the US, not a sweet-talker full of empty promises.
As if 8 yrs of the Republican nightmare has brought us more security in the international co9mmunity. Under his party we were lied to, had an administation that disregarded law and operated in the world as a fist that thought it held all the power and could act unilaterally and the world would listen. Look what Romney's party has left Obama in Afghanistan and look what cheney has done for the image of the US throughout the world. Romney is just expressing his view of politics as the culture of death.
Other than talking to AIPAC and shaping his words to that audience..or in other words..pandering! Talks have started in Geneva with Diplomats, And IAEA has made its preliminary meeting with Iran in Vienna and another meeting is scheduled for Tuesday,... read this information elsewhere on this electronic newspaper. There were no talks for years..now things are beginning..this is the beginning of diplomacy.