Although Barack Obama is now (sort of) admitting Iran is a serious problem and is offering the potential for unilateral and multilateral sanctions, John McCain thinks he’s insufficiently tough and does not appreciate that we need “action” instead of more talk. He also took the opportunity at a presser today to remind voters about Obama’s opposition to the Kyl-Lieberman amendment labeling the Iranian Guard as a terrorist organization. (Obama in front of AIPAC later said it was a good idea after all.) McCain made a lengthly statement which included this:

It’s my understanding that this missile test was conducted by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. This is the same organization that I voted to condemn as a terrorist organization when an amendment was on the floor of the United States Senate. Senator Obama refused to vote, called it a provocative step. The fact is this is a terrorist organization and should have been branded as such.

A good start. However, it is fair to ask of the McCain camp about broader diplomatic deterrence, too. Like, for example, what the point of the already overly-rich European incentive package is and at what point can and should we end the bribe-athon. McCain today said:

I am convinced that our European allies and friends are ready to impose significant impactful and meaningful sanctions on the Iranians, especially financial, including trade and including international financial systems and that those sanctions can be effective in modifying Iranian behavior.

Perhaps. But if not, what is McCain prepared to do?

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 9th, 2008 at 5:12 PM and is filed under Contentions. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.