Barack Obama Is Getting Tough On Terrorists

Barack Obama has been in a week long spat with Hillary Clinton about how to deal with tyrants, so this past week he decided to take a tough stance against them. In a speech on counter-terrorism policy at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, Obama said, “I understand that President Musharraf has his own challenges. But let me make this clear. There are terrorists holed up in those mountains who murdered 3,000 Americans. They are plotting to strike again…. If we have actionable intelligence about high-value terrorist targets and President Musharraf will not act, we will.” So Obama is saying he is willing to attack Pakistan if they can’t handle it themselves. This comment drew a bunch of criticism from all corners, except from Clinton. In an interview with the American Urban Radio News Network, Clinton said, “I’ve long believed that we needed tougher, smarter action against terrorists by deploying more troops to Afghanistan, and if we had actionable intelligence that Osama bin Laden or other high-value targets were in Pakistan I would ensure that they were targeted and killed or captured. And that will be my highest priority because they pose the highest threat to America.” In a speech Thursday Obama went a little further. Obama was asked if he would use nuclear weapons to defeat terrorism and Osama bin Laden. Obama said, “I think it would be a profound mistake for us to use nuclear weapons in any circumstance, involving civilians.” Then Obama added, “Let me scratch that. There’s been no discussion of nuclear weapons. That’s not on the table.” Clinton couldn’t agree with him twice in a row so she criticized Obama’s comments at a press conference. “I don’t believe any president should make any blanket statements in respect to the use or non-use of nuclear weapons,” Clinton said. Chris Dodd added to the fire by saying, “Over the past several days, Senator Obama’s assertions about foreign and military affairs have been, frankly, confusing and confused. He has made threats he should not make and made unwise categorical statements about military options.” “It is dangerous and irresponsible to leave even the impression the United States would needlessly and publicly provoke a nuclear power,” Dodd also said in a statement.
Alan Cosgrove