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• Sunday, April 27, 2008 09:07 AM

  Bluestatelib

  What about Hillary Clinton saying that she would "obliterate" Iran, presumably with nuclear weapons, if that country's government attacks Israel?

  That isn't quite what she said. She said that the U.S. would attack Iran -- "obliterate" them -- if they attacked Israel with nuclear weapons. That's a stupid thing to say -- and stupid formulation -- but I didn't hear Obama object to it, did you? To the contrary, I heard him say this:

  I have said I will do whatever is required to prevent the Iranians from obtaining nuclear weapons.

  I believe that that includes direct talks with the Iranians, where we are laying out very clearly for them: Here are the issues that we find unacceptable, not only development of nuclear weapons, but also funding terrorist organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah, as well as their anti-Israel rhetoric and threats toward Israel.

  I believe that we can offer them carrots and sticks, but we've got to directly engage and make absolutely clear to them what our posture is. Now, my belief is that they should also know that I will take no options off the table when it comes to preventing them from using nuclear weapons or obtaining nuclear weapons.

  And that would include any threats directed at Israel, or any of our allies.

  STEPHANOPOULOS: So you would extend our deterrent to Israel?

  OBAMA: As I said before, I think it is very important that Iran understands that an attack on Israel, is an attack on our strongest ally in the region, one that we -- one whose security, we consider paramount. And that would be an act of aggression that we would -- that I would consider an attack that is unacceptable. And the United States would take appropriate action.

  Is it Obama's position that we wouldn't attack Iran if they launched a nuclear attack on Israel. No, it is not.

  Having said that, I'm not writing about the endless Obama-Clinton war for many reasons, including the fact that I've long assumed that it's over and that Obama will be the nominee. What's the point in jumping into that screeching melee that the entire American political class is already chattering about? I try and write about things where I think what I do can have some impact or where it's offering something new. Most people interested in the Obama-Clinton war are interested because they're immovable partisans of one or the other and only want commentary to boost their side. I don't really think any difference can be made by writing about it.

  —GlennGreenwald Read GlennGreenwald's other letters
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