So, when Israel attacks Iran how will the blood-thirsty GOP explain?

[FarLeftFist]

How will they explain that after 3 years of screaming and crying about Govt spending and deficits that we must dump billions more into helping Israel fight this war? We all know the RepubliCons would love nothing more than to attack Iran, even the fright-wing pundits salivate at the idea of it. If Israel attacks Iran and starts a war President Obama should just say: Sorry, we're out of cash. Also, we're out of people who give a shit about war anymore. It's over, America's iron-fist of empire is taking some time off.

Of course the GOP will use this politically but I believe a huge majority of Americans want nothing to do with war anymore. I actually believe no president will ever get elected again who speaks of a dominant war empire. It should be interesting to see how they squirm their way out of this one. "Govt is spending too much money", "Cut entitlements", "Down with Student loans", etc etc. Then turn around and say "We must help Israel fight this war".

For a related story: http://news.yahoo.com/israels-peres-says-iran-attack-more-more-likely-022212256.html

[Firebrand Gary]

1. That is actually a GREAT question.

They are fucked. There is NO WAY they will get away with it this time. Thanks for pointing this out.

I recd you as well, however is gave you a net rec of zero so clearly you are already being unrecd. Which is awesome because it tells us that your post is already getting under skin, which obviously means YOU ARE RIGHT!

[nenagh]

2. I recc'd you also,

& you are back at zero.

Interesting question.. thanks

[rusty fender]

3. So, you don't think Obama will be on board with an Israeli strike against

Iran? Wow, what have you been smoking? Wait, you won't be able to do that anymore because of Obama's stepped-up war against marijuana.

It appears that this admin. is as trigger-happy towards Iran as the last one was.:wtf:

[bahrbearian]

4. Chimpy proved that Wars help in re-election.,are we going to cut and run?

[jwirr]

5. Explain? They will be so busy cheering they will not have time. nt

[Motown_Johnny]

6. but it will pay for itself, just like Iraq did!

:sarcasm:

[Douglas Carpenter]

7. IF (God forbid) Israel attacks Iran- what will be the position of President Obama and the Democrats?

I think we ALL know the answer to that?

I'm actually not convinced Israel will launch such an attack. At least I hope not. I shudder to think of the consequences of what that will mean for the Middle East, America and the whole world. The possibility of Israel successfully significantly downgrading Iran's nuclear program or their military capabilities is minimal. They simply don't have sufficient long-range resources. Even the Pentagon who do have several times more resources and the aircraft carriers and facilities on Iran's doorstep doubt that an attack by the U.S. would be successful at sufficiently downgrading Iran's nuclear program or their military capabilities. Furthermore, the instability on the Gulf caused by such an attack and the probable side effects of an attack would be so dire I'm quite certain the U.S. would use its influence to try to stop it.

But if I am wrong and Israel does attack Iran - does anyone have any doubt about what the public position will be of vast majority of Democrats in Congress as well as the Obama White House? Any doubts at all?

[customerserviceguy]

8. Who says there's going to be a full-blown war?

As I recall, Israel took out the Osirak nuclear reactor in Iraq thirty years ago, and war did not break out. Frankly, I think the Saudis will be able to convince non-Shiite Muslims that this would be a good thing, and while they will not publically support it, they will be able to keep the lid on it.

At that point, Barack Obama is faced with a choice: Does he publically wag his finger at the Israelis for acting in their own self defense (or worse, cut off aid or apply sanctions) and give the Republicons a chance to criticize him for doing this, or does he just stay pretty much silent about it?

My guess is that he does the latter. Anthony Weiner's old district already told him that he needs American Jewish support badly if he's going to win re-election.

[Cali_Democrat]

9. "Does he publically wag his finger at the Israelis for acting in their own self defense"

Laughable.

An offensive attack by the Israelis against Iran is self defense? That's about as ridiculous as when Bush said attacking Iraq was for defensive reasons.

It could be argued that Iran pursuing nuclear weapons is for defensive reasons. Look at how many countries Israel the US and NATO have attacked over the past two decades. Iran is a peaceful country compared to those bellicose nations that have attacked and bombed country after country in that time span. Iran has not done that.

The US military has Iran completely surrounded. The US military has resources in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait and Turkey. Also, with Israel's statements of impending attack, it's no surprise that they might feel threatened by the belligerents.

Perhaps lessons re also being learned from what happened to Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya. They were without nukes and were bombed into oblivion. North Korea was not attacked, but they had nukes and that scared the belligerents.

Israel should completely and totally give up their nukes and then perhaps they would have a leg to stand on. Until then, Iran will likely feel threatened.

[customerserviceguy]

11. It wasn't laughed at thirty years ago, was it?

Of course, Reagan backed it, but can you go back and show me where any leaders of a Democratic Congress at that time scolded Israel for it?

Iran's leaders have routinely issued verbal threats to blow Israel off of the map if they ever got the chance. I have no doubt they'd try. I would certainly not expect to see Israel under Netanyahu let Iran get to where we (and the Japanese) let North Korea get to. NK is the best argument in the world why you don't let that happen.

[Douglas Carpenter]

10. Iran's facilities are much more complex than the Osirak nuclear reactor

Even to pretend to downgrade Iran's nuclear program. Even U.S. military planners have serious doubts that even they can do it sufficiently and successfully with what they have right on Iran's doorstep. At the very least any attempt to significantly downgrade Iran's nuclear program and seriously reduce its other military capabilities would require an absolutely massive air campaign that would last at least several days with very doubtful results and highly risky consequences. The question of how Iran chooses to respond - Of course they do not have the capabilities to launch serious attacks on Israel except perhaps by proxy with their Hizbollah allies from Lebanon. But will Iran attack what they perceive as U.S. interest in the Gulf? That is where things can get very dangerous.

But of course you are right that the Obama White House would probably walk a very thin line and the vast majority of Congressional Democrats would openly support it.

[customerserviceguy]

12. Oh, it would be much harder to accomplish, no doubt

I'm sure the Iranians learned their set of lessons from Osirak, too.

But Israel has not survived for nearly sixty-five years by letting a dangerous neighbor outfox it.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

13. Back in the olden days, wasn't it Congress that declared war?

[WCGreen]

14. If Israel attacks Iran, all bets are off...

To me, that would be a no brainier, you launched it you bought it.

But then, of course, Israel plays by a different set of rules. And I understand that. But it sure doesn't mean I have to like it.

If we go to war to protect someone who started a war, preventative or not, I believe in my heart the romance with Israel will be over.

[Poll_Blind]

15. Be prepared to see the majority of D's & R's and the President unified in fearful support

Expect a cluster of hastily-passed bipartisan legislation declaring unquestioning US support for such action regardless of what targets would be struck by Israel or what weapons were used by Israel to strike.

It doesn't matter what the majority of Americans or even American Jews think of such a thing. Their voice is irrelevant in such matters.

PB

[MadMaddie]

16. Pick me, Pick me! The Republicans response will be

"America should have taken the lead and used our soldiars to fight someone elses war".....that's all..