Will Rick Santorum's vow to bomb Iran help or hurt him in Iowa?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Rick Santorum - the latest Republican candidate to see a surge in Iowa - says he would bomb Iran if it doesn't scrap its nuclear program.
Santorum says as president he would insist Iran open its nuclear facilities to inspectors and dismantle them. Otherwise, he promises to quote "degrade those facilities through air strikes." Translation: Bomb them.
santorum vows that Iran will not get a nuclear weapon on his watch.
Apparently a little sabre rattling couldn't hurt. with all eyes on Iowa today - Santorum has jumped in the polls there. The latest poll shows him in third place, behind Mitt Romney and Ron Paul.
Santorum says Iowa is "moving" his way, and that he's very confident he will "finish well." The former Pennsylvania Senator says he has enthusiasm and momentum, both vital to the caucus process.
But how much might Santorum's tough talk against Iran have to do with his Iowa surge?
Iran has been making a lot of noise lately... as it finishes up 10 days of test firing missiles during Naval exercises in the Strait of Hormuz.
Last week Iran threatened to close down the Strait, a strategic shipping channel through which one-sixth of the world's oil passes.
Iran's threat comes on the heels of planned sanctions by the west targeting its oil industry. The sanctions are meant to force Iran to cut back its nuclear program.
But Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, and refuses to halt its production of enriched uranium.
Here’s my question to you: Will Rick Santorum's vow to bomb Iran help or hurt him in Iowa?
Tune in to the Situation Room at 4pm to see if Jack reads your answer on air.
And, we love to know where you’re writing from, so please include your city and state with your comment.
@jackcafferty on Twitter
My diagnosis for Santorum; he has a military-industrial complex – an incurable disease of creating jobs and bigger federal debt.. Perhaps he could do a duet with John "bomb bomb Iran" McCain.
That would give me nightmares, the thought of Santorum becoming the President of the United States. That's all we need another major war in the Mid-East. Do you suppose he would call for the draft so more rich kids would have to go fight.
His prejudice and intolerance are bad enough. But his draconian policies against women is truly frightening.
Hopefully such war-mongering statements will be the downfall of all of the Republicans foolish enough to utter such nonsense. But why are so many Americans willing to fall for the media talking heads that spread such fear-mongering rubbish on TV? Hasn't anyone learned from the Bush and Obama years?
Ron Paul in 2012... He remains the only answer.
You'd think it might hurt him since another war would mean we would have to go further into debt and, quite possibly, reinstate the draft. Candidates like Santorum would never consider encouraging their sons or daughters to enlist to fight and possibly die. It's always a burden someone else – usually the poorer people – have to bear.
answer: hurt him – (big time) we just got out of a war in iraq. it took almost 10 yrs. and billions spent. what did we accomplish ? answer: nothing, "so we will be able to "police" iraq, til the end of time" That demands the next question: why haven't we shut down their central bank, long ago ? Everybody knows that "sanctions" don't really work anymore, because if they don't get something from one country, they can deal with another country, and get it from them. Hate to a bearer of bad tidings to you, Jack – but if we go to war with another middle east country, we will be in there forever. Why ? because those are the type of people in those countries that like 3rd world, they have nothing to live for, they blow theirselves up, because they don't care about their Own Life, let alone other people's lives. The biggest weapon that they have is an I.E.D. and small arms fire.
Larry in Houston
It will help him. It appears that most of the american people have become a bunch of crazy neocons, including the dems in washington. This anti-iran talk is nothing but a big show so the politicians can get money from the israeli lobby. Rich israel does not need our money or any help from the u.s. destroying iran anytime they want. The u.s. military killed a million people in iraq, wasted 3 trillion dollars and we stil want more blood. Shame!
Bombing Iran should help Rick Santorum get the Jewish vote, but it is unlikely to help him gain any intelligent voters.
President Obama showed us the best way to handle International problems. . The US cannot be a bully, we must let other countries take part responsibility especially neighboring countries and factions. Loose talk of bombing is irresponsible and certainly not how President of these United States should behave.
Being Rick Santorum hurts him in Iowa.
Great! just what we need , an AIPAC funded war mongering pyscho.
Jack: Rick Santorum can bomb Iran all he wants to, as far as I am concerned. Rick can not put one soldier or marine on the ground. America is starting to wake up, and realize that sometimes no force can work. Egypt, Tunasia, Libya, and maybe even Syria. Sometimes ideas are stronger than guns and bullets, and even Rick Santorum's Bombs. Mr. Santorum, Arlington Cemetery is full of heros. Old men start wars for young men and women to fight. How old is Rick Santorum?
It will help him. Remember, evangelical Christians WANT the end of the world to happen. It's their fast track way to heaven that leaves all of us heathens here to rot while they hang out in a heaven the resembles Jehovahs Witness literature with kids of all races and creeds laying gently next to predators from the Serengetti in perfect harmony and all of that. And bombing Iran is a sure-fire way of starting WWIII so I'm sure they applaud him for saying it.
I don't know about Iowa, but it will hurt him everywhere else.
I know Mr. Santorum's political career very well. I lived here in Pennsylvania all my life for 68 years. Sen. Santorum lost his job because he was so far to the right in his views that the majority of Pennsylvanians could no longer except him as our senator. I believe that if Mr. Santorum was to become our president we would be in a war within the first two years of his presidency. I don't think Mr. Santorum gets the full extent of what war is really like up close and personal. If he did being the religious man he is, Mr. Santorum would think twice before shooting his mouth off. War is not like hunting pheasants in Iowa, in war the pheasants shoot back. In war when a trigger is pulled no matter which side is pulling the trigger lives are lost and families are left to suffer.
We've had quite enough WAR, thank you, and it never fails to amaze us how the GOP, professing faith, religion, want to do away with all help for the jobless and poor when all thru the Bible feeding and helping the poor is stressed strongly!!
Help, of course. This is red meat for the oil slathered war mongering sect. What I would like to know is how many of these drum beating politicians own stock in companies that feed the military industrial complex and big oil. Who benefits by sending our kids off to fight oil rich nations? And wouldn't that money be better spent investing in wind and solar instead of poking at a hornet's nest? These nations have to have figured out that we're antagonizing them to enrich a handful of investors, no? Doesn't that jeopardize our national security, ultimately?
Jack I doubt it hurts him but who cares? He's not a serious contender nor a serious threat to get elected. He's certifiably whacky and buttoned up just a bit too tight.
Rick in High point NC
Rick Santorum is a" chick hawk "always willing to spill more of america's blood to feather his nest,, people like this we do not need , we need leaders who thonk not just run there mouths,,.
Coming from one who has never served in the military, Santorum's casual bellicosity is disturbing. I'm sure these remarks are popular among Iowa's dominionists and other magical thinkers, but they should scare the daylights out of rational Americans. It sounds like he is trying to channel Cheney, Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz and all the other armchair Generals who never got closer to combat than strapping a 45 on their GI Joe doll.
If it helps him, then God help us.
Rick (The Mad Bomber) Santorum has torpedoed any chance he had at the nomination.
probably help him with his evangelical base who want "The Rapture" so that Jesus will come back.
It makes me sick that these politicians are so eager to bomb Iran without even talking to them. I want to vote for the politician who will make a pledge to sit down face to face with the leaders of Iran and talk to them about peace. And I hope this is done before one American gives thier life in another war. It reminds of the "weapons of mass destruction" that were not there in Iraq.
His vow may not play that well in a state that also has strong Ron Paul libertarian support and with a public that is most likely a bit tired of foreign adventures. He is also a desperate politician fighting for political survival and would probably "vow" just about anything his team believes would help him survive another round.
(?) Wouldn't that be an act of war(?) Can that be vowed or declaired without congress approval ? ( O! 'i' forgot they don't do noth'n these days ) This leads right into your next question Jack, if he does good in Iowa it doesn't mean a thing.
Neither does the other early 'decisions' unless there's consistency, which 'i' can guarantee you there won't be!
If the Media "shut their mouth" for 2 weeks – 'i' wonder who'd be leading. Get my point Jack!!!!!
Confrontation with Iran may be inevitable; especially if politicians like Santorum box the nation into a rhetorical corner. Even the ethanol lobby can't believe that another war in the Middle East is good for anyone. Hopefully Iowans see through the bluster and realize it means Santorum has no idea how to handle a real crisis.
Probably not, Jack. His name in Iranian translates as "Rick Who?".
It might help him take some votes from Gingrich but not Ron Paul. Everyone knows where Ron Paul stands on all of that.
It shows what a sociopathic presidential candidate can promise! More war, death, and destruction. Rick Santorum's vow to bomb Iran, will alert the entire world, of what a crazed politician can propose.
An appalling thought that vowing to bomb a foreign country might help Mr. Santorum "buy" a few votes from the people in Iowa. First off, Santorum is not privy to all the facts relating to Iran. That is why so often a new President appears to change his mind drastically once taking office. Suddenly the full picture is in view.
An even more disturbing thought is that America seems anxious to meddle in another country's affairs again. If only your politicians could include America's pending bankruptcy in that full picture before they decide to get feisty again in the MIddle East.
Who knows what will harm or hurt one's chances in Iowa republican politics? One would think that a candidate who promises to use bombs as primary foreign policy would be a pariah, but logic doesn't apply in this situation. I suppose it all depends on whether the republican folk of Iowa really believe that God himself is telling Sanctotum what to do or if Sanctotum is faking it.
I really don't know the answer Jack, but isn't this the same guy that is against aborting human life. Aborting mostly innocent Iranians is what bombing accomplishes, as in all wars they are the majority of dead.
But none dare call it murder.
Anyone to talks like this I dismiss and would never consider voting for them. I'd say is hurts more than it helps.
I don't know, but I am glad you are back Mr. Cafferty, because, although the Situation Room is great News TV, and Wolf is The Man, watching it without the Cafferty File, is like eating eggs without Salt and Pepper. Bomb Iran? Sounds like that tune, Bar Bar Bra Anne. Maybe it will help Santorum. It can't hurt him. I am betting on a long shot to win though, the other Rick. Iowa and Rick Perry seem like a good match to me. Doug. Pepperell, MA.
no jack,for some reason evangelicals are more hawkish than other americans.
It will help in Iowa but hurt him in the real world. Remember Iowa Republicans aren't your run of the mill human beings, they are Super Evangelicals with war mongering tendencies. With them, bomb and bible are synonymous with each other and can cause the same adrenalin rush when either are spoken aloud.
I would think it would hurt him but these days it is hard to say.
Welcome back and Happy New Year Jack. The people in Iowa are so divided that I doubt if he said he'd put two chickens in every pot that it would help him in the long run. His 15 minutes of fame are up after the next few weeks, just like Bachmann.
It might help him in Iowa...these politicians are not happy unless they are scaring the bejesus out of people about hyperthetical issues....Iowa has a strong Evangelical population who are scared of everything....so it might work....unless one of the other candidates can find a bigger scarier foe, than that little sawed off twerp....Ajmadinajad. which i am sure they are working on as we speak.....I am astounded that people would remotely consider a candidate who advocates any kind of bombing of another nation.......Dont we ever learn?
I don't know about Iowa, Jack. But, it sure will give him a boost in New York and Florida.
This just shows just how ignorant Sanitarium really is. Bomb IRAN....you might as well bomb communist China! Iran is in China's pocket. We bomb Iran....all of our consumable products that we buy, just went through the roof. Good job Kochplicans, Pres. Cheney (both Dick and LIz) and you too George the second in making communist China into a military powerhouse!!
If Iowans had any sense, Santorum's statements would definitely hurt him. All Iowans should remember is March, 2003 when another GOP president started his war in Iraq and we all know how well that worked out. But then if Iowans had any sense, they wouldn't be listening to Mitt Romney or Ron Paul or any of the other candidates.
Jack,
The answer is yes. Rick Santorum is trying to pull one from the pages of the ole Gipper but Ronald Reagan, Rick Santorum is not. Reagan could charm a democrat and tame the likes of the Soviet Union, Libya and yes Iran. Back in 1980, we had less than a trilion dollars in debt to boot. If only there was a way to bring back President #40.
tampa, fl after Iran has taken our embassy, kidnapped Americans, tortured and executed them, printed our money, trained terrorists and funded them along with building nukes & missiles, it might be time to try another approach when dealing with these blowhards other than shaking our finger at them. we should have made Iran a parking lot 30 years ago, along with any other country that kicks sand in our face, and with our present choices for president, i don't see that happening anytime soon. prepare to keep spiting sand.
In Iowa, it will probably help him. Most of those people have lots of guns at home and being Christians and right wingers they undoubtedly will favor any act of war by the US against any other country, especially in the Middle East. While I have no love for the Iranian leaders, another preemptive war is the absolute last thing we need right now. We just never seem to learn from history.
I don't know the answer to your question.
What I DO KNOW is what happened to our world in the 1930's when America ignored what a mentally deranged despot in Germany was allowed to accomplish because of apathy and lack of courage to stop him.
I certainly hope Santorum's "let's bomb Iran" quote hurts him. Haven't we learned our lesson about fighting radical Islamic countries with our Iraq and Afghanistan debacles?
Larry Rinehart Upland California
Regardless it's pandering at the least – reckless after that. In any event it may not hurt him too much in Iowa but will be used aginst him going forward. In any event, he's seen his best days in this campaign. Even if he wins Iowa.
Jack,
I certainly hope it hurts him. We don't need a war hawk in the oval office. We don't need to get involved needlessly in another conflict in the middle east. Is Santorum channeling Dick Cheney? What some people will do for votes, simply amazing.
A man that is not re-elected to office in his own state must be caring some baggage his state doesn't like. Bomb Iran...that scares the hell out of me. The Son of God said "if we live by the sword we will die by the sword". Are the American people ready to give up their life over a small country whose neighbors close by would take care of him permanently if we keep our nose out of Iran. Ron Paul is more "Godly" than any of the Republicans that say "In God we trust". You are not trusting in any other power than your own if you need to bomb another country. Santorum, might do good in Iowa but he won't get much farther. The Younger generation and their grandparents are tired of war and rumors of wars.
Forget Iowa, what about the rest of the country? How intellectually deprived do you have to be to think getting us into another war, on the heels of leaving Iraq, is going to do this country any good? More good money down another war-machine drain, oh yes!, that's just what we need!
Gee Jack, the answer to your question depends on whether you seek the answer from sane, well informed and thoughtfull people or are you seek the answer from people who have little understanding of history, forget the deceitful reasons we went to war in Iraq and Afgan, and believe the only solution to resolve the middle east conflicts is to use our military might (a very short-term feel good event) and believe the US should be the sole arbitrator of world problems. When was the last time that the US bombing of a nation led to peace...seems like WW II and we rebuilt and became partners with Japan and Germany. Since then, there has been no concerted effort to rebuild and be partners with nations we destroy with our bombs and try to impose US values including democracy. Charlie Wilson had it absolutely correct when the Russians gave up on trying to conqueor Afganistan. We seem to follow similar miscalculations of imposing US values on other countries.
Your question is irrelevant. I personnally would like to see Santorum win Iowa because I want the Republican sideshow to drag on as long as possible. But if the general electorate in this country has gone completely mad and elects that man president then Iran will be the least of our worries. Santorum lost a senate seat that had been Republican for 84 of the prior 100 years; and he lost by 18 percentage points. What on earth makes anyone think he should ever be considered a serious candidate for president? Whether his comments help or hurt him in Iowa is of little importance in the real world.
Let's hope it hurts him. Republicans have this fascination with war. They keep creating boogeymen to protect us from. I think it's part of the Republican contract with the military industrial complex that we will always be engaged in a long war somewhere. Iran is no more a threat to us or their neighbors than North Korea is but bombing them followed by boots on the ground will keep the contracts flowing.
Jack, I have no idea how the people in Texas think, much less in Iowa, but I do think that these kinds of
irresponsible and inane comments should be taken very seriously when voting for any candidate.
Santorum should know better than to make threats toward any Country, especially since he is not in any position
to carry out those threats and is void of any information pertinent to the situation. Iran's threat to block the Strait
of Hormuz was quickly abandoned and a stern reaction prevailed over hysteria. I can only hope the people of Iowa will put reason before ideaology when they vote.
Happy New Year!
It will not hurt him or help him. This man is not a factor in this race, thank goodness. He needs to step aside and let the the ones with the brains move on. Right now he will say or do anything to push ahead. Nooooooo Way!!!!!!'
Jack, it will help him because the kind of voters we are talking about are the exreme right and they tend to be more hawkish. But, in fact, it is not just the satisfaction of seeing more despots go, it is the disastrous effect on oil prices worldwide. Iran is far more able militarily than Iraq was, and there would be loss of life for America. There is the real danger of missile attacks on our ships and bases, and there is no guarantee that we could intercept all of them successfully. America should not start another war, just be ready if attacked.
Will Rick Santorum's vow to bomb Iran help or hurt him in Iowa?
So Santorum, a Christian, vows to bomb Iran? How Christian of him.
We don't need to bomb Iran or anyone for that matter. I could care less if Iran has a nuke. Israel already does and Israel refuses to have IAEA weapons inspections and refuses to sign the Non Proliferation Treaty.
With friends like that who needs enemies.
Jenna
Roseville CA
We learned a lot from selecting and electing Obama. He had lots of things he was going to do also. However, we went to war under Bush. Maybe all Republicans like war. This guy is so young that he probably does not realize what even saying this shows we aren't interested in him. This remark ensures he will lose in Iowa, in my opinion.
That's all we need Jack is another War Mongrel.....The current president knows how to handle the situation and do what ever is needed to address any Iranian blunders...
All the right wing evangelicals scare me, every one of them. The ideological social conservatives have no business in politics, national, state or local. Then again, Santorum is just another GOP politician trying to get elected so who knows what he'll really do if/when in office. Put a politician's promise in one hand and spit in the other and see which fills first. Huntsman is the only one for whom I might vote, but he's got no traction. The GOP really blew it this time.
When the dust settles from all this nonsense its Romney vs Obama. This is just the circus before the main event. WAY too much media. Its like trying to remember the loser in the last Superbowl, once these absurd caucauses are over, primaries start we wont remember any of this cast of characters.
It will help him. Any pacifists were already voting for Ron Paul. His remarks underline the difference between the two in the way that helps Santorum. This issue will be totally different by next year, as Obama will have already had to do something or the issue of Iran would already be resolved, either by mutual understanding or a Persian Spring.
In Iowa it will probably help him. For a general election, not so much. Maybe he does not realize it, but Americans are sick of war and threats of war and talk of war. Besides, aren't we broke. Don't wars cost money? Making comments like that only makes that fool Ahmadenijad say crazier things and I for one am sick of crazy talk.
West Palm Beach, FL (and it's freezing)
Jack, this is a crazy year in US politics and bombing Iran is crazy talk, so it can only help Santorum.
Well, if you are talking exclusively about affecting Republican mindsets, then I would have to say it would help him. Republicans have never met a war they could resist, even when they have to start it themselves, so I would think that the American industrial military complex (Republicans) would be positively giddy with excitement.
Go Home Rick! Americans are just experiencing the joy of bringing our soldiers home from Iraq. They do not want to go back on World Patrol and have a war with Iran. The Country doesn't have the money for it either.
Santorum is desperate and delusional. He could not even win re-election in Pennsylvania the last time he ran. He needs to stop spending campaign money he really doesn't have and get out of the race–he's only clouding the waters.
The Republicans love getting us into war and sending off alll the kids of the lower and middle class that can't find a job elsewhere. Rick Santorum is singing their song. They'lll sing for him at the polls today.
It's this insane thinking that drive the military and veterans to Ron Paul. Ron Paul receives more donations from military and veterans than all other GOP candidates COMBINED and even more than Obama. What does that tell you about how the military feel about being sent to war carelessly?
Andrew B. Canada
Now that the season of Peace on Earth and Goodwill to Man is over let's bomb the crap out of somebody.
Leave it to a Republican to always chose war! Not only are we out of Irak and leaving Afghanistan, now we have more republicans always ready to go to war!
Assuming that a majority of voters are tired of war
and war's great expense in blood, sanity, and money;
one might think that it will hurt him.
I hope he loses by a landslide to Ron Paul. We cannot afford another war, and Santorum is out of his mind. He is just spouting propaganda, and wouldn't be willing to send any of his kids to fight Iran, so why should we send ours?
Certainly the American people don't want any more wars. Ron Paul is the only Republican who has a sense that this is in fact the case. I hope that we don't have any more wars and I think that Santorum's position will hurt him here.
I would hope it hurts his campaign. I am a U.S. Navy Submarine Veteran, 6 times deployed, and I believe that this thinking is dangerous. I believe in the Constitution and the Foreign Policy of Ron Paul. He is who I would vote.
I think this will hurt Santorum because in my view, Iowans have more peaceful values than perhaps other states' residents.
He's going to bomb Iran just for the hell of it? Fortunately, we don't have to worry about what Rick Santorum would do as president. He'll never be president.
It is interseting to note that the ONLY presidential nominee who isn't out there rattling sabers and spewing war propaganda is the one who is getting the most campaign money from the soldiers. We need to let Israel handle it's own affairs and for us to handle ours. Ron Paul is the ONLY sane choice for president.
He has to say whatever he needs to say to be elected by the brainwashed nuts. Of course he will change his tune if by the remotest chance he becomes the republic nominee.
Elizabeth M Canada
His position as a Christian is no different than the so called evil Iranian. Do you think Christ is applauding him from His Mercy seat?
So Santourm is singing the old John McCain song, "Bomb bomb bomb bomb bomb Iran." Just another reason why I'm voting for Obama
Iran is going to get bombed regardless of current U.S. politics or whom may be the U.S. President. I don’t think there is any way around it.
If it does, then the iowa caucases should be abolished. More war mongering, and unnecessary aggressive use of other people's and their children/s lives in the military for your own ideology is about as despicable as you can get. If Rick wants to bomb and go to war with Iran, send his kids and relatives to the front line first, then we'll see how much he talks about bombing Iran.
It didn't hurt the other warmongering candidates (minus Ron Paul), I'm not too sure if it would necessarily hurt him. But when over half this country doesn't want another war and active military overwhelmingly donating to the only anti-war candidate, it obviously won't help him either. If Rick Santorum is so eager for us to go to war, would he have his own children enlist? Of course not. But I guess it all depends on if the American people buy the war propaganda yet again.
this guy is plalying to the ego of these right wing hippocriates. just what we need another bush in the white house with stupid ideas like this. we would be better bombing them with our life style, can you see them dancing to aerosmith and driving corvetts. Oh, get the girls in short shorts, thats the way to go
Just what this country needs: another Neocon who orders other peoples children to war
I'm for putting sanctions on Iran, who is recklessly building nuclear missiles. However if we do go after Iran with weapons, who is going to pay for that? The same people who sent us to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Even if we do go to Iran, we might as well start WWIII given Iran's close ties to China and Russia; two major members on the Security Council. Diplomacy is the best bet for Iran, not gun slinging.
It shouldn't. People hated Bush for his lies about so-called WMDs, and people will hate any candidate who wants to bomb Iran for nuclear weapons that they don't have. The second they lay a finger on our military, that'll be our excuse to turn that country into a parking lot.
Oh, Great, Jack. Just what we need. Another war. Santorum is a bomb thrower. And ever since his man on dog comment years back, I think he is a non-entity. He is Michelle Bachmann's twin! Every time he speaks, I just shake my head in wonder that he along with Ms Bachmann think they are qualified to be President of these United States!
Long standing rule - we do not discuss preemptive intentions just as a skilled boxer does not telegraph punches.
COWARDS always talk tough man to man rick wouldnt bust a GRAPE
Rick "Momentum" Santorum is saber-rattling. It might hurt him. This may work in Iowa, but a presidential candidate doesn't indulge in such loose talk.
A President acts responsibly, when absolutely necessary.
his vow is a stupid one. No one wants to see another war especially with a country like Iran. We already have a lot of problems with Iran and so does the rest of the world. And plus we're still in the process of finishing two wars now, why would anyone want to enter another and possibly more deadly war? Santorum is wrong for vowing this. It will hurt him because nobody wants another war these days. And bombing is a such a drastic and crazy claim. No one wants to even hear talks of another war, let alone some kind of crazy bombing plan.
The only reason why this is a question now, is because there is talk about those Iranians closing off the shipping lanes in which oil travels. As we all know, that would sink the US. So, in that sense, people will like that he is willing to put those nutbags in their places. As far as the nuclear program that the world doenst need either, we can probably wait a little longer to figure out what to do with that mess, so we dont need to bomb them right now for that cause.
So, as usual, I dont like the question as exactly asked. So, I therefore, gave my answer based on the two reason that there is talk about going to Iran with a strong fist. For oil and our econmoic recovery, yes, for all other reasons, I dont believe people want to hear Santorum talk about bombing Iran right now!
PS Do you still work here Jack?
Hopefully the American people will realize this man is the Christian version of a radical Imam won't be foolish enough to give him the chance to bomb anyone.
He is only saying this for effect, hoping it will help him in Iowa, which it might. But it won't help long term. Plus I'm willing to bet that if he were president (heaven forbid) he wouldn't do it. I have a question: how many senators' and congressmen's children went to Afghanistan or Iraq?
Odd question since it presumes the rest of the country has a notion, one way or the other, of how Iowans feel about possibly starting one of the worst wars in history. I would certainly hope it would not help him.
None of my fellow friends and neighbors here in Iowa with whom I've talked about Iran want any part of yet another phony/UNdeclared "war." Nor do I. If Iran gets the Bomb, all that will do is even the playing field with Israel. They would never dare use it because they know they would be annihilated it they did. So leave Iran alone. I will caucus for Ron Paul tonight.
Rick Santorum is supposed to be a Catholic?? Which part of "Thou shalt not kill!" does he NOT comprehend? Don't we have ENOUGH wars and profiteering on innocent people's deaths ALREADY!!? I would HOPE that insanity would HURT his chances.
I would hope it hurts Rick Santorum. I don't know what it is when politicans do not serve in the military, they are the first to put others who are in the military in harm's way. You never hear political firgures who have served in the armed forces jumping out and declaring war. It is always those who have never served and Santorum hasn't. He talks the talk, but has never walked the walk to know what it is like see dead people or fire a weapon, or being under fire, or be in a Cuban Missile style threat. He reminds me of Catherine the Great's first husband who played with toy soldiers. He is just a little boy at heart!
Yes, it will hurt Santorum because he believes in actually military intervention in Iran. We have lost thousands of innocent lives and wasted trillions of dollars on meaningless wars over the past 10 years. We don't need another in Iran. We need to be withdrawing troops from around the word, and taking care of our own domestic issues right now – education, health care, restoring jobs, manufacturing and the American way of life . The focus needs to be back on our own citizens well being. We learned under Presidents' Reagan and Clinton that you can talk tough without going to war and wasting trillions of dollars, let's get back on track and stop being the world's antagonist at the expense of our own middle class. Only President Obama and Ron Paul seem to be calling for less military action of all the candidates running. Yes, covert CIA & Navy Seal action is important, but these large occupations of other countries are a complete waste of tax payer money that benefits certain companies run by former VPs. This will kill Santorum because Americans are sick and tired of all the unnecessary military action & wasted money...Bin Laden is dead. Mission Accomplished. Game Over....Get a clue Candidate Santorum.
Jack,
the question of do we bomb or not is meaningless, we CAN'T bomb the installations as they built the new ones underground soft targets like universities, cities and mosques. we already played this game and unlike us, Iran appears to have learned from their last match. The real issue is this: the most recent sanctions escalate the danger rather than lessens it – by forcing countries to pick between doing business with the US or Iran, to the exclusion of the other we are forcing the world to pick sides. Most will side with the US, but any who dont will be the defacto "axis of evil". Iran will do what governments often do when challenged; something shortsighted and stupid but it will have been forseeable result of US foreign policy.
It should hurt him, others that do it and the country as well with talk like that. Our people are trying to negotiate in good faith and forge a partnership with the many peoples in that region. Saber-rattling talk doesn't help. It hinders the process of trying make end roads with these people. It didn't last time and we know how well all that went.
Unfortunately Jack, it will probably help, which begs the question of whether we have learned ANYTHING from going to war with Iran's neighbors directly to the East and the West. But don't worry – once Eric Cantor lets him know that we'll have to sell Washington, D.C. to pay for it, it'll die on the vine.
The good old book say nobody build a tower without counting the cost.. pls count the cost of war, rick....the cost is 9.1 unemployment n about 5000 death of our able men n women...this is not good.. rick
If Santorum thinks we can afford a war with Iran, just look at the annual national debt chart begining from 1913. Our society is only surviving on its capacity to borrow ever increasing amounts of money. This is unsustainable and Santorum would only continue this senseless never ending borrowing, just like all the other status quo establishment candidates, with the exception of Ron Paul.
I can only speak for myself and I say is this fool out of his mind? The Republicans hustled us off to two wars. One war was based on lies and manufactured evidenced. Now we have a candidate that thinks we need another war just to keep employment figures high. And by the way, I am most definitely not a dove. I retired from the United States Army with more than twenty years of service.Bombing Iran is insane!
Iran by far is no threat to the US. Iran will show its muscles during this election year, they might even invite the US to a conflict knowing the last thing Obama wants is a war right now. The best thing to do is to ignore Iran. To even mention bombing Iran it wouldn't help any candidate unless their are after the Jewish votes because Israel will rather be preoccupy expanding Palestinian territories than messing around with Iran.
Santorum speaks like all the other Republicans all for another war when they complain that we don't have any money. Have you noticed that the Republicans in Iowa never mention the two wars they got us into. That President Obama would have lots of money to work with for the people and for the country if he did not have to spend his time trying to undo what the Republicans got us into specifically wars. I wonder if Romney's boys ever voluteered for the service?
Unbeliavable. A reckless candidate who has absolutely no idea.A "man" who drives the whole nation to the WAR without having a thought. Just to get votes, just to be elected...
He want to bomb Iran for nukes yea right bush make the blueprint 4 Sterling oil we the ppl r not falling 4 that again u couldnt pay me to vote 4 this man
Just more political rhetoric by yet another appeal to a minority politician. So much for a self proclaimed fiscal and moral conservative not going off half cocked, the reincarnation of Barry Goldwater I presume.
Jack, Rick Santorum's simplistic and extreme ideology is terrifying. The world is not a nice, neat black-and-white place regardless of what the ultra-conservative right would like to believe. The fact that Santorum is running for the presidency, and is actually is supported by some voters, stuns me. We need a president that can govern the most diverse nation in the world, not some idealogue that would try to legislate their bizarre belief system on everyone. I fear for our nation...
Rick Santorum is a typical chickenhawk, forever willing to send our children to war, but not his or the children of his elite friends. From Vietnam to present, these war mongering individuals have learned absolutely nothing. When are we going to start taking care of the needs of our citizens and quit being the world police?
Rick Santorum (real name most likely "Santoro") is another chicken hawk that cowed to AIPAC loby to appeal to the Zionists voters. The same people that lied to the American people about Iraq having WMD (while Israel has over 100 nuclear war heads) are applying the same Psychological method by demonizing Iran in order to justfy attacking a country that has no intenion to attack us. If any think it's the other way around.
This is coming from Marine Vietnam combat veteran
Always the dirty little cowards who have never served in the military want to be war mongers. Bombing Iran would mean nuclear war. Big difference protecting our oil supplies. Santorum is just pandering to the defense industry who want to keep getting those billions of dollars in welfare checks.
It will help him. A lot. It will mean more debt (because he won't pay for the war, just like Bush), more young people dying for oil (let's be honest–it really isn't about nukes, because if it were, we'd have bombed North Korea and India by now), and a chance for Santorum to thump his chest and act the bully. The evangelical Christians eat this stuff up, they love it. They say one thing (peace), but do another. Santorum scares me. So does Ron Paul, but for different reasons.
How about getting a candidate who isn't on one extreme (bomb Iran)–Santorum or the other (completely isolationist)–Paul?
This is one scary election–instead of renting Friday the 13th, I just have to watch the evening news and listen to the drivel spewed by these candidates.
Jack, Rick Santorum's big talk and antics are theatre of the absurd. Santorum is full of hot air. The American people are tired of war and are in no position to provoke another war with another country. This guy does not get it. We are broke!! We can't afford to engage in another war unless we are directly attacked!! We are in the process of downsizing our military forces. This foolish bravado will definitely sink his candidacy.
Not sure how his comments will affect him in Iowa but it will be added to the list of reasons the rest of the country (and the Democrats) will cite when explaining why that, he too, is not a good choice for President.