Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., spoke before the American Israel Public Affairs Committee tonight and did what President Obama failed to do yesterday: articulate a clear and firm policy on Iran’s nuclear program.
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Obama emphasized Iran getting close to obtaining a nuclear weapon as the red line for U.S. to contemplate military action, but McConnell, who earned multiple standing ovations, focused on the more important issue of capability. Though Obama talked about keeping all options on the table, McConnell called for a “firm declaratory policy that reflects a commitment to the use of force.”
He continued, “This is so crucial a step, I believe, that tonight I am prepared to propose such a policy — that is, a policy which has the clarity and the specificity that the situation demands. And that policy is this: if Iran, at any time, begins to enrich uranium to weapons grade levels, or decides to go forward with a weapons program, then the United States will use overwhelming force to end that program.”
He also said that if Obama won’t act, he’ll push on Congress to do so.
“(T)onight I make the following commitment in support of the policy I have proposed: if at any time the intelligence community presents the Congress with an assessment that Iran has begun to enrich uranium to weapons grade levels, or has taken a decision to develop a nuclear weapon — consistent with protecting classified sources and methods — I will consult with the President and joint congressional leadership and introduce before the Senate an authorization for the use of military force.”
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi followed McConnell, and delivered a horrendous speech filled with empty platitudes such as, “We will always stand strong for Israel’s security,” without any of the firmness or specificity of McConnell. She also, ridiculously, called on Iran’s radical Islamic regime to return to the negotiating table, a statement completely detached from reality. Unsurprisingly, it fell flat with the audience.
