The American Spectator

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DEBATE REWIND: STRENGTH AGAINST

THE IRAN THREAT

"And it is unacceptable to this country to allow that individual to have he control of launching a nuclear weapon. And so we will take the action necessary to keep that from happening. And I think each person on the stage, certainly in my case, I would make sure that we would take the action necessary to keep Iran from having a nuclear weapon." – Gov. Mitt Romney (CNBC, Republican Presidential Candidate Debate, Dearborn, MI, 10/9/07)

Governor Romney on the Need To Act Against Any Threat Being the  President’s Utmost Priority: 

MODERATOR: "Governor Romney, that raises the question, if you were president of the United States, would you need to go to Congress to get authorization to take military action against Iran's nuclear facilities?"

ROMNEY: "You sit down with your attorneys and tell you want you have to do, but obviously the president of the United States has to do what's in the best interest of the United States to protect us against a potential threat.”

Governor Romney On The Iranian Threat:

Governor Romney:  "I Think The President Has Whatever Authority Is Necessary To Protect This Country And Protect Our Troops."  ABC'S GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS:  "George Stephanopoulos: Sen. Clinton took to the Senate floor earlier this week and said the president does not have the authority he needs to take military action against Iran.  Do you agree?"  GOVERNOR ROMNEY:  "I don't know about the constitutional definition that Sen. Clinton is referring to. I think the president has whatever authority is necessary to protect this country and protect our troops."  ("Romney: Iran Is 'Suicidal' Nation," ABC News, 2/16/07)

Governor Romney:  "Iran is an extraordinary threat to the nation and to the world as it considers nuclear armament; that is a course which is very threatening. … It's essential for us to stop that." (Dolly A Butz, "Romney Calls For Isolation Of Iran," Sioux City Journal, 2/19/07)

Governor Romney:  "The Iranian regime threatens not only Israel, but also every other nation in the region, and ultimately the world. And that threat would take on an entirely new dimension if Iran were allowed to become a nuclear power."  (Governor Mitt Romney, Remarks At The Seventh Annual Herzliya Conference, Herzliya, Israel, 1/23/07)

Governor Romney:  Instead of Inviting Ahmadinejad To Speak At The United Nations, We Should Be Indicting Him Under The Genocide Convention.  "If the principles of the UN's founders and the harsh lessons from past genocide have any meaning, our leaders must act now to confront the Iranian regime's terrorist, genocidal and nuclear ambitions.  Failure to act now would diminish the legacy of those who fought and died in World War II and of all victims of genocide and terror." (Gov. Mitt Romney, Letter To National Rally To End The Threat Now, 9/24/07)

Governor Romney Is The Only Candidate To Have Laid Out A Comprehensive Strategy To Prevent A Nuclear Iran:

In January 2007, Governor Romney Laid Out His Five-Point Strategy To Prevent A Nuclear Iran.  "But today, I wish to focus on the regime that has become the heart of the Jihadist threat – Iran.  I believe that Iran's leaders and ambitions represent the greatest threat to the world since the fall of the Soviet Union, and before that, Nazi Germany. … A successful strategy on our part has to consider and encompass the people of Iran, as well as their leaders.  That being said, let me just talk for a moment about a strategy which I think should be pursued. It includes five major dimensions."  (Governor Mitt Romney, Remarks At The Seventh Annual Herzliya Conference, Herzliya, Israel, 1/23/07)

·        First, We Should Tighten Economic Sanctions.   The Administration deserves recognition for restricting access to banking and credit services. Other nations must act now to follow our lead.  In addition, Governor Romney has called for strategic divestment from companies that support the Iranian regime's dangerous actions.  As the world's financial center, no state could have a bigger impact than New York.  After a new state Comptroller was named for New York, Governor Romney wrote the Comptroller, Governor Spitzer and Senators Schumer and Clinton urging them to join in the effort to stop New York pension funds from aiding Iran's efforts.

·        Second, We Should Isolate Iran Diplomatically.  Their leaders should be made to feel like those of Apartheid South Africa.  Iran's President Ahmadinejad should be indicted under the terms of the Genocide Convention for incitement to genocide.

·        Third, Arab States Must Join This Effort To Prevent A Nuclear Iran.  These states should support Iraq's government; turn down the temperature of the Arab-Israeli conflict; stop the financial and weapons flows to Hamas and Hezbollah; and tell the Palestinians to drop their terror campaign and recognize Israel's right to exist. 

·        Fourth, We Must Make It Clear To The Iranian People That While Nuclear Capabilities May Appear To Be A Source Of Pride, It Can Also Be A Source Of Peril.  If nuclear material from their nation falls into the hands of terrorists and is used, it would provoke a devastating response from the civilized world.  The military option remains on the table. 

·        Fifth, Our Strategy Must Be Integrated Into A Broader Approach To The Muslim World.  We must work with moderate Muslim communities and leaders to build a lasting Partnership for Prosperity and Progress.

Governor Romney Has Followed Up His Strategy With Action: 

·        In February 2007, Governor Romney Wrote New York State Leaders To Urge Pension Fund Strategic Divestment Of Assets Linked To The Iranian Regime:  http://mittromney.com/News/Press-Releases/Divestment_Iran

·        In September 2007, Governor Romney Wrote The UN Secretary General Urging That Any Invitation To President Ahmadinejad Be Rescinded:   http://mittromney.com/News/Press-Releases/UN_Letter 

Praise For Governor Romney's Iran Position:

The Washington Times Editorial:  "Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has rightly expressed outrage at Mr. Ahmadinejad's presence in New York, pointing out in a letter to Mr. Ban that the despot is supporting Hezbollah's terrorist efforts, flouting the international community through his nuclear weapons program and supporting Shi'ite militia extremists in Iraq. Mr. Romney commendably called on the United States to reconsider its participation in the U.N. should the body continue to act as a toothless overseer when it comes to Iran."  (Editorial, "Ahmadinejad At The U.N.," The Washington Times, 9/18/07) 

Bill Bennett:  "…[B]ut let me say this about Mitt Romney, he deserves a lot of credit, all credit, for not letting up on Iran; in every interview and speech, he more than any other candidate hangs a light over the need for regime change in Iran, and not offering concessions to it."  (Bill Bennett, "Credit Where Due," National Review Online, http://corner.nationalreview.com, 2/28/07) 

New York Sun:  "He has sought to make an aggressive approach toward Iran a cornerstone of his foreign policy platform."  (Russell Berman, "Romney Calls For Divestment From Iran Regime," New York Sun, 2/23/07) 

topics:
Foreign Policy, Constitution, Military, Iraq, Iran, Israel, United Nations, NATO, Africa, Nuclear Weapons