The Republicans on Iran

In last night's debate, Republicans were asked about the incident last week when Iranian boats swarmed US navy ships in the Strait of Hormuz and whether the Navy commanders were right in not attacking the boats.

Mike Huckabee: Any Iranian who dared attack a U.S. ship would end up seeing the "gates of hell"

Fred Thompson: "One more step, you know, and they would have been introduced to those virgins they've been looking forward to seeing."

Comments

[A. Truman North]

I really enjoy Huckabee's sense of humor- it's too bad that he's not kidding! From anyone else, this line would have been a winner. But when you look like Jesus just whispered it in your ear, you start to look a little Pat Robertson-y.

Please, Mitt, take this bum out.

[Cenna MY]

This is precisely the type of arrogance that is doing us a lot of "favour" internationally

[Jerry Pomeroy]

It's one thing to deliver tough talk in a debate, quite another to authorize the use of force in the real world. Nevertheless, Huckabee's and Thompson's warnings to Iran, and all potential enemies of America, should be held until we can compare them to Democratic candidates responses to similar questions.

[norman]

Poor ol' fool can't just say, "What Governor Huckabee said!" FT has to add in a slur that offends our hardwon, can't believe we have them, hard hung onto, muslim allies! Not to presidential, but, it was likely the best prompting his handlers could send to his laptop screen (obvious both Fox-phony-media debates) to try and keep up with Mike Huckabee's quick mind.

[Barbara]

Thompson finally woke up to say something funny what if he sleeps through his entire presidency? Huckabee shot from the hip and sounded as tough as McCain. that would be a good ticket.

[Ron, Mich.]

Finally, someone who doesn't mince words and talk out of both sides of his mouth like a typical politician! I am liking Huckabee, and Thompson, more each day. WE are NOT the bad guys, people.

[Jerry Woodrum]

When did America become a country of *******? When someone pokes a stick in your eye you know them on their butt. When they point a gun at you, you kill them, period. The next guy who thinks about doing it will put his gun away. That is not being a bully. A bully initiates confrontation, this is conflict resolution.

[steven]

"Blame America First" is a common thread in the liberal left worldwide. The fact that a Baptist states this is somehow a crime, but if Reagan had said this, it would have worked.

The fact is truth is truth. I believe Mike and Fred BOTH have the courage to defend America and do not have to take a poll if the left agrees to make the decision. They won't launch an attack, but pull it back in mid flight like Bill did after getting a call from the United Nations. America is sovereign. America WILL keep it that way.

[Teddy Budell]

Here you have Huckabee the radical christian militant of christianity. I would give up my US citizenship if the American people voted for this kind of change. Religion from every corner of this world is destroying humanity and the new world order is wishing its mass to their knees to kill for it.

[REAGAN FAN]

Osama and Hillary have already ran up a flag of surrender and gone into the Retreat mode. They've even announced it to our enemies.
Liberals talk, talk, talk and fail to do anything, Oops and do great "photo ops." (Please Hillary dance with Bill again on the beach facing all of the swooning lefty photo-journalists) They'll "bring the adversary to the discussion table" and stall, stall, stall while the enemy gain strength. They are fools.
Mark my words I pray that America has the time for a Conservative to save America if these Liberal fools win.

[Kevin]

Absolutely beautiful. Hopefully his actions will be consistent with what he says. If they come up to our ships threatening to blow us up, kill them. It's really quite simple.

[Richard Torné]

This didn't sound like an intelligent political debate, more like 'let's see who's got the biggest balls', but some people will never learn. Didn't gunboat diplomacy go out with Lord Palmerston in the 19th century?

[Mike]

to CENNA MY

"Arrogance"? Give me a break.. These responses were dead-right. Us responding to provocation makes us the arrogant one's? You are delusional, ignorant and absurd. Go find some sand to bury your head in.

[John]

I'm tired of people talking about what the international community thinks. They all take our money. They all want to come here. We saved most of them from fascism. Most won't fight for democracy. Maybe people should think about what the average American thinks of the international community, and their lefty American counterparts.

[irina altschul]

Mitt would of been my guy if not too lazy to compain. as of now Huck IS my guy!
Without money he put this much noise around him. Nobody even heard of him one year ago.
Seems like he scared the HUCK out of the other candidates, so they begin to attac.
I think God is actually on his side, so am I.
Great sence of humor, saw him at the dabate here in Florida - love him. He is - me!

[Nena McConnell]

Even if these comments from Huckabee and Thompson have no effect on Iran and the middle east it is great to see leaders who will not mince words. We need more leaders who will stand up for our country and not be backed into a corner. We need this now more than ever. Thanks guys for your up front responces. !!!

[Common Sense]

I'm a bit confused, Jerry. When you say "Nevertheless, Huckabee's and Thompson's warnings to Iran, and all potential enemies of America, should be held until we can compare them to Democratic candidates responses to similar questions," do you mean that the debate should have not been aired until the Democrats had their own debate? That would be the only way to hold a warning, if I'm understanding you correctly.

[Otto]

If a small "zodiac" boat can blast a hole in the U.S.S. Cole, these bigger power boats could def. do some damage. America was not the instigator, Iran was. Emotional cripples may choose to ignore that, but I found it refreshing to see a canidate/s actually say what I was thinking when i saw the boats taunting the warships. I pity those who cower to political correctness and worry so much about ppls "feelings". How about the feelings of those family members who lost sailors on the U.S.S. Cole?

[Sarryl]

Tell it like it is. All Americans should think like this OOORA

[Sean B]

I think they said it right. Iran needs to take notes and back off, before we back them off PERMANENTLY.

[John Kelly]

Michael Dukakas, 1988 Democratic candidate for President is indeed very much alive. During the Winter Quarter, January to April, he teaches advanced classes in Government at University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) and lives the rest of the year in Boston.

[J. Rice]

John F Kennedy was looked upon as the greatest democrat to ever be in office...would you have bashed him when he said:

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of Liberty."

...I think not.

Give 'em hell, Huck!

[WWM]

How is that arrogance to say that you will unequivocally respond to an attack on a U.S. military (or civilian, for that matter) vessel?

Just because they said they will attack if someone attacks us doesn't mean they're arrogant.

I think we need to step back and really think about what we're saying when we say things that are meant as disagreements with the Bush Doctrine and/or the Bush mentality. It's not arrogance at all - it IS overboard vengeance; and that makes me nervous.

[Duncan V]

I think Huckabee's comments were a little unwise framed as they were. This is even more so for those outside of the US who are looking for reason to redicule the US policy. However the Times Online needs to be more impartial as the image they use (see the link: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article3173652.ece#cid=OTC-RSS&attr=2637446) shows Huckabee in an angry snarl. The image shown has nothing to do with the comment he made - but clearly it is meant to imply that he is a ranting in an angry way. This is not the case if you watch the video clip.

[Duncan V]

I think Huckabee's comments were a little unwise framed as they were. This is even more so for those outside of the US who are looking for reason to redicule the US policy. However the Times Online needs to be more impartial as the image they use (see the link: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article3173652.ece#cid=OTC-RSS&attr=2637446) shows Huckabee in an angry snarl. The image shown has nothing to do with the comment he made - but clearly it is meant to imply that he is a ranting in an angry way. This is not the case if you watch the video clip.