GOP Candidates Refuse to Rule Out Nuking Iran

GOP Candidates Refuse to Rule Out Nuking Iran
In New Hampshire, the Republican presidential candidates met for their third debate last night. Issues discussed included the war in Iraq, immigration and the U.S.-Iranian relations. Former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani refused to rule out attacking Iran with nuclear weapons.

• Rudolph Giuliani: "I think it could be done with conventional weapons but you shouldn't take any options off the table. And during the debate the other night the Democrats seemed like they were back in the 1990s. They don't seem to have got beyond the cold war. Iran is a nuclear threat and not just because they can deliver a nuclear warhead with missiles, they are a threat because they are the biggest state sponsor of terrorism and they can handle and they can hand nuclear material to terrorists."

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney also refused to rule out a nuclear strike against Iran.

• Mitt Romney: "You don't take options off the table, what you do is standback and say 'what's going on here', you see what's happening in Sudan and Afghanistan and Iraq and Iran and all over the world you see what's happening and that is people are testing the United States of America and what we have to make them understand we're not arrogant, we have resolve and the strength to protect our interests and protect people who love liberty."

During the Republican debate, President Bush was repeatedly criticized. The audience applauded when Congressman Tom Tancredo said Bush would never darken the doorstep of his White House. Meanwhile Senator John McCain expressed his continued support for President Bush's escalation of the war in Iraq.

• Sen. John McCain: "I think this strategy needs a chance to succeed. We haven't given it barely got the fifth brigade over there which is part of this strategy. I am convinced that if we fail they will follow us home and it will be a base for Al Qaeda and we will be facing greater challenges and greater sacrifices."