McCain: U.S. Must Be On "Right Side Of History" In Iran
(CBS)
Appearing on CBS' Face The Nation, the Arizona Republican said the U.S. has had a long history of defending disenfranchised citizens across the world, and that the violence apparently inflicted by a government upon its citizens makes this a "human rights issue."
"America's position in the world is one of moral leadership," the senator said. "It's not about what takes place in the streets of Iran. It is about what takes place in America's conscience."
McCain said he "appreciates" President Barack Obama's statement warning Iranian authorities that the world is watching its crackdown on protestors, but said that the comments by other world leaders, such as France's Nicholas Sarkozy and Germany's Angela Merkel, have been stronger than President Obama's.
Host Bob Schieffer asked how the president can avoid Iranian authorities blaming the United States for the upheaval. Commenting on Mr. Obama's recent statements, which some critics say have not been condemning enough, Schieffer said, "He is walking a very fine line here."
"The fine line is being dictated by the brutalities on the streets of Tehran and other cities," McCain said. "The United States hasn't done anything.
"Every time that there has been a totalitarian dictatorial government that has faced protestors from their citizens, they blame the United States," the senator reasoned.
He congratulated members of Congress (including himself) for issuing strong language condemning the authorities in Iran who are punishing peaceful protesters.
He cited the Prague Spring where the United States was called "the beacon of hope" after it stepped in rhetorically.
"America has a moral obligation" to provide moral and other forms of support, he said.
Schieffer asked what happens if the Iranian government does not heed a stronger condemnation from the United States.
McCain quoted Daniel Webster, who argued that rhetorical support could help those involved in the Greek Revolution of 1823. "I hope it may, it may give them courage and spirit," Webster said according to McCain, "teach them that they are not wholly forgotten by the civilized world."
"The fact is, America has been and will be the beacon of hope and freedom," McCain said. "We are on their side as they seek freedom," he said of the protestors. He also spoke proudly of how American technologies such as Facebook and Twitter have been influential in allowing protestors to communicate.
McCain insinuated that questions about the legitimacy of the Iranian election results affect how Washington proceeds in its relations with Tehran — relations that were severed following the 1979 Revolution. "We ought to decide which government to negotiate with," he said. "Certainly a lot of the Iranian people aren't exactly expressing confidence in the one that is in power now."
He argued that the United States should see what happens on the streets of Iran first before jumping into negotiations on such matters as Tehran's nuclear program, but admitted that "We don't have a lot" of options. But, McCain argued, that's been the case in other historical situations.
More from Face The Nation (6.21.09):
To watch Part One of John McCain's appearance on Face The Nation click on the video player below.
To watch Part Two of John McCain's appearance on Face The Nation click on the video player below.
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Listen to what he says, he talks almost entirely about America, and America's duties, and how America has to live up to history. Not once does he consider what might actually benefit the Iranians who are dying in the streets, nor even answer the completely legitimate argument that his "strong words" would just make the situation worse.
McCain is completely blind to the exceedingly difficult diplomatic situation the US is in, and wants only to barge in like Gallahad, with the oppressed peoples of the world cheering the great American Savior's arrival. This is EXACTLY why I did not vote for this maniac, and I thank every higher power that he is not in control in such a delicate situation as this. McCain's schoolyard, fighter-pilot antics would have launched WW3 by this point had he been elected, and worse than that he would probably be overjoyed about it. There's nothing like WAR to make an insecure GOP anachronism feel like a man.
Has our intervention made Iraq better or safer? Has our pursuit of imaginary ?Yellow Cake? brought stability to the region? Have civilian contractors (Mercenaries) behaved in a way that would cause the people of other nations to love and respect us?
The people of Iraq have the power to decide what kind of government they will accept. If Americans want to be on the right side of history, we should first learn a little of our own. We should study things like Cointelpro and draw logical conclusion about how much we should trust our own politicians. ?We the People? must hold them to a higher standard.
If Republicans want to talk about the moral high ground they should do it in men?s restrooms at airports where they are most comfortable. Where was the moral outrage about election fraud when they, Republicans were suppressing the vote of African Americans in Florida? Where was the moral outrage when human rights were being violated in Cuba and Abu Ghraib. Where is the moral outrage when decorated combat vets are being discriminated against because they are gay?
The U.S. should focus on justice for its own citizens, jobs, medical care and an education that prepares us for the 21st century.
He should think "common sense" as opposed to "party idiology". How could be so stupid to ask the president to use "strong words" on the Iran Issue. Has he forgotten Bush did that for the past 8 years, and got nowhere. We have made more enemies during Bush tenure that any period and can he honestly say the world is in a better state? America is heading in a new direction and I think he should repect that. The republicans had their chance. and what did we get: 2 wars, a financial meltdown, a deficit, need i say more.
I may not agree with everything that Obama is doing but at least he does not do things with this "gut".
Iran got a step from Obama?s olive branch. Why do you want to burn it?
Shut Up
McCain is also right that Obama did a better job two days ago by making his stance on Iran a little more clearer, but he should still step up a bit more. YES, there is a balance to be taken and we want it to be known that Iran's election is Iran's business and we aren't even considering getting involved, but if Sarkozy and Brown and a few other people have already condemned the brutal suppression of protests and communication, etc. then why is the United States, with its values and rights that are so central to our society, being more quiet? You don't have to condemn Ahmadinejad to condemn the brutality in Tehran!
I think McCain is correct throughout this piece. His line on healthcare is also correct: Americans aren't concerned with the quality of healthcare so much as their ability to receive it when needed (its cost). And if we're paying 3 trillion a year to get that, then its quite possible the price is too high. With Obama's stimulus package, budget and now healthcare, pretty soon Medicare will run out (the crossover year where costs of Medicare will finally be greater than the support of Medicare has already been bumped back a year). I think Obama has the right intentions, but I don't think he's looking far ahead. He's trying to complete a checklist to satisfy everybody right now, and thus he is leaving things as too costly (Healthcare), incomplete (Guantanamo) and partisan.
But overall, yes I think Obama is doing a pretty good job. But I think most of all, he needs to get off the campaign trail and focus on being President and the primary representative of the free world.
The Republican Party disenfranchises citizens all of the time. While the Republicans held us in their grasp these past years, many American people have suffered and are still suffering a great deal. The party still hasn't admitted to all of the wrongs they have committed. These guys don't deserve to show their faces in America.
God Bless Senator McCain, he is on the wrong side of history himself.
Willing to sell out American lives and treasure for the sake of Israel
any comments McCain has on the middle east should be viewed in that light!
He has sold out!
Putting America first was NEVER offering up Sarah Palin for vice-president. And strength is something other than making grandstanding noises about how repulsed we all are over Iran's "supreme leader". Sometimes strength consists of passing up the easy shows of indignation and taking the political hits from the likes of McCain for the sake of avoiding the appearance that the genuine Iranian protests are somehow U.S.-inspired.