Romney and Gingrich willing to attack Iran to prevent them from getting nukes

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich both said it is worth using the United States military to attack Iran in order to prevent the oil rich nation from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

"If all else fails, if after all of the work we have done (through crippling sanctions and supporting insurgents to encourage regime change) there is nothing else besides take military action, then of course you take military action," Romney said in a debate sponsored by CBS News and National Journal.

"It is unacceptable for Iran to have a nuclear weapon," Romney said.

Moments later, Gingrich was also asked if it would be worth using the military to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon.

Georgia said the United States should first considering "taking out their scientists," and "breaking up their systems, all of it covertly, all of it deniable."

"I agree entirely with Governor Romney. If in the end, despite all of those things, the dictatorship persists, you have to take whatever steps are necessary to break its capacity to have a nuclear weapon," Gingrich said.

Georgia businessman Herman Cain and Texas Rep. Ron Paul both said it would not be worth sending troops to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon.

Ben Rhodes, White House deputy national security advisor, responded to the debaters critique of President Obama's handling of the Iran situation. "This president has never hesitated with action," Rhodes told CBS News, adding that problems aren't solves through "rhetoric alone" and all options are open.

Transcript of the debate
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Full coverage: The CBS News/National Journal debate

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Perry: All countries start at zero foreign aid

Bachmann on increasing military spending

Cain on dealing with the Arab Spring

Post-debate analysis with CBS News political director John Dickerson

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The commander-in-chief debate

[Dianna-Rene]

"It is unacceptable for Iran to have a nuclear weapon," Romney said. I'm just wondering why he said this. I'm wondering what it is that MR. Romney thinks he's going to do about it that 'professional' military strategists haven't already considered and briefed the President on. Is he going to start a war? Is he pandering for votes? Is he talking out of his bum? I remember listenting to retired General and former Secretary of State Powell comment on this possible development, suggesting sanctions and international pressure would probably be the likely and most prudent course of action, initially. What does Mr. Romney know that former Secretary Powell does not? Other than he wants to impress a certain voting block?

[thadius5]

Do people who post in capitol letters think their comments are louder than people who use lower case to post?

[asdfghaerd]

mitt and newt are 2 republicans that will never get my vote. you cant talk about our ruinous dept on one while talking about another war. if the republicans want 4 more years of our terrible Kenyan "president" then nominate one of these.

mitt/newt are both bush3.0 and bring all the ruin that entails.

is there one presidential candidate that wants to help americans have jobs more then they want to help israelis butcher more 3'rd worlders?

[EmmaYustman]

The best thing about Newt is that he understands that the media is a legitimate threat and needs to be engaged and called out on the pathetic execution of their trade!

The incomplete "summary" of Cain's response leaves the reader thinking that Cain does agree with Romney and Gingrich. Which would be false. Cain SAID, "not at this time". He is right. First cut off the money that funds their nuclear program.

The candidates try hard to choose their words carefully and it's shabby media reporting which tips the scales to make the less discerning reader believe things which are simply inaccurate. Which is why we end up with Presidents who really don't represent the thoughts of many Americans.

[EmmaYustman]

Correction: . . . leaves the reader thinking that Cain does NOT agree with Romney and Gingrich.

[edw12345]

Ron Paul was heartily cheered on every answer for the few questions he got. Romney was booed. Huntsman was happy because he is polling at 1% and was treated like a top-tier candidate by CBS in the amount of questions he got as was Santorium. Paul is a top-tier candidate and was treated, in getting only 3 questions, as Huntsman and Santronium should have been. Cain knew nothing about anything I can't understand why he got any questions at all, or how he is in first place except that people are really getting dumber. For instance Scott Pelly has an IQ of about 80 I would guess.

[rkinsawjoe]

A compromise then? Let Isreal handle it. Halliburton still makes their profit,Iran is put in check and the palistinians get a little break in the action. It's one of them win,win,win things.

[braininabox]

Check out the new leaked Herman Cain TV Spots:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBEZ3_tRapg

[BRockBlue]

What a pathetic display of "journalism" tonight with the GOP candidates' debate!! You claim to be a sponsor of the the debate but only broadcast 2/3 of it so you you can air yet another episode of your crime dramas?? Who should take you seriously as a real news organization anymore? Murrow, Cronkite, et. al. would be shedding tears tonight!