Obama Warns Of "Fighting The Last War"

Ill. Senator Touts Goal Of Eliminating All Nuclear Weapons

(AP)  Democrat Barack Obama warned Wednesday about the danger of "fighting the last war" as he pledged to focus on emerging nuclear, biological and cyber threats if elected president.

Among those joining him for a panel discuss at Purdue University were two potential running mates, Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., and former Sen. Sam Nunn, D-Ga. As the former governor of a Republican state, Bayh could help Obama. Nunn, a defense expert from the South, would burnish the ticket's experience.

When asked if he were interested in the job or had provided material to vetters, Bayh repeatedly referred reporters to the Obama campaign. Nunn said he thought an Obama-Nunn ticket was unlikely.

"If anyone offered me any high office in U.S. government, I'd be greatly honored and I'd talk to him. Certainly I would talk to Sen. Obama if he wanted to talk about it, but I think the chance of an offer are pretty slim," Nunn said.

Obama said two goals of his administration would be to secure all loose nuclear material during his first term, as well as rid the world of nuclear weapons.

He said adhering to nonproliferation treaties would put pressure on nations such as North Korea and Iran. North Korea has tested a nuclear weapon and Iran has an energy program the Bush administration warns could be a precursor to nuclear weapon development.

"As long as nuclear weapons exist, we'll retain a strong deterrent. But we will make the goal of eliminating all nuclear weapons a central element in our nuclear policy," Obama said.

He added, "The danger ... is that we are constantly fighting the last war, responding to the threats that have come to fruition, instead of staying one step ahead of the threats of the 21st century."

Despite the policy focus, politics permeated the event.

Bayh repeatedly extolled the virtues of Obama, despite having supported Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Democratic primary campaign.

Recalling a trip he and Obama made to Iraq, Bayh said in his introduction of Obama: "He was pragmatic, he was focused, although he was wise enough to oppose that conflict from the beginning because he understood it was a strategic diversion. He's now tough enough to get us out and to do it in the right way, refocus on Afghanistan and Iran and the other real threats that are evolving."

Nunn, 69, is viewed as a senior statesman who could offset the relative youth of Obama, a 46-year-old freshman senator from Illinois. He said he supported Obama's nonproliferation pledge and outlined the challenges Obama would face in the Oval Office as if he were already elected.

Afterward, when asked about his interest in the vice presidency, Nunn said: "I've never aspired to that office. It's always nice to have your name mentioned. It's an honor, but I have no expectations of being offered any office, and I am not in any way sitting on the edge of the chair waiting to go back into government."

It was Bayh who dominated the question and answer session, reports CBS News' Maria Gavrilovic, as Nunn casually stood next to him.

During his opening, Obama also paid tribute to Sen. Richard Lugar, a popular Indiana Republican who has focused on nuclear nonproliferation issues for much of his career, working closely with Nunn.

Indiana is a Republican-leaning state that Obama hopes to put it in play in the general election, capitalizing in part on his status as a senator from neighboring Illinois.

In addition to his focus on nuclear matter, Obama called for investing in methods to prevent, detect and contain biological attacks. He highlighted a proposal to spend $5 billion over three years to develop an international intelligence and law enforcement infrastructure to stymie terrorist networks.

"Making these changes will do more than help us tackle bioterror; it will also create new jobs, it will support a healthier population and improve America's capability to respond to any major disaster," he said.

Coping with cyber security for an increasingly online world will protect the country's economic and national security assets, Obama said, and he pledged to appoint a cyber adviser who will coordinate government efforts and report directly to the president.

"All of this will demand the greatest resource that America has, and that's our people," said Obama. "In the Cold War, we didn't defeat the Soviets just because of the strength of our arms. We also did it because at the dawn of the atomic age and at the onset of the space race, the smartest scientists and most innovative work force was here in America."

The event continued the buildup for Obama's upcoming visit to Iraq and Afghanistan as well as Europe. The campaign also released on national cable TV its latest ad, which promotes the national security and foreign policy agenda.

What Obama knows about the military you could put in a thimble and still have room for a gallon of water. The idea that he would be anything other than an embarrassment as Commander-in-Chief is laughable.

Posted by joe1022joe
--------------------------
I would wager that he would know enough to wait until AFTER his plane has left the carrier before he drops his bombs.

[joe1022joe]

What Obama knows about the military you could put in a thimble and still have room for a gallon of water. The idea that he would be anything other than an embarrassment as Commander-in-Chief is laughable.

[raoul12-2009]

SENATOR McCAIN SAID TODAY: %u201CI AM GOING TO CAMPAIGN IN ALL THIRTEEN COLONIES. MY CAMPAIGN WILL EMPLOY ALL THE LATEST TECHNOLOGIES: THE TELEGRAPH, THE CARRIER PIGEON AS WELL AS THE PONY EXPRESS.

[raoul12-2009]

IF YOU LIKE THIS ECONOMY;

IF YOU LIKE THIS NEVER-ENDING WAR;

IF YOU LIKED HIS VOTE AGAINST A GI BILL FOR IRAQ VETS;

IF LIKE PAYING HIGH GAS PRICES;

IF LIKE THE TAX BREAKS FOR THE RICH;

IF YOU CAN''T WAIT TO INVADE IRAN;

IF YOU LIKE HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT;

IF YOU LIKE A PRESIDENT WHO VOTED AGAINST EQUAL PAY FOR WOMEN;

IF YOU LIKE A PRESIDENT WHO VOTED AGAINST MATERNITY LEAVE FOR WOMEN;

IF YOU LOOK FORWARD TO THE END OF ROE V. WADE;

IF YOU LIKE THE UNFAIR TRADE POLICIES THAT SEND JOBS AND TECHNOLOGY OVERSEAS;

IF YOU LIKE A GOVERNMENT THAT PRACTICES TORTURE;

IF YOU LIKE A GOVERNMENT THAT SPIES ON ITS OWN CITIZEN;

IF YOU LIKE THE FACT THAT THE US IS ONE OF THE MOST REVILED NATIONS ON THE PLANET, THEN YOU''LL JUST LOVE McCAIN.

[raoul12-2009]

McCain graduated from the US Naval Academy 894th in a class of 899. He wrecked five jets before they finally got rid of him. Obviously he is not the brightest bulb on the tree. He was shot down by an out-of-date Soviet missile by men with no experience in anti-aircraft warfare because he did not follow the rules of evasion taught at the Academy. Let''s just say the man has only one oar in the water.

He disses two in five people on the face of the earth by referring to all Asians as %u201CGooks.%u201D He may be viewed as a %u201Chero,%u201D but I don%u2019t think being shot down qualifies him for the job of president.

[Stratmaster7]

That is about time that we start comparing the socialist Obama with Jimmy Carter. High inflation, high unemployment, gas lines, but most importantly failure to defend our people in the face of Islamic Revolution in Iran. I bet media supporting Obama does not want to hear an %u201Cinconvinient truth%u201D. I see the same patterns in Obama. Just to let you know that I am a Democrat, but the one that will never surrender this country%u2019s values, or trade it off to foreigners for %u201Chigher%u201D oppinion of America.




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Posted by Obama8years at 12:23 PM

Gee, that sounds just like the Bush administration to me. Lets add in bank closings, record foreclosures, record deficit, record debt and we have described the Bush administration accomplishments exactly. better go back to the Muslim and "bad preacher" approach. It''s all you have left in the McCain arsenal.

[Stratmaster7]

lets destroy all out nuclear weapons and sit back and hope that all the other countries do the same. YEAH Right Obama, where does he come from, he says McCain is out of touch, that man needs a reallity check.


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Posted by withad at 08:42 AM

The only problem with this inane statement, is that as is usual for McCain supporters, you have completely misstated Obama''s position. did you read the article? did you see where he said that "As long as nuclear weapons exist, we''ll retain a strong deterrent". do you understand what that statement means?

[obama8years]

Its funny how Obama Banner Says Jugement to Lead.

He has judgement to Lead, but no judgement to leave a racist anti-american church until America tells him to leave. Isnt it Ironic.

[obama8years]

That is about time that we start comparing the socialist Obama with Jimmy Carter. High inflation, high unemployment, gas lines, but most importantly failure to defend our people in the face of Islamic Revolution in Iran. I bet media supporting Obama does not want to hear an %u201Cinconvinient truth%u201D. I see the same patterns in Obama. Just to let you know that I am a Democrat, but the one that will never surrender this country%u2019s values, or trade it off to foreigners for %u201Chigher%u201D oppinion of America.

[obama8years]

There is no doubt many people were not THERE with the Carter years. I was. I had a baby that we had to ration food and milk over 5 days at a time because we had NO I repeat NO gas in the gas stations except on Thursdays and the county sheriff%u2019s department was on guard at every station where we were RATIONED the gas at 10 gallons with odd and even numbers to get in line. I REMEMBER THIS. I REMEMBER the humiliation we had in Tehran hostage situation.
Carter does not deserve the time if day.

[ariel133]

In an ABC interview, Obama said the government can crack down on terrorists %u201Cwithin the constraints of the Constitution.%u201D

He said, %u201CWhat we know is that, in previous terrorist attacks %u2014 for example, the first attack against the World Trade Center %u2014 we were able to arrest those responsible, put them on trial. They are currently in U.S. prisons, incapacitated.%u201D

Apparently, Obama has been asleep for the nearly seven years since 9/11. He missed having learned that the 9/11 hijackers are dead and thus could not have been prosecuted. He missed learning that they wanted to be martyrs and were prepared to be jailed or killed. No threat of prosecution would have deterred them.

Obama missed the 9/11 commission hearings and report, which excoriated both Presidents Clinton and Bush for a lack of imagination in pursuing terrorists after the 1998 bombings of American embassies in Africa and the 2000 attack on the USS Cole. In particular, the commission said that before 9/11, %u201CMilitary measures failed or were not applied.%u201D

Citing the military invasion of Afghanistan, the commission said, %u201CThe president and Congress deserve praise for their efforts in Afghanistan so far.%u201D

[libh8er]

I think Obama''''s outdone them all!
Posted by RowdyWicca at 07:07 AM : Jul 17, 2008

He is, for sure, just another politician.....not at all the ''walk on water'' candidate of lib''s wet dreams.

[libh8er]

CNN%u2019s Situation Room showed Obama discussing his plan for ending the Iraq war, saying he would "call in the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and give them a new mission, and that is to bring the war in Iraq to a close."

What CNN isn''t telling you, is that there''s just one problem: that''s not the job of the Joint Chiefs of Staff -- the war is under the jurisdiction of CENTCOM. Of course, the liberal media have ignored this major gaffe by the potential Commander In Chief.

Ubama is a loser - as are his sycophant followers.

[rowdywicca]

Not only is Obama attempting to bring us all back to the unrest of the 60''s regarding his race-based candidacy, he wants to take us back to the scare tactics of the cold war!

I guess the republicans don''t have the record anymore for using scare tactics and lies to get votes! I think Obama''s outdone them all!

Posted by UndrMyBoot3
-----------------------
Or removing religious indoctrination from high school science classes. That would get my attention, too.

Posted by UndrMyBoot3
--------------------
Sorry, not convincing..... But you will get my attention when I hear a religious group - Southern Babtist - or otherwise, coming out and advocating removing the words "Under God" from the pledge of allegiance.

[neoconrcrazy]

Obama is a n*gger. Any white who votes for Obama is a RACE TRAITOR! F#CK YOU,

Posted by S_Temper

this is inform you - you''ve been reported - you''re one sick dude.

[undrmyboot3]

Posted by hadenough43 at 02:21 AM : Jul 17, 2008
-------------
Unfortunately, the loudest yapping gets the news. So we hear from the outrageously political far right Fundamentalist groups because they are out trying to get publicity. The 70% of religious Americans who don''t care to manipulate politics through religion are not easily heard. Yet even within the Southern Baptists there are increasing calls to shun the politics of religion, de-emphasize the political hot button issues (esp. Abortion and homosexuality), and step back from direct political activity. They want to return to emphasizing good works, helping the disadvantaged, etc. Of course they are fighting a tough battle with the entrenched (and powerful/ rich) leadership who built their power base politically. But we don''t hear much about that, do we?

There is only one end point to the efforts to enforce a religion on a country. It does not matter how nuanced the purveyors of such a movement try to be. The progression is inevitable that upon each "victory" where society is forced to accept religious doctrine as law, there will be another issue to be brought into compliance. Progressively, on issue by issue the political religion MUST demand compliance until ALL issues of law and society are determined by religious doctrine. This end point is religious fascism. Thus Sinclair Lewis'' quote- "When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross."

Religion is the problem, not the solution.

Posted by IRLiberal at 11:49 PM : Jul 16, 2008
-------
Religion is NOT the problem. The use of religion as a political sledge hammer to manipulate the country IS.
Posted by DefndLiberty
------------------
Ok, so why aren''t the religious folks right out front in the fight to keep religion out of government and respect the church/state separation. I don''t hear any religion associated groups attempting to get religion out of places it don''t belong.
You see, religion is not only the problem, it is also the root of the problem. The idiot-son cynically used the born agains, but they certainly participated, eagerly. And I didn''t hear anybody associated with religion objecting.

[blkjac211]

Neo267..At least we know where the real fights at...