Another McCain Foreign Policy Gaffe

Deception or ignorance? That seems to be the question every time John McCain makes a foreign policy gaffe. Whether its Sunnis or Shi'a or yesterday on the nature of Iran's government. Joe Klein reports:

At a press conference here, I just asked John McCain about why he keeps talking about Obama's alleged willingness to talk to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has no power over Iranian foreign policy, rather than Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who does. He said that Ahmadinejad is the guy who represents Iran in international forums like the United Nations, which is a fair point. When I followed with the observation that the Supreme Leader is, uh, the Supreme Leader, McCain responded that the "average American" thinks Ahmadinejad is the boss.

Let's be clear: Iran has a very complex system of government with varying institutions, but at the top of it sits Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who essentially has only accountable to the Council of Guardians made up of clerics, many of whom are appointed by Khamenei. So, Ahmadinejad is not the leader. And as the Council on Foreign Relations explains, especially in the area of foreign policy, Ahmadinejad has very little influence.

On top of that as Klein points out, the president's job is to educate the public on questions of policy. So if the "average American" thinks that Ahmadinejad is the ultimate leader of Iran, it's up to the president to dissuade them of this notion -- not reinforce it. Back in 2002 more then half of Americans thought Saddam was responsible for 9/11 and President Bush did nothing to disprove this assumption (In fact, while never directly claiming that Saddam was responsible for 9/11 the administration did everything it could to reinforce the notion). That doesn't mean our policy should be based on those false assumptions.

Then there is the fact that in 2003 McCain and other conservatives dismissed efforts by Democrats to engage the reformist President of Iran Mohamed Khatami claiming that he had no real power. Now that the president is a hardline demagogue he is the sole voice in Iran that matters. That seems convenient.

Considering the bellicose language and all the speculation about war with Iran, you'd think the Republican nominee for president who consistently touts his foreign policy expertise should either get better briefings on the structure of Iran's government or start exercising that "straight talk" he is supposedly so famous for.

Update: Adam Blickstein has more on McCain's philosophy in 2003 to dealing with a moderate Iranian President:

So, for McCain, when the moderates held elective office, the religious clerics were the final arbiters of Iranian politics and policy. But now that a more hard-line president has control in Iran, he is characterized as the true leader and the religious clerics are marginalized. The ideology of Iran's presidents may have differed over the years, but this in no way changes the fact that the political structure itself over time doesn't change, and largely hasn't changed, since the Iranian Revolution in 1979.

Comments

[ApolloSpeaks]

IRAN'S HARDLINE AND MODERATE HOLY WARRIORS

No Iranian can be President of Iran unless he is Khomeine Jihadist (KJs). Kjs are of two kinds: hardline and moderate. Their dIfference is over means not ends: the means for advancing Iran's radical revolution in both the region and the world-as stated in article 11 of their constitution: the unification of Islam (under Iran's banner of death). Moderates believe that Iran should have a more deceptively accomodating relationship with foreign powers, the hardliners believe in a more confrontational approach. Both are Jihadists, both support the covert funding of terrorist groups and Iran's covert nuclear weapon's program to further the mullahs' imperial aims.

[brainuser]

Seen the Global Peace Index?
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3545840,00.html
Or just Google it.

[Rog49Thomas]

A fundamental misperception underlines this article.

"Facts, we don't need no stinkin' facts" to paraphrase a famous Western.

McCrazy is from the party of delusion not reality.

If he wants to believe that Ahmadinejad is King of France, who are you to criticize him?

[luziannagirl]

Rog49

Adding to your quote:

"The facts have a well-known liberal bias" , attributed to infamous right-wing hate radio announcer , scofflaw, and drug addict Rush Limbaugh.

[freshnotbitter]

Is there some prefix that progressives could place before the name Ahmedinajad to signify his exhalted role as "I'm the bad guy face the right needs to project in order to get the common folk excited about dropping bombs and killing and feeling good about it as the cash rolls into our accounts as fast as it can be sucked out of the pocket of the distractedly screaming blood thirsty mob".

[drblack]

McCain has no idea what is going on. He has constantly argued both sides of any issue.
Iran was on the way to becoming a moderate more secular country and even offered up peace accords to Bush Via the Swiss. Bush rejected these peace overtures even though they offered everything the US asked for and more.
The Iranian people then elected the current crop of hard line Islamic leaders.
Bush and the Republicans have made America and Freedom less safe by creating enemies .
McCain and the republicans will destroy American freedom and prosperity if they are not stopped now.
Those who believe that Freedom and the Constitution are important could never support any republican

[bfraser55]

I agree especially one who would just be a third bush term. The man has a real difficult time when it comes to the Middle East, European Union, the continent of Africa. But he calls Senator Obama inexperienced. At least Obama is a quick study unlike GWB who still doesn't know where the diff countries are.

[3Ons]

Pardon me, that last "PS" was for:

WorldLeade­rship_101.

[3Ons]

So, for those paying attention IN THAT LIGHT, I have been injured in the service of my country, bottom-line, regardless of words, organizations, definitions, concocted FalseGods to ignore the absolute truth, regardless of the perceptions of 'wearing uniforms' or otherwise, regardless of any particular 'agency' or 'dept' or otherwise.

IN THAT LIGHT, others conjure up demons to concoct Hellishness, via discriminatory FalseGods they worship, excuses for it pre-memorized.

IN THAT LIGHT, the SPIRIT OF THE LAW, the Truth is the Law, that which is verifiable with your five-senses as it unfolds, UltimateTruth, all FalseGods slain before it as there are zero rebuttals to truth, the spirit of the law dwells within me.

Let that light shine on you.

In the language of our Founding Fathers which is the language of our Ancestors, all whom were, all whom are, all whom will be, equally, regardless of how I word it here, the words meaningless in that context, applicable to not only your population, but all of them.

Obama forgot the OBVIOUS, and proved he is NOT QUALIFIED.

So did the others.

John McCain did NO SUCH THING.

I walk with John.

Kind Regards,
3Ons
PS> ShiningOfLight, "Philadelphia Freedom," and that's it's EXACT root, and everybody forgot. Remember now, please. This is why John McCain's AGE is an ASSET, obviously.
PS>

[THINKB4USPEAK]

And the OBVIOUS is WHAT, obviously stoned one? That to continue the big lie long enough is to make it become the truth?

[knighthowl]

It would help if you had a point, rather than several pints.

[Jazzbeau]

Or none?

[1differentdrummer]

Whoa, I'm concerned about you. It looks as if your reality is warped pretty badly.

[BinBaldwin]

Ahmadineajead apparently has the power to promise Iran will obliterate Israel. He has said this on many occasions so it would seem he does represent the will of the Clerics or they would have muzzled him.

[wadenelson1]

Big difference between the power to SAY something and the power to DO something. Your post alone is proof of that.

[Numbskull]

The idea that Ahmadineajead has no authority is a lie, and attempt to spin the situation. It's lik saying the Prime Minister of England has no real power because Queen Elizabeth is the absolute power. Ahmadineajead is making alliances with Putin and the like and forwarding an anti-semitic and anti-america agenda, and for this reporter to try to imply that he has no power to do anything is like sticking your head in the ground and shouting "no no it's not true were OK were OK." This guy is dangerous, and if people actually did their homework instead of letting these biased bloggers force feed you BS, you'd know just how dangerous this guy is. He is a jihadist, and he wants to bring about the end of the world starting with the US and Israel to manifest the 6th Imam. I don't think going straight to war with them is a good idea, but at least McCain has the awareness to know someone is dangerous instead of living in some delusional state where people aren't as bad as everyone makes them out to be. Goto Ahmadineajead's website and read up. He wants us dead, to fulfill their prophecy (and that's from his website).

[ApolloSpeaks]

Soon the mullahs will.have the power to do what they say.

[DueTruthinesss]

Nobody muzzled you for spouting nonsense. It doesn't mean you have the support of the Huff staff.

[3Ons]

This is where Mr. McCain's age is an ASSET, because he knows the differences between your generational group-think and his own, and has verified the differences with his five-senses, as it unfolds. shine the light of introspection on that.

But there are communication 'translati­on-errors' along the way; you'll take words out-of-context, and so will his own generation, but without his experience and wisdom, we wouldn't be able to reach understandings.

I can explain your generations' 'group-think' and his, while the two 'talk-over­-the-heads­' of each other, punching holes in the whole message, which become as though "FalseGods­BeforeThee­" consuming all resources, including human resources, derailing understandings, derailing conversations, hindering communication.

President Ahmed-Nijad of Iran is the authorized representative to present all positions of Iran's government to foreign entities, including John McCain.

Kind Regards,
3Ons

[daddysboy]

Experience IS an asset; if you can remember any of it.

[DueTruthinesss]

He's authorized to present the position of the "Supreme Leader", his boss. He is not authorized to make any major decisions on his own. He is a mouthpiece, nothing more. I am curious though to know how you explain the Republicans apparent disregard for the authortative powers of Ahmadinejad's predecessor, Mohamed Khatami, back in 2003. According to your arguement, your party really dropped the ball there.

[THINKB4USPEAK]

My arguments have always leaned toward the idea that the worse ideologies we(the USA) have historically condemmed are best exemplified by the actions of our own government(s).The Soviet Union suppressed "information"? Ever hear of the innoculously described "spin"? A lie is a lie. The illegal invasion of another nation? Check. Ripoffs and scandals swept under the carpet under the aegis of "national security"? Check. Suppresion of human rights with various justificat­ions?Check­. Thinking ourselves the shit when our "leaders" have made us just plain "shit" in the eyes of the rest of the REAL world> CHECK AND MATE.

[madameheroine]

I must agree with THINK. Our leaders have placed a banner over our precious States which is visible to all the rest of the world and which spells out h-o-s-t-i-l-e. So now, when you want to travel anywhere in the world, good luck proving yourself otherwise to people who watch the news. I have experienced this firsthand and know it to be true, Cubalibre. Freedom of speech doesn't happen to clear that up, unfortunately that is a different issue.

[HumeSkeptic]

Iran poses no threat to any country, let alone to a nuclear power like Israel or to the only superpower.

There are the following two reasons why U.S. would like to attack Iran:

(1) Iran has the world’s third largest known oil reserve and second largest natural gas reserve. U.S. would like American corporations controlling their oil and gas.
(2) Israel would like to maintain its immense military superiority in the region, and be able to attack any country at will, without major repercussions.

There have been three major charges against Iran:

(1) Nuclear weapons development – Recently debunked by our NIE.
(2) Weapons supplied to insurgents in Iraq – Debunked ( http://globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=8957 )
(3) Support of “terrorist” organizations – this is nebulous for two reasons. First, one has to define what “support” means. Second, it mainly refers to Hezbollah and Hamas. It is highly questionable to label either of those as “terrorist” organizations based on their opposition to illegal Israeli occupation in the Middle East.

Even if (3) is accepted, it does not by itself justify militray action against Iran. And neither does Ahmadinejad’s dislike of Israel.

Overall, the whole Bush-McCain case against Iran is bunk. It is just another fraud, like the Iraq fraud, being perpetrated on behalf of U.S. corporations and, in this case, to please Israel.

[THINKB4USPEAK]

Actually, Iran MIGHT threaten another country... the war-weakened country of Iraq. I wonder who made THAT possible?

[pedrothemigrant]

carter? right

[Donald Wolberg]

One always wonders a the endeless variety of nonsense that emerges in discussions. At times it is from a limited historic perspective or reliance on dubious sources. At other times political objectives may cloud reason. Of course Iran is a threat to the stability of the Mideast and the survival of Israel Of course Iran is attempting to acquire nuclear weapons and is not threatened by MAD rejoinders--the cult of death folks who dominate the iranian terror state have stated they are more concerned with the domination of their Islamic ideology and "national" survival does not matter. In point of fact the nuclear technology Iran is pursuing has opnly one purpose, the production of nuclear weapons. The missil program Iran has in place, has only one purpose,delivery of warheads to targets in Israel. Israel can counter, but only three or four nuclear contrivances will effective destroy Israel's capacity to function. We forget how small an entity Israel is. Finally, Iran does not have the world's largest reserves of pertoleum. The oil shales and tar sands, the continental shelf and Arctic deposits of petroleum, are the largest world reserve of oil.

[cubalibre]

I think you are absolutely right. But Humeskeptic obviously thinks that Israel's survival
is of no consequence.I'm sure he belongs to the same church as Obama.

[Piranha]

J.McCain/Bush instead of pretending to be an expert in Foreign Policy ,he should Declassify his POW files, that he fights with teeth and nails no to. If "Hanoi Hilton" made him a hero,why he refuse the public to know what deals were made ? "Straight/Spin talker" from the begining !!!

[deminmo]

Apparently some in Israel believe Ahmadinejad himself is a threat,
McCain follows the rehtoric that Bush puts out about the threat Iran
poses to the Middle East, and we watch as the buld up to an even
costlier war happens. Why hasn't Obama asked Bush why Iran
is such a threat to the world community, why sitting down with
diplomats is such a waste of time when a war with Iran would
cripple our nation even more. Bush just recently made it seem
as though he wants to remind the world he is still President. But
the real question is, why is he. McCain is a weak candidate for
representing the Republican party. Maybe one of the weakest.

[cubalibre]

I think it's unbelievable that anyone can think that a country who's leader has repeatedly
said, that Israel should be wiped off the face of the earth. Is not a threat . A country that is
pursuing nuclear capability, after making these statements. You don't think that's a threat?
Did you hear Osama bin Laden's latest message? Funny, there seems to be a lot in
common there with Iran. You don't think Iran supports Al Queda?An organization that is
dedicated to our destruction?
I guess you think O.J. was innocent.

[MuseScavenger]

Doesn't matter what we think. OJ was found innocent by a jury of his peers. Ain't Amerika grand?

[speakingout]

I guess you speak arabic or farsi? You don't seem to be intelligent enough! You don't really know waht was said unless you speak the language! So you are being dupped along with the rest of the sheeple here in the US. The one that is the threat is Bush and McCain! THEY are the ones that are creating the chaos in the world. And it's all for profit. I'll just send my tax bill to you that support this war madness. Don't you know that all wars are funded with BORROWED money from the Federal Reserve that charges us the interest that is PROFIT to them!! This interest is our federal income tax bill. You need to educate yourself before sounding off like you know anything. You also need to change the channel from Faux TV to something else.

[brainuser]

"When I followed with the observation that the Supreme Leader is, uh, the Supreme Leader, McCain responded that the 'average American' thinks Ahmadinejad is the boss." Hitler's propaganda was able to exploit a belief in Germany that Germany's defeat in World War One was due to Communists and Jews.

[madameheroine]

Exactly. He took advantage (and he was no dummy) of a people who were completely discouraged and down and out, fallen from their previous state...sound familiar? We are looking more and more like that. But we can't start saying things like "it doesn't matter what we say or think". It does matter. By the People for the People still means something. WE have to change things before it's too late. We have to care about things before it's too late. We have to intelligiently and perhaps carefully take back our country because it seems to have been hijacked while we were all watching MTV. Woops. We have to start by uniting together, that does not mean we have to agree about everything but we have to start respecting each other. When i read these comments sometimes i can see the opposite happening and division is not helping us out. HELP! Help us help ourselves, pass it on if you agree.

[saltpeter]

To John McCain (and the neo-con imperialists that he represents), Iran is to Cambodia as Iraq is to Vietnam. The ONLY solution that McCain offers is not more of the same but an expansion of what we already have. He ONLY sees a military solution in the region and that solution includes stretching our already overstretched troops into Iran. So don't think for ONE SECOND, that in order for him to accomplish this goal he won't implement a MILITARY DRAFT. He says he won't but what we have repeatedly learned about McCain during this election cycle is that you can take his word for it. Entering into Iran is only feasible with the number of troops that we garner through a DRAFT. Unlike Bush, who is perfectly happy to allow poor people to fight for the needs of the rich; McCain will see this as an issue of shared sacrifice.

Additionally, McCain is far more in the pocket of the Israeli lobby than Bush ever has been. Israel considers Iran a greater threat than even Iraq and the more extreme of the Israeli lobby want to do all they can to remove threats but most importantly take the international heat of their treatment of Muslims and encourage conflict with other Muslims to justify their "security measures" against Israeli Muslims. So if you want a DRAFT and even greater cluster f*** Middle East policy based on purposeful misinformation, then McCain's your man.

[S1m0n]

"To John McCain (and the neo-con imperialists that he represents), Iran is to Cambodia as Iraq is to Vietnam."

Very perceptive!

[pedrothemigrant]

but you'd never fight for your country would you coward? unless it were china or cuba, right?

[madameheroine]

But why fight for something you not only do not believe in but are completely against. Sure, defend your country, fight to the DEATH for our precious States, but in this situation, who are we fighting to defend? Or who would we be fighting for exactly? I don't think it makes anyone a coward if they are against a draft that would force everyone into something they consider morally appalling.