As part of the Spy’s continued coverage of the Democratic Party primary race for the 1st Congressional District, we have asked the candidates to respond to specific questions from our readers. Each week, the Spy will be asking the candidates to provide a summary of their positions.
This week “Ask the Candidates” focuses on on Iran.
There is now growing international concern that Iran is developing nuclear weapon capacity. Given the country’s erratic behavior in the past, and its serious threat to Israel, do you believe the United States has the right to preemptively take military action against Iran to prevent a nuclear event. And if so, would you support such a decision?
Wendy Rosen
President Obama has stated that he will consider any and all scenarios to keep Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Given that Iran has continually shown itself to be an enemy of the United States and Israel and that they have long been a supporter of terrorist organizations I can see no reason the President should not have all of our support in this. If Iran were to develop nuclear weapons it would start an arms race in the Middle East that would further destabilize the region and put all of us in danger.
It is for these reasons that I would support military as well as diplomatic options in keeping Iran from developing nuclear weapons. However, I would note that we need the support and assistance of our allies in the region regardless of what action we eventually must take.
John LaFerla
The possibility of a nuclear Iran is an extremely serious matter and a threat to our national security. However, I don’t believe we should enter into a war with Iran lightly. Such a war would be extremely costly both in terms of loss of human life for the brave men and women in our military and in terms of our federal budget.
I fully support the efforts of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and President Obama to use all the tools of diplomacy, including strong economic sanctions to bring the pressure of the world community on Iran to get them to halt their nuclear program. I believe we must exhaust every diplomatic effort before launching a military action against Iran.
Mary Wood says
Does it ever really solve anything in the long run for people to kill each other, and smash one another’s buildings?
TKB says
When do we hear from Congressman Harris?
Joe Diamond says
Wendy?
“Given that Iran has continually shown itself to be an enemy of the United States and Israel and that they have long been a supporter of terrorist organizations”
Could you expand this a little……….out CIA has been tweaking Iran for years. WE controlled their elections. Is it always a deal breaker to oppose Israel?
John?
“I believe we must exhaust every diplomatic effort before launching a military action against Iran.”
So that is how it works? First we ask and then we tell in a nice way. If the words don’t work we get out the guns?
You do know Israel has already used it’s air force on Iran? Iranian scientists have been kissing the wife and kids good bye and being assassinated on the way to work; this is a good thing?
Yup, I know, you have to get elected before saving the world. I see political plans that equal “get the other party out of office” and candidates who echo the evening news. I am going to put my aluminum helmet back on my head so they cannot read my thoughts!
Joe