"Reaching out" to Iran

[SoonerCoug]

The Iran-Contra scandal ruined an entire summer for me. I was wanting to watch TV, and the only thing on TV was Reagan saying "I have no recollection" over and over. I have never trusted Republicans since.

Isn't it interesting to hear Reagan talking about "reaching out" to Iran (see below) when McCain is criticizing Obama today for using the very same phrase. McCain/Bush have moved much further to the right than Reagan ever was.

[BlueK]

Originally Posted by MudphudCoug

The Iran-Contra scandal ruined an entire summer for me. I was wanting to watch TV, and the only thing on TV was Reagan saying "I have no recollection" over and over. I have never trusted Republicans since.

Isn't it interesting to hear Reagan talking about "reaching out" to Iran (see below) when McCain is criticizing Obama today for using the very same phrase. McCain/Bush have moved much further to the right than Reagan ever was.

define "the right." I'm with Mike. There is no definable "conservative" ideology anymore.

[il Padrino Ute]

I'm probably blinded by my loyalty to Reagan, but I didn't hear anything in that clip about reaching out to Iran. I heard trading guns for hostages - which did happen and those hostages were being held by Iranian student terrorists - but nothing about reaching out.

Obama wants to suck up to Iran.

Perhaps you can explain to me the similarity.

[SoonerCoug]

Originally Posted by il Padrino Ute

I'm probably blinded by my loyalty to Reagan, but I didn't hear anything in that clip about reaching out to Iran. I heard trading guns for hostages - which did happen and those hostages were being held by Iranian student terrorists - but nothing about reaching out.

Obama wants to suck up to Iran.

Perhaps you can explain to me the similarity.

Listen from 4:10-4:20. He had a "geopolitical strategy of reaching out to Iran."

[BYU71]

Was Iran developing a Nuke back then.

[il Padrino Ute]

Originally Posted by MudphudCoug

Listen from 4:10-4:20. He had a "geopolitical strategy of reaching out to Iran."

I missed that. What was his geopolitical strategy? If it was similar to Obama's, then I'll concede your point.

[SoonerCoug]

Originally Posted by il Padrino Ute

I missed that. What was his geopolitical strategy? If it was similar to Obama's, then I'll concede your point.

I don't think Reagan was excluding direct communication with evil empires the way Bush has. Reagan would talk tough, but he would talk. We can be firm and even threatening while still communicating with crazy leaders. I don't think Obama is suggesting that we take military options off the table.

I don't think Reagan ever would have invaded Iraq. He could have invaded Libya and started a war. Instead, Reagan decided to do something strategic to scare the crap out of Gaddafi.

We could have stepped up airstrikes in Iraq without bringing in the ground troops. Reagan and Bush 41 didn't take big military risks the way Bush 43 has.

I think Obama is suggesting that he would adopt a more Reaganish foreign policy. Even if he isn't, that's the way he should sell it.

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by MudphudCoug

I don't think Reagan was excluding direct communication with evil empires the way Bush has. Reagan would talk tough, but he would talk. We can be firm and even threatening while still communicating with crazy leaders. I don't think Obama is suggesting that we take military options off the table.

I don't think Reagan ever would have invaded Iraq. He could have invaded Libya and started a war. Instead, Reagan decided to do something strategic to scare the crap out of Gaddafi.

We could have stepped up airstrikes in Iraq without bringing in the ground troops. Reagan and Bush 41 didn't take big military risks the way Bush 43 has.

I think Obama is suggesting that he would adopt a more Reaganish foreign policy. Even if he isn't, that's the way he should sell it.

I agree with your analysis of Reagan but disagree of your analysis of Obama. Obama is euro-soft which is one of appeasement and no strength. My voice does not claim to know what the best option for Iran is, but placating and appeasement alone are not the answers. Obama is a French socialist at best.

[il Padrino Ute]

Originally Posted by MudphudCoug

I don't think Reagan was excluding direct communication with evil empires the way Bush has. Reagan would talk tough, but he would talk. We can be firm and even threatening while still communicating with crazy leaders. I don't think Obama is suggesting that we take military options off the table.

I don't think Reagan ever would have invaded Iraq. He could have invaded Libya and started a war. Instead, Reagan decided to do something strategic to scare the crap out of Gaddafi.

We could have stepped up airstrikes in Iraq without bringing in the ground troops. Reagan and Bush 41 didn't take big military risks the way Bush 43 has.

I think Obama is suggesting that he would adopt a more Reaganish foreign policy. Even if he isn't, that's the way he should sell it.

I agree with your comments about Reagan. But like Archaea, I don't believe that Obama is close to Reagan in this regard. Reagan didn't talk to Qadafi - he ordered the air strikes and let Qadafi know what happens when you do something to piss of the US. Obama wants to sit down with those of the same ilk and talk. That won't work, as guys like Qadafi, Ahmadinejad etc. only understand one thing - an ass kicking like never before.

[creekster]

Correct me if I am wrong, but my recollection is that all of reagan's reaching out was always through third party intermediaries. He never contacted Iran directly, let alone engage in 'talks' with Iran.