Apr 29, 2007 00:48
OBAMA:
There is no contradiction between us taking seriously the need, as you do, to want to strengthen our alliances around the world -- but I think it is important for us to also recognize that if we have nuclear proliferators around the world that potentially can place a nuclear weapon into the hands of terrorists, that is a profound security threat for America and one that we have to take seriously.
MODERATOR: Way, way over on time.
Senator Gravel, 30 seconds, please.
GRAVEL: No, with respect to Iran, we've sanctioned them for 26 years. We scared the bejesus out of them when the president says, "They're evil."
GRAVEL: Well, you know something? These things don't work. They don't work. We need to recognize them.
And you know something? Who is the greatest violator of the non- proliferation treaty? The United States of America. We signed a pledge that we would begin to disarm, and we're not doing it. We're expanding our nukes.
Who the hell are we going to nuke? Tell me, Barak. Barak, who do you want to nuke?
OBAMA: I'm not planning to nuke anybody right now, Mike, I promise.
GRAVEL: Good. Good. We're safe then, for a while.