AND IN THE REAL WORLD – AT 9:31 P.M. ET:  Oh yes, those little problems out there that can't be fixed by an upgraded White House communications strategy.  (You can get the upgrade at the Apple Store for $149 plus tax.)  There is, for example, Iran...and the bills are coming due.  From The Hill:

A top GOP defense Senator said Saturday that United States military action to “neuter” Iran could become necessary.

Speaking at the Halifax International Security Forum in Canada, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) told the audience he believed a comprehensive strike would stop the regime from acquiring nuclear weapons.

“So my view of military force would be not to just neutralize their nuclear program… but to sink their navy, destroy their air force and deliver a decisive blow to the Revolutionary Guard," he said. "In other words, neuter that regime.”

Graham is hardly known as a right-wing zealot or radical maniac.  He's a pretty moderate guy, and has often been a compromiser.  His words must reflect some late intelligence on Iran.

Graham, who sits on both the Armed Services Committee and Homeland Security Committee, said: “If you take military action against Iran as the last effort to stop their nuclear ambitions, you do open up Pandora’s box. But if you let them acquire nuclear weapons, you’ll empty Pandora’s box.”

The Iranian government maintains their nuclear program is designed for energy production, but the U.S. accuses the regime of attempting to manufacture nuclear weapons.

Graham, a colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, said he expects Republicans would be willing to support President Obama if he chose to be “tough on Iran.”

COMMENT:  But, alas, I can't see Obama getting very tough on Iran, unless he was willing to abandon the left wing of his party, which is where he comes from.  Of course, that would be shrewd politics, as he'd pick up support from the much greater body of independents, and possibly from some Republicans as well.  But the bottom line is that Obama, in his heart, is a genuine lefty.

No one likes the military option, but it may turn out to be the only way.  The prime minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, is in the U.S. right now, and told Vice President Biden today that only a credible military threat will stop the Iranian nuclear program.  I'm afraid he's right.  And I wonder if something is up with Iran, that both Graham and Netanyahu are aware of.

November 7, 2010