September 27, 2007
Posted: 08:45 AM ET

Giuliani said "the military option is definitely on the table" with Iran.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani, speaking on a Web cast Wednesday night beamed into homes around the country as part of a national fundraising effort, accused Columbia University of empowering Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and said "the military option is definitely on the table" with Iran.

Giuliani also drew repeated parallels between the Iranian government and Islamic terrorism and made clear he supports regime change in Iran.

"I believe that what the president of Columbia did was a terrible mistake because it feeds Ahmadinejad's irrationality," Giuliani said of the Monday speech. "It feeds his fantasy world. Islamic terrorists live in a fantasy world."

Giuliani said Iran should be "ostracized, not embraced" by the American government. At the same time, he said it should be firm U.S. policy that Iran should not have nuclear weapons.

"It should be a clear, unequivocal, stated purpose of American policy that Iran is not going to become nuclear because they are too dangerous, they're too irresponsible, they're too unpredictable, and they live in a fantasy world, which was increased by Ahmadinejad being applauded at Columbia University."

The Republican presidential hopeful suggested that approximately half of the Columbia crowd applauded Ahmadinejad's appearance on Monday.

"He goes back with a certain amount of reinforcement that those ideas have currency in the United States, and that is very damaging to the whole effort of being able to have regime change in Iran, to have the people of Iran get a sense of how unacceptable he really is," Giuliani said. "So I think we have to make it clear that we're not going to allow them to be a nuclear power. That means the military option is definitely on the table. We cannot appear hesitant about that."

Giuliani was responding to a question from comedian Dennis Miller, who called into the Web cast, which was part of Giuliani's National House Party Night.

– CNN Political Producer Peter Hamby

Filed under: Iran • Rudy Giuliani


Pixie, Murfreesboro, TN   September 28th, 2007 9:25 am ET

James, Phoenix AZ

To quote Greenwald:

Is the curriculum for history classes in some American states restricted to learning about Hitler and the Nazis and 1938 and Hitler and Germany? It must be, because there are many right-wing fanatics whose entire understanding of the world is reduced in every instance to that sole historical event — as though the world began in 1937, ended in 1945, and we just re-live that moment in time over and over and over:

Love war? You are Churchill, a noble warrior. Oppose war? You're Chamberlain, a vile appeaser. And everyone else is Hitler.

Just how is Ahmadinejad to be teh new Hitler? Has he invaded some country and I never heard about it? Face it, the real reason he is a controversial figure is that the American right (you) has decided the United States needs to go to war against Iran. Ahmadinejad is therefore being configured as an enemy head of state.

So the fact that Ahmadinejad questions some of the facts about the holocaust (please find me one direct quote where he denies it)is the reason we need to launch a pre-emptive war against Iran??

Excuse me??

Did you forget that the fact that he's largely a figurehead, since ultimate authority for domestic and foreign policy rests with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (hint: that's what "Supreme Leader" means)

You say IRAN denies the holocaust. It must have been very exhuasting for you – travelling to every single Iranian household and obtaining their opinion on the matter. Excellent citations by the way.

Again your suggestion that Iran would just launch a nuke attack on Israel the moment they got their hands on it is just absurd.

Iran supports Hamas and Hezbollah which are (depending on the angle you're looking at) resistance groups to illegal Israeli occupation. They are not "America Hating terrorists" because they were not created to oppose America. This is really quite simple to understand, I feel embarrassed to have to explain it to you like this.

"Instead – you would rather we sit back, watch our enemies build an arsenal of nuclear weapons to be used against us, our allies, or in a neighboring conflict which could easily spiral into all-out nuclear war. Yeah – that's the responsible approach!"

No, let's take Guiliani's approach.. it is much more reasonable to toss out trumped up allegations against Iran without the slightest bit of evidence and do everything in our power to provoke a war with a country who claims to want peace. That is so much more responsible. Thank you for clearing that up.

Tricia M Charlottetown PEI   September 28th, 2007 12:00 am ET

KD, Dallas, TX

Thank you for your intelligent comments. I agree with you wholeheartedly.

I truly hope that the world realizes that the statements below made by Giuliani is a diplomatic way of saying it's time to go to war again. And the only reason he and Republicans have is fear based on speculation void of all logical reasoning.

Given that was the same reason for attacking Iraq gives one a very anxious feeling. We all know the devastation that occured there.

I wonder if Mid East countries feel that the US having nuclear power is a reason not to take military action off their table? To hear Americans like Rudy, Hillary, Bush, et al making such flippant remarks on such serious issues as another major war makes me wonder who the real terrorists are.

It is certainly more than arrogant for US leaders and candidates to state the re-enforcment gained by the Iran President while visiting American will be very damaging to the whole effort of being able to have regime change in Iran! Does America believe they can just attack any Nation they wish and militarily re-design and shape it until it meets their desired vision? Sure sounds like it.

And I'm sure Mid East Nations might say that the US is too dangerous, too irresponsible, and ttoo unpredictable, to have nuclear weapons. I know they flippant, arrogant attitudes sure scare me.

"He goes back with a certain amount of reinforcement that those ideas have currency in the United States, and that is very damaging to the whole effort of being able to have regime change in Iran, to have the people of Iran get a sense of how unacceptable he really is," Giuliani said. "So I think we have to make it clear that we're not going to allow them to be a nuclear power. That means the military option is definitely on the table. We cannot appear hesitant about that."

Chris, FL   September 27th, 2007 10:21 pm ET

The bible warns against the US. It says in the end we will say peace and security, peace and security, yet there will be none.

How many of you really know the heart and mind of Iran? Just because you all have been brainwashed to be anti muslim doesn't mean they are evil. What country has been the one doing all the war and evil in the world? Ahhhh, the US. Even IF muslims committed 911, does that mean we destroy over 1 million of them. We have gotten more of our sons and daughters killed than what took place in 911.

CNN removed my last comment about leaving the option of knocking G out still on the table. But seriously, you people have to think hard about who is really doing the killing in the world. Don't be too proud to be an American.

Pat Balke Scotch Plains, NJ   September 27th, 2007 9:17 pm ET

Have we learned nothing? Mr Giuliani has once again proven he has no real understanding of foreign policy nor the background to act sanely and responsibly against very real world problems. A sensible person would look at our current situation in Iraq and come to the conclusion a preemptive attack on Iran is not the first and only response we should be considering. The United States needs diplomacy and the strong support of a real world coalition to address the issue. Every time we go into our strong armed rhetoric we are only stoking the fires. We do not have the military manpower nor the finances to wage another war simultaneous to our wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. WE DO NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES! Iran has a formidable military. If we have found ourselves in a quagmire in Iraq which was a "soft" target, won't we be in great shape to not only take on Iran but their Muslim allies? Is Mr Giuliani planning on becoming another go it alone cowboy? I realize we sometimes have to wage war to protect ourselves but the former mayor appears to be foaming at the mouth at the thought of another war. I admit openly he scares the hell out of me. Perhaps this time around we had better be a little bit careful about who we install in the White House.
P.S. A little bit of free information for Rudy-Although I too think Mr Ahmadinejad is a raving maniac, he is the leader of Iran and as such I applaud Columbia University for inviting him to speak. We claim to be a country of freedoms including the freedom to speak but if we don't like the individual or disagree with him we are all for forgetting about this sometimes uncomfortable right. I would rather hear the enemy speak because his words will prove his undoing. Your way just gives him more of a voice. If you want to be president perhaps a refresher course in basic American Rights would prove helpful!

Heather, Scotch Plains NJ   September 27th, 2007 7:35 pm ET

This is very scary. Here we are bogged down in Afghanistan, in the middle of a civil war in Iraq and now we're talking about regime change in Iran. How many troops does this man think we have available for yet another war? How much more money will we hemorrhage? How about your plan for the wars we're already fighting. Do I want Iran to have nuclear weapons? Of coarse not. That doesn't mean we should topple yet another government. We need more options than just war. It will only destabilize the region further. Is that all America knows how to do? We are becoming an empire. How many countries will we keep invading? History has taught us that all empires eventually fall when they over reach. We can not continue to force our ways on other countries without suffering the consequences.

KD, Dallas, TX   September 27th, 2007 7:23 pm ET

I worry for our country's future. We have been manipulated into believing we needed to go to war with Iraq…because our esteemed leaders told us they were responsible for 911, when the word got out that was a lie, they said it was because of weapons of mass destruction, when that was found out to be a lie we were then told it was for regime change and bringing democracy to the world. Now put your feet into the shoes of the Iraqi people who now live with more threat to their well being and who are now displaced living in other countries or cities, many places don't have running water, their educated population has left the country. We being the almighty country that dictates the world caused more hatred in the middle east by our illegal occupation and war in Iraq.

We have meddled in the affairs of the middle east many times so that we could be more in control of their natural resources. We help fund Israel who has nuclear weapons that could easily destroy others in the middle east and yet we will not allow the Moslem countries to have nuclear capabilities. Don't get me wrong, I fear for all of us with the weapons that countries have, including ours.

I know some of you will say that we need to fight back because they caused 911. Do you really know what you are talking about? Who is they? They is not the entire Moslem religion. They is Al Qaeda who does not represent all of Iraq or Iran. By categorizing their military as terrorists, Bush will be able to manipulate many to believe we need to go to war with them now. So many uninformed people will jump on the bandwagon. I can easily tell that the plans are to go to war, as the rhetoric is the same as it was when Bush was preparing us for war in Iraq. Do you realize that even Pope John Paul II thought Bush was the antichrist? Bush professes his religious beliefs, but bullies the world. Rudi would be no better with his inability to think.

If we were really fighting terrorism, the targets should have been Afghanistan (which was made to look like it was our first priority and quickly ignored) and Saudi Arabia who funded the 911 terrorists and was home to nearly all of them. Do you ever hear of Saudi Arabia being a target? No, Bush has ties to the ruling royalty there. Do you realize that he got all of the Bin Ladin's out of our country right after 911 while no one else was allowed to fly. If we don't wake up to what is going on, our country will pay a HUGE price. The neocon ideology of PNAC-Project for a New American Century is turning us into the facist government of the Third Reich. Now we have labeled Iran as a problem and the dingbats in Washington are going along with it again. What we need is an overhaul of the entire Washington bunch. I have little respect for those voting to target Iran now. Didn't they learn anything from the mess in Iraq? Where the heck are their brains. Iran will beat us to a pulp. They have not provoked us, nor have they threatened us. They have an army that is very strong, ours has been stretched to the limit. We have nuclear weapons and I am sure many fear us as a result. Why do we dictate what others are allowed to have?

I was raised in a very religious home and I my beliefs do not follow the bomb them mentality. I have such a hard time figuring out how those who believe Bush is their religious leader can go along with his thoughts and actions. Do we try to live peacefully together in the world, or bomb anyone we are told COULD be a threat to our country? We are being told that their weapons are showing up in Iraq. Do you remember the Iran Contra affair? Where did they get many of their weapons? We need to be more informed about what goes on in the world and not just follow blindly along with what the government tells us.

Has anyone thought about the ramifications of going to war with Iran? They would have no choice but to bring back the draft. I don't particularly care for the idea of sacrificing my son for someone else's need for machoism.

RB, from the bay state   September 27th, 2007 6:58 pm ET

Ru911dy Giu911iani is really getting in over his head.

If anyone is living in a fantasy world, it's Ru911dy.

Marie, Los Angeles, CA   September 27th, 2007 5:04 pm ET

Shut up Rudy. A lawyer turned mayor does not a foreign policy expert make.

Bud McCormick, Tempe, AZ   September 27th, 2007 4:54 pm ET

If Rudy becomes a president, James from Arizona will be first one to be recruited for Iran/Iraq or Afghanistan. He will be a good foot soldier.

James, Phoenix AZ   September 27th, 2007 4:12 pm ET

Mike Drabniack,

You wrote, "Your paranoia of “enemies building an arsenal of nuclear weapons…“ is delusional at best. Somehow I can’t see Iran building a nuclear stockpile of weapons in the next few years, then developing ICBM’s to house them… THEN firing them at the US. If Iran/Iraq/Afghanistan were such threats to the region/world why is it that the US had to travel half way across the world to “stop” them?"

Mike, I'm delusional??

On October 26, 2005 Ahmadinejad gave a speech at a conference in Tehran entitled "World Without Zionism". According to widely published translations, he agreed with a statement he attributed to Ayatollah Khomeini that the "occupying regime" had to be removed, and referred to it as a "disgraceful stain on the Islamic world" that must be "wiped off the map."

In December 2005 Ahmadinejad made several controversial statements about the Holocaust, calling it "a myth", and criticizing European laws against Holocaust denial.

Tell us Mike – How many nuclear devices should Iran be permitted to develope before we should begin to worry?

Tell us Mike – considering Israel has been directly threatened… you're ok if Israel makes strikes in Iran, right?

And since it's "over there" we shouldn't worry or get involved. It's not like they (terrorists) could ever hit us, right?

dwillsworth   September 27th, 2007 3:27 pm ET

Well well well..What else is new?

Did you all hear, as well, that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard (180,000+ soldiers) is now listed as a terrorist organization? Let me remind all of you, that the IRG is a member of Iran. They are not a hostile, free roaming terrorist organization such as Al-Qaida. The IRG is comparible, to say, the US Special Forces.

I particularly like this quote from Mr. Webb in Congress:

" By the way, it is kind of interesting to note that last week the Iraqi Government claimed that Blackwater is a terrorist organization for the way it operates inside Iraq. I am not making that allegation. I am giving an example of how people categorize these groups."

Anyhow. It's unfortunate that the American public is being duped by a blitzed Media campaign. This Columbia University thing, the media circus involving Ahmadinejad at a ordinary UN meeting. General Petraeus's media release. All of this is a warm up to getting the public to accept that War with Iran is a possibility.

Anyhow, it will run down like this folks: Saudi Arabia is begging the US to attack Iran. Iran is growing in Middle East support and Saudi Arabia is afraid of Iran. The Saudi's are going to get pummeled if Iran were to attack. So, the US will get Israel to launch missle strikes on Iranian soil causing Iran to retaliate. This is where the US will come in.

All of that being said. Hear this: By Israel or the US going in to Iran, all hell will break loose in Iraq. All hell will break loose in Iran. All hell will break loose in the Middle East. Iran will gain support from the people in the Middle East and this will all end very, very, very badly. It's unfortunate that there are so many American troops in Iraq, that they will all be caught in the crossfire. Let me remind you all, Iran is not Iraq or Afghanistan. Iran is a VERY capable country with a VERY capable military that can EASILY get 1,000,000 troops ready to roll in a very short time period.

Unfortunately, this is all ready to go. Expect this to all go down within the rest of September or some time in October.

I hope the American public does something. Good luck.

Mike Drabniack   September 27th, 2007 3:22 pm ET

James,

Your paranoia of “enemies building an arsenal of nuclear weapons…“ is delusional at best. Somehow I can’t see Iran building a nuclear stockpile of weapons in the next few years, then developing ICBM’s to house them… THEN firing them at the US. If Iran/Iraq/Afghanistan were such threats to the region/world why is it that the US had to travel half way across the world to “stop” them? Meanwhile all the other nations whom these countries could actually reach sat back and watched (with the exception of England)… Rudy would be the worst choice for president… what has he EVER done? Much like Bush before election, absolutely nothing… except get divorced and in the case of Bush getting arrested 3 times, being a coke head and an alcoholic… The US is fueling anti-American sentiment all over the world via our “war on terror” aka the war for more oil… post 9/11 the world was with us… 6 years later we’re in a very different spot… Rudy will take us deeper into the hole…

Ronnie.Irving,Texas   September 27th, 2007 2:16 pm ET

Rudy Giuliani lives in the same fantasy world if he thinks he will be our next president.

James, Phoenix AZ   September 27th, 2007 2:07 pm ET

"Why can we not allow Iran to become a nuclear power?"

- – - -

Pixie, I assume you would have supported Hitler having nuclear bombs too?

Iran denies the holocaust (perhaps because if Iran had nuclear weapons – the death and destruction waged against Israel would be the REAL holocaust).

Iran actively supports Islamic extremists and terrorists. How smart is it, Pixie, to have governments sympathetic to American-Hating terrorists access to enriched plutonium?

Instead – you would rather we sit back, watch our enemies build an arsenal of nuclear weapons to be used against us, our allies, or in a neighboring conflict which could easily spiral into all-out nuclear war. Yeah – that's the responsible approach!

Bob, Seattle, WA   September 27th, 2007 1:53 pm ET

You are 'right on' Mr. Giuliani. Now, please approach Mr. Huckabee to be your running mate. This will shore up your position with conservatives and will insure 16 more years with the Republican influence this country desperately needs.

Jolo 19   September 27th, 2007 1:51 pm ET

If Hilter's ghost is still around, you can count them now in two George Bush, and Rudy Giuliani, as one super duper Hitler.

Matt, PA   September 27th, 2007 1:50 pm ET

Well Rudy would know about dreamworlds, he lives in one. I too hope he's their nom. it would throw out the whole Hillary 's a polarizer thing

Wynter, Loudon, NH   September 27th, 2007 1:48 pm ET

Let's see… He was the Mayor of the biggest Fantasy World in the US.. NYC. Must still be there saying this lunacy.

The guy is a few fries short of a Happy Meal!

Telling it like I see it,
Wynter

Jim Nelson, Chicago, IL   September 27th, 2007 1:35 pm ET

Guliani wants to join the bandwagon attacking Iranian president to show the world that he is tough. The interviwer Denis Miller is a joke who doesn't understand any international affairs and by asking opinions to another joker is a big farse.

Andrew, San Diego, California   September 27th, 2007 1:28 pm ET

Utter garbage, I honestly can't believe this man even said that a military option is on the table.
If thats the case then lets send him first…ENOUGH of the republican war profiteering fear campaign…I hope America is smarter than this idiot!

anon, new york, NY   September 27th, 2007 1:23 pm ET

Giuliani also lives in a fantasy world regarding his chance to win the election.

He often follows what Bush says in foregin policy towards Iraq & Iran. He has no original ideas, because he does not have any experience in international politics.

A. Rentfro, Brownsville, Texas. U.S.A.   September 27th, 2007 1:11 pm ET

Rudy Giuliani is two-dimensional like a coin, heads or tails. Sometimes he's face up. Increasingly, he's not.
.
If standing in the cloud of smoke and fear and uncertainty of the 911 catastrophe makes him a hero then he's in line with a million other New Yorkers and others in our nation. What sets him apart is he was in a position of authority and direct responsibility the days before that crime.
.
I would never support Giuliani for public office. The officials who through inaction or mis-action allowed that attack to unfold on America need to be purged.. and then possibly prosecuted, not moved up the food chain!
.
Wake up Rudy, listening to someone is not the same as endorsing them. Ahmadinejad is a looney and needs close watch. As for you, most are not watching.
.
Thank you for allowing my opinion.

Ted of Maspeth NY   September 27th, 2007 12:45 pm ET

Guiliani = Major Hypocrit
Would you comment if Guiliani Partners have a contract with the country of Iran like your consulting contract with the government of Venezuela. At least Ahmedinejad has the guts to face fierce critics and in their turf.

Mac, Severn, Md   September 27th, 2007 12:43 pm ET

People need to think before they climb all over others (including ourselves and the candidates)regarding statements about Iran and everything else. Iran is one issue where many of the candidates for US President generally agree. In the International Herald Tribune on February 1 (an AP story) Senator Clinton said:

NEW YORK: Calling Iran a danger to the U.S. and one of Israel's greatest threats, U.S. senator and presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton said "no option can be taken off the table" when dealing with that nation.

"U.S. policy must be clear and unequivocal: We cannot, we should not, we must not permit Iran to build or acquire nuclear weapons," the Democrat told a crowd of Israel supporters. "In dealing with this threat … no option can be taken off the table."

Clinton, the front-runner for her party's presidential nomination, called for dialogue with foes of the United States, saying Iran "uses its influence and its revenues in the region to support terrorist elements."

Further on in the article:

"To deny the Holocaust places Iran's leadership in company with the most despicable bigots and historical revisionists," Clinton said, criticizing what she called the Iranian administration's "pro-terrorist, anti-American, anti-Israeli rhetoric."

And further:

"We need to use every tool at our disposal, including diplomatic and economic in addition to the threat and use of military force," she said.

My point is this: the eagerness to criticize whatever any candidate says about any topic just because you support someone else, or, because you don't particular like that candidate needs to stop. It's juvenile. We need to stop and think and talk about the issues.

Foreign policy is difficult. In the past, the US has maintained a "close" relationship with other world leaders that stated they would like to see the downfall of America. We have also taken a hard line in our policy. In some cases, we have changed from "close" to hard line. It's a tricky business.

In Iran, it would be in our interest if the people of Iran replaced Ahmadinejad (that's regime change) because his views are so anti-American and he insists on having nuclear capability. We always face the possibility that whoever would take over could be worse; but, Iran's current leader seems to be irrational (denying the Holocaust) and it's very hard to deal with an irrational person.

We were able to deal with the USSR in part because their leaders were rational – they recognized there could be mutual distruction between us. The Iranian leader does not seem to be rational – how to deal with him?

Brian S, Phoenix AZ   September 27th, 2007 12:40 pm ET

If Dubya doesn't beat him to the punch you mean.

Iran will strike back, unlike America's other recent foes. We will see if Americans are as unconcerned about "collateral damage" when American children are "collaterally" incinerated. The ensuing tidal wave of panic, paranoia and self-pity will bring America's Democratic Experiment to a sudden and complete end — exactly what the Ayatollahs have dreamed of and predicted. Of course, the Ayatollahs will also get a great deal more that they might not have dreamed of.

Greg, Phoenix, AZ   September 27th, 2007 12:40 pm ET

Under no cicumstances should Iran be allowed to develop nuclear weapons. No one in the right mind would suggest otherwise.

The fact that some clapped at the end of Ahmadinejad's speech made me sick at my stomach but I understand that college aged kids (particularly those at liberal breeding grounds like Columbia) are generally clueless to the ways of the world.

Many learned figures are supporting regime change in Iran, but they are also stating that this can come about without a single bullet fired. Giuliani is merely echoing this sentiment which chooses to accurately view Ahmadinejad as the radical terrorist leader that he is. Through tough economic sanctions and the like we can continue to foster the dissent that is currently rampant throughout Iran. The people of Iran will ultimately be the ones to remove this nut.

Angela, Alexandria, VA   September 27th, 2007 12:27 pm ET

why the heck should anyone vote for Guiliani if his own kids hate his guts and his daughter's going to vote for Obama?

Paul Berthelot Santa Maria CA   September 27th, 2007 12:25 pm ET

Hmmmmmmmm…it seems to me Giuiliani is the one living in a fantasy world! Pres Ahmadinejad is entitled to his views and to express them. It is the job of universities to expose students to a variety of viewpoints by allowing the free exchange of ideas. Giuiliani and his fellow Republicans would rather everyone lived in a world devoid of individualism and educational debate. As for the Iranian president, yeah ~~~ he is out there but that is his perogative.

RJ, SV, AZ   September 27th, 2007 12:23 pm ET

Yes Giuliani…we should totally be the moral dictators of the world when it comes to nukes because we've been so responsible with our own, right? Give me a break. And now you want to spread our Armed Forces even thinner in Iran? Good thing you lost my vote weeks ago…I hope you never get elected.

seth, Minneapolis   September 27th, 2007 12:21 pm ET

Regime Change!!! In Iran now??! Good Lord Guiliani!! Would you please shut up? At least Bush had the decency to lie about WMDs before we marched into Baghdad. Now Guiliani wants to go kill US soldiers in Tehran as well, and for what reason?? Because Ahmadinejad engages in political rhetoric? Please do not allow Guiliani to be nominated for President!! He is a warhawk of the worst kind, and we will find ourselves at war with Iraq, Iran, Syria, and probably Pakistan, North Korea, and who knows who else. Guiliani will completely destroy the America that our grandparents fought for in World War 2.

Laura - Tulsa, OK   September 27th, 2007 12:20 pm ET

To those of you who don't think we should go on the offensive when it comes to Islamo-fascism, why sit on our hands and wait for them to kill more of us as they did sept 11?

Tom, AlBUQUERQUE, NM   September 27th, 2007 11:50 am ET

Once again Giuliani is showing what a ignorant bellicose individual he is. This idiot like most republicans think attacking another nation is the solution to disputes. these warring monsters do not represent anything Godly or wholesome.

Letha, Sioux Falls SD   September 27th, 2007 11:28 am ET

Great! A Bush clone who doesn't get it. We don't need more war and even though I don't agree with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad or his ideas he has a right to say his piece. I may have missed the memo that said Rudy and George W get to be the decider's of the world. Go back to sleep Rudy and we'll wake you when it's over.

Ryan, New York, NY   September 27th, 2007 11:27 am ET

If he's living in a "fantasty world" why does Giuliani spend so much time focusing on what's going on there? Sadly, Rudy's stuck in that same fantasy world.

Oh, and go US with regime change, again. Maybe this time, we won't screw it up. Deep down, we all know that every person out there in the world wants our benevolent military to come in, kill a few 100,000 people and leave their government and infrastructure in shambles. It's just growing pains to some of the improved governments like those that we helped to install in S. Vietnam, Afghanistan when we helped the Taliban, and Iran the last time that we meddled.

Bridge to Nowhere, Alaska   September 27th, 2007 11:27 am ET

its okay for the CIA to blatantly potray the Shah of Iran of Iranian Nobility to the Iranian Population decades ago when he in fact was just an installed puppet of American Politics on other peoples land and system.Its okay to arm Iran and Iraq in their war in the 80's fueling death and animosity that partly brought on the Ayatollah assert more rise to power in Iran, Oh great, more credibility from Guiliani who is a hypocryte freemason who did one right thing in his life and that was help break up the mafia bto a weakened point as a prosecutor. His Political Fortune changed probably when He associated himself with influential freemasons. What George Bush Senior to him, his adopted Grandfather

Rurik, St. Paul, MN   September 27th, 2007 11:24 am ET

Rudy has every right to say that Ahmadinejad lives in a fantasy world, as he's been living in one since 9/11.

KEITH JAMES LOUTTIT   September 27th, 2007 11:23 am ET

Somehow, i kind of feel that this guy is getting a bad deal here, if he maybe shaved and had a better haircut, then maybe the world might find his ridiculous rhetoric appealing?

Maybe those Gay Guys For Straight Guys could give him a fashion-do-over?

Dan, TX   September 27th, 2007 11:22 am ET

Letting Ahmadinejad come, have him challenged to his face by the President of Columbia University in a forceful way, and having Ahmadinejad's own foolish words exposed directly to the American people and the world is paving the way for his downfall. Columbia University did a great service to the world by directly exposing the dangerousness of Ahmadinejad. Giuliani is so wrong. You take bad people and expose them to the light so that all can see how dangerous Iran is with him in power.

Knowledge is better than ignorance….always.

DJ   September 27th, 2007 11:20 am ET

The confirms what Joe Biden said in the debate last night. Giuliani does not have a clue regarding policy and he is least informed presidential candidate.

J. Dean   September 27th, 2007 11:09 am ET

By now, we all know what a "HYPOCRITE" you are and a distructive character you have, Mr. Guiliani. It seems you also are living in a fantasy world. We hope that your world is not in America. Mr. Ahmadinejad is a pupet in the hands of the Iranian religious Mullahs. You are so misguided and as a Republican presidential candidate you have nothing else to offer to the U.S. public but FEAR. We, the puple of America, are fearless. However we FEAR YOU. Stop creating divisions for us by acting like another disaster George Bush. Surely, we will never see you as our commender in chief. One Disaster George Bush is enough for a life time misguided and disastrous commender in chief. Mr. Guiliani, just stay home and take care of your family.

Mike, Baltimore, Maryland   September 27th, 2007 11:08 am ET

Mr. Giuliani: Ahmadinejad is not the only person who lives in a fantasy world.

Nick, Chicago, IL   September 27th, 2007 11:04 am ET

Rudy , is living in La La Land , he doesn't have a chance , Mcain is going to rebound as all the rest of these Republican Presidential hopefuls are jokes , first off the USA is not going to elect a Mormon or Fred T. Or R. Guiliani who can't even commit to a marriage , these guys are elitest Jokes and as far as Mcain is concerned ,he may give Hilary a run for her Money , but once he hit the trail as the nominee and parades that way to young of a wife of his on stage , there goes the womens vote

John Thomas, Edina, MN   September 27th, 2007 10:59 am ET

Sorry, "Common Sense," but voting Democrat will yield the same results. The only candidate that will truly withdraw our troops from Iraq and end our military globe trotting is Ron Paul. Look at the individual, not the party.

Mark   September 27th, 2007 10:57 am ET

"It should be a clear, unequivocal, stated purpose of American policy that Iran is not going to become nuclear because they are too dangerous, they're too irresponsible, they're too unpredictable…"

And the US is "responsible and predictable" and not dangerous enough to possess nuclear weapons, give me a break! This coming from a country which has committed one of the most "irresponsible" acts of all history in its invasion and destruction of Iraq (though it was predictable!)! How can anyone take these clowns seriously. I mean Ahmadinejad is indeed irrational in many ways, and I would like to see a nuclear free world, including Iran, Israel and the US. However, in many other ways Ahmadinejad makes far more sense that the US political elite do, in that he understands full well why he is being ostracized by the US, to make Americans fear Iran so they can justify killing 10’s of thousands of them in the near future! And if anyone truly believes that a nuclear armed Iran would be for any other purpose than ensuring the US does not attack it with nuclear weapons (as it is apparently planning to do), I have some property to sell you in Florida. Really hard to believe this passes for serious comment!!

Chip Celina OH   September 27th, 2007 10:56 am ET

Common Sense,

It's now Common Knowledge that the Democratic frontrunner voted yesterday to add the Iranian Revolutionary Guard to the list of terrorist groups that our military can go after.

This opens the door, as did the Yes vote in 2002 authorizing the president to use military force in Iraq, to war with Iran.

So, anyone planning on blindly voting for the Democratic frontrunner better keep their head up as well.

Have a good day,

Bubba "America's Spare Tire," Swainsboro GA   September 27th, 2007 10:56 am ET

Ahmadinejad lives in such a fantasy world that he calls himself "Iran's Mayor."

Luke, Minneapolis MN   September 27th, 2007 10:56 am ET

I can't believe what I'm hearing. These comments on Giuliani’s message are ridiculous. Do we really think Iran is a sleeping giant? They aren't sleeping; they've been funding terrorist organizations and Islamic Fundamentalists for years. They are now currently shipping weapons to Iraq that are killing American soldiers. They are developing Nuclear weapons and believe that if they use those nuclear weapons on the U.S. and their allies they will bring about the a return of the 12th Imam (the messiah). The fanaticism behind Ahmadinejad is very dangerous and scary. I’m not advocating the invasion of Iran or a military strike, but we should not leave those options off the table, we can’t risk the fate of the U.S. on people’s trepidation of military action. The purpose of our military is to protect this country. We don’t cause terrorist to attack us they attack us because we don’t believe the same things we do. We love freedom; Islamic fanatics want everyone to follow Islam and its laws. They will not ever stop trying to bring about their sick vision of a one world Islamic government. Wake up we must be aware of the danger.

ronnie - knoxville, tn.   September 27th, 2007 10:52 am ET

I agree with Mayor Guiliani. Iran's "president" should be ignored, not invited. True, he has "freedom of speech", but does he give that freedom to his own people. Why is he even here?

David, Arlington, VA   September 27th, 2007 10:30 am ET

Giuliani demonstrates that he has no knowledge of world politics, let alone the Middle East or Iran. He says that we have to get the people in Iran to understand how unacceptable their president is? He proposes that war is a viable option for dealing with Iran? These statements reflect his ignorance of the Iranian people and the history of U.S.-Iranian relations. The Iranians, by and large, do not like Ahmadinejad and seek some kind of democratic/secular reform. They do not, however, want this imposed on them by the United States and they do not want to be told how they should seek regime change (as they still harbor resentment over the coup we engineered in the 1950s and our sponsorship of the Shah). In short, they are a proud people, like us, and do not want to be forced into anything, nor should they be. Moreover, an invasion of Iran would further inflame the populace against us, push more people to the extreme, marginalize moderate and secular forces, and lead to terrorist reprisals against us and our allies in the region. It would be extremely counterproductive to our interests in the region and stretch our already weary armed forces.

Common Sense   September 27th, 2007 10:16 am ET

Heads up to anyone planning on blindly voting Republican. You are sending us into Iran if you do. Please do not make that mistake. Iran and the terrorists there are a sleeping Giant that will come after us with great vengence. Please people, pay close attention. This USED to be the best country in the world.

Mia, Stafford, VA   September 27th, 2007 10:11 am ET

Per this article Giuliani said he supports regime change in Iran, this philsophy is what has created so many problems for America today.

I think we should try managing our Government and our country, before we go to other countries making regime changes. How would we feel is someone said that about an American President, and not only suggested it, but made an effort through war to make it happen? We would be up in arms, and we wonder why the Middle East reacts and responds as they do.

Violet Cauthon   September 27th, 2007 10:09 am ET

As a proud Democrat, my most fervent wish is that Guiliani will be the GOP's presidential candidate. What a gift! Rudy, through his offensive use of "9-11″ shows his inability to judge what is appropriate. The more he uses 9-11, the more votes he loses.

Lou, Miami Florida   September 27th, 2007 10:04 am ET

Must be living the same world that Bush lives were there are so many great news about Iraq… It's going so well that in the world stage at the UN only mentioned once this week.

Nick, Basking Ridge, NJ   September 27th, 2007 9:59 am ET

Unbelievable…What's going to happen if we go to war with Iran? Another bloody battle. Guess what? They actually have an organized military.

Giuliani is a corrupt, no good war-mongerer. He's the one living in a "fantasy world."

Justin Moore, OK   September 27th, 2007 9:54 am ET

Sure Iran shouldn't have nuclear weapons. And yes they are generally "unstable." But you've got to be kidding about the military option being "on the table" with Iran. The instability generated by a scaled attack against Iran is scary to say the very least. Let's clean up after Iraq first.

Al, NY NY   September 27th, 2007 9:46 am ET

Oh joy, another Republican attempt at regime change. Isn't one enough, especially I believe the current President (I won't give him enough acknowledgement by mentioning his name) said he would not engage in "Nation Building"?

This war monger is a terror himself. I'm sure he's saying it now to rile up the base. Next he'll be quoting scripture to appease the Bible-thumpers. He was not my mayor, let alone "America's." His outrageous comments about spending time at the site are a slap in the face of the real people that did.

Since he says he did not give approval to the "$9.11″ fundraiser is he denouncing it? I equate this to the MoveOn ruckus that he's stoking ad nauseum. Did the Democratic candidates give their approval?

Alice Newman Center Harbor NH   September 27th, 2007 9:43 am ET

Vote for Rudy if you want to send your family to fight in Iran – that's the next target.

Ever hear of keeping friends close and enemies closer? Letting the President of Iran speak did more to discredit him than putting a muzzle on him – its called taking the moral higher ground.

Rudy doesn't believe in freedom of speech and is not ready for the top leadership role. If it hadn't been for 9/11 – no one would have ever considered him for higher office … he was for gun control before he was against it … let the flip-flops begin!

Cable King Pittsburgh Pa   September 27th, 2007 9:38 am ET

Rudy has an "itchy" trigger finger – just like Vice President Bush.

Bubba "America's Spare Tire," Swainsboro GA   September 27th, 2007 9:32 am ET

Ahmadinejad probably calls himself "Iran's Mayor." Heck, Dennis Miller still calls himself "comedian." So many people in denial . . .

LoooseyGoosey   September 27th, 2007 9:15 am ET

Don't we all…

jeff b, new york, ny   September 27th, 2007 9:13 am ET

So do you Mr. Giuliani. So do you.

laurinda,ny   September 27th, 2007 8:43 am ET

I hope that the logical citizens of this country would realize that the Republicans are not protecting you from terrorism. Your fellow citizens are. We are the ones that call homeland security, police, etc. who in turn check out the validity of these calls and go after these terrorists. Think about it.

Pickles, Monaca, PA   September 27th, 2007 8:27 am ET

Anyone who thinks that America is better served by muzzling the enemy also lives in a fantasy world. The better we know an enemy's mind, the better we know how to deal with him.

Guiliani is an idiot who was made famous by a great tragedy and who continues to exploit that tragedy for his own self-interest.

Blayze Kohime, Columbus, OH   September 27th, 2007 8:15 am ET

Great idea. After all, it sure worked great in Iraq!…
… oh wait…
Are we going to make the same mistakes again?

Tricia M Charlottetown PEI   September 27th, 2007 7:50 am ET

I feel the statements made by Mr. Giuliani send a clear message to Americans and the World.

The Republicans see Iran as another Nation that needs to be beaten into submission by military force. And it seems clear they will use the same tactics as they used with Iraq to achieve their goal.

Unforunately I doubt they will give much weight to the words of "Former National Security Adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski. And that will prove to be disastrous for the world.

Giuliani's Statements:
"Giuliani also drew repeated parallels between the Iranian government and Islamic terrorism and made clear he supports regime change in Iran."

"So I think we have to make it clear that we're not going to allow them to be a nuclear power. That means the military option is definitely on the table. We cannot appear hesitant about that."

Brzezinski's Statements:

Former National Security Adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski likened U.S. officials' saber rattling about Iran's alleged nuclear ambitions to similar bellicose statements made before the start of the Iraq war.

"Brzezinski urged American officials to be patient, whatever Tehran's intentions may be. "If we escalate the tensions, if we succumb to hysteria, if we start making threats, we are likely to stampede ourselves into a war, which most reasonable people agree would be a disaster for us," he said.

"And just think what it would do for the United States, because it would be the United States which would be at war. We will be at war simultaneously in Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. And we would be stuck for the next 20 years."

Mark G., BBH ME   September 27th, 2007 7:09 am ET

Not being reported is the meeting between Jewish rabbis in NY and the president of Iran, where there was a distict difference between Jewish and Zionist.

Mr. Ahmadinejad hugged the jewish men stating:

"You understand us and make a distinction between the violent behavior of Zionists and the religious beliefs of Jews," said the senior rabbi who called President Ahmadinejad "a pious man who is seeking to restore peace in the world and has humanitarian plans." Appreciating the rabbis for their gift, President Ahmadinejad said he was happy to visit them.

"All people in the world have now understood that Judaism is different from Zionism," said the president.

He added, "Zionists are a political group looking for taking advantage of the opportunities while Jews are the followers of the Moses who promoted peace and friendship."
President Ahmadinejad stressed that there was no disagreement between the followers of Judaism, Christianity and Islam as they all pray the same God and are brothers.

Report it!

Dan (Baltimore, MD)   September 27th, 2007 6:14 am ET

Rudy is absolutely right. He's the only leader who will say so with such conviction. America can do no better than to have Rudy Giuliani as our next president.

Lee, Estherville, IA   September 27th, 2007 4:52 am ET

If Giuliani thinks he has a chance of becoming this nation's leader, he's the one living in a fantasy world. The jerk would invade Iran within the first week, and then…."Goodnight Ladies…."

bobbysingleton, Philadelphia, PA   September 27th, 2007 4:00 am ET

It seems Giuliani is desperately pandering to the political right with his hard-line statements regarding the Iranian leader, Ahmadinejad. If Columbia University invites a foreign leader as a guest, then decorum dictates that he or she should be treated as a guest–with honor. But, what's more frightening is when such neo-con war-mongers make appallingly cavalier remarks about "regime-change," as if thousands won't die, and millions won't be displaced by the horrors of war. We don't need anymore of this type of thinking guiding our country. The sooner we rise above it, the better for us all. Are there not those in Washington who also think "regime change" would benefit Pakistan, North Korea, China, or Russia? Be careful what you ask for, Rudy.

William Courtland, Waterford, Ontario   September 27th, 2007 1:48 am ET

And the misogynistic declaration of independence counted all the people as accepting: that men, as those willing to fight for freedom are equal to each other, while women manipulated the men to those acts of violence in the first place, so removing men from proper peaceful judicial proceedings; men declared equality with each other without the requirement of an emperor or the need of further justification and renewal of that statement in an separate equal rights amendment; women though only manipulated equality with the nineteenth amendment for a short time and still need laws and government for declaring and controlling their methods of said misanthropic manipulation.

kalisa kigali rwanda   September 27th, 2007 1:43 am ET

thank you,i am in rwanda why iran can,t get nuclear weapons?why does israel has them?we are ready to fight against you amercan and europeans.every muslim will be ready to fight against you ,if you will attack iran.things must be changed.
thanks.

William Courtland, Waterford, Ontario   September 27th, 2007 1:37 am ET

The bill of rights is the matching abstract bath mat.

William Courtland, Waterford, Ontario   September 27th, 2007 1:15 am ET

The constitution of the United States of America seems to be treated as an abstract painting by the current members of the United States government.

An amendment is required to reign in the party reason.

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