July 16th, 2008
01:00 PM ET
12 years ago
Obama says time to rid world of nuclear weapons
Sen. Barack Obama joins in a roundtable discussion on national security Wednesday at Purdue University.
WEST LAFAYETTE, Indiana (CNN) - Sen. Barack Obama on Wednesday said he wants to rid the world of nuclear weapons and pledged to fight emerging threats posed by biological and cyber-terrorism.
"It's time to send a clear message to the world: America seeks a world with no nuclear weapons," the White House hopeful said.
"As long as nuclear weapons exist, we'll retain a strong deterrent. But we'll make the goal of eliminating all nuclear weapons a central element in our nuclear policy."
The remarks, delivered at Purdue University in Indiana before a roundtable discussion with foreign policy experts, come as the senator from Illinois is preparing for a trip abroad. Obama also is seeking to gain traction on national security issues.
From CNN Politics
- Trump advisers hesitated to give military options and warned adversaries over fears he might start a war August 6, 2020 11:00 pm
- Fact Check: Is it legal for Trump to give his convention speech from the White House? August 6, 2020 10:30 pm
- Analysis: New polls suggest Trump's position has stabilized August 6, 2020 01:25 pm
- Karen Bass says she thinks Trump is racist and he is 'essentially giving license to racists' August 6, 2020 07:00 pm
- Saudi Crown Prince accused of assassination plot against senior exiled official August 6, 2020 10:06 pm
- As Trump attacks the mail, his administration gains more access to the Postal Service August 6, 2020 09:48 pm
Thanks for being a visionary, what a breath of fresh air unlike your opponent. All mcain can talk about is war, foreign policy and iraq. Anything else and he's lost.
Wow what an idiot Obama is. Hate to tell you lefties this but you can't put the nukes "back in the bottle".
Even Bill Clinton didn't make much headway on nuclear disarmament. Bravo Obama for bringing it up for the first time since Reagan took credit for it...
Rid the world of nuclear weapons? Never will happen.
Push for reductions, signing the Test Ban Treaty, and preventing proliferation? Excellent goals that the current administration has ignored.
Obamarama '08!
Oh this is rich coming from this empty suit-actually its scary when you really stop drinking the kool aide and think about this man defending our security and national interests. I mean this is a man who has suggested meeting with foreign dictators. Both Hillary and Mc Cain opposed that.
Now hes going to wave his "fairytale" wand and rid the world of all evil "GIve me a break"
Mc Cain 2008
he's right .they are dangerous weapons.republicans think they should each be allowed at least one a piece,as a part of their right to bear arms.
well at least he trying more than i can say for john mccain you go obama 08
Give him a threating scenario and he'll "CHANGE" his tune on this issue, like he has on 9 other issues in less than a month. Dump Obama – put a competent leader on the ballot – place Hillary Clinton's name in nomination in August.
How about we start with the country that possess the second most nuclear weapons and the only one to ever use it.
It's quite the juxtaposition having Obama in front of a podioum with the word "JUDGMENT" on it. Good judgment is just *ONE* area in which Obama falls flat on his face.
Yes you do have the "judgment to lead" Senator!
Obama 08!
This guy is really out of touch with not only Americans, but also with the rest of the world!!!! If he thinks that places like Pakistan, India and soon Iran, will agree to put their nukes away, this guy better wake up. And the American people better wake up before they elect this ignorant nobody nobama to run our country! Or perhaps he really thinks he has God-given powers that will enable him to wave his hands and get all the nukes to disappear! Knowing NObama, perhaps he does believe so!!!!
no i say its time to rid the world of barack obama!
This sounds like the answer of a Miss USA question.
Q: Miss Illinois, what would you do if you were President?
A: Why I'd eliminate all nuclear weapons and have world peace.
How naive is this clown? OK Obama, get Russia, China, North Korea, Iran, Israel, Pakistan., India, UK, and France to go first. Good luck with that.
Yeah ok and Obama is suppose to save the world now, PLEASE!!!
What happened to his change message? Guess he doesn't need that now since he changed his position on the war in Iraq!!!!
Does this guy ever talk about reality? Pandora took the lid off the box and there is no going back. It's a hoot to read folks calling Obama a visionary. Get real! He's just another politician playing to his base.
Blessed are the Peacemakers – the bible
thanks for taking the lead on this Obama....instead of a visionary & preventive approach, McSenile is going for the reactive option: War.........destroy everthing on planet earth & bomb, bomb, bomb Iran.
Barack Obama – a visionary leader.
JUDGEMENT WE CAN BELIEVE IN!!!!
Watch. i guarantee you that either Bush or McCain will come out within a few weeks and claim it's time to rid the world of Nuclear weapons. Watch just watch.
Hey Brandon Hillary, Vig, Greg and Frank: what empty suit are you guys talking about? Is it the one that both Bush and McCain are following in their words and actions? The one that even the Prime Minister of Iraq now agrees with? Who knows how much safer we'd be if people like Bush and McCain hadn't been such whiney children giving other "leaders" they didn't like the silent treatment. Meeting with all leaders, regardless of whether we like them or not, is a great idea. So much so that even Bush has started doing it. I don't know what fantasy world you're living in, but Obama has shown 10x the judgement and wisdom on foreign relations than your beloved McCain...let alone any other topic. The only one drinking the kool-aid here are you guys.
Brandon, because Hillary and McCain opposed meeting with foreign dictators is why they are both losers. Americans want a nation of peace. War is sicking. When I look at the soldiers that have come back from Iraq with no arms or legs, I cry. So, you vote for your
Bomb, Bomb, Bomb, Bomb Iran Idiot! God Bless America!
Barack Obama 2008
A Man Of Peace
Brandon Hillary PUMA,
have a funny note to meet with foreign leaders... Bush just send people to Iran buddy, there are people in north Korea, and we closed down their nuclear weapons project.... Israel are talking with their enemies and trading prisoners...
just details... and that was what Obama high lighted a year ago...
Will Michelle be answering that phone at 3am lol heaven help us if that ever happens.....
Obama, in a perfect world...yes! We live in an inperfect world and you can't turn back time. Your followers may consider you a "visionary" and you may very well be albeit a very naive one.
If he thinks other countries such as China, India and Pakistan will actually do this he more out of touch than even I thought and believe me I thought he was really out of touch. Considering he's from Chicago a pretty rough city he sounds like he dreams of never never land.