Perry 'taken aback' by Paul's comments on Iran
(CNN) – Texas Gov. Rick Perry expressed dismay on Friday over rival Ron Paul's call at Thursday night's debate to ease sanctions on Iran.
"I was really taken aback by the power of [Paul's] statement from the standpoint of allowing the Mullahs and a madman to come into possession of a nuclear bomb and that we should not care about that," Perry said on CNN'S "John King, USA."
Using the term "madman," Perry was referring to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who in 2005 quoted a remark from Ayatollah Khomeini, founder of Iran's Islamic revolution, that Israel "must be wiped out from the map of the world."
The comment has fueled the primary argument for those who want to dismantle Iran's nuclear development.
At Thursday's debate, Paul stirred controversy on stage when he said U.S. sanctions against Iran were an "act of war" and praised President Barack Obama for "backing off on the sanctions," saying "it's going to be an economic calamity if you take all the oil out of Europe."
Instead, Paul, a strict non-interventionist, urged the government to use diplomats to resolve the situation.
Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann quickly pounced on Paul's statements, engaging in a tense exchange with the Texas congressman.
"I think I have never heard a more dangerous answer for American security than the one that we just heard from Ron Paul," Bachmann said, receiving wide applause.
The International Atomic Energy Agency released a 14-page report on Nov. 8 concluding there were "credible" and "serious concerns regarding possible military dimensions to Iran's nuclear program."
Citing the report, Bachmann argued Iran was just months away from developing a nuclear weapon, a claim that Paul strongly disputed. The Texas congressman said Bachmann was "dramatizing" the report and argued the agency had no evidence of any "enrichment" of bombs.
"You cannot solve these problems with war," Paul said. "You can solve the problems if we follow our constitution and go to war only when we declare the war, win them and get them over with instead of this endless fighting and this endless attitude that we have enemy all around the world."
On Friday, Perry echoed Bachmann's line of attack against Paul.
"There should be no space between the United States and Israel, and I was just really taken aback by Dr. Paul's almost nonchalant statement," Perry told CNN Chief National Correspondent John King.
He added that he gets his information from "some pretty wise and plugged-in people," including former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton, who he said is "greatly concerned about Iran."
Watch the full interview at 6 p.m. ET on CNN's "John King, USA."
Also see:
Gingrich 'editing' his words as campaign acknowledges concern
Bachmann camp: Gingrich morphs positions based on 'who's paying'
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For those of us who are part of the cruel machine know as propagander will have a problem with Paul,s comment,the truth is,if the voting public start using there own heads more rather relying on a TV set for important decisions we would be lot better off.Paul is right,establish diplomatic relations with Iran,then we can talk,the USA deals with the devil on a regular basis,but only when it suits them,so why not Iran,don't listen to those bomb dropping fools who think that the USA is going to get there way with a bomb,no it will never happen,please America wise up for the sake of the entire world.
We need to try diplomacy first at all costs. There is no reason to start a war with any other country! Enough.
I did see paul, in the news this morning, walking out on the leno show (another clown). paul looks like he can hardly walk. Not that he is going to make it but I don't think he would last one year in the job as president.
He was also so funny about the mitt and perry. What a sense of humor he DOES NOT HAVE!!!
He sounds old and tired and that is because he IS 78 years old!!! This is a job for a younger man. Look how fast our presidents age. If mcnasty was too old at 68 this guy is way past it.
those who argue for and hint strongly for military action, have a voting record to continue overindulging the defense industry in this country; now, my question concerning a little snippit of news about a morman family reality show; seems like the last time we heard about something morman, was during the last election, ( waco ), and mr. romney strangely quit the race; now we have two mormans running, and we get this negative narrative about poligemy..just who are these people dropping all these dimes??