In response to not-so-subtle political swipes by President George Bush (while addressing the Israeli Knesset), Barack Obama's communication director Robert Gibbs rejected the conclusion of the 2007 National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) that Iran suspended its nuclear weapons program in 2003:
"Let's not confuse precondition with preparation," said Gibbs of any talks with Iran. "Obviously these meetings would be full of preparation. But we're not going to sit down and engage Iran, unless or until they give up their nuclear weapons program.
emphasis mine.
Does Barack Obama agree with Mr. Gibb's conclusion that Iran continues to work on a nuclear weapons program? Does Barack Obama disagree with the conclusion of the 2007 NIE? These are important questions that Mr. Obama needs to answer. Our country is experiencing eight disastrous years under the "leadership" of a president who dismisses all evidence contrary to his "vision", whether its Iraq, global warming, environmental regulation, non-existent voter fraud, the SCHIP program, and so on. I support Mr. Obama, but I want to know if he'll be a reality-based president or continue President Bush's style of "leadership" by gut-feeling and blind faith. The lives of young men and women in the armed forces are in the balance.
If Barack Obama believes that Iran has an active nuclear weapons program, we are a step closer to war with Iran. Is there really any person in America who believes that we should do nothing while Iran builds nuclear weapons?