Former Senator and current Presidential candidate Mike Gravel today denounced the White House over the continued accusations made by George Bush concerning Iran’s nuclear program. “This President cannot accept that he is wrong, even when his own intelligence tells him so,” said Gravel. “He is in denial and unfit to lead this country any further.”
Gravel referred to comments Bush made that the national intelligence estimate “doesn’t do anything to change my opinion about the danger Iran poses to the world.” The report contradicts dire predictions made by the White House that Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons.
“He continues to make a mockery of himself and the office of the Presidency.” said Gravel speaking from a campaign stop in Iowa.
He also singled out the leadership of France and Britain. Both countries issued statements supporting Bush’s stance.
“And these countries call themselves allies of the U.S., yet they buy into George Bush’s delusions. How can they effectively represent their people if they continue to listen to a leader whose entire Middle East foreign policy is based on lies and manipulations? We have been down this road before. It resulted in tens of thousands of casualties to American men and women and a million dead Iraqis.”
Gravel called upon the international community to oppose war hawks who advocate bombing Iran. He also questioned the effectiveness of sanctions directed against Iran.
“Sanctions do not work,” said Gravel. “Look at Cuba and Iraq, countries where sanctions crippled the people, not the government. George Bush has no credibility in the international community and any attempt made by this administration to increase sanctions against any country should be met with opposition.”
Gravel also called upon his Democratic challengers to stand up to the Bush Administration.
“Still, we have Hillary Clinton defending her vote to declare Iran’s Revolutionary Guard a terrorist organization,” said Gravel. “If the Democratic leadership will not stand up to this administration, who will?”
