The issue of Iran is high on the agenda for US presidential hopefuls as the campaign for November, 2008 elections takes center stage in American political scenario. For the second term running, America’s relation with a middle-eastern country is dominating the presidential bid. With the difficult situation in Iraq still dominating American public opinion, Washington is increasing the pressure on Tehran to give up its nuclear ambitions. Perhaps the Bush administration, with its tough rhetoric against Iran, is trying to divert the domestic attention from Iraq and provide a new dimension to the election strategy.
Opinions in the country are highly divided regarding Iranian standoff. Even democratic and presidential front runner Senator Hillary Clinton is facing the wrath of her Democratic rivals regarding the vote she has cast on tougher actions against the Islamic Republic, which many say is partially allowing president Bush to launch some sort of military action against Tehran. But if we look into the matter closely, this is a deep-rooted election strategy on the part of the charismatic Mrs. Clinton to woo American voters.
By supporting the anti-Iranian bill, Senator Clinton is trying to assure both Democratic and national voters that if elected, she would be an able and tough-minded president or the commander-in-chief, unlike many of her defensive Democratic rivals. Moreover, she is trying to get at par with the leading Republican candidates who support high-voltage national security policies. Another important reason for Mrs. Clinton’s support of the bill is to greatly influence the strong Jewish and pro-Israeli lobby which is so crucial to any presidential victory.
The Clinton camp also understands that there is every chance that Bush administration would try to turn tide the elections in favor of the Republicans by using any future successful Iranian military action as the background. A successful military offensive against Iran’s nuclear ambitions would enable the Bush regime to justify the war in Iraq as a launching pad to ‘treat Tehran a lesson’.
Link: CNN
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