No nukes, Obama says

2008 RACE | Tries to take it back, but it's too late as Clinton pounces

Comments

August 3, 2007

BY DENNIS CONRAD

WASHINGTON -- Presidential hopeful Barack Obama said Thursday he would not use nuclear weapons ''in any circumstance'' to fight terrorism in Afghanistan and Pakistan, drawing criticism from Hillary Rodham Clinton and other Democratic rivals.

''I think it would be a profound mistake for us to use nuclear weapons in any circumstance,'' Obama said, with a pause, ''involving civilians.'' Then he quickly added, ''Let me scratch that. There's been no discussion of nuclear weapons. That's not on the table.''

Obama was responding to a question about whether there were any circumstances where he would be prepared or willing to use nuclear weapons in Afghanistan and Pakistan to defeat terrorism and al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden.

The Illinois senator warned Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf in a speech Wednesday that he would use U.S. military force in Pakistan even without Musharraf's permission if necessary to root out terrorists.

Asked about Obama's speech and his comments about nuclear weapons, Clinton chided him about addressing hypotheticals.

''Presidents should be very careful at all times in discussing the use or non-use of nuclear weapons. ... I don't believe that any president should make any blanket statements with respect to the use or non-use of nuclear weapons,'' she said. AP