By CARL CAMPANILE, Post wires
Last updated: 7:54 am
July 24, 2008
Posted: 3:46 am
July 24, 2008
John McCain yesterday ripped Barack Obama's willingness to meet with the leader of Iran, who has called for Israel to be "wiped off the map."
The McCain campaign, attacking Obama on a day when he was visiting Israel, held a mock first anniversary of the vow Obama made during a primary debate in Charleston, SC.
Obama was asked if he would meet unconditionally with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the leaders of Syria, Venezuela, Cuba and North Korea.
"I would," he answered. "And the reason is this, that the notion that somehow not talking to countries is punishment to them . . . is ridiculous."
In a McCain campaign conference call with reporters, Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R-Mich.) said the pledge showed Obama's inexperience in dealing with dangerous regimes.
"That has to be scaring the people of Israel," Hoekstra said.
