Gingrich Says Israel Should Set A Deadline For Attack On Iran

Last night on Fox News, co-host Alan Colmes asked former House Speaker Newt Gingrich about a Jerusalem Post article yesterday reporting that Israel is preparing options to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities. At first Gingrich gave a measured response, saying “I don’t think we’re prepared to sanction an attack on Iran.” Yet just moments later, Gingrich said the Israelis should set a deadline for an attack on Iran:

GINGRICH: I think that the Israeli government probably would be best served if they created a deadline of sometime next fall and basically told the new American president that they’re willing to do anything they can to help him achieve a non-nuclear Iran prior, say, to September or October, but that there is a point at which they will not run the risk.

Naturally, Sean Hannity concurred. “I agree with that wholeheartedly, Mr. Speaker.” Watch it:

It seems that Gingrich has suddenly changed his tune on “deadlines” involving war and peace. In fact, he was one of many conservatives who were strictly opposed to any timeline to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq:

– “I am not for any precipitous withdrawal from Iraq, and I think Senator Kerry was advocating a policy of absolute defeat when he suggested he would set a date, which I think he said could be as early as May.” [4/13/06, Fox News]

– MR. RUSSERT: Senator Dodd, should the United States set a firm deadline for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq? SEN. DODD: I, I believe we should, Tim. […] GINGRICH: I disagree deeply with, with Senator Dodd. [5/20/07, NBC]

So it appears that Gingrich is against deadlines for peace and for deadlines for war.Think Progress