The Pre-Emption Debate

Iraq_Opinion

Greg Scoblete wonders how it will play out during the general election:

[I]t's worth considering how the discussion (I won't call it a debate) on Iran would play out between the GOP nominee (assuming it's not Paul) and Barack Obama. GOP Nominee X will declare his or her intention to bomb Iran if it came to it, and President Obama will say that he's definitely open to the possibility.

What's significant in this, I think, is the extent to which the idea of preventative war has been rejuvenated – if it was ever truly discredited.

Chart from Pew.