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Republican 2008 presidential hopeful John McCain crooned the
words "Bomb Iran" to a Beach Boys' tune in joking response to a
question about any possible US attack over Tehran's suspected
nuclear weapons programme.
"That old Beach Boys song, bomb Iran...bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb," the
Vietnam War veteran warbled softly to the band's Barbara Ann when
he was asked when the United States would send an "airmail message"
to Iran.
The singing performance during a campaign stop on Wednesday in
South Carolina drew chuckles from the audience and has already been
viewed almost 11,000 times on the internet video sharing site
YouTube after being posted on Thursday.
Campaign spokesman Matt David said the question was asked somewhat
in jest and that the Arizona senator was adding some levity to the
discussion.
The United States and others have accused Tehran of seeking nuclear
weapons, a charge Tehran denies. While US officials have refused to
take the military option off the table, they have said there were
no plans to attack Iran and they would pursue a diplomatic
solution.
McCain also gave a serious answer focusing on Iran's nuclear
ambitions and desire to destroy Israel.
"It bothers me a great deal that they (Iran) might have a nuclear
weapon or a missile, but it bothers me also to have a nuclear
weapon knowing their relationship with various terrorist
organizations, that they would give it to a terrorist
organisation," McCain said.
McCain's run for the White House, his second, has experienced some
difficulties. He was third among Republicans in raising money
during the first quarter, $US12.5 million, and has been spending it
as a faster clip than many candidates.
