Maintain vigilance against terrorism, says Cantor

The nation must get its economic house in order so it can deal better with a dangerous world, Rep. Eric I. Cantor, R-7th, said in Richmond yesterday.

Speaking to the World Affairs Council of Greater Richmond, Cantor called for economic sanctions against Iran -- "the world's most notorious sponsor of terrorism."

"The challenge for America is not to be so distracted by our economic woes that we let down our guard," Cantor said. "As we rebuild the economy and are forced to manage limited resources . . . will we prepare for the gathering storm of threats on the horizon?"

About 200 members of the World Affairs Council attended the luncheon meeting at The Jefferson Hotel.

Cantor said he supports the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act, which would sanction any company that sells, ships or insures gasoline or other refined petroleum products to Iran. He said afterward that the bill would harm Iran economically.

Cantor spoke of his recent trip to Afghanistan in which the villagers were afraid to come out of their homes after the Taliban had dumped acid on several young girls because "they dared to walk to school."

"This is the enemy we are up against," he said. "They adhere to the same hate-filled, poisonous mentality of the fanatics who committed the attacks on 9/11. . . . They are part of the face of radical Islam -- implacable and determined to bring America down."

"As the administration pursues its policies of active engagement with Iran, let us not be lulled into complacency," Cantor said.

"Effective outcomes in diplomacy can only come through a position of strength. Iran must believe we will deliver on our commitment to isolate its regime of radical clerics."

And Cantor said President Barack Obama should use his "popular international standing" to enlist allied support in the war against terrorism.

Reminded in a question-and-answer session that sanctions against Iraq did not work, Cantor agreed, but he said sanctions still "give us the best hope of concessions by Tehran."

As the minority whip, the No. 2 Republican in the House of Representatives, Cantor has been a leading critic of Obama.

Cantor expressed concern that the president's plans for defense spending five or 10 years from now would decline as a percentage of the gross domestic product.

"The important question is: How do we strengthen our national defense when our economy is in trouble?" he asked. "The answer is, Washington must do all it can to restore our economy to health by providing an environment for economic growth."

Cantor said Obama's proposed cap-and-trade program would hurt the economy and cost jobs.

"Temptations to bow to populist outrage to regulate the markets may transcend the priority of risk transparency and end up harming the desired result of restoring confidence and encouraging investment," he said.

The White House and the National Security Council did not respond to requests for comment.

Contact Tyler Whitley at (804) 649-6780 or .