From the article:

Traditionally silent during presidential campaigns filled with divisive foreign policy debates, the department on Friday delivered a rebuke to would-be nominees of both parties whose recent comments have complicated U.S. efforts to overcome deep suspicion about the war on terrorism in the Muslim world.

“Those who wish to hold office can speak for themselves and whoever is elected in 2008 and comes into office in 2009 will then be in a position to talk about what they intend or plan to do,” said deputy spokesman Tom Casey, a career foreign service officer.

First it was Barack Obama’s talk of dialogue with dictators and invading Pakistan to kill Islamist militants, then it was Hillary Rodham Clinton refusing to rule out the use of nuclear weapons to that end. Now, the Democratic frontrunners have been joined by Republican Rep. Tom Tancredo who threatened to bomb Muslim holy sites to stop terror attacks.

Though part of me really does cringe as well whenever I hear these candidates discuss foreign policy in such a flippant manner, I do have to say it is probably a good thing to know Obama will bomb Pakistan, Clinton won’t rule out nuclear weapons and Tancredo will bomb holy cities in Mecca before we elect them to the presidency. Considering the weight with which we in the U.S. take and get insulted by everything said by every leader and potential leader around the world it does worry me to think what impact it will have on already strained U.S. relations with… well.. every nation in the world.