Analyst: Patience Needed on Iran War 7-29-26

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you know, the terrorists in Iraq and potentially even the Houthis in Yemen to try to curb them. I think, you know, there have been some reports, Chris, that were running out of targets in Iran, except for bridges and power plants, which I think the president rightfully so has refrained from doing. You know, it just... The situation is very difficult. It comes down the bottom line of, you know, Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, cannot, you know, use the Straits of Hormuz as a choke point to make money on oil shipments and should not be funding terrorist groups like the Hamas, has blown the hootis. And trying to get that, you know, achieved has proven quite difficult. We fight herself in this position because to me the United States has lost its reasonable leverage points, right? We are at this point in time imposing a blockade, which is hurting Iran significantly in a financial way. As you referenced, our own military commanders have referenced both on and off the record that we have run out of military targets, as you mentioned, to hit. And they are fighting this war in a way that makes it. very difficult to find where the drones and missiles are coming from. And this is a war that we can, we've seemed to run out of strategic targets that would not hurt the Iranian people or be, you know, what could be construed as a war crime. So what do we do next here? I think we have to, you know, this. And it's unfortunate because this is very difficult. But patience and the- That's the point, right? I mean, that's really all that's left is patience, right? Yeah, patience and continue the economic blockade and slowly choke them off. Maybe, you know, target Karg Island, which would not be, you know, targeting roads, bridges and- you know, power plants, but try to shut off any Iranian oil flow. That might be the next step. But obviously, for obvious reasons, the president doesn't want to put boots on the ground. Right. And that specific endeavor would require more than likely boots on the ground or controlling the Strait of Hormuz or... rooting out remaining individuals within the regime or the IRGC that are causing some of these difficulties. But I think you've struck it right on the head. We all want this to conclude in a quick way. And in particular, your former colleagues on Capitol Hill want to see it conclude because gas prices are at 409 and if they're above $4 a gallon on Labor Day, it's going to make things difficult at the ballot box. For better or worse, the only thing here is patience. And what we have seen really over the last now three months, this kind of Groundhog Day type of scenario, that is what is going to continue on here until there is some sort of a leverage point that changes. Because...

Iran has leverage when it comes to the Strait of Hormuz, when it comes to the way that they are able to fight this war in ways that the United States cannot do because we are restrained by who we are as a country and our morality. And that is where we are. Unfortunately, for folks who would like to see this war come to a conclusion, and we all would like to see it come to conclusion. But President Trump... For better or worse, open Pandora's box with the attack on Iran and on launching Operation Epic Fury. And it was never going to be a quick and easy thing, like was stated by the administration, because you're fighting with Iran. And for the many reasons from the Reagan administration to this president in his first term did not decide to attack Iran. You know, there is, there was a lot of rationale for that given the nature of trying to combat Iran. Yeah, I mean, look, it's a difficult situation. No question about it. It's going to affect the midterms. But, you know, I think that New Hampshire voters are also going to look at New Hampshire issues when it comes to the midterms. And I think, you know, Governor Ayat, you know, in her strong position of don't mass up New Hampshire with a lot of Democrats calling, you know, for an income tax or, you know, there was a leading Democrat just the other day talked about. fairness and taxation. I mean, that is exactly the kind of people that stood on the state house steps and called for an income tax and a new homeowner tax on top of local property taxes. So I think that, you know, in terms of the midterms, yeah, the federal delegation will rise and fall on, you know, federal issues, but state issues are going to... you know, dominate the state elections. And I think, you know, it is rising property taxes that are driving this. But, you know, there are, I think it's five. Democratic State Senate candidates who are local officials, either school board members or budget committee members, that have driven property tax increases by what they voted for on a local level. I think, you know, this is going to be front and center in, you know, the midterm elections in New Hampshire. And as always, you know, large percentages of New Hampshire voters do not want an income tax. And there's going to be a ballot initiative this fall that I think will turn out, you know, conservative voters to be able to vote in November to establish a tax cap to slow the rate of growth of education spending. And I think, you know, those are going to be issues, Chris, that also dominate the New Hampshire state elections in these midterms. I think the biggest.

Issue that is going to dominate the New Hampshire state elections is one that I see permeating across the country. And that is whether it is in a blue state or a red state. There is a fervent, anti-incumbent, anti-establishment sentiment that is in existence across the board. So I don't think the governor Ayat is going to be judged on President Trump or the Iran War. or anything else. I think New Hampshire independent voters are more apt to, you know, to have split tickets and to judge on a case-by-case basis. And I think that that race is going to be judged by whether or not folks feel that Governor Aiot is a part of an establishment that doesn't work and has made things worse for folks. And again, this is across the board. And that is the major thing that I think that folks are going to look at first when it comes to the governor's race before they even think about, you know, Cindy Warmington and looking at her. And then they may go back over to, you know, to Governor AOT. But I think, I'm interested in your take on the anti-incumbent sentiment across the board. Yeah, no, I, yeah. I mean, there's always some anti-income sentiment. It's just. par for the course. And that you're right, that'll be the case in 2026. But I think when voters compare, you know, Cindy Warmington's record and now she's trying to warm out of, you know, the fact that she represented an opioid company as a lobbyist and explain it away. And Governor Aod has done a really good job of holding her feet to the fire about Warmington's past record. Meanwhile, You know, Governor Ayat has stood strong on the New Hampshire tradition of no income tax, no property tax, and recently signed, you know, a tax cap bill to put in the ballot into law. So it will be on the November ballot. I think, you know, for frustrated voters that are worried about affordability issues, they're going to have the chance, not only to reelect Governor Ayat, who has been a, you know, strong proponent of no income tax ever, all voters are going to have the chance to curb the rate of growth of property taxes this fall. And I think that's long overdue. And congratulations to, you know, not only Governor Ayod, but also Senator Carson, Speaker Packard for getting that across. you know, the finish line to give voters a better voice on local spending. Yeah, and you're talking about this issue and I feel that it is under the, once you start to delve into the race. folks are going to want to look at which of these candidates is going to make things less affordable and which candidates are going to make things more affordable. And both candidates are going to have to make significant arguments about the other and themselves. And then voters will make that determination. But yeah, this is an affordability race. And with the potential for tax increases,

Under Democrats, that is a strong argument for Republicans to make and one that I think will resonate with voters. However, what the Democrats will counter with is that the status quo and how people feel about property taxes and I know myself and many others have seen significant increases in property taxes. So to me. That is going to be after, you know, the incumbent and establishment type of thing and how you kind of sort that out, then the affordability piece comes up. And that argument over taxation and off of where things are at right now, that's going to be the biggest, the biggest issue here in that governor's race. We've got to hit the break here, Jeb. Yeah. As always, appreciate your time. I look forward to talking soon. I wouldn't agree with you more. And again, you know, who was it who stood on the state house steps? proposing a homeowner tax and an income tax, a leading Democrat. So you're right. That's what's going to frame the issue. Affordability is the issue. People don't want higher taxes. And I'm not sure that all Democrats would agree that Andrew Rilinski is, you know, their leader, but he is a leader within the Democratic Party. As always, appreciate your time. I'm going to talk again soon. Okay, Chris, thank you. Jeff Bradley. I am Chris Ryan's in the answer today.

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