Ted Poe actually said...

"When the Iranians say, 'The Ayatollah says he wants to eliminate and destroy Israel,' do you believe that is rhetoric or do you believe that is the policy of Iran?"

"I think we are dealing in, like I said, irrational optimism if we think anything different."

"I personally think that there are many reasons why the United States needs to be involved in the Middle East."

"The next time that opportunity comes for us to weigh in and possibly help influence that, hopefully it has a different outcome for the other Iranians who want to lead their country in a much better di..."