Originally Posted by
dead_pan
I don't think it was the best of plans to go public with this line - it only reinforces Putin's message and will only encourage him to further up the ante.
Much better to have kept to the lower key line they've been using up till now, along the lines of "we don't think he will but are fully prepared if he does".
Actually I do, I think it is a subtle way of telling Putin if you used a Nuke the retalitory attack will be a Nuke... thus letting him know without any doubt what the response will be without actually saying it. I.E back off from going there or you will receive what you unleash.