Obama speaks out on Bush 'appeasement' charge
Barack Obama hit back at President Bush today, asserting that Bush's failed policies have made the country less secure and welcoming a debate on foreign policy.
"That is a debate that I am happy to have anytime, anyplace, and that's a debate that I will win because George Bush and John McCain have a lot to answer for," Obama said, listing an Iraq war in its sixth year, Osama bin Laden still at large, Al Qaeda stronger than ever, Iran strengthened by the Iraq war, and Hamas controlling Gaza.
"Those are the failed policies that John McCain wants to double down on," Obama told supporters in Watertown, S.D.
UPDATE: McCain this afternoon did not back away at all, saying he welcomed a debate about protecting America.
"No issue is more important," he said at a gathering of the National Rifle Association in Louisville, Ky.
The Arizona senator said he would not "add to the prestige" of dictators by meeting with people like Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
"It is reckless," McCain said. "It would be a wonderful thing if we lived in a world where we don’t have enemies. But that is not the world we live in, and until Senator Obama understands that, the American people have every reason to doubt whether he has the strength, judgment, and determination to keep us safe."
Obama was responding to Bush's remarks to Israel's parliament Thursday equating talks with rogue regimes to the appeasement of Hitler before World War II
"After eight years, I did not think I could be surprised by anything George Bush says, but I was wrong," Obama said. Instead of celebrating the 60th anniversary of Israel's founding, the president flouted tradition and launched a political attack before a foreign audience, Obama argued.
"That's exactly the kind of appalling attack that has divided our country and that alienates us from the world. That's why we need change in Washington," he said, sporting a flag lapel pin he started wearing regularly this week after months of questions about why he didn't.
Obama also laid into McCain, saying that the presumptive Republican nominee gave a speech Thursday calling for civility and bipartisanship, but then embraced Bush's attacks.
"So much for civility," Obama said.
UPDATE: Tucker Bounds, a McCain spokesman, issued a response: "It was remarkable to see Barack Obama’s hysterical diatribe in response to a speech in which his name wasn’t even mentioned. These are serious issues that deserve a serious debate, not the same tired partisan rants we heard today from Senator Obama. Senator Obama has pledged to unconditionally meet with Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad -- who pledges to wipe Israel off the map, denies the Holocaust, sponsors terrorists, arms America’s enemies in Iraq and pursues nuclear weapons. What would Senator Obama talk about with such a man?"
While the White House officially denied the remarks were aimed at Obama, McCain used the opportunity to argue again Thursday that Obama's willingness to negotiate shows he is naive and inexperienced in the ways of foreign policy.
But in an opinion piece published today in The Washington Post, former Clinton State Department official James Rubin accused McCain of hypocrisy and attempting to smear Obama.
McCain has attempted to link Obama to Hamas, which the State Department calls a terrorist group, citing a Hamas political adviser's comments praising Obama's foreign policy.
But Rubin said when he interviewed McCain two years ago for a British TV network, McCain suggested the United States should be willing to talk to Hamas officials in Gaza.
"They're the government; sooner or later we are going to have to deal with them, one way or another, and I understand why this administration and previous administrations had such antipathy towards Hamas because of their dedication to violence and the things that they not only espouse but practice, so ... But it's a new reality in the Middle East. I think the lesson is people want security and a decent life and decent future, that they want democracy. Fatah was not giving them that," McCain said, according to Rubin.
The McCain campaign today issued this response: “There should be no confusion, John McCain has always believed that serious engagement would require mandatory conditions and Hamas must change itself fundamentally -– renounce violence, abandon its goal of eradicating Israel and accept a two state solution. John McCain’s position is clear and has always been clear, the President of the United States should not unconditionally meet with leaders of Iran, Hamas or Hezbollah. Barack Obama has made his position equally clear, and has pledged to meet unconditionally with Iran’s leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the leaders of other rogue regimes, which shows incredibly dangerous and weak judgment,” Tucker Bounds, a campaign spokesman, said in a statement.
UPDATE: The McCain campaign this evening accused Rubin of lying, releasing a video that shows McCain's response to a follow-up question that Rubin didn't include.
Rubin asked, "So should the United States be dealing with that new reality through normal diplomatic contacts to get the job done for the United States?”
McCain replied, "I think the United States should take a step back, see what they do when they form their government, see what their policies are, and see the ways that we can engage with them, and if there aren’t any, there may be a hiatus. But I think part of the relationship is going to be dictated by how Hamas acts, not how the United States acts."
"John McCain absolutely did not advocate unconditional engagement with Hamas. Indeed, Rubin conveniently cut off his follow-up question to which McCain was clear that any engagement with Hamas would be conditioned on their actions and policies -- that any actions would be 'dictated by how Hamas acts, not how the United States acts,' " said the campaign's statement.
The Bush / McCain Crime Families are major league liars and crooks! Vote them out of office and into hell!
Obama needs to face reality. He said what he said regarding his willingness to sit down and meet with leaders of groups or countries that avow the destruction of Israel, the United States, and others. So though Bush did not mention his name, he becomes upset. He needs to grow up. Another sign he is immature to President.
Senator Obama, why are you so defensive? President Bush did not use your name. Why don't you just agree with the President and move on.
get over your self Obama...I am democrat and I have heard Bush say this before you were even thought of as a nominee. I distictly heard you say that you would deal with terrorist nations . You have to grow out from your thin skin and remember what you have said on your trail to where you are now. Is anything that is said about you which is true going to be not fair game ...you said it now own it., or is this going to be your label of someone who says thjings and later on makes excuses for what is true.....you are startng to scare me
John McCain is just more of the same old Washington crap that has got us in the mess we are in now. Obama may be green, but at least he seems to be honest and hasn't thrown away all his values to secure the nomination of his party.
Politics is full of liars and damn liars. I used to think McCain was the exception in politics, a man of integrity. I now clearly see he wants to be president so bad that he has become a damn liar who stands for whatever is popular. he has proven he will sell out his republican supporters if it is popular and now he has flip flopped on so many issues that as long as he has been on the political scene no knows what he stands for, because he stands for getting elected and will use any issue he can to achieve that means.
George Bush continues to show the world why he will go down in history as our worst president. He continues to damage our country by making us the laughing stock of the major world powers. Thanks George. Don't you need to feed the cattle in Texas? This cowboy is amazing. First the bullshit, then he feeds the cattle.
I don't see the word "unconditionally" in either McCain's or Obama's remarks. As a result, I am "confused" by John McCain's remarks.
This is a bunch of nonsense. Obama's position is clearly the correct position and the rest of this business about "conditions" is just pathetic posturing. What "conditions" were in place when Nixon met with Mao? Surely Nixon's engagement with the Chinese is cited as his single greatest achievement and one of the best policy events of the 1970s. Communicating may not solve all the problems, but one thing is for sure, not communicating will fail every time.
There's only one side which has incredibly dangerous and dimwit/weak judgment
- The president himself and his Vice + the republican presidential hopeful.
This election is going to be all about whether Obama can convince the American people that he has the judgment to be president. Someone who has experience can have awful judgment. He needs to remind people constantly of that fact. He also has to hit back - AND HARD - at ANY attempts by the Republicans to diminish him and smear him. Those lovely Christian-oriented, values-oriented Republicans are so, so good at that. ;)
Talk to your enemies before you blow them up. That seems closer to the biblical idea of loving your enemies than the McCain and Bush mantra not to talk. I thought the bible believing Christians were suppose to be on the Republican side but in this case I see Obama exercising values that are closer to the character of the Christian God.
It is time we try to understand our "enemies" before we make life ending decisions. I support Obama on this one.
Why is it that the author of the Mid- Eastern conflict is allowed to visit these
country leaders in the name of an ex-U.S. president and recipient of the
same Nobel Peace prize that the PLO terrorist leader, Arafat, received and
without repercussions and yet Obama suggests the same approach is
blasted out of the water ?
Incredibly dangerous and weak judgment is McCain's fear that he cannot deal with adversaries sitting across the table from him.
Who is being weak here the man who wants to stare his adversary in the eye or the one who wants to hide.
George W and Cheney should be arrested for treason, bankrupt Country, false war, New Orleans, $4 gasoline, gang violence, and the World hates us! They belong in GITMO !
everyone knows what bush's words are worse, nothing
bush and cheney are criminals and should be in jail but unfortunately thats not going to happen....
Obama must ignore that kind of comments and instead should keep making sure
every American remember the worst regime ever...
Dangerous? Weak judgment? Haven't we been suffering from those flaws in our current president for the last eight years? Why is talking to your enemies appeasement? There are smarter ways to disarm them. Exploit the differences between their radical and moderate elements through dialogue rather than unite them through hostility. It's just so stupid not to try that, and anyone who says that doing so is appeasment is just an idiot.
This policy of not meeting with governments or organizations that we disagree with has worked so well in the past we should continue to use it in the future. NOT!
It was John Kennedy who said, "Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate." Both President Bush and Sen. McCain should consider the wisdom in that observation.
Bush will not go out with a bang, he is probable the worst and dummest President the USA ever had.
Obama wishes to be the president of the United States, then he had better develop a thicker skin and stop acting a spoiled two year old throwing a temper tantrum. You want to be the president of my country then grow up!
Bush did not say Obama's name nor did he imply Obama. Most educated thinking people automatically assumed he was speaking about JIMMY CARTER and his talks with Hamas.
The Democratic party and their constituants have become the most immature, whinniest group of people I have ever had the misfortune to hear. Democrats have become the part y of the most asenine, nastiest sound bites of the last 15 years. You have party members who have said some of the most henious comments about this president alone. Where the hell do you people get off whinning and complaining! Maybe one the press should play back ALL the nasty remarks made by those in the Democratic party for the last year! Shame on all of you!!!!!!
And before you work yourselves into a lather I am not a Republican. I am and have been an Independent from day one.
Read Obama's book and he declares he stands by his Muslim Brother Hood. HE cannot be trusted at all. He is a false profit, like the Bible has foretold. Beware of a smooth talker......
Looks like the Republicans are getting seriously scared of Obama. And they should be - McCain could never beat him.
Senetor Obama: You need to balance your arqument on this very delicate matter to avoid messing up your compaign stretegies
Why when I see this story, in any variety of news outlets, it always stops after McCain's press release? Has no one taken notice of the very clear "switcheroo" that took place?
I thought the conversation was about Hamas. However, he has to substitute Iran because Sen. Obama has always been very clear about not negotiating with Hamas without pre-conditions.
We could of course get into a discussion about sovereignty and that while Iran is a sovereign nation Hamas is not and that this is a crucial distinction and goes a long way in explainin why we must negotiate with Iran, but Mr. McCain is far too busy shaking his fist and yelling at the kids to, "Get off my front lawn!"
Philosophically aligned with European Social Democrats on both domestic and international issues, the central foreign policy tenant of the Democrat party's now dominant Obama -Carter - Dukakis - McGovern wing is "America Last".
This cosmopolitan cabal sets as its strategic goals the gradual demilitarization of the United States and the accomodation or, appeasement ,of any state or interest (formerly Soviet and Chinese Communist interests; now Hamas, Hezbullah, Iran, Venezuela, Ecuador) that challenges the U.S. and its allies.
This is a difficult, unpredictable world. Who beyond the triumphant left-most element of the Democrat party would intrust the defense of the West to McGovern, Dukakis, Carter or Obama?
is'nt obama mulisum he was born to muslium parents right we do not need some one in our white house like that we need only americans not a muslium if obama was born to musilum parents
i do believe my brain just melted
It's okay Obama "sweetie." I'm sure Bush didn't mean anything by it!
I think that McCain should attend to his own business and leave Obama alone. Is McCain going to run to president Bush for everything to start up confusion. We have enough confusion in our country now. It's time the republicans bow out.
McCain (Bush's 3rd term) is going to loose in a LANDSLIDE.
I just hope that people of this great nation will revolt against this type of cheap and below the belt shots just like how voters of Mississippi did.
I'm not addressing the good and honest republicans, but those attack machines that think they are only ones that are partiotics, their actions indicates otherwise.
The days ugly & dirty politics of Adkins & Rove are over.
i believe obama is right in wanting to have talks with hamas or the iranian president when he assumes power.it is not a compromise,even if it is and as long as it will bring peace in the world,it does not matter.
Typical Bush double speak. It's a shame Mcain sounds like more of the same.
McSquirm away McLiar. You have talked out of both sides of your mouth for a year now. Soon, when the general election gets into full swing, we're going to play it from the mountain tops.
OBAMA, IS A SLIP AND SLIDDING WITH WORDS. OBAMA IS ON THE DEFENCE WITH THE ISSUE OF APPEASEMENT... OBAMA, THE WORD APPEASEMENT FITS. YOU ARE WHAT YOU ARE...SINCERELY, JIMMIE W BECK
I love how this silly libs try to say that Reagan talked to terrorists. Lets see, if you consider putting a cruise missal through Kadaffi's house banter then so be it. He spoke with the Russians only after embargos and hard politics broke the communist regime. America has never dealt with terrorists first, only after. Obama needs to wake up if he thinks he can say some pretty words and make muslim extremists reconsider how they feel about infidels.
look at george. a human & presidential failure school children will study & discuss, far into the future.
in my state, Barack Obama enjoys a broad majority of support, and we believe his policies will generate respect, stabilty, & prosperity for America.
Remember Reagan talked to the soviets and china. What did that do? Oh, yes they were emboldened.
why does obama care what bush says at
this time in the campaign. as a nation we have to
cross party lines and repair the damage bush
and his supporters have done to this counttry
on the domestic and international fronts. another
four years of waging a fruitless war that benefits
no one other than the military/industrial complex
is absurd.
Candidate Bush promised the American people that he would be a "uniter, not a divider." How did THAT work out?
There is obvious irony in Bush claiming to be working toward Middle East Peace at all, given that his administration's policies and US entanglement have only worsened the crisis there under his watch. Then, he and McCain both use an opportunity to dishonestly mangle the truth of the words of Obama, who has infinitely more potential than either of them ever will to build bridges toward a more peaceful world. More of the same politics, fewer of us are buying.
Bush and Mc Cain are trying to push Obama against Israel, Obama always said that he is an Israel supporter I have a problem with Mc Cain because he want to forget the dirty politic that the Bushes people played against him even accusing him of fathering a black kid.
I really liked Mc Cain he fought for this country but at the same time I believe that he is able to sell himself to the devil to be the USA president it is a shame that in this country instead of trying to solve our problems we fell so low and the world is watching and the USA was an example of pride and dignity.
Hopefully the Bushes time is going to finish and Mc Cain has nothing to offer just he is an old man ready to destroy this nation attacking every one that disagree with him.
I think i heard that Osama and Bush were good friends once, then what happened??
And i know that US was supporting Sadaam during 8 years of war with Iran, and then suddenly Sadamm had changed to be a bad guy !!!!!!
What about Mr. Obama comments on his utube video...saying "yes" I would meet with them...LYIER!
First of all - I truly believe Bish was referencing President Carter - not barack obama. It is a charge that clearly hits close to home for barack because he is given to over-talking and talking and talking and talking and talking ... he has no plans to speak of but he keeps right on talking and talking and talking and talking.
I think Bush was wrong on Carter though - Carter seemed to have gotten concessions out of Hamas that nobody else has -- stupid to throw them back in their face just cause President Carter got them and not President Bush - that is George though - if he didn't do its no good and if it fails its not his fault!
Oh - and I don't think Obama can accomplish anything - he just a smooth talker - an empty suit.
Republicans, appeasement, dealing with rouge regimes? Iran-Contra , Ronald Reagan? How soon we forget Mr. President.
Really, and what about this "rogue" element that we are paying to fight along side of us in Iraq? The very same people that have shot and killed our Marines with the same weapons. Isn't payment a form of appeasement ? I wonder who approached whom and negotiated this deal. I doubt they came up and said Pssssst... let's have a talk, I'm broke. This is absolute bullshit, and more than likely something Rove put in his ear at the wedding. They (this administration) throw so much of this around that high boots won't help, you need a tarp.
The only way that there will ever be "peace" in the mid east is if the US allows the terrorist regimes to wipe Isreal off the face of the earth. The appriopriate solution would be to wipe the top six feet of topsoil off every nation in the mid east who even is suspected from supporting the terrorists. And I would start with the mountain range behind Afganistan to get rid of Bin Laden and his supporters.
Geo Bush hit it right on when he condemned any person, including Obama, who would be naive enough to think they could deal seriously with any terrorist group or nation. This country does not need another "Neville Chamberlain" anywhere near the reigns of power in this country, no matter what his color!!!!!
Ronald Reagan engaged during the 80's in initial contacts, then conversations, then treaties and public appearances, with whom at that time represented the USSR, Mihail Gorbachov (allegedly the greatest U.S. enemy). Nobody now rags their clothes because of that, which was quite a revolutionary step then.
I AM A DEVOUT LIBERTARIAN. I believe obama is right in wanting to have talks with hamas, the iranian president, and other terrorist governments. Then when "McCain" assumes power and these groups do not find a better way to negotiate their wants me and McCain agree, we should "NUKE THE BASTARDS" off the planet.
.Obama is an inexperienced politician who got his Senatorial seat thru Chicago corruption and McCain is a liberal. Let's get someone as President who can lead this country, represent the will of the American people, throw the illegals (they are not undocumented) out of this country and make them abide by our laws, control run away government spending, reduce taxes, stop sending billions of dollars overseas, and live by our Constitution.
President Barak Hussein Obama, I think not. What a childish man.....
Some of the remarks here by some racist repub retartds are insane. These people needs to be shut out by a popular vote for Obama that exceeds 60% in the general elections this November. Americans are capable of such good, and shut out its own extremists that murder more people (americans and foriegners alike) than the terrorists do. The only difference is that these repub retards do it by foriegn policy and our guns and missles and snipers. It is easy to kill with these things, like McCain did in VIetnam, drop some napalms from the air and fly back to the air craft carrier, In 10 years it left 50,000 americals dead and 3 million vietnamese dead! More recently in Iraq, 4,000 Americans dead, and 300,000 Iraqis killed by the actions of some of the racist repub retrards! Ant their thirst for blood do not end here. Watch out America -- this is the time in our history to decide whether EVIL repub retards takes over our country or good meaning peace loving leaders!
Did George Bush mention any names? Now, who is guilty!!!!!
If you have an enemy and might fight him in the street. Which is that better way to find peace: tell him he has to do things YOUR way? Or, simply meet and discuss your differences?
Obama's foreign policy seems to be the only wise and statesmanlike of any candidate. Stonewalling (ala Bush and McCain) will only get us all killed (or at the least, our sons and daughters in the sand).
Ibelive that Bush just needs to watch what he says...well they all do because all this stuff starts fights even in our government class.
And how is talking to iran different than talking to N.Korea.....After all Korea by all standers is more dangerous. This is just stupid stuff that we have seen for past many years in our politics. Even Baker study said that in order to extract ourselves from this iraq mess we will have to talk to Iran and Syria. This is just the kind of election year politics we have come to expect and love.
Um -remind me why we care what GW says at this point?
Oh eat a little more arugala Barack, thankfully the Republicans will keep us safe from the likes of Bin Laden and Amadingdong for at least one more term, before Dems finally figure out who pays their bills.
The rogue regime is in Washington. Iran has been appeasing it. As for Israel, it's time to let it sink under the weight of its own delusions.
OBAMA, IS A SLIP AND SLIDDING WITH WORDS. OBAMA IS ON THE DEFENCE WITH THE ISSUE OF APPEASEMENT... OBAMA, THE WORD APPEASEMENT FITS. YOU ARE WHAT YOU ARE...SINCERELY, JIMMIE W BECK
What the hell is this supposed to mean? I honestly could barely make any sense of this post. Seriously, learn to use real sentences and apparently caps lock is the way to get your point across.
You Jimmie, and others like you are morons. Bush has lead a failing presidency. Thanks to him and his cronies the reputation of the United States has hit rock bottom. Obama not once, has said he'd negotiate with terrorists, he did say that he'd sit down with any country thats willing to have peaceful talks. Iran for instance has stated that they would negotiate a compromise about their nuclear program.
We don't have any reason not to give them a chance, the desire of the human race is to make life easier for ourselves. Who are we to deny the Iranians the same pleasures we have in our country? We as a country claimed they had nukes, no one has found a shred of evidence that they have nukes, or have the ability to make a nuclear weapon. It was said they could technically build one in twelve years, that is assuming they desire to make one, which they say they don't.
Bush and his cowboy politics have undermined everything this country has stood for. His only supporters are the bible thumping christian groups, and other less educated citizens of this country. If you read Obama's book you would be well informed to note that he does support his muslim heritage, however he does not practice their religion. How does that make him any different than anyone else? I support my irish heritage, but I don't practice the culture because I've lived in this country my whole life.
Back to world politics for a moment. Iran has said they are going to destroy israel, ok...We swore to destroy Russia at one point and they swore to destroy us. Both countries are still around aren't they?
Mr. Obama has a level head, a good sound mind and the ability to connect with the majority of the voters. How, is this a bad thing? For years people have complained that Bush is out of touch with americans, the complaint has stretched to encompass congress as well. Obama will be a breathe of fresh air for this country. He's not corrupted by current polictics in DC and he's not afraid to be the outsider on common views. McCain will be absolutely no different than the current failed administration we have now, just with a new label slapped on it.
Clinton..is a joke and I won't even address the circus act that is her campaign.
"why don't you just agree with the president..." to quote a previous poster.
Are you serious? The president doesn't even know what he's talking about. It must be his speech-writers from Bob Jones U who only know history as told to them by a televangelist.. it's very sad and embarrasing for us as Americans to have to be represented by such low hanging fruit.
It's no longer the American people, it's the american sheeple (just go along with whatever your told from the Party Boss or Pulpit and don't question)
We deserve what we elect, only campaigned against Bush, et. al, since he was installed as Gov. of Tejas, so I don't take credit for the sad state of our country and only hope the next administration will take responsibility for their actions, unlike the current one.
Obama a false "profit" LOLOL that's rich......are you from Kentucky or West Virginia. I think the word you're looking for is "prophet."
While we're on the subject, however, the Iraq war has meant "profit" for some, built on what we now know to have been a falsehood.
And is it just me or should George Bush never use the word "foolish" in a sentence, after all it's a bit close to home.
George Bush is a loose cannon and a danger to world peace and security.
Ron Paul is still in the presidential race. Perhaps we should find out more about him.
THIS WAS NEITHER ABOUT OBAMA NOR APPEASEMENT
Why is the media focusing on the wrong story here?
Obviously Obama picked up on the potential for headlines, but isn’t that a secondary story?
This about the misuse of the term "NEGOTIATE"
BUSH'S MISREPRESENTATION OF "NEGOTIATE"
"Obama needs to wake up if he thinks he can say some pretty words and make muslim extremists reconsider how they feel about infidels."
You need to wake up if that's your idea of diplomacy and discussion. Stop behaving as though everything were a Hollywood film and grow up. Stop using the word appeasement as though you know what it means. Stop parroting ALL terms you've heard on the radio until you've actually looked them up for yourselves. Just because you listen to someone barking all day on your favorite stations and channels doesn't make the content worth repeating. BTW, bring on the Race/Bigot/Hick War...I know which side I'm on. Can't wait for all the closet racists to actually come out into the open.
Surely the lesson from the Northern Ireland peace process is that you have to be prepared to talk to ¨terrorists¨?
Talking to people (and terrorists are people) is not the same thing as giving in to them -- President Bush is disingenuous in suggesting that the two processes are are the same.
Winston Churchill was certainly a man who was willing to stand up to an evil regime but his maxim was still that ¨jaw jaw is better than war war¨. Sadly I don´t have a vote in your election even though the result will affect me - I can only pray that you make a sound choice on my behalf
Sigh.
Liberal Democrats like Obama are bad for America because they think they can just "sit down and have a chat" with terrorist groups and rogue states and that everything will be better. We just need to "understand" each other.
Umm. No. You don't negotiate with terror states. Jimmy Carter style diplomacy is stupid. Everyone knows that you negotiate from a position of strength and you bully your opponent into submission. If they don't agree, then you go all SITH on them and "wipe them out, all of them". If its US verus them, I choose US. We shouldn't have liberated IRAQ, we should have flattened it. Death star diplomacy!
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I am so sick of hearing you liberal Democrats whine. I am an independent who has voted both democrat and republican. the last democrat I voted for was Jimmy Carter who I consider was the weakest presidents in history and one of the most liberal. I believe obama doesn't have the experience or is tough enough to be President. If he "can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen".
Comment #9 is absolutely right. Negotiating without preconditions just means you recognize how important it is to get the conversation started. It doesn't mean you have no "non-negotiables." Those should be discussed at the negotiations and not beforehand. This is all stupid macho posturing. Obama proves himself more courageous and confident by refusing to puff out his chest.
End divisive unnescessary wars like Iraq based on shoddy intelligence and lies that only serve to turn Americans on the left and right against one another! Go after the true perpetrators of 9/11 Osama Bin Laden and Al Qaida! Stand United against tyranny by embracing truth! Gain the moral authority in world affairs by doing what is right! Seek allies to stand against rogue regimes. No more preemptive war and unnecessary invasions! Use U.S. ingenuity to create alternative fuels and end dependence on foreign oil. If Brazil can do it with sugar cane the U.S. can do it to! Let sanctions work. Congress should declare war and only as a last resort.
You 'patriotic' republicans need to set aside your fear and insecurity and put your genitals back in your pants. War accomplishes much less than communication and i don't understand how any intelligent person could argue otherwise without a biased perspective due to imbalanced hormones. We dont need to negotiate with terrorists, but we dont have to waste peoples lives fighting them to feel more secure. Our technology and defenses in this country are obviously far superior, so there should be no grade school ego at stake guiding our decisions as a nation
This is best ever comment I have ever red
George W and Cheney should be arrested for treason, bankrupt Country, false war, New Orleans, $4 gasoline, gang violence, and the World hates us! They belong in GITMO !
Keep Your Friends Close And Your Enemies Closer. Communication is the main tool in solving problems. Without communication one can have no idea as to the enemy plans. The better we understand the way our adversaries think, the better our chances to find a solution and or make the proper decision weather or not to go to war. Yeah we got Saddam; but at what price? Oh I'm sorry Gena and bush other daughter are in no danger of getting blown up to pieces and or rape or sodomized. Bush talks of sacrifice is plain B.S. As for the economy, Bush and Chiminey don't worry about a thing. remember they are in the oil business. Sad that our leaders are willing to sacrifice our nation in their own best interest. As for Mr. Mc Mcain, they fed to much Kimchi as a POW and has brain Damage. much of a Psycho as Bush
this one is for beth, you have such hate, why? you are an american and therefore being objective is the american way, or should be. a moron would have been able to ascertain what the statement implied, but I guess there are some that are a couple of notches below being a moron, wait until you lose your double wide to the bank, you will blame the democrats.
It is astounding to me that so many people have commented on Obama's immaturity in immediately responding to the president's insulting, idiotic statement yesterday. Obama is running, presumably, for President of the United States. We have been a country of Fear of almost 8 years created by President Bush. Why would Obama not want to make it clear, whether or not Bush referred to him directly, that words have been taken out of context, AT LEAST in his campaign. He has the right to let the American people know that more about him and not let himself be identified by the Republican Party.
His maturity or lack of maturity is really a cop out and the wrong thing to be looking at. A strong leader comes out immediately to defend or deny what his/her position is when speaking with terrorists is compared to those who appeased the Nazis. As an American and a Jew, I am glad that someone is saying something the day after, simply about the disgusting comment referring to Hitler and the Holocaust. I want a president that is going to make the EDUCATED distinctions that the Bush administration has yet been able to do. Also, as Israel has discovered, much to everyone's surprise, you try to make peace with your Enemies NOT your Friends!!!
The Bush adminstration believed what "people told them," and still can't discriminate between the people of Iraq and the new terrorists whom we have invited in. It is those people who say that Obama is whining etc.. should take a look at what the Democrats have let others get away with by identifying them. Morals and convictions that don't change does not make a whiner, thin-skinned nominee, it is someone willing to point out the truth. How dare anyone criticize Obama for taking responsibility for addressing this issue whether or not it was directed at him. Wake up there is a new generation in town that thinks people ought to know what others think even if they aren't being attacked. And if they are, whose parents did not teach them to "take care of themselves" in the playground.
What wrong with sitting down and having a dicussion We haven't seen anything else work, !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THINK
Bush is the biggest terrorist as it gets.
Obama DID SAY he wants to meet with these enemies. DOES ANYONE REMEBER THE DEBATE WITH HILLARY CLINTON? It is to the point of ridiculous that Obama is treated like a King of an Imperial Country, entitled to the Presidency, instead of being a responsible and accountable candidate to be President of the most powerful country in the world.. He is being MADE by his campaign to try and overcome his lack of experience and even less judgement. He will never be the President of this country. This candidate has shown NO alliegiance to the United States of America. And standing behind flags, wearing a flag pen and now the cross to capture Catholic voters are hypocricy at its worst.
What "Straight Talk Express" are we talking about here? McCain is a lier, he's a lier 10 times over and he'll do and say anything to get elected as presidents and continues George W. Bush's third term. Lier, lier lier!!!
The chicken that lays the egg cackles. If it did not fit Obama should have kept quiet. By his response he has pointed the finger at himself.
What should really concern the American people is the way this man, whose sole claim to power is his inordinate desire to do something which his father Bush Sr. has never been able to do, namely to win a second term of office, has done a great deal to damage American image and standing in the world in a way no any other president has done. Thinking Americans must see Bush as a traitor. Period. In some countries, he would be facing treason trial. To say something like that in a foreign parliament (whether friend or foe ) reveals how low he has sunk. How was this man able to go Yale? Bribe his way through in a way he bribed his way (riding on the back of his father) to the presidency?
Bush and bin Laden are on the same side, worst of all McCain doesn't seem to have the intellectual capacity to stay away from Bush. McCain and Bush are no Reagans. Gee, the more bin Laden and his terrorist nuts act up the more we end up paying at the pump and military contracts for Halliburton. Things have changed for the worse since Bush has been President for us and for Israel. Iran wouldn't be at the brink of getting nukes if Bush would have had the wisdom of Ron Reagan before his smack talking about the Axis of Evil, without the guns and allies to back it up. Bush and Cheney went to Iraq on deception. The irony of terrorist and Middle East policy and engagement has made both Iran, the bin Ladens, Bush, Cheney and Haliburton very rich. Yes, Bush didn't give us a tax cut after all we are all paying at the pump and in inflation and joblessness. How dumb do these politicians think we are? Come November it is going to be judgement day, and the day of reckoning with us the American people is at hand and we can't wait. Maybe these Bushies will be able to get a NAFTA job in Mexico, China or India after we fire them all. Don't worry on election day, being an elected government official is a job that no one wanted in the US anyway, so we're going to send you packing to the third world country you sent our jobs to. PS good for the farm bill it is way overdue to give our farmers their fair share. Move on with ethanol and flex fuel. Obama is the new Reagan for the working American.
It depends on who you really think the real terrorist is! In the Netherlands most people think Bush is a terrorist.
All this talk of Obama needing to grow "thicker skin" is not only ridiculous, it’s the worst political advice I have ever heard. Obama needs to respond, not because he is "immature", but because President Bush offered a perfect way for Obama to criticize the current administration and link McCain to Bush (which will be one of his primary arguments in the general election). Some of you people need to think before you respond with comments that make no sense.
Obama is clearly trying to play on a stage that he does not understand and has no expierence. His words are misleading, dangerious, and can result in further bloodshed on new battlefields. His campaign staff, should tell him to shut his mouth -- becasue its a smoking gun that will leed to his defeat. Now we can understand Hill Clinton stays in the race - he is in the mist of self-destruction.
If there is one lesson the Democrats have learned from the Republicans in past elections is, don't allow them to swift boat you. The Repubs will throw out anything to smear you but they cant hide from their own statements from their past. YouTube is so in front of these guys finding their own warts. They cant get a smear position out in one news cycle before they have their pants down around their ankles from some video counterclaiming their BULL, which is coming from their own lips! It's hypocrisy at the highest level and the American people are waking up to it, and seeing it first hand.
It worked in the past so "BRING IT OWN", my friends. It will be your demise.
Such a reaction by Obama is an admission of complicity. Its no surprise that Obama rhymes with Osama, they are both muslim, nor is it a surprise that he wishes to "negotiate" with his brothers.
Here is a man who has shown himself to be an elitist, racist, sexist and downright liar who associates with known terrorists and belongs to a radical "church" that also supports terrorist and racist ideals. That Americans could in any way consider him for president is only evidence of desperation.
"Sweetie", you can be sure that in private he also uses "whitey", "beaner" and "kyke"
Obama vs. McCain is like youTube vs. feeding tube
Yeah, right, Bush once again not appreciating the idiotic irony of his comments.
By cozying up to the Saudis (15 or the 19 9/11 terrorists were from Saudi Arabia),
and staging a bogus "war" in Iraq, killing Pat Tillman and crippling thousands of other young Americans, and refusing to commit the resources to capture Bin Laden (the 6 foot, 8 inch guy "hiding" in the desert), Bush knows all about "appeasement." Don't forget his treason in outing a CIA agent (Valerie Plame). Scooter Libby took the rap but Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld should be tried for war crimes and treason in our Courts, following which they should be deported as undesirable aliens (or at least executed by lethal injection, which the Supreme Court has now ruled is ok). Just as FDR saved America in 1933, I believe President Obama will be our last chance. VOTE!!!! and kick out every single last Republican who has brought our country to the brink of destruction.
Bush and his buddies should be tried for war crimes for what they have done to innocent people. If you voted for this dumb ass in 2004 after all that went on in his first term you should lose your right to vote for some period of time, wake up America
I can't believe some people actually think that Obama should just let Bush make an obvious stab at his foreign policy. This is not a matter of immaturity or sensitivity, we have seen what happens when presidential candidates let their rivals falsely define them. Obama is doing the right thing in rebutting Bush.
W's crass statement was an incredibly flagrant attack of partisanship unbecoming of any US representative abroad. Once again, he has shamed not only Democrats but all American citizens that aren't racist, spoiled brats born with a stick up their ass.
These discussioins show the difference in the Bush Republican followers and the rest of the world. They respond to the unknown and confict by the 1800's method of firing first and asking questions later.
Also CAUTION: The US Congress defines who is a terrorist, thus politics is part of the process and not without bias. So we are going to allow the US Congress determine who the president can talk to? This makes no sense.
Surely the Northern Ireland peace process demonstrates the importance of talking to ¨terrorists¨?
Talking to terrorists (or people as their friends call them) does not equate to giving in to them. George Bush is disingenuous in suggesting that it does. Jaw jaw is generally better than war war.
Sadly I don´t get to vote in your election even though the result will undoubtedly affect me. I can only hope that you make a sane choice on my behalf.
I do believe someone must be feeling a bit exposed or insecure.
I'm starting to think it will be a hellavuh lot easier talking to Hamas than it is talking to Americans who still defend George Bush's catostrophic foreign and domestic policies. For anyone to attack Obama on this particular issue, using words he NEVER SAID, means they are either biased, blind or a bigot.
How is George Bush a failure? He has rid the world of one of the most dangerous, violent, and hated dictators this world has ever seen. He opened the door for Democracy in the Middle East. I'm sorry, but I don't see George Bush as a failure. George Bush has made leaps and bounds as far as I'm concerned, ones that previous administrations tried and failed. I think you all buy way to much into what John Stewert and the rest of the liberal media has to say, instead of looking at the big picture.
Our future President is making a speech in South Dakota today. We should all listen. No matter what the media says, we should listen for ourselves and consider his words carefully.
what is wrong with sitting across the table with an enemy and talking to them?
are we going to empower them by speaking to them? So help me god the next person who tells me Obama is a muslim might just get choked!!! the guy who sits next to me at work the other day said "I like him, except the fact that he is a muslim" I bet the person who wrote the muslim comment (mary) is from west virginia....anybody who says "he's a muslim I know it", even tho he says he is NOT A MUSLIM should be beaten!!
What is wrong with sitting down with "terrorists"? This administration has labeled practically anyone who doesn't instantly agree with us "terrorists." Diplomacy is the only thing that will get us out of this foreign policy debacle. I hope Obama sits down with them.
Obama should be quiet and listen. I have as much foreign policy experience as he does. And, I have none.
And secondly: President Bush himself has talked with "terrorists." North Korea, Syria, etc. So get your facts straight, it was just another "vote for democrat, get nuked" statement the GOP has become so fond of for the last six years.
MCain floats in the wind. He has flipped flopped more times than a cricket in a frying pan. I like him as a person, but sorry -- this is not a man who should be in charge of our government or foreign affairs.
Hmm... methinks Obama may have a slight narcissistic streak if he believes that Bush's remarks were aimed specifically at him. To me, the President's remarks sounded more like good sense - and not a "ruthless attack" on Barak Obama. "Negotiation" with extremists (which is distinct from "talking" to them), historically, has never solved anything, has only compounded problems (ask Neville Chamberlain), and is generally a good thing for any government to avoid.
Seems the President has struck a chord, and I must say, if the Obama campaign is so sensitive to the President's generalized remarks that they believe Mr. Bush specifically charged him with wanting to "negotiate with the terrorists and radicals," then perhaps Mr. Obama's foreign policy could use some adjustment.
When Reagan spoke to the Soviets et al in a way more forceful than Obama would guaranteed. Can you imagine Obama saying "Tear down this Wall!", or "Peace through strength"? Hell no! And it wasn't to terrorists or terrorist supporters. Also, it does give legitimacy to groups like Hezbollah to speak with them. Speaking with Iran about stopping the support of terrorists in Iraq/Israel of which they will never admit, only gives Iran recognition of the success in their tactics. How will words give them reason to stop the support or surrender the nukes? They perceive a regional advantage against the US and Israel because of the situations they are able to foment in Lebanon, Iraq and Afghanistan. In hindsight Iraq was arguably the biggest blunder in American foreign policy history. A crushing victory in Afghanistan would have enabled diplomacy much greater weight and Iran would have responded to words. Now that option has been squandered.
The very fact that Obama and the other left wing zealots reacted so bitterly to the “unnamed” appeaser comment means they did identify with the views Bush spoke of and were outraged that it was exposed in such a public way.
The comments made yesterday by President Bush were inflammatory, but the worse of it is that he made them in Israel. How can we as citizens of this great nation accept this? I don't understand, where is the outrage? Where a sitting President can go across the globe and fan fear and division in his own country. Politics aside it was wrong.
MCain floats in the wind. He has flipped flopped more times than a cricket in a frying pan. I like him as a person, but sorry -- this is not a man who should be in charge of our government or foreign affairs.
Hizballah is no more a terrorist organization than all the militias in gun crazy America. Coz, you know, if Canada ever got retarded-like and decided they wanted to annex America, and assuming America's army wasn't more powerful than Canada's, those guys would be using the same tactics to protect this nation's sovereignty. Of course, they wouldn't be labeled terrorists because America is the one that gets to make the rules.
Does MaCain understand If Nixon did not talk to MAO or let Kissenger talk to Uncle Ho ( both being rougue and terroist counties at the time) he still might be in a box, either above ground or under ground. Takes courge to talk to your Enemies. They are not Hitler and this is not 1938/39. And is case Mcain/Bush have forgotton ( or maybe they have no faith ) we still carry the biggest stick out there. I tired of bullies, its time to bring back Teddy's " talk softly, but carry a big stick " So stop acting like a little yappy yap dog trying to sounding big and tough, and instead act like a big dog that knows it fear nothing- or maybe as Carlos said " baby we are not trying to get the bomb, we got it and we used it, just call up Japan and ask them" But then it take the will to stop playing war and turn the full resources of American against our enemies, but then they have to ask you and me to make a sacrifice to fight the war ( taxes and less consumenr goods)-- but that never happen cause here we want our cake and eat it to.
I think this is a shame, Bush has raped our Country, and now we are going to have an inexperanced spoiled kid in the white house. Wake up America, Isn't it bad enough that Mr. Bush, (noticed I did not call him President) alienated almost every Country we use to call friends. Now you have to show your stupidity by wanting to put a kid in the oval office. What is wrong with you. This country is on the down hill run and all you can think to do is talk bad about one another. I think Donald Duck could run this country better than the Dem. Or the Rep.. I am fed up with he said she said. Get over it and think about what is best for this country and do it. This country was founded on Christians fundamentles Isn't it time we revisited them again?The middle class is being hurt the most and Bushes tax cuts only benifited the rich. Are all your eyes closed dah?
This elections, Americans will realize, All Republicans lie, cheat; do anything and say anything to get elected. They are the ambassadors of people and corporations with fat wallets. They are the biggest traitors you will ever see.
This country has gone to hell in a hand basket and will continue its descent under whomever is elected. The problem is not the man/woman in charge, but the lack of morality and decency that used to define the USA. Until we get back to basics as far as how people are supposed to treat others and forget all this "me me me" garbage that consumes the American public, nothing will change for the better. By the end of the next presidential term, you probably won't be able to tell this country from communist China or North Korea.
if you can't talk to them, NUKE 'EM! If they want to attack you, NUKE 'EM!Glass the the whole area that Bin-Laden hides in. We have enough hydrogen bombs, lets use some. Early 4th of July!
Some of the comments on here amaze me. First Bush's comment had nothing to do with Obama. If a terrorist wants to kill you, he will always want to kill you no matter how much you talk to them. Which is why people in Israel have been fighting for hundred of years over a piece of land no bigger than Jersey! Or why north and south Ireland have been going at it for years or why north and south Korea hate each other; why racism is still a cancer in this country, why the Hatfields hate the McCoys and why cat hate dogs! When a certain way of thinking and a certain way of life is instilled into a person, it is very difficult to break them of that. That's a fact. So talking to these people does nothing. Sure Bush is a moron and probably the worst president in history, but he never mentioned Obama at all. Obama loves to play the "woe is me" card and Americans are eating that up! I'm not saying Obama would be a bad or good president, I'm saying we need to pick a leader with a good mix of brains and balls! I'm so sick of this he said she said shit that comes with these stupid political elections. Once the American public realizes they are getting screwed no matter who is president, the quicker we can rectify the problem and hopefully not have to pay $4 a gallon for gas. Lets talk about the REAL issues in this country and not address some high school bullshit like what Obama and McCain are complaining about!
What is there to talk about? All of you Dems got it figured out. John Kerry said it best. "I will have bilateral and unilateral talks." where's the integrity in that. You are all so self absorbed in your own intelligence that you see no wisdom in the ideas that precede you. It's almost comical. The arrogance is more than I can take...... We'll talk to them about it because we're more civilized than they are...... Do you remember when Pelosi sent her possie to Turkey and then pushed a vote in congress to declare Turkey guilty of Genocide. At that time, we were negotiating transfer of arms through Turkey to Iraq to supply our troops. Please, Bush has been tripped up the whole way by power mongering Democratic elitist who think they are smarter than anybody who comes around them.
is'nt obama mulisum he was born to muslium parents right we do not need some one in our white house like that we need only americans not a muslium if obama was born to musilum parents
Posted by mary
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Mary, I suggest you take English lessons to help your spelling, punctuation, and capitalizaton. Look at the many ways you have spelled Muslim and never got it correct. Secondly, base your comments and opinions on FACTS and not on something you know nothing about. Senator Obama's father was from Kenya and was a NONE-PRACTICING Muslim and was NOT a radical Muslim; his mother was A WHITE WOMAN originally from Kansas, whose family moved to Hawii where she met her husband. She was NOT a Muslim. Furthermore, it is not the "Muslim Faith" that is our enemy, it is the RADICAL Muslims, who have a different agenda, that are our enemies. So, please take the time to EDUCATE AND INFORM yourself before you spread LIES. Have a good day and try to use your computer to inform yourself.
To All those who are fooling yourselves and believe that there will be peace EVER in the Middle East. The terrorists do not and never will want peace even if they are given their own state and even if Israel is wiped off the map they will still fight,
THE FACT is that there is more violence in Arab countries than anywhere else in the world between muslims themselves. Israel is just a great excuse for the Muslims to blame all their internal failures and violence.
An Obama presidency will surely embolden terrorists, the mere fact that a Muslim is in the white house can only make those terrorists feel better. You cannot argue that for a moment. Whether Bush has been success ful or not at least he has been fighting terror and keeping terrorists on their toes at all times THEY ARE AFRAID OF A REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT.
I find it extraordinary that our government finds it easier to fight than communicate.
Facing your opponent and "hearing" their issues, not placating them, has proven effective in the past. President Bush hides behind his faith, lies about the facts and has caused America to become a target of hate. I don't know who should become President at this point, but I know it should not be someone who will not face down their opponents and listen with a humane ear to compromise and resolutions without weapons.
Obama cares about what Bush is saying because this is how the Neocons start, he's right to jump all over this irrespective of whether or not it was directed at him - it's Rove 101 and if left unchecked, it escalates and before you know it..we're back to Swiftboat. Go hard Obama - remember your DNC speech - "I am truly my Brothers keeper".
i allwayes think the power lies to the people.you all americans do not fall for this