Obama attacks Bush over Iran barb

BBC ^ | Thursday, 15 May 2008 16:48 UK 15:48 GMT, | BBC Staff

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Obama attacks Bush over Iran barb

Mr Obama accused Mr Bush a "launching a political attack"

Barack Obama has accused George W Bush of attacking him after the US president compared those in favour of talking to terrorists to Nazi appeasers.

The White House has denied that the remarks - from a speech to the Israeli parliament - were aimed at Mr Obama.

Mr Obama, who is the frontrunner to become the Democrats' presidential nominee, has argued in favour of negotiating with the Iranian regime.

But he has ruled out talking to militant organisations like Hamas.

'False comfort'

"Some seem to believe that we should negotiate with the terrorists and radicals," said Mr Bush in his speech.

"We have heard this foolish delusion before. As Nazi tanks crossed into Poland in 1939, an American senator declared: 'Lord, if I could only have talked to Hitler, all this might have been avoided.' We have an obligation to call this what it is - the false comfort of appeasement."

Mr Obama responded in a statement:

I understand when you're running for office you sometimes think the world revolves around you... it is not true in this case Dana Perino White House spokeswoman

"It is sad that President Bush would use a speech to the Knesset on the 60th anniversary of Israel's independence to launch a false political attack. George Bush knows that I have never supported engagement with terrorists."

But White House spokeswoman Dana Perino rejected Mr Obama's interpretation of the president's remarks, saying "there are many who have suggested these types of negotiations with people that the president... thinks that we should not talk to".

"I understand when you're running for office you sometimes think the world revolves around you," she added.

"That is not always true. And it is not true in this case."

The BBC's James Coomarasamy in Washington says the row indicates that Republicans have identified Senator Obama's Middle East policy and his perceived weakness amongst Jewish voters as a key point of attack, should he, as many expect, be Republican John McCain's opponent in the November election.

Mr Obama raised eyebrows last year when he first stated his support for direct negotiations without preconditions with the controversial Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

His position has been criticised, not only by John McCain, but also by Mr Obama's rival for the Democratic nomination, Hillary Clinton.

[livius]

My other question is...doesn’t Obama understand that a candidate is supposed to receive “political attacks”? That’s his job at the moment.

Unfortunately, his past and his sympathies are so murkey that he is terrified of anything that shines the light on them.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

OBAMA: “Finally, we have to realize that the entire Middle East has an enormous stake in the outcome in Iraq and we must engage neighboring countries in finding a solution. This includes opening a dialogue with both Syria and Iran, an idea supported by both James Baker and the incoming secretary of Defense, Robert Gates.

We understand that these countries, Iran and Syria, want us to fail. And we should remain steadfast in our opposition to their support of terrorism and Iran’s nuclear ambitions. But neither Iran nor Syria want to see a security vacuum in Iraq filled with chaos — terrorism, refugees and violence — as it could have a destabilizing affect on the entire region and within Iran and Syria themselves.

And so I firmly believe that we should convene a regional conference with the Iraqis, Saudis, Iranians, Syrians, the Turks, the Jordanians, the British and anyone else who’s got a stake in this outcome. The goal of this conference should be to get foreign fighters out of Iraq, prevent a further descent into civil war, and push the various Iraqi factions towards a political solution. Now make no mistake, if the Iranians and the Syrians think they can use Iraq as another Afghanistan, or a staging area from which to attack Israel and other countries, they are badly mistaken. It is in our national interest to prevent anything of the sort from happening.

We should also make clear that even after we begin to draw down forces, we will still work with our vital allies in the region to combat international terrorism and prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction. It is simply not productive, however, for us not to engage in discussions with Iran and Syria on an issue of such fundamental importance to all these countries.” [Speech at the Council on Foreign Relations, 11/20/06]

http://www.barackobama.com/factcheck/2007/12/04/fact_check_clintons_false_clai.php

[ANGGAPO]

The truth hurts, don't it. George hit the mark again.

[ncfool]

OBAMA = OB(H)AMA(S)

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

From HotAir:

Video: Kerry lies about Obama’s willingness to meet personally with Iran

[stockstrader]

I guess that Pres. Bush has not learned what John McCain already knows,,,

NO ONE IS ALLOWED TO SAY ANYTHING THAT COULD CONCEIVABLY BE CONSIDERED AN ANTI-OBAMA COMMENT!!

Any, and all comments that could possibly be considered an attack on Obama are out-of-bounds and can (and WILL) be cited as racist. /s

Apparently, Pres. Bush has not gotten the word on the upcoming campaign.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

From the comments at the Hot Air ...Linked article above:

*********************EXCERPT************************

I love it:

BUSH: Some people want to talk to terrorists….
OBAMA: Hey, quit talking about me!

What a moron.

DaveS on May 15, 2008 at 1:40 PM

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

That clearly is the Obana Plan .

[MrB]

He wasn’t referring to Obama in particular, but to everyone with the elitist mindset that if only they could talk to our enemies, they, through the power of their personality, could convince them that we mean them no harm and then they will play nice.

So, Obama thought it was personally aimed towards himself, which is an indicator that he DOES think this way.

[EternalVigilance]

"I understand when you're running for office you sometimes think the world revolves around you," she added.

When you chuck a rock at a herd of pigs, the one who squeals is the one you hit.

My apologies to all swine.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Biden joins in...FR Thread:

Biden: Bush's comments were 'bull[crap]'

[Wyatt's Torch]

Mr Obama responded in a statement:

"It is sad that President Bush would use a speech to the Knesset on the 60th anniversary of Israel's independence to launch a false political attack. George Bush knows that I have never supported engagement with terrorists."

Liar.

[airborne]

It’s way overdue for President Bush to use the “bully” pulpit!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Thank You for that Link,.,,,Obama is Nailed.,...

[Polyxene]

ZING — President Bush sure hit a collective RAT nerve today! B-Hussein-O, Bela Pelosi, Plugs Biden, J-Effin Kerry — they are all squealing like stuck hawgs!

[jennyjenny]

It is sad that President Bush would use a speech to the Knesset on the 60th anniversary of Israel's independence to launch a false political attack. George Bush knows that I have never supported military engagement with terrorists."

There, fixed it.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Ernest.

Barack Obama has accused George W Bush of attacking him after the US president compared those in favour of talking to terrorists to Nazi appeasers. The White House has denied that the remarks - from a speech to the Israeli parliament - were aimed at Mr Obama.

That's ridiculous. Barack Hussein Mohammed Obama is not an appeaser -- he's pro-terrorist. He supports terrorists. He supports the aims of terrorists.

[Convert from ECUSA]

Hey Barry Snobama, better put some ice on that! Regards, a “typical bitter bible believin’ religion clingin’ white person.” Oh and Barry.....kindly go kiss a water moccasin.

[SunkenCiv]

Pelosi: Bush Comments ‘beneath The Dignity Of The Office’
WCBS
Posted on 05/15/2008 9:59:51 AM PDT by Sub-Driver
Pelosi: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2016388/posts

[snip] In his speech, Bush said: “Some seem to believe we should negotiate with terrorists and radicals, as if some ingenious argument will persuade them they have been wrong all along.” ...Referring to Sen. John McCain, Pelosi said: “I would hope that any serious person that aspires to lead the country, would disassociate themselves from those comments.” [end]

The real reason the Dhimmicrats are jumping on this? They don’t want Lieberman to appear at the Republican convention.

Democrats may punish Lieberman for Republican convention appearance
Guardian | Monday May 12 2008 | Elana Schor in Washington
Posted on 05/15/2008 9:41:20 AM PDT by Cinnamon Girl
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2016382/posts

Obama blasts Bush over ‘Nazi’ comments
(Bush invokes Nazis in apparent hit on Obama)
MSNBC.Com | 05/15/2008 | MSNBC staff and news service reports
Posted on 05/15/2008 9:36:00 AM PDT by F15Eagle
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2016374/posts

Four REAL Ways the GOP Can Save Itself
(A Rejoinder to VandeHei and Allen)
Self | 5/15/08 | LS
Posted on 05/15/2008 11:41:55 AM PDT by LS
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2016441/posts

Sean Penn warns Barack Obama at Cannes Film Festival opening
The Daily Telegraph (UK) | May 14, 2008 | Anita Singh
Posted on 05/14/2008 1:26:36 PM PDT by Arec Barrwin
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2015972/posts

After the vote, questions begin
(the Indiana democratic primary and Operation Chaos)
The Indianapolis Star | May 11, 2008
Mary Beth Schneider, Bill Ruthhart, Brendan O’Shaughnessy and Maureen Groppe
Posted on 05/14/2008 10:07:00 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2016190/posts

[and, from the Olberhole]

Mr. President, the war isn’t about you — or golf
MSNBC/Countdown ^ | May 14, 2008 | Keith Olbermann
Posted on 05/15/2008 7:10:18 AM PDT by Born In America
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2016310/posts

[Grampa Dave]

Behold the would be Sneerer in Chief!