(Australian) PM (Howard) stands by Obama attack ("Al Qaeda want Obama & Dems")

ABC News ^ | Feb. 11, 2007 | ABC News

[FairOpinion]

Prime Minister John Howard has defended his comments about United States presidential candidate Barack Obama's proposed policies.

The spat erupted when Democrat Senator Obama said he would like US troops out of Iraq by March 2008.

Mr Howard responded by saying that if he ran Al Qaeda, he would put a circle around March next year and pray for Mr Obama to win.

The attack on Senator Obama's plan has upset several US Democrats, including Senator Ron Wyden, who believes Mr Howard is meddling in US politics.

But Mr Howard says he will continue to criticise policies that work against Australia's interests.

"This is a world where people should be able to express their views," he said.

"I think the Labor Party is wanting to have double standards - it's OK to attack Bush on Iraq because they don't agree with him, but it's not okay for me to attack Senator Obama's position on one aspect of Iraq, because they hold to that view themselves."

Mr Howard has strong support from Liberal backbencher Cameron Thompson, who says the US Senator's plan to withdraw from Iraq is evil.

[FairOpinion]

I am glad Howard is standing by his absolutely correct remarks.

[FairOpinion]

Earlier articles

And here is what Howard actually said:

Australian Leader (PM John Howard): Al-Qaeda Wants Obama

Howard... said Obama's proposals would spell disaster for the Middle East.

"I think that will just encourage those who want to completely destabilize and destroy Iraq, and create chaos and a victory for the terrorists to hang on and hope for an Obama victory," Howard said on Nine Network television.

"If I were running al-Qaida in Iraq, I would put a circle around March 2008 and be praying as many times as possible for a victory, not only for Obama but also for the Democrats."

[DakotaRed]

including Senator Ron Wyden, who believes Mr Howard is meddling in US politics.

That I recall, no Democrat, much less worthless Wyden, worried about "meddling in US politics" as we heard world leaders were supporting Kerry in 04, supporting Democrats in 06, or that Chinese donations to the Clintons campaign may also be "meddling."

[FairOpinion]

Exactly.

The Democrats have no shame and their hypocrisy knows no bounds.

[Chgogal]

I am so proud of PM Howard. OsammaBamma is not ready for Prime Time. His spouting off like that was a strategic mistake that gives Al Qaeda and Insurgents hope and goal. PM Howard's observation is correct, if the Labor Party feels it is their duty to attack President Bush, then Senator Obama is fair game as well.

[clintonh8r]

Too bad our own head of state can't bring himself to say the same things.

[GretchenM]

Mr Howard says he will continue to criticise policies that work against Australia's interests.

As well he should. He is responsible for the well-being and safety of an entire nation of people. He understands a lot more about the role of a national leader than obama.

[batter]

Democrat Senator Obama

Uh oh. The Democrats are going to get their shorts in a wad over that (left the 'ic' off).

FWIW - ABC is the Australian Broadcasting Company, not the US one.

[JerseyJohn61]

My father fought with the Australian 9th(Rats of Tobruk)
in New Guinea way back in '43. The Aussies were happy to
have us Yanks with them back then. Now we are all happy
to have PM Howard in our ranks now....JJ61

[freemike]

Right! If he appeased the terrorists as easily as he does the Dems we'd all be dead.

[oceanview]

indeed.

[aquila48]

"If I were running al-Qaida in Iraq, I would put a circle around March 2008 and be praying as many times as possible for a victory, not only for Obama but also for the Democrats."

I like Howard. I wish some of our weenie 'publicans would have the same balls.

[DTogo]

"I think the Labor Party is wanting to have double standards - it's OK to attack Bush on Iraq because they don't agree with him, but it's not okay for me to attack Senator Obama's position on one aspect of Iraq, because they hold to that view themselves."

Bravo, Prime Minister!

[lmsii]

How come we cannot find a presidential canidate like PM John Howard? When are the Republicans going to wise up?

[Son House]

Yes, Obama's policies enacted would be disasterous for many of our allies.
Hope Obama is happy with his growing popularity amongst freedom's enemies,
though I never want this country to suffer because of Obama's lacking good sense.

Obama, what do you tell the Military,
who are doing the job of standing up Iraq,
while we wait election results?

[hope]

God, I love this man!

[elhombrelibre]

Howard, like most Aussies, has cojones; he's not currying favor with the MSM and the politically correct gangsters who champion diversity as long as everyone agrees in Liberal claptrap.

[Soul Seeker]

Who knows. But I'm jealous of the Australians right now for the man they found to be their PM,

[lmsii]

Me too.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Great to see a politician stand up. Ninety percent of Republicans would have folded faster than you could shake a stick.