Posted on 05/15/2008 11:59:36 AM PDT by Red Steel
U.S. President George W. Bush lashed out Thursday at those who would negotiate with "terrorists," calling the approach comparable to the "appeasement" of Adolf Hitler before the Second World War, comments that were perceived as a personal attack by Senator Barack Obama.
"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," Bush said in a speech to Israel's parliament as part of the country's 60th anniversary celebrations.
No names were mentioned, but it was widely seen as a criticism of Democratic presidential nomination front-runner Barack Obama, who has expressed willingness to meet with leaders of U.S. adversaries such as Iran and Syria.
The Illinois senator was quick to respond by issuing a statement accusing Bush of launching a "false political attack" and stressing that he doesn't support engagement with terrorists.
White House press secretary Dana Perino flatly denied the idea that the remark was aimed in any way at Obama.
Bush was referring to "a wide range of people who have talked to or suggested" we talk to such opponents as Hamas, Hezbollah or their state sponsors, said White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe.
The comment also comes after former president Jimmy Carter held talks with Hamas leaders last month and pushed for the militant group to be brought into the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
Bush's lengthy speech focused on promoting the strong alliance between the United States and Israel, but during it he also took aim at those who make the case for negotiating with "terrorists and radicals."
He said that when Nazi tanks had crossed into Poland, an American senator declared that if they had talked to Hitler, the situation could've been avoided.
Bush said that such "false comfort of appeasement" has been "repeatedly discredited by history."
In Obama's responding statement, he said, "It is time to turn the page on eight years of policies that have strengthened Iran and failed to secure America or our ally Israel."
"Instead of tough talk and no action, we need to do what Kennedy, Nixon and Reagan did and use all elements of American power — including tough, principled and direct diplomacy — to pressure countries like Iran and Syria," he said. With files from the Associated Press
You can always tell when you are speaking truth. The Leftists go into hysteria about it.
Keyword,”negotiating”. In other words for it is appeasement through the offering of goods.
How did Obama know the President was talking about him?
Wow, good thing Barry never makes any comments about President Bush, that would make this response hypocritical.
“...comments that were perceived as a personal attack by Senator Barack Obama.”
Touchy, touchy!! B-Hussein-O better man-up and toughen-up if he wants to take on the job of POTUS. Wuss!
Exactly, if Obama had not been guilty of saying this. he would not of gave it a second thought..God Bless President Bush.. and the USA
The only way he could think that is if the statement actually applied to Obama.
“How did Obama know the President was talking about him?”
The little terrorist on his shoulder told him.
As I mentioned on another thread about this, I think this response on the part of the Dems, Pelosi, Obama anchors the perspective of Obama as Jimmah Cahtah #2. The 2nd term for the Commie jerk from Plains, GA. I think too that is why J.Cahtah. has endorsed Obama. I think Cahtah see’s Obama carrying on his own lifes delusions.
Their only difference is in age and physical appearance.
Since when did a political statement - which actually had ALL of the Dems in mind - become a “personal attack”?
Methinks this will be Osama Obama’s strategy. Call everything, any request for rational discussion or even challenge to his hype, a “personal attack.”
And we all know why, of course - it’s whitey! The Man is keeping him down. The Man wants to exterminate all blacks (and even half-blacks like Barry) by treating them as equals and asking them questions that they are supposed to be intelligent enough to answer! It’s a plot, I tell you, a plot!
Nothing ‘veiled’ about it all. The President was clearly firing a broadside at Barry Chamberlain, and I bless him for it.
Try this one. I can sum up the Dhimmirat platform in two words.
For foreign policy, the word is “appeasement”.
For domestic policy, the word is “socialism”.
Nothing else needs to be known about leftist dhimmirats who seek election.
Me thinks Barry Snobama doth protest too much! Better go put some it on that, Barry HUSSEIN O!
Talk about thin skin as a canidate what about Obama as a President......Wha.......Wha...... your a bully and can we discuss this over French style Tea with my Defense Secretary John Kerry....
OBAMA=OB(H)AMA(S)
Chief appeasement officer is John Kerry.
That sound you hear is the sound a shoe makes when being worn.
Is that Barry NMN Obama I hear yelping?
Why does this upset Obama? He HAS pledged to talk to the people who don’t like us.
If he thinks Bush is wrong he should stand up and say “Talking to the enemy IS a good thing and here is why...”
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.