Posted on 05/16/2008 9:29:43 PM PDT by Red Steel
WATERTOWN, S.D. - (AP) Barack Obama laid into John McCain on Friday for advancing a tough-guy foreign policy that he called "naive and irresponsible," serving notice that he's ready to launch a full-throttle challenge to the Republican presidential contender on international relations in the general election campaign.
Lumping McCain together with President Bush, Obama declared: "If they want a debate about protecting the United States of America, that's a debate I'm ready to win because George Bush and John McCain have a lot to answer for." He blamed Bush for policies that enhance the strength of terrorist groups such as Hamas and "the fact that al-Qaida's leadership is stronger than ever because we took our eye off the ball in Afghanistan," among other failings.
McCain agreed, at least, that there were huge differences between himself and Obama on foreign policy, and said he'd be happy to let the American people decide who was right.
"It would be a wonderful thing if we lived in a world where we don't have enemies. But that's not the world we live in. And until Senator Obama understands that reality, the American people have every reason to doubt whether he has the strength, judgment and determination to keep us safe," McCain said in a speech to the National Rifle Association in Louisville, Ky.
McCain rejected the naive comment, saying Obama should have known better, and added: "Talking, not even with soaring rhetoric, in unconditional meetings with the man who calls Israel 'a stinking corpse,' and arms terrorists who kill Americans, will not convince Iran to give up its nuclear program. It is reckless. It is reckless to suggest that unconditional neetings will advance our interests."
His campaign issued a statement accusing Obama of making a "hysterical diatribe."
The three-way dustup over foreign policy — Bush vs. Obama vs. McCain — began a day earlier, when Bush gave a speech to the Israeli Knesset in which he criticized those who believe the United States should negotiate with terrorists and radicals. Obama said Bush's criticism was directed at him, and took umbrage; the White House denied the president had Obama in mind; McCain said Obama must explain why he wants to talk with rogue leaders.
Obama continued the debate on Friday at a town-hall meeting in a livestock barn. He said he had planned to focus on rural issues during his swing through South Dakota, but felt compelled to answer the remarks from Bush and McCain.
"I'm a strong believer in civility and I'm a strong believer in a bipartisan foreign policy, but that cause is not served with dishonest, divisive attacks of the sort that we've seen out of George Bush and John McCain over the last couple days," he said.
Obama said McCain had a "naive and irresponsible belief that tough talk from Washington will somehow cause Iran to give up its nuclear program and support for terrorism."
Speaking of McCain and Bush together, he added: "They aren't telling you the truth. They are trying to fool you and scare you because they can't win a foreign policy debate on the merits. But it's not going to work. Not this time, not this year."
Obama vowed to turn the foreign policy debate back against Bush and McCain, rejecting the notion that Democrats critical of the war in Iraq are vulnerable to charges of being soft on terrorism. Meeting with reporters, he argued that tough-minded diplomacy and engagement with rivals have long coexisted, citing the foreign policies of former Presidents Kennedy, Nixon and Reagan.
"That has been the history of U.S. diplomacy until very recently," Obama said. "I find it puzzling that we view this as in any way controversial. This whole notion of not talking to people, it didn't hold in the '60s, it didn't hold in the '70s ... When Kennedy met with (Soviet leader Nikita) Khrushchev, we were on the brink of nuclear war."
He also noted that Nixon opened talks with China with the knowledge that Chinese leader Mao Zedong "had exterminated millions of people."
Laying down a marker for the fall campaign, Obama offered a challenge to the GOP nominee: "If John McCain wants to meet me anywhere, any time to have a debate about our respective policies ... that is a conversation I am happy to have."
Other Democrats accused McCain of hypocrisy Friday, saying the certain GOP presidential nominee had previously said he would be willing to negotiate with the militant Palestinian group Hamas.
McCain told reporters in West Virginia: "I made it very clear, at that time, before and after, that we will not negotiate with terrorist organizations, that Hamas would have to abandon their terrorism, their advocacy to the extermination of the state of Israel, and be willing to negotiate in a way that recognizes the right of the state of Israel and abandons their terrorist position and advocacy."
McCain said there was a "huge difference" between his own statements and Obama's willingness to negotiate with "sponsors of terrorist organizations."
"I'll let the American people decide whether that's a significant difference or not," he said. "I believe it is."
Obama said he has stated "over and over again that I will not negotiate with terrorists like Hamas."
Obama closed out his campaign day with a noisy rally in Sioux Falls before about 6,500 cheering backers, perhaps showing some of the strain of a long campaign day. "Thank you Sioux City," Obama said, as a roar greeted his entrance. He quickly corrected his reference to a nearby Iowa town.
"I've been in Iowa too long," said Obama, referring to his long campaign to win that state's leadoff caucuses in January.
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Obama offered a challenge to the GOP nominee: “If John McCain wants to meet me anywhere, any time to have a debate about our respective policies ... that is a conversation I am happy to have.”
Wow tough words from a real wimp: I think McCain should accept his offer...
Anywhere: Baghdad
Anytime: Last day of the DNC convention, with only GI’s in attendance.
The Dems will show their colors come November.
I agree, the Supreme Court is extremely important for the future,however, one seemingly overlooked aspect of this election is keeping the Dems from the 60 Senate votes that will render a Repub. President impotent.
Obama on Lebanon: Cognitive Egocentric Porridge http://www.theaugeanstables.com/2008/05/11/obama-on-lebanon-cognitive-egocentric-porridge/ Obama Stares Down Hezbollah http://www.commentarymagazine.com/blogs/index.php/pollak/5491
Maybe after eight years of GWB, we might be able to actually benefit from a President that has a temper.
He has very good reason to KNOW that about 50% of us are complete idiots.
Going to talk to La Raza, the hispanic version of the KKK, was pretty inspiring! ;^)
“Stuff like this makes me want to circle the wagons and defend the lesser socialist.”
Please do. BHO is MORE than socialist...much more. btw, McCain may not prove as bad as our worst fears (I’ve found this to be true in every situation throughout my life).
“President of 60 states, and going to contact the president of Canada as soon as he becomes president..jeeze he really knows government protocol doesn’t he.. President of Canada?”
As well as the earlier statement about wanting to debate Bush. Hellooooo. The scariest thing is that most, if not all, of his loyalists didn’t catch any of this, and those who did - still don’t CARE!!!
If we value this country’s safety and security, in order to continue our freedom to dissent (if nothing else), we simply MUST come together on 11/4, to ensure that Barack Hussein Obama (and Michelle) do NOT inherit the White House. This is critical and should transcend all our line-item grievances about JSM not being our Ideal Shining Light.
BHO is THEIR Ideal Shining Light.
“And there are still people on FR who are willing to stand by and let Obama get elected. Nothing is more important than national security. Obama isn’t ready to face Putin, the Iranian nutjob, hugo chavez, or any of the other assorted loons around the globe. At least with Hillary you knew she was a realist. Obama thinks his personal awesomeness will overwhelm everyone in the world.”
Amen, amen, amen! People, please, please wake up to this fact. If we don’t have a leader absolutely dedicated to our safety and preservation, NONE of the rest matters.
“I disagree. Not only will “McJerk” keep the Putin’s and Mullah’s in check, but I fully expect him to select a John Roberts clone to give to give us the needed majority on the SCOTUS. That is big for those of us who are social conservatives as well as national defense minded. Even though he is anti-earmarks, I don’t expect those fools in congress to slow down their gorging at the trough.”
I agree totally. You’re right on, and I pray that others will get it.
“LOL, makes Bambi out to be like Olberman or Chrissy.”
It does, doesn’t it? The world was blessed with the Three Tenors. The libs with the Three Whiners.
“I think it was the WH spokesman who said when asked about Obama’s statement: When you are running for President you think the whole world revolves around you, in reality it doesn’t.”
yes, I believe it was as well. Dana Perino - one tough cookie with one tough job, going into the den of jackals on almost a daliy basis. I love this gal!!!
I like that scene! It is getting tougher to be the great orator when you are full of sh.t to begin with. Go back to tent preaching Obama!
“The Obama people thought that they had dealt with it adequately and put the subject to rest, then when Bush mentioned appeasement they freaked out.”
Of course they did! Hopefully, this kind of thing will continue to emerge from now until No. 4. After all, a wolf in sheep’s clothing is still a wolf.
yea, that too. :(
“If they want a debate about protecting the United States of America, that’s a debate I’m ready to win because George Bush and John McCain have a lot to answer for.”
This is too funny. Senator Obama has already proven that he cannot debate well at all.
Money and Power!!
THe People?? The Dems depend on sheep.
Obama is as clumsy as he is stupid.
juan mccain...is the lesser of 2 liberals.....at least he will Not negotiate with terrorists.....and will appoint conservative judges.....
however...eventually the judges and even negotiators will be speaking spanish!!!
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