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Last Graph Messages to Moscow

August 11, 2008 5:29 PM

Both Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Barack Obama, D-Illinois, today delivered stern messages condemning Russian's invasion and aggression towards Georgia.

But their messages were quite different in their ways.

Not least of which, in their last paragraphs.

To wit, Sen Obama: "Let me be clear: we seek a future of cooperative engagement with the Russian government, and friendship with the Russian people. We want Russia to play its rightful role as a great nation – but with that role comes the responsibility to act as a force for progress in this new century, not regression to the conflicts of the past. That is why the United States and the international community must speak out strongly against this aggression, and for peace and security."

And Sen. McCain: "Our united purpose should be to persuade the Russian government to cease its attack, withdraw its troops, and enter into negotiations with Georgia. We must remind Russia’s leaders that the benefits they enjoy from being part of the civilized world require their respect for the values, stability and peace of that world. World history is often made in remote, obscure countries. It is being made in Georgia today. It is the responsibility of the leading nations of the world to ensure that history continues to be a record of humanity’s progress toward respecting the values and security of free people."

Maybe you think Obama is being soft, appeasing. Maybe you think he's being diplomatic, statesman-like.

Maybe you think McCain is being bellicose, war-mongery. Maybe you think he's being tough, a fighter for freedom.

Either way, there's no question that their styles are starkly different.

- jpt

August 11, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (227)

User Comments

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Senator McCain's words are very powerful and legitimate. But how hollow they sounds when applied to the plight of Palastinians. These words are word only. All nations are increasingly depependent on military power. May be it is the way world work

Posted by: senra | Aug 14, 2008 8:44:02 PM

Once again, Senator McCain is trying to "cowboy" this problem by throwing American lives and livlihoods at it like Bush did in Iraq....

Posted by: SickofGOPcorruption | Aug 14, 2008 7:34:36 PM

And BUSH Fiddled in China While Georgia Burned.

The Important Point is on Who's Watch is this tragedy happening!

Posted by: Buddy in Pa | Aug 13, 2008 8:25:08 AM

Why did Obama never look straight into your eyes during the delivery of his statement?

Posted by: Michael | Aug 13, 2008 1:02:56 AM

To Wit, McCain clearly shows his leadership skills on this.

Posted by: Patrick | Aug 12, 2008 11:39:51 PM

This is where all the experience as a Community Organizer pays off.

Posted by: Rasputin3.14 | Aug 12, 2008 7:28:46 PM

Sure does seem like Obama talks an awful lot about "a new world order". Every time in history when some orator speaks in such terms it never turns out good. I think he wants to be "THE" leader of not just America but the world.

Posted by: LongT | Aug 12, 2008 7:24:27 PM

Oh how many opinions we have.! what do you want.? The government to take care of you.!? You do not know what freedom really means, and , as for who should be president, I much prefer someone who will strike fear into the hearts of anyone who would think to fool w/ the U.S. at any time. Ever had someone shoot at you, want to kill you and all your family and countrymen.? You will be the same bunch crying for big brother to protect you when the tanks roll on our own soil. Think it cant happen.? Try to negotiate when it does. It wont do you any good.! Go big john go.!

Posted by: mark | Aug 12, 2008 6:03:56 PM

Honestly as sad a situation as any war is, this happens to yet again be none of our business but we are insisting that russia do this and they do that. Who are we to tell them what to do, and especially when Russia feels they were invaded, "Flex our muscles to get a resolution" is one of the worst comments on here by the way

Posted by: Andy | Aug 12, 2008 5:19:35 PM

So why did the Georgians throw
grenades into the basements
of homes in South Ossetia where families were seeking safety from
the raging conflict?

Why did Georgian soldiers run
over South Ossetians with their
tanks when they were merely
fleeing north away from the war
zone?

Bush and McCain told them that's
how it's done in the highly
civilized world of progress and
values in which Bush and McCain
live.

Posted by: anon | Aug 12, 2008 5:02:18 PM

Well it is a good thing Obama had advisors, before he asked them what he should do he was thinking the Russians invaded the State of Georgia...It is starting to look like the hard stance of Bush, McCain and the other leaders of the G7 was the right thing to do. Obama wants to reason with and use diplomacy to handle everything. He is not qualified to be President and having him in that office will put our safety and our lives and risk. He does not seem to understand you can not negotiate your way out of everything, sometimes you have to flex your muscle to diffuse the situation. How does he expect to negotiate with terrorist? They do not want to negotiate the only thing they want is us to be wiped of the map and our values of religious and personal freedoms for all MEN and WOMEN be gone...Sometimes the saying Older and Wiser is true. McCain 08!!

Posted by: batesba74 | Aug 12, 2008 4:19:11 PM

""we are all Georgians" "I speak for all americans"

John McCain

Posted by: Wow | Aug 12, 2008 4:16:42 PM

This is the consequence of the Bush's obsessive focus on terrorism. We have no power or leverage with anything else in the world.

Posted by: JJ | Aug 12, 2008 3:51:07 PM

Obama read a statement prepared by his 300 advisers. Pretty disturbing that he needs that much help when the phone rings at 3AM.

Posted by: riley | Aug 12, 2008 3:47:01 PM

In the end it doesn't matter what either Obama or McCain say - the US is powerless in this matter. We can do nothing but ask Russia to comply. Russia is the superpower now, not the US - we don't have a diplomatic foot to stand on.

Posted by: Melissa S | Aug 12, 2008 2:52:04 PM

Russia is not concerned about
the former Soviet republics
becoming democracies or
something else. It has
basically left them alone.

But at Bush's urging NATO is
trying to pull them into a
military alliance. That's
the real issue.

This has nothing to do with
the imaginary, highly civilized
world which McCain seems to
inhabit or BO's "regression
to the conflicts of the past."

Posted by: anon | Aug 12, 2008 1:18:20 PM

Don't rule out the Russians arming
the Al Qaeda, the Taliban and the
tribal militias in Afghanistan and
Pakistan fighting NATO forces.

Posted by: anon | Aug 12, 2008 12:32:06 PM

If NATO egged on by Bush and
McCain does not stop its
eastward expansion and the
missile defense system gets
installed in eastern Europe
expect Russian military bases
in Syria, Vietnam, Cuba,
Venezuela and other countries
once allied with the Soviet
Union. Further expect Russian
support to Iran and other
countries working against us.

Posted by: anon | Aug 12, 2008 12:09:47 PM

You know no one is perfect. For from it. The biggest problem is we try to help as many countries has we can. That's all find and good, but we need to start helping our country. We have children and grown-ups doing without food and a good place to stay. There's people who send work to another country cause they can get labor cheaper. These are the people who is killing the United States. Because they are so money hunger. We need to start getting this country back on track and working our problems out and let the other countries work there's out. Once we get back on track help the other counties, but not at the point that it takes away from our people. We need a president that will get us out of this hole that we're in. We need a congress that will giving there self a raise every few days. Get oil prices down, help people find jobs, so they can pay there bills and home loans. We also need health care for everyone. The health care needs to be affordable. We need a president that won't start a stupid war. We need some one who will be man enough to step up and work out what's in the best interest for the people. Not for self gain. As for Russia and Georgia let them work there problems out. They don't need Bush sticking is nose in there business and starting another war. I don't really know which man Obama or McCain would be the best one for president.

Posted by: Henry | Aug 12, 2008 11:39:29 AM

The bottom line.

What prompted Russia to punish
Georgia?

Bush-McCain expansionist policies
thrusting into eastern Europe and
using mickey mouse former republics
of the USSR to taunt Putin.


Posted by: anon | Aug 12, 2008 11:30:19 AM

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