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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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How many more super powers are left? We have outsourced everything and Russia, is just coming into money from it's oil revenues. The U.S. is not the world police and will never be anymore. We (the U.S.) has damaged our clout on the international stage and now smaller countries are looking to China and Russia for leadership. Russia and China will always be soft on Iran, because the U.S. will keep it's focus in the middle east while they (Russia & China) will rule in their backyards. So, I say...let Europe deal with Georgia and we will assist in a diplomatic role, if needed. I am sure Germany, France and Briton does not want a Russia going crazy. I see NO reason to use American dollars to bail out Georgia, who started the offensive.

Posted by: Richard | Aug 12, 2008 11:17:21 AM

Obama thinks every problem in the world can be solved by giving a speech, telling other countries what he wants them to do. What a fool.

Posted by: free to speak | Aug 12, 2008 10:37:04 AM

Can someone mention that fact that McCain has wanted to put Georgia on a path to NATO membership and that Randy Scheunemann was in charge of doing just that. However, when the conflict was in its initial phase, the Obama campaign blasted the McCain campaign for having Mr. Sheunemann as an employee?

Why is this awfule because Obama now wants to put Georgia on a path to NATO membership as well.

Geez, Obama, make up your mind! Do you want NATO membership for Georgia or not?

Posted by: jose | Aug 12, 2008 10:14:44 AM

Democratic convention chief wants reparations for blacks

Posted by: Bing | Aug 12, 2008 8:56:04 AM

wow - a lot of the comments here are just ridiculous. People here sure are misinformed about Obama. A lot of posts seem to be confusing crackpot opinions and outright lies with reality. So sad.

Posted by: kimbers | Aug 12, 2008 8:45:35 AM

McCain is an old fool who doesn't know that the cold war is over. What a sad old man. He's the wrong answer for the 21st century.

Posted by: Ichabod | Aug 12, 2008 8:39:00 AM

"The talking points of Bush and McCain were identical today. Both talking trash to Russia, instead of trying to calm the situation, they continue to perpetuate a conflict.

Cowboy diplomacy at it's finest.

McCain=Bush"

Thank Gawd for Obama. He reminds me of Reagan. He took the right approach and Russia ceased fired. We need this steady hand who can think clearly. Not McSame who is obviously trigger happy and hoping to use nukes as soon as he gets his grubby little hands on them.

Posted by: Hey | Aug 12, 2008 8:26:56 AM

If McSame is President you better count on a Nuclear war. He's just going to continue what the Bush administration has started. Get ready for the draft.

Posted by: JJ | Aug 12, 2008 8:23:10 AM

Obama without his script
Judging by his reaction to the Georgia-Russia crisis, Obama's make-believe presidency isn't ready for prime time.

Posted by: Melanie | Aug 12, 2008 8:17:02 AM

Maybe Obama's statement would have more impact if he made a speech in Moscow and provided a rock band to get the crowd of 200,000 to attend.

Posted by: Independent minded | Aug 12, 2008 7:48:34 AM

A link to the original speeches would be helpful. Did either of them mention how stupid Georgia was in invading South Ossetia?

Posted by: Mike | Aug 12, 2008 7:36:14 AM

United Nations - NATO!??! What a joke .. you'd better have the ballz to stand up on your own because these 2 groups are a laughing stock!

Posted by: MJ | Aug 12, 2008 5:53:06 AM

We should consider seriously voting for Cain. He will definitely press the bottom and send some nukes to Russia...and Russia will answer back.
We need another war.

We need an unbalanced man taken by hatred of having lost a war himself, to be in charge of getting back at the world to show them whose leader.

We need another Bush term to make sure we get on track with as many wars as we can. We need to make sure we get more soldiers and civilians destroyed.

CAIN is not a true Christian and is not pro-life. He is pro-death.

Posted by: voter | Aug 12, 2008 4:45:50 AM

Davis They were a super power when they tried to anix Berlin. But America got around it then and can now,And lets face it if it was worth fighting for and not a baltic country thats struggling than we would be doing more than talking.As to Obama and his views he was the fool spouting how small countries like Venezuela,Cuba, and Iran are to small to really harm America,he must have missed the Cuban missle crisis,Iranian hostage crisis and how about that small country Japan history shows that Japan was the small country that attacked the U.S. and got America involved in WW2.Obama is a fool

Posted by: girlinvt | Aug 12, 2008 3:11:43 AM

I don't see much difference in their statements. They're both saying we need to speak out strongly against this aggression, and persuade Russia it is in their best interests to negotiate with Georgia, and Europe should do it's part. Neither one of them are going to go any further at this point.

Posted by: pennsylvaniavoter | Aug 12, 2008 2:55:31 AM

Quoting the bible for the benefit of all those peace-loving, turn-the-other-cheek, meat-eating, gun-toting American so-called Christians: "Or how can you tell your brother,'Brother, let me remove the speck of chaff that is in your eye,' when you yourself don't see the beam that is in your own eye? You hypocrite! First remove the beam from your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck of chaff that is in your brother's eye" - Like 6:42. You are telling Russia that they should not invade a sovereign country? Next you'll be telling them that you won't be able to chase its leader into hiding, demolish infrastructure, destroy its civilian population, set up torture centers, establish semi-permanent military bases? How funny - maybe all of the above are tools permissible for the use of Democratic America only? I wonder what Hish Royal Highness, Emperor Dubya would say if they had Mikhail Saakashvili hung just to set an example for "all the evil dictators of the world"?

Posted by: TN | Aug 12, 2008 1:31:59 AM

Sounds to me like McCain has just changed his position on the war against Iraq. Unless of course, he is trying to say 'do as I say, not as I do'.

Posted by: Mike | Aug 12, 2008 1:28:39 AM

count on it folks , when Obama he president , we will be well-like around the world , yes , we will be so popular that all nations will come and pull our ears and noses and rub our head , yes , we will be liked and popular , like a vegetarian Lion who gets smacked around by the hyenas , but we will popular though, can't wait to have Obama in there , so we Americans can at last live in peace.....ACCORDING TO OTHER NATIONS' TERMS !

Posted by: alohaone | Aug 12, 2008 1:23:28 AM

Question of the day , How do one be ALWAYS RIGHT ? Never make a decision , dance around as much as you can , appeal to both sides so you can be on both sides , Never speak about your position on anything , being in 100 different directions at the same time , that way , no matter how things turn out , no one can blame you for it ..NEVER MAKE ANY DECISION AT ALL, THAT WAY , ONE CAN NEVER BE WRONG ....Play it safe , flowery rhetorics that sound good to the ears but actually impossible to pin down ...Obama , the master has shown us that , yes , one in fact can always be right ! Vote Mc Cain!

Posted by: alohaone | Aug 12, 2008 1:13:12 AM

This is Obama being Obama and Mc Cain being Mc Cain..For Obama , it is always trying to be popular , always flowery rhetorics without being specific about anything , always big words without substance ..., always have room so that he can wiggle later on out of a situation , always wait to the last minute to see which way the wind blow before making a decision one way or another . ...
For Mc cain, the Straight Talk Express guy , it is always to the point , always a maverick who rather be right than being popular , you can call him old school , but in him , we see the old American value of our fathers , always straight , honest , no dancing around , may sound a little rough but we can always know what he thinks and can always trust his words , he may not be right all the time but we know he will not abandone friends and rightousness , qualities that were proven in Vietnam as well as in his career in congress ... Vote Mc Cain!

Posted by: alohaone | Aug 12, 2008 1:05:58 AM

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