Penn in December 2007 on Plan for Two-Way Race Against Obama: "Release the Tapes"

I don't think the republicans will be as nice as Hillary. If they have the tapes also, I'm sure we'll see them after the convention.

I think there are questions about Obama's citizenship and that is why Bill Clinton said in a recent interview that the Constitution determines who is qualified to serve. Will we find out soon whether or not BHO is qualified according to the Constitution?

As we have been hearing frightening reports of Russia’s actions against South Ossenia and beyond in Georgia, you might be interested to read this statement issued by Senator Hillary Clinton on Georgia and Ukraine on April 18, 2008:

I am deeply disturbed by the latest Russian actions regarding Georgia, and Russia’s broader policies towards its neighbors.

Several weeks ago I called on NATO to extend a Membership Action Plan (MAP) to Georgia and Ukraine at the Bucharest Summit. I emphasized that this move would be a litmus test for the success of President Bush’s leadership of the trans-Atlantic community. My support for MAP was based on the need to send a positive signal to Tbilisi and Kyiv to encourage them to stay on track with their positive reforms as well as to send a signal of our concern to Moscow about the future security of these countries.

I deeply regret President Bush’s inability to convince our NATO allies to take this action. This is the first time in memory a U.S. President has traveled to a NATO summit and failed to achieve his publicly proclaimed goals.

Now the Russian government has taken advantage of the lack of unity coming out of the Bucharest Summit to further ratchet up the pressure on young democracies on its borders. Moscow’s actions this week to strengthen ties with the separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia undermine the territorial integrity of the state of Georgia and are clearly designed to destabilize the government of President Mikheil Saakashvili.

Georgia is a small democratic state in a turbulent region. It must not be allowed to be undermined. Two weeks ago President Bush sat with President Putin in Sochi just a few kilometers away from the Georgian border. He prided himself on his close working relationship with Vladimir Putin. President Bush should call on the Russian leadership to immediately rescind these steps.

I also call on President Bush to immediately send a senior representative to Tbilisi to show our support for the government of Georgia. The United States should raise this matter in the United Nations Security Council, in a special 26+1 session of NATO’s North Atlantic Council (NAC), and in the NATO-Russia Council. Russia needs to hear a unified message from the United States and our European partners about our shared commitment to Georgia’s security and territorial integrity.

These are not the only Russian moves that I have found troubling. Senior Russian officials have engaged in a pressure campaign to prevent Ukraine from seeking deeper ties with NATO. President Putin even raised the prospect of retargeting nuclear missiles against Ukraine.

I am not advocating, nor do I envisage, a return to a new Cold War with Russia, which I believe ought to remain in the G-8, where the United States and its allies can together address our growing list of concerns with Moscow. But the current Administration’ s mishandling of Russian relations has contributed to Moscow’s belief that it can do as it pleases. America and its allies can and must do better.

Since Hillary is no longer ‘in the race,’ not wishing to upstage Senator Obama, I believe, she did not issue any further statement over the weekend, although clearly she has a deep understanding of this crisis and our role here. As reported previously, Senator McCain was also touted as a having a 3 A.M. moment on this issue.

In stark contrast, here was the ‘Statement from Senator Obama, on the Grave Situation in Georgia’ on his way to his Hawaiian vacation on August 8th:

“I strongly condemn the outbreak of violence in Georgia, and urge an immediate end to armed conflict. Now is the time for Georgia and Russia to show restraint, and to avoid an escalation to full scale war. Georgia’s territorial integrity must be respected. All sides should enter into direct talks on behalf of stability in Georgia, and the United States, the United Nations Security Council, and the international community should fully support a peaceful resolution to this crisis.”

I will point out that upon checking Senator Obama’s website just now, he has issued two subsequent statements after the one above, one that came on August 9th and one on the 11th — each of which, respectively, was longer and more detailed than the last and perhaps, more reflective of copying Senator McCain’s homework on the subject.

Hey, take a mulligan, Senator Obama – keep floating those statements till one clicks with the appropriate gravitas.

As you can see, Hillary required no such tutoring, but exhibited a very clear, detailed grasp of the crisis, well before it reached the boiling point, when she urged President Bush to act.

Here is the opening phrase of yesterday’s missive from Senator Obama:

The situation in Georgia continues to deteriorate because of the escalation of Russia’s use of military force. I have spoken to President Saakashvili, and conveyed my deep regret over the loss of life, and the suffering of the people of Georgia.

Why Obama would be calling President Saakashvili, I have no idea. Who is he? He is not yet the official Democratic nominee, never mind that he is not the President. A mere technicality, I suppose.

Between Senators Clinton and Obama, it is eminently clear who has a far stronger grasp of foreign policy issues and certainly on the economy, she is hands and feet above a man who does not even understand what a capital gains tax is – nor could he explain it when he was questioned by Charles Gibson during the ABC debate before the Pennsylvania primary.

Who is the DNC planning on coronating, er, nominating, again?

The San Francisco Chronicle’s top story, that Clinton Supporters are pushing to get her name into nomination, reports how diligently the Obama camp is working to block such a thing from happening:

“It’s a simple thing to do, and it’s the biggest sign of party unity,” said Laura Spanjian, a San Francisco-based Clinton delegate, who also supports the move.”

Clay Dougherty, another San Francisco delegate for Clinton, says that “if the situation were reversed, the Obama people would feel the same.”

Let’s imagine if the situation were reversed. Since Obama has asked that the FL and MI delegates be seated in full now, the magic number has reverted to the correct 2210. He does not possess that number. If Hillary did not have enough pledged delegates to seal the nomination — or super delegates for that matter, imagine if Hillary tried to prevent a roll call that would honor Barack’s historic candidacy. There would be hell to pay. And she would be paying it daily. Such behavior on her part would not be tolerated.

“For the first time in a generation, it’s been a close election … and this was such a unique situation,” he said, in which both the first major African American presidential candidate competed with the first major female presidential candidate. “We need to honor both candidates,” he said.

And many Democrats suggest that the move to accommodate her supporters may be politically smart…

[Texas Delegate Garry] Mauro insisted that since it was such a closely contested election, he is mystified as to why the Obama campaign is resisting and even balking at a roll call vote, according to some reports.

“Are these folks so new to politics, are they so arrogant that they think he’s different from every other nominee we’ve ever had?” he asks.

I guess I don’t need to answer Garry’s question.

Serrano Sewell even stated, in an attempt to assuage any worry on the part of the Obama camp, there is no connection between Hillary’s delegates and PUMA:

“We’re not trying to drag Obama down,” he said. “We’re Democrats. We’re precinct captains. We’re fundraisers. We’re the kind of Democrats Obama will need to win in November.”

Similar to Senator Obama’s lack of detailed understanding of foreign policy, so, too, his arrogance and political shortsightedness is clearly in evidence in preventing a roll call vote for Senator Clinton. Or shall I say, his fear is showing.

Again, this is not indicative of good leadership, of putting the country or the Party’s interests before his own.

A true leader would not wish to treat 18,000,000 voters and 1918 delegates disrespectfully. If, as Michelle Obama says, he is going to ‘heal our broken souls,’ how does he intend to do that by throwing millions under the bus in another show of pettiness, bullying and arrogance?

Regarding the current acts of Russian aggression, a true leader, as he claims to be, looking to demonstrate his readiness for the toughest job in the world, might stop to do his homework before realizing that the first “essay” he handed in was rather flimsy.

I know I am not wrong in wanting the truly qualified candidate to be our nominee. The one who needs no tutoring. Certainly, Hillary Clinton would know better than to do what Senator Obama did yesterday: indicate he would be announcing his pick for Vice President via text message. Some traditions do need to be adhered to. The world is watching.

Senator Obama’s action do not indicate respect – either for his V.P. choice, or for us.

That is not healing.

That does not indicate political knowledge, maturity or gravitas.

Lastly, that is certainly not good leadership. Hmm!! Ready to Lead on Day 1.

I am sticking by Obama. He is the one.

I'm for Obama 2008

How on earth can everybody say oh we can trust mccain. Change Obama skin and name to Charles Smith and take a look at his story (actually the American dream + instead of getting rich went to work for the poor...huh) Check Mccain's story (all of it) served valiantly, amazingly, can't even imagine what he went thru, next chapter cheats on wife (for the person who compared Obama to Edwards) talks so much trash about his now wife Im surprised any woman would vote him. Serves in the senate for AZ, check our issues out here...poor,schools, illegals, etc. 2000 goes against grain. Then sticks with the agenda of the current Pres. Please someone tell me if Mccain has flipped on current issues or if he took his eye of the ball Al-qaida (which destablized the middle east aka oil, gave Al-qaida another location)... think about if all the money that went in to Iraq went to catching terrorist and not creating them. Not let's not take a minute to think, let's challenge Iran and Russia. John is like a bad poker player, tough talk, but anyone who is actually tough i.e. Russia knows he is bluffing.

Ah envy and bitterness. First if the Clinton campaign had anything or if anybody did, they would have released it. Many of you want to dig, dig on Obama, take a look at Clinton and McCain. The key things are issues and fear (like the one post about Obama leading Hamas) with issues Clinton and McCain are opposites Clinton and Obama nearly the same, is it values, hmmm. Lets see how McCain did his first wife, or how he feels about equal rights for all humans? O it must be the pastor, wait McCain knowing what various preachers said still seeked their endorsment. Well lets play the fear card, he's exotic = doesn't look like you or me, he's inexperienced (best arguement except he was right about Iraq and surrounds himself with real experts not afraid to challenge him, and doesn't act like America is all powerful can do everything on its own), six degrees of seperation (more fear on which anyone can be tied to anyone) he flip flops (check Mcmain's flips since 2000- when he probably should of won) Issues people your issuses, veterans, middle class lower classes, vote on issues, nor fear or what FOX or with people with agendas say (PENN had an agenda) ISSUES.

There are so many doubts about Obama. We had a similar doubt about Edward and look what he did. I just can not think about Obama. Hillary would have been my first choice but in her absense, I can trust John but I can not trust Obama because of readiness as president of United States. Think.. This is top most important and critical role in US and in probably in world. With so many doubts about him and he changes position on every other day and call it is CHANGE... I wish Hillary should consider herself for independant candidate.

oBAMA'S WHOLE CAMPAIGN IS ABOUT BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER, HIS CAMPAIGN IS NOT ABOUT HIM, IT IS ABOUT HOW WE AS AMERICANS SHOULD PARTICIPATE IN OUR GOVERNMENT PROCESS TO MAKE OUR COUNTRY BETTER. SEE WHILE THE REST OF THE WORLD IS WATCHING OUT FOR ITSELF AND ITSELF ONLY, WE ARE BICKERING INTERNALLY, WHILE THE PRESIDENT SELLS OFF THE COUNTRY PIECE BY PIECE, UNDERFUNDS THE DEPTS ESTABLISHED TO PROTECT THE AMERICAN WAY OF LIFE AND HAS CLOSED OFF OPPORTUNITIES TO ADVANCEMENT FOR PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE....WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER AS AMERICANS DUMMY, OR OUR WAY OF LIFE AND FREEDOM WILL BE OWNED BY THE LIKES OF THE RUSSIANS OR WORSE CHINA OR SAUDI ARABIA....THEY ALREADY OWN 20-30% OF THE COUNTRY....THINK ABOUT IT..

Donna, Hillary is not going to be nominated anyway.

There wont be any thing released untill after the convention,to ensure that Hillary wont be NOMINATED! This Process Makes me SICK!!! So much corruption in the dem. party mis unreal!!! NOOOOOOOOOBAMA!!! NOT NOW ,NOT EVER! LEt HIM KEEP HIS CROOKED IN CHICAGO!!!!

Whatever may be was in the tape, Hillary did not return, that shows she did not want to destroy Obama like he did in Chicago.

DNC, it is not too late to nominate Hillary.

Remember Democrats ruled white house only 12 years out of last 40 years.
8 out of 12 arwe Clintons

So when are you going to publish memo's from the Obama camp? After all he is the presumptive nominee isn't he? It will be nice when November rolls around, McCain will win the election and maybe Obama can run to lead Hamas, they love him down there.

Obama takes no positions on anything. he's a fake. Are you guys seeing that now? Thank god the election takes several months. If it didn't that fake would've been elected based on his charm alone. This country is going down the drain fast.

Obama denied ever hearing an anti-american sermon by Rev. Wright. If the tapes exist showing him in the church during one of these sermons, than he has lied to the American people. That would pretty much end his campaign and his career.

I would like to see the tapes. Why shouldn't they release them and let the voters decide if his comments "don't square with his current stated views." Chances are, these tapes wouldn't hurt Obama any more than any other comments he's made over the past months.

so sad to want to seek and destroy an individual just because he brings all americans together

Posted by: Della | Aug 12, 2008 1:17:21 PM

I agree, Della. They should leave John McCain alone! He will be the next POTUS!

so sad to want to seek and destroy an individual just because he brings all americans together

Good Post, Alex.

The tapes of hussein's endless double-talk:

I will take public financing for my campaign-----I will NOT take public financing for my campaign.
Clinton's NAFTA is BAD-----Just kidding, NAFTA is GREAT.
I will get the troops home immediately-----I will NOT get the troops home immediately.
"I could no more disown him (rev. wright) than I could disown my ... grandmother."-----I DISOWN rev wright. (Look out grandma, you may be next!).
I support total gun control-----I do NOT support total gun control.
NO on offshore drilling-----YES on offshore drilling.
NO on tapping the strategic oil reserve-----YES on tapping the strategic oil reserve.
I don't need no stinkin' flag pin-----I NOW WEAR a flag pin since I'm now patriotic (wink, wink)!
No immunity for illegal wiretapping telcos-----I vote YES on Bush's immunity for illegal wiretapping telcos.

At last, I finally know what he really means by "change".
"Change we can NOT believe in."

Remember that guy who masqueraded as a "compassionate conservative" to get you to vote for him? Don't be duped by another chronic, habitual liar!

/

Anyone who thinks McCain should be the next president is crazy!!! It will just be another 4 years of Bush. Which, I guess is good if you're rich, but for the rest of us it's hopeless.