obama, remember, he is a follower, not a leader, e.g. his rev.'s follower

I hope Chicago gets the games!!!! That would be fantastic!!

Obama,
Where's your spine?
========================================
Free Tibet!
Hillary stands up against Chinese human rights abuses!
========================================

Hmmm, was that a PRESENT vote?

Pam-

That actually discribes Hillary to a Tee.

She's the one that can't even lead her own campaign and follows her husband into contraversy after contraversy

It is because Obama is WEAK on human rights and always has been.

The closer we get to the election, the more he sounds like an animatron. Ask him a question, the calculations start, and out pops a non-offensive, non-controversial message that cannot be used against him… the supposed passion to lead seems to have been replaced by pure politics. Giapetto made Pinocchio… Axelrod has Obama.

br-

No he is not. He has always been a stauch advocate for human rights...but being a Hillary supporter (don't deny it) you'll say anything including lying about Obama.

when asked about the olympics, "Obama never once mentioned the Olympic Games in his response".
Maybe the Orator should have just said "present". He's pretty good at that.
What an empty suit.

WestCoastMassenger-

Are you still around? Gee, you're boring to distraction!

Since Hillary's call to boycott the Olympic ceremonies Gordon Brown of the UK will be boycotting, the EU is now considering a boycott of the opening ceremonies, and even George Bush is now considering a boycott of the opening ceremonies. Obama? Well, if you need an example of how Obama would lead the world you just got yourself one. He failed the test as we all said he would over and over again.

That's politics... You gotta know when to hold em and know when to fold em... That's the way the game is played. So what else is new?
It does show that he doens't need to "follow" Clinton. She just does whatever is popular - that didn't take leadership - it's a no brainer.

Sorry Stacey, He is weak. And Yes, I am a staunch Hillary supporter.

Obama is being wisely cautious. Because of the U.S.'s fiscal irresponsibility we have chosen to borrow money from one of the most egregious violators of human rights on the face of the planet and if we're not careful they will call in their markers. If that happens, we're screwed. It's real easy to flag wave and spout slogans but this country is not in a good position to offend a country that holds us in the palm of its hand financially speaking.

Obama boldly and with great eloquence votes "Present" yet again.

Stacy,
Read the article. Obama is being criticized for not standing up to China. He's spineless. He's only for human rights when it serves his personal agenda.
========================================
Obama is spineless!
Hillary stands up to China! She has done it before standing right on Chinese soil!
========================================

Wouldn't we be so fortunate to have a president that follows and doesn't LEAD ! Scary times.

DogSoldier-

You're so full of it...Hillary didn't start calling for a boycott until the protests started making news.

She needed to deflect her string of corrupted bad news (bosnia, Nafta, Penn, etc), so SHE jumped on the wagon of other countries that were already considering a boycott.

Nancy Pelosi demanded Bush boycott the olympics WELL before Hillary did.

GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT!!!!! You sound so much like the lying Clinton

Unlike the great American he is often compared to (John F. Kennedy showing in his life to be a true Profile in Courage with his devotion to his nation and the public welfare often before his own) Senator Obama is all profile and no courage.

Senator Clinton, and others like her, have shown courage and dedication during their years of service, instead of just relying on 2 or 3 years of service in the community where little was done beyond grooming onceself personally for a career in politics.

As Americans who ask more of their public servants when we seek change, Senator Clinton represents the real change we want to see in our country and the world.

I kind of think Clinton's call is a bit of a hollow statement anyway. She doesn't have to do anything to back up her comment, and won't have to as President, given that one of the US's closest allies is hosting the 2012 games, but can continue to harrass Bush over it for a while and make herself look like a leader whatever Bush does, be it criticizing or taking credit. So its all a bit of a stunt as an issue. But she also knows its an obvious issue to be raised in the forthcoming debate as well, and knows that Obama is on difficult diplomatic ground on this. So to be honest, from my point of view this seems typical spineless Clinton politics.

stacy - Obama failed to lead as we all told you Obama groupies time and times again. Lay off the juice.

China would no sooner "call in their markers" than they would launch a nuclear attack on us. The Chinese may hold a great deal of the US debt, but our relationship is very symbiotic. They would not chance an all-out embargo of Chinese products, as that would cause their economy to crumble. Obama apparently doesn't understand this, so he obviously thinks we need to cow-tow to them. Failing to stand up to the Chinese government gets you only one thing - more of the same!

Senator Clinton made that comment for sheer political gain. No matter the pressure he gets, President Bush will be attending the opening ceremonies to the Olympic games.

Although I despise Obambi, I have been saying the same thing- no one criticized China when they were financing our deficit/debt-spending....why criticize them now?

Clinton is doing anything to change peoples attention off of the news on her campaign...Her and Bills blunder.Hsu
And get the attention off of Penn And the Colombian Trade Deal which Bill
supports. And Now with the Wal mart tape that ABC bought were it shows her sitting quietly while they were fighting off the Unions.

This is where the (thick) rubber of the Clintons' financial entanglements hits the (icy) road of presidential politics. Huffington Post reports that Bill Clinton was paid $800,000 in 2005 by a group "tasked with bringing investment to the country and educating world leaders about the Colombia's business opportunities."

The Clinton campaign confirms the former president's support for the trade deal. "The acknowledgment adds new hurdles to the New York senator's bid to woo Democratic voters in Pennsylvania and elsewhere who believe free trade agreements have eliminated thousands of U.S. jobs," the AP's Charles Babington writes.

HILLARY OWES THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND APOLOGY FOR HER POOR JUDGEMENTS THAT CAUSED US:

AMERICAN JOBS

AMERICAN SOLDIERS LIVES!

TO REWARD HER BY MAKING HER PRESIDENT WOULD BE AN INJUSTICE TO ALL THE FAMILIES THAT HAVE HAD TO BURY THEIR CHILDREN AND HAVE HAD TO STRUGGLE TO MAKE ENDS MEET AFTER LOSING THEIR JOBS!

Why didn't NObama just say "present"!!!! .... that seems to be the only true stand he takes on anything important. NObama's history shows he is not a human rights activist ... he is a black activist!!

Obama is correct about China's being our banker. I heard Hillary make the same statement word for word months ago. This is just more proof that Obama doesn't have an independent thought. He reminds me so much of the republican puppet president that we have had for the last 8 years. The question is who is pulling Obama's strings??

Poor Obama, his lack of leadership and judgment are once again exposed. As a resident of the Chicago-area, I hope they lose the bid for the Olympics. If Obama is keeping his mouth shut about the China issue because he's "concerned" of any appearance of a "conflict of interest", he needs to be reminded of the reasons for the condemnation of China. Evidently since it doesn't affect him or his self-serving interests, he'll continue to be "silent".

Since we got into Iraq, it is China that has been feeding us. We cannot bite the hand that feeds us. We will go hungry. Hillary proposes stuff without thinking through, if you don't believe me look at the way she has run her campaign. She has poor judgment. We owe China alot of money, we are in no position to dictate terms to them. Obama is just brilliant on this one.

Hillary shows leadership, Obama shows that he has a wet noodle for a backbone. Did Obama just claim that he is better at foreign policy than both Hillary and McCain? This is demonstrated of course by his forceful positions on...let's see...ummm...oh, yeah, he made a SPEECH against the Iraq war in...let's see...oh, yeah, 2002!! I'm voting present for the Olympics...no, umm, oooh, what to do, got to call Axelrod, or uh, Kennedy, or uh Kerry, umm, Pelosi was just in Tibet...arrrgh!!!

Dogsoldier-

Weak!

obama is a wuz

rs-

Obama just proved that American has a huge credibility problem! In case you missed it, read the article at the top!

YEAH, OBAMA GETS IT! He didn't have to mention the Olympics, because his statement addresses a whole lot more than the games...it addresses America's weak standing in the world.

AND IF YOU DIDN'T GET THAT...YOU GUYS ARE THE IDIOTS WHO HAVE NO RIGHT TO JUDGE!

I think all World leaders should attend ad then quietly and respectively say to the leader of China we will help you to help yourself getting untangled in the Sudan. And Tibet lets find a workable solution for all. Its called Compromise

Barack is in a tough spot being Ill. is in the running for 2016 games. I am sure if New York was in the running in 2016 she would be doing and saying the same thing

blls - So what's Obama's stance on public financing now? You know, the public financing Obama promised if the republican side would do the same. McCain called Obama's bluff. Just another Obama lie McCain exposed and just another useless Obama promise made. We told you groupies over and over again.

Okay, folks....is this the person we need as president? He cannot, uh, make up, uh, his, uh, mind and take uh, stand. Give me a break, Obama....pack up your bag and go home. I think we need a strong person, a person who can make a stand and be heard. Certainly not, uh, Obama.

And Hillary was in CHINA way before Pelosi spoke out, wasn't she? Hillary was speaking about human rights in China and continues to be consistent in her stance. As well, she has a PLAN to get us out of the debt we have with China and better/fairer trade agreements so that we owe them NOTHING. Obama opts to do and say absolutely nothing - and that's what he would do if he were President, which thankfully we will not have to worry about.

Obama avoids taking a stand on anything that could actually define him. That way, his followers can continue to project whatever they believe onto him. When they figure that out, it will be too late, and they will be sorely disappointed.

jonathan - Obama addressed America's weak standing in the world? Didn't you read the article. Obama failed to address anything directly. China? Tibet? Durfur? Well it does take a weakling like Obama to project weakness.

Boycotting the opening ceremony is a very nunanced issue. Clearly the anti Obama people here have about as much nuance and deep thinking ability as Bush/Cheney - but with even less facts to work on.

So by definition all the blather is simply ignorant prejudice.

I see no reason to state a absolute decision of intention to boycott today - that is not to say that it should not happen. Also a proper President (which we do not have) should play this hand very carefully - and certainly not show ones cards during a poker game.

But America has in reality has lost its right to lecture anyone. You need moral authority - so get a grip and start thinking like decent human beings.

People who support Clinton's stance are refusing to accept the consequences of being citizens of a Country that supports torture, rendition, incarceration without legal representation and illegal invasions - now that is a the definition of arrogance.

Obama is right. He should not join in the boycotts Because of what he said. (ie how can it help relations?) The olympics should not be used as a political arena. The athelics have all worked too hard to tarish the olympics once again with protests and violence. It is a time for peaceful participation.

Jonathan has it right.
Boycotting the olympics is a bain-aid that only punishes our athletes that work so hard with little support. Obama has the metal to attack the core problem. OUR BANK OF CHINA

The leader of the United States should never be intimidated into not taking a stand for our ideals. It appears Sen. Obama only stands up for social justice where it is politically expedient.

what do you expect?he has immersed himself with marxist teachings and people his entire life so why would he want to disagree with the last large marxist country.think about it,uncle frank,marxist professors in college,willaim ayers of the weather underground and lets not forget the lovely rev wright and farrakan.yea right he is some sort of leader alright.

Concluding his nine-day trip to China in July 1998, President Clinton called it "a remarkably successful attempt to continue to build our partnership for the future."

The U.S. president walked a tightrope of diplomacy during the trip, attempting to strengthen political and economic ties with Beijing even as he called attention to perceived shortcomings in the areas of human rights and democratic freedoms.

While some critics are unlikely to be impressed with the visit to China, Clinton's aides say he was right to go, and they predict the visit will eventually pay huge dividends for both the United States and China.

See Hills Hubby believes in Compromise

Obama has my vote.

If it's about athletes then politcians need not show up. how hard is that?

Do you guys still think Clinton has a chance? Can you count with your fingers?

Lauren - Barack is in a tough spot being Ill. is in the running for 2016?

Are you confused? Obama is running to be president who must address issues of American interest. Obama is not running for mayor of Chicago or for the senate of Illinois either. This is and was the absolutely perfect position for Obama to be in because he could have used this opportunity to say I will stand up for American interests and make the tough decisions despite the Olympic hopes of my neighborhood. And perhaps in spite of, then the whimp thing would disappear overnight. As president you have to be able to make those tough calls. Obama failed.

"And if we are running huge deficits and big national debts and we're borrowing money constantly from China, that gives us less leverage"

Does Obama think this is a game of Monopoly? China is our banker? Obama is the one with trillions of dollars in proposed new spending. The US doesn't need a wimp afraid of China as President

Obama doesnt need to talk about this lame subject. Obama is smart keeping out of it. Obama will be the next President and Bush will be in Jail for War Crimes!!!

Obama doesnt need to talk about this lame subject. Obama is smart keeping out of it. Obama will be the next President and Bush will be in Jail for War Crimes!!!

Lauren,
I see you are back blogging, which shows me that you continue to fear Hillary as a threat. I presume you are continuing to speak up for Barack Obama, the man whose spine is merely "PRESENT" but not accounted for.
=======================================
Hillary, spine that stands against China!
========================================

DogSoldier-

Wrong! Obama is starting the dialogue that needs to be spoken about our weak standing in the world. He knows it's going to be hard to accept, but America right now has a credibility problem.

In the content of his statement, he is saying that the problem is bigger than the olympics and that he will address outside of that arena because he believes the athletes should not be overshadowed by a political election.

I think this was a smart way of him handling the issue. Why put the athletes in the middle of politics? That's respect he's exercising!

Matthew,
You think this is a "lame subject"???? I bet a lot of Obama supporters, college activists especially, will be disappointed to know that their messiah refuses to stand up against human rights abuses because we can't stand up against "our banker."
I cannot believe Obama is not taking a stand on this. This makes me more skeptical of him as a viable candidate.

Obama is cautious because he knows that this time it was Han and Hui Chinese who were killed by large number by the Tibetans.

americanwoman If that was such a no-brainer then where is Obama's voice?
Obama is just spineless and always has been. If one of his buddies is on the Chicago olympic bid committee than that really is a no-brainer. He always sides with his corporate donors so I'm sure he'll do the same with his friends.

this looks a lot to me like BO is in China's pocket

Stacy,
You must be green behind the ears, just like Obama. Hillary Clinton, during a visit to China while Bill was president, spoke out against Chinese human rights abuses while standing on Chinese soil. This occurred during the past decade, so it was during one of those twenty years while Obama was silently standing by letting Reverend Wright curse and excoriate America.
========================================
Hillary, stands up for human rights, always!
========================================

I doubt his response has anything to do with Chicago bidding for the games. And I hope Chicago doesn't get it, because everywhere the Olympics go they tear apart areas, in this case the South Side, for their stupid games, leaving impoverished people screwed over.

WestCoastMessenger - How is Clinton "standing up" against China? First of all, she suggests that SOMEONE ELSE do something by boycotting the opening ceremonies. There is also the problem that boycotting the Olympics will not help Tibet whatsoever and will probably hurt. Most China and Tibet experts agree that boycotting the Olympics would only result in a Chinese crackdown in Tibet as retribution. So maybe everything YOUR candidate says is not automatically perfect after all?

I am thankful that Obama is showing leadership instead of acting out of rashness like Hilliary Clinton is doing to grandstand and make herself appear to be a leader. She has always lead a sheltered life, and she is simply taking advantage of a connundrum in which she gets to look strong by telling President Bush what to do, and yet avoid taking the repercussions when something goes terribly wrong, i.e., blowback for a stupid decision. That is one of the pay-offs for the grandstander, Clinton. What a weasel. The second is, that it allows her to divert attention from her pack of lies and her bankrupt "vision" for addressing the economic woes and the Iraq war problems, i.e., domestic issues. But then she has never actually taken responsibility for anything before, so why would we expect her to begin doing so now? Instead, she is following the same old-school politics of say anything to make yourself look good, get the votes and leave others holding the back. Sorry loser! Thinking people are not buying it this time.

I like how the Hillary comments come onto this board... Like the one the she stands up to China? Come on people she loves China she served on the Wal Mart board of directors. Its one thing to say your against the policy of China but when your track record says you don't I wonder why she's losing in the polls. P.S. Wal Mart sucks

This is a lame subject!!! Obama you are doing a great job not talking about this. you are the smart one of the three. these other people are losers and they just need to stay home. OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT 2008!!!!

Clinton was already a trailblazer when it comes to China - she's been there when it wasn't popular to give a speech on human rights. This was 13 years ago! She's following up now with regard to the Olympics. When she's President, she'll take care of it. She's a Methodist - did you know that there are over 30 Methodist churches sponsoring water, schools, farming, communities in war-torn Darfur? What is Obama's church doing?

Matthew,
You sound like a "typical Obama supporter". Maybe you can live in your Obama t-shirt once you've been kicked out. You can always log on to the Daily Kos and rant at the public library. You can also look up Hillary Clinton's historical statements against human rights abuses by China. My guess is that Barack Obama came out with a MUCH STRONGER statement than anybody against China while he was an Illinois state legislator.
========================================
Obama -- keep drinking the coolaid, man!
========================================

If someone would just give Obama a button to push on boycotting the opening ceremony of the Olympics, then he could say "I pushed the wrong button" if it turns out he made the wrong decision. Since there is no button, Obama shows his true leadership by avoiding the question altogether. Does that even count as a "present" vote? I think it means he missed the vote and won't be back to speak with reporters about it.

This is hilarious. The Obama-haters trash Obama for allegedly saying whatever Hillary does. And now they trash Obama for NOT saying whatever Hillary does.

China bashing is easy and cheep - only Clinton will take the cheap shot in order to win. But her chance to win...

Who cares what Hillary says? Its time to focus on the general election between Senator Mccain and Senator Obama.

This is a lame subject!!! Obama you are doing a great job not talking about this. you are the smart one of the three. these other people are losers and they just need to stay home. OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT 2008!!!!

Matthew,
That's just beyond brilliant. What a great strategy. If Obama just keeps all his opinions to himself he can get elected. Hey, wait a minute, he's already thought of that! Good coolaid, dude.
========================================
Obama, the smart one!
Obama, keeps his opinion to himself!
Obama supporters, not as smart as Obama
Obama supporters flaunt their opinions!
========================================

China won't be able to call in all of it's markers because it would send their economy right down to the basement as well.

But it would sure be great if we had a fearless presidential hopeful who could have figured this out on his own... or at least questioned it.

And it would sure make me a lot more comfortable if I could be sure that our president loved and protected this country!

getitright: I would like to join Obama's team and get paid trashing his opponent on the internet. How much does he pay you?

Obama likes to always play safe. This is no leadership.

If he thinks he's going to take on the special interests, then why the wimpiness towards China, whether we owe them money or not? If he applies the same logic to the special interests, we'll be in bed with them forever contrary to what his speeches are about. He has had so many opportunities to show through his actions whether he really is capable of standing up for what he says he believes in. Example: says he's against racism, excuses his Pastor because he's "like family", says he's for human rights, excuses China because we owe them money. Seems he wants to appease everyone and stand for nothing. All the words and money are not enough to persuade many scrutinizing voters like myself. It's similar to the mindset of the abused person towards their abuser. Somehow it's their fault so they don't deserve better. This really worries me as a characteristic in someone who is supposed to be possibly the next President! We need an assertive, confident President who will stand up with all they have on behalf of Americans. I just don't see it. Am I missing something?

What does this man stand for anyway? Oh yea, change. This guy is so all over the place...maybe that's why he's perfect for democrats. He panders and he tells his special groups what they want to hear. How does 55cent tax on the dollar sound? Liberal whites vote for him because he is telling them exactly what they want to hear (and most of the liberal whites vote for him b/c of the shame of slavery...lol). Blacks vote for him b/c there are actually white people voting for this nut!!!

Isn't it just hilarious how the obamamaniacs continue to blame Hillary Clinton for voting for the war as the deciding vote that put us in Iraq? Just goes to show how really brainwashed the obama followers have become and how uninformed about any of the issues. I would wager that these followers don't even know what obama is talking about (like the rest of the world) most of the time, but are so blinded by his "light" that if he utters a word, they will die by his sword. Obama has proved many times that he is a cult leader, he has mind control over the weakest of his followers (those that are the least intelligent) and uses them as spokespersons to further his goal of bashing Hillary in every way, yet not speaking a bad word against her. He has his minions in place for that. Remember " I didn't say it, so it cannot be me and it cannot be wrong." Now as the vetting begins, the only way that he comes off as holier than thou, it to have a Hollywood script writer pen another magnificent speech, which when delivered, makes his followers fall to their knees in praise and then go prone because the Golden Tongue has spoken. There will be another enlightening, magnificent speech rather shortly and MSNBC, Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews will again feel those tingling sensations up and down their spine.
The best thing that obama utters when responding to a question or someone requesting a response is "uh, uh, uh". What a president he will make. LMAO.

This is a lame subject!!!

WAKE UP AMERICA...this guy is a master of the "dodge"....THIS IS NOTHING NEW>>>>>>>>>

IT IS TRUE TO FORM....20 Yrs sitting on his derriere listening t HATE AMERICA speech....yes, he is a spineless wonder........

NOT STAND FOR HUMAN RIGHTS??? BEGONNE!!

Seattle Physician,
I think you characterized Obama well and you aren't missing anything in your characterization. He's so cautious about adopting a position that the man is like an amoeba.
=======================================
Obama = amoeba!
=======================================

And this is the candidate who believes in talking to nations to get them to change their ways? If you can't "tell your banker he's wrong", then how does he plan to counter impact of Chinese manufacturing on US markets, intellectual property violations, environmental/global warming, Taiwan, or human rights issues? ... Apparently when he says he'll talk, it's only about safe topics.

Do you still remember Chalaby, the Iraqi exile and his followers? How much US suffered from the lies that was created single-handedly by this guy and his organization? China is a victim this time. Tibetan exiles are using the western countries to promote their own agenda.

Obama is right on with this one!!! WE cant bite the hand that hold us financially or even trade embargo wont help when everything you purchase in USA is made in China. If we try to stop trade with them we wont be able to function as a country. Where will we get things for everyday life. It sure aint made in the good ol USA anymore.

Ok. So Obama wrote: "I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction." But apparently he doesn't stand with the millions of folks and the struggling nations oppressed by the Communist Chinese government. Who else does he choose not to stand with?

Hillary two weeks ago said she didn't have an opinion