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Clinton Calls on Bush to Boycott Olympic Opening Ceremony
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ShareApril 07, 2008 1:19 PM
ABC News' Eloise Harper Reports: Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., is calling on President George W. Bush to boycott the opening ceremony at the Olympics this summer.
First reported on the Drudge Report, Clinton's call for a boycott specifically cites China's reaction to recent violence in Tibet and inaction in Darfur.
"The violent clashes in Tibet and the failure of the Chinese government to use its full leverage with Sudan to stop the genocide in Darfur are opportunities for Presidential leadership," Clinton said in a written statement.
"These events underscore why I believe the Bush administration has been wrong to downplay human rights in its policy towards China. At this time, and in light of recent events, I believe President Bush should not plan on attending the opening ceremonies in Beijing, absent major changes by the Chinese government."
Set to begin on August 8, 2008, the Beijing Olympics have been surrounded by controversy ever since the International Olympic Committee awarded China the Games.
The harsh crackdown by the communist nation against recent protests in Tibet have only intensified calls for boycott.
Clinton did not call for an outright boycott of the Olympics in general, targeting only the Opening Ceremony.
"Americans will stand strong in support of freedom of religious and political expression and human rights. Americans will also stand strong and root for the success of American athletes who have worked hard and earned the right to compete in the Olympic Games of 2008," she said.
Clinton's call makes her the first presidential candidate to call for an outright boycott of the opening ceremonies although other prominent U.S. politicians including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have urged Bush to consider such action.
"I think boycotting the opening ceremony, which really gives respect to the Chinese government, is something that should be kept on the table," Pelosi, D-Calif., told "Good Morning America" co-anchor Robin Roberts in a recent interview. "I think the president might want to rethink this later, depending on what other heads of state do."
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has announced she will not attend the Olympic Games. Pelosi, meanwhile, has been outspoken in support of Tibet, the site of recent crackdowns on human rights demonstrators by the Chinese government.
In her interview with "GMA", the Speaker continued to denounce China's rule over Tibet and expressed regret that the communist nation would play host to the summer games.
"I don't think China should have gotten the Olympic Games to begin with," Pelosi told GMA. "I had a resolution in the Congress which was very popular, and bipartisan support on it. But they did get them with the promise that they would open up more and have better respect for human rights and freedom of expression. They have not honored that."
Bo
April 7, 2008 in Bush, George W., Romney, Mitt, Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (215)
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touche, hilary, touche.
Posted by: smart move hilary | Apr 7, 2008 1:28:21 PM
Not a Hillary fan but YES - he should stay away if he had any decency.
..oops, sorry I forgot it was Bush we are talking about.
He'll turn up!
Posted by: America - A Nation Of Sheep | Apr 7, 2008 1:30:36 PM
BREAKING: AMERICAN ELECTORATE CALL ON CLINTON TO BEGIN TELLING TRUTH OR WITHDRAW FROM RACE
Posted by: Bill | Apr 7, 2008 1:33:56 PM
Politically motivated to get the focus off her campaign problems. . . She's scrambling to find something to take the high road on.
Posted by: JW | Apr 7, 2008 1:34:21 PM
Maybe we should send Obama there and he can give a magnificent speech and the Chinese government will be so in awe of his oaratory that they will stop all human rights violations. When they see how people faint when Obama speaks they will know that they are up against a greater power !!!! Just don't punish the athletes like we have stupidly done in the past. !!
Posted by: jimbo | Apr 7, 2008 1:34:47 PM
Hillary is doing anything to keep the focus away from her disastrously mismanaged campaign.
Posted by: Cindy S | Apr 7, 2008 1:34:59 PM
TimTom, that was funny. I laughed out loud at work.
Posted by: Nikki | Apr 7, 2008 1:35:12 PM
Would be nice if Hillary could shut up for once instead of always trying to grandstand.
Posted by: Patriot 2008 | Apr 7, 2008 1:35:50 PM
BREAKING NEWS - Hillary took a poll before deciding this was her decision.
Posted by: America - A Nation Of Sheep | Apr 7, 2008 1:37:23 PM
If Hillary went on the game show "The Moment of Truth", she would fail the very first question. She will go down in history as the nation's most prolific liar.
Posted by: Linda | Apr 7, 2008 1:38:02 PM
I have to say most people in Western countries never go to Tibet and know Tibetans. What you have known is just from a very small group of Tibetans. I have several Tibetans friends in China. Tibetans are treated very well and much better than Han-Chinese. They enjoy their lifes and get along with Han-Chinese very well in China. Dalai Lama just wants to rule Tibet again and have most Tibetans as his slaves. Before you say somethings seriously, please go there and talk to different people and know the truth. Don't just believe what you heard from one side. Instead, do your own research.
Posted by: Gina123456 | Apr 7, 2008 1:38:06 PM
Careful, she may deny she said this later.
Posted by: Don | Apr 7, 2008 1:39:16 PM
Its easy for her to say this. She does not have to make the final decision.
Remember!! The Clintons are in bed with China, Sold us out to China, Gave China missile information, Took donations from China interests. Give me a break. Do you all think she will jeopardize the money flow to her and Bill?
Posted by: Jim Rod | Apr 7, 2008 1:40:14 PM
She lost her strategist folks so cut her some slack. She's flying without a pilot...:)
Posted by: Elijah112668 | Apr 7, 2008 1:40:18 PM
Anyone from America (and probably a lot of other contries for similar reasons) that thinks China should give Tibet its land back should give the land that they own back to the indians before they say anything.
I'm not saying China is right. I'm just saying that the protestors are hypocrites.
Jon
Posted by: Jon | Apr 7, 2008 1:41:24 PM
It's funny for Hillary to say that. She really often makes mistakes in her judgement. It's not democratic spirit when she uses her own political opinion on sports.
Posted by: Gina123456 | Apr 7, 2008 1:41:47 PM
I voted for Hillary in our state and am so ashamed of myself. I tried so long to give her the benefit of the doubt but now it is so clear she is a terrible manager of her finances, her campaign, her people and she cannot tell the truth to save her soul. I cannot believe how wealthy she is and it seems she just wants more. I'm so sorry I threw my vote away.
Posted by: Mary McCarthy | Apr 7, 2008 1:41:50 PM
Linda - If you really think Hillary Clinton will go down in history as "the nation's most prolific liar" then you truly must have been living under a large very well-insulated rock for the past 8 years. Our President holds that distinction, dear; and history will judge him accordingly.
Posted by: Scott | Apr 7, 2008 1:42:52 PM
Why would Bush, a fascist totalitarian who has no respect for human rights, expect a communist totalitarian country, China, to respect human rights?
Posted by: Charles | Apr 7, 2008 1:43:44 PM
While I applaud all efforts to get Bush to forego the opening ceremonies, I seriously doubt he will heed the calls. After all, he's going to the Olympics because he's a 'sports fan'. If anyone had doubts about whether he 'gets it', this statement should have lain them to rest.
What really rankles me is that the IOC bought into China's promises of reform! China should have been allowed to host an Olympics only AFTER they had shown several years of steady improvement in human rights and civil liberties, NOT on the promise to do so.
Posted by: Bob | Apr 7, 2008 1:44:14 PM
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