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Obama Says Bush Should Boycott Olympics If....

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April 09, 2008 7:02 PM

ABC News' Sunlen Miller Reports: In his strongest language to date about the Olympics, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., said that President Bush should boycott the opening ceremonies of if the Chinese do not take steps to stop the genocide in Darfur and respect the human rights of Tibetan people.

Regarding the full Olympic games this summer, Obama says a decision to boycott the opening ceremonies would be on the table but should be made close to the start of the games.

"As I have communicated in public and to the President, it is past time for China to respect the human rights of the Tibetan people, to allow foreign journalists and diplomats access to the region, and to engage the Dalai Lama in meaningful talks about the future of Tibet," Obama said in a statement.

The Democratic presidential frontrunner had seemed to want to avoid talking about the Olympics and Sen. Hillary Clinton's call for a boycott of the Olympics opening ceremonies on August 8, 2008. The junior Senator from Illinois has a particularly tricky balancing act when it comes to the subject of the Olympics: Chicago is vying to host the 2016 games and one of Obama's top campaign advisors and close friends, Valerie Jarrett, is the vice chair of Chicago's bid committee.

Here is Obama's full statement:

"If the Chinese do not take steps to help stop the genocide in Darfur and to respect the dignity, security, and human rights of the Tibetan people, then the President should boycott the opening ceremonies. As I have communicated in public and to the President, it is past time for China to respect the human rights of the Tibetan people, to allow foreign journalists and diplomats access to the region, and to engage the Dalai Lama in meaningful talks about the future of Tibet. I am also deeply concerned about China's failure to support efforts to halt the genocide in Darfur. Regarding the Beijing Olympics this summer, a boycott of the opening ceremonies should be firmly on the table, but this decision should be made closer to the Games."

April 9, 2008 in Kucinich, Dennis | Permalink | User Comments (239)

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Oh, so he waits to see what others, like Hillary, are doing and then plucks up courage to say "me too, I agree!" He's a wuzz!

Posted by: D | Apr 9, 2008 7:12:51 PM

"Regarding the full Olympic games this summer, Obama says a decision to boycott the opening ceremonies would be on the table but should be made close to the start of the games."

Obama clearly knows what strong diplomacy is.

Hillary is trying to please the audience, caring less about Darfur and Tibet than about US polls.

Posted by: gena | Apr 9, 2008 7:21:43 PM

Obama's is the only plan that might get some leverage out of this. The Chinese might let reporters in and stop supplying the sudanese to save face.

Posted by: Will | Apr 9, 2008 7:25:02 PM

Yet again- Barack Obama follows Hillary and echoes her ideas !! Not much of a leader. Hillary is the trail blazer who is unambigous, precise and clear in her prescriptions to end the war and restore our economy. Barack just plagarizes and paraphrases her ideas

Posted by: American Voter | Apr 9, 2008 7:27:19 PM

His statement shows how much he understands diplomacy. Unlike our current president. Hillary doesn't seem to understand it either as her statement seems to have been made to draw attention to her faltering campaign.
Obama 08

Posted by: major10719 | Apr 9, 2008 7:27:34 PM

Well, that knocked a little of the glitter off of that guy for me. What we really need is one more president that thinks it's his role to tell other countries what they should do. The role of the president is to defend and uphold our constitution. Nothing more. Nothing less. Listen to the oath of office.

Posted by: Fletch | Apr 9, 2008 7:27:56 PM

Actually...Hillary plucked her answer from Nancy Pelosi.

Posted by: Stinky Beetle | Apr 9, 2008 7:28:20 PM

Obama speaks!!!!!!!!!

I guess he wants to put pressure on China.

I predict that China does nothing and Obama will push to boycott the opening ceremonies.

Posted by: Maritza | Apr 9, 2008 7:28:58 PM

Obama speaks!!!!!!!!!

I guess he wants to put pressure on China.

I predict that China does nothing and Obama will push to boycott the opening ceremonies.

Posted by: Maritza | Apr 9, 2008 7:29:02 PM

Obama is actully Hilarious

Posted by: seah | Apr 9, 2008 7:29:08 PM

american voter-

you're stupid! Hillary is no traiblazer...in case you haven't figured out how this government is structured...NANCY PELOSI is the most powerful woman in the Free World.

Nancy Pelosi called for the boycott long before Hillary did....Hillary only called it after her sh-t hit the fan and she needed to change the subject in the press.

NOT MUCH OF A TRAILBLAZER IN MY OPINION!

Posted by: jj | Apr 9, 2008 7:31:52 PM

As I have communicated in public and to the President, it is past time for China to respect the human rights of the Tibetan people, to allow foreign journalists and diplomats access to the region, and to engage the Dalai Lama in meaningful talks about the future of Tibet," Obama said in a statement.

He sure didn't say this earlier when he was wishy washy about saying anything negative to China, after all we owe them money and don't bite the hand that feeds us?

What a phony, what a slime ball - talk about change - this is what obama means about change. Say one thing and then two hours later, when you realize you said something wrong, quickly say something better. Confuse the public - say anything, keep them confused. I am running for president and I am right and Clinton and McCain and Bush are wrong, wrong, wrong - he is really ready for some clinical evaluation.

Posted by: Lou | Apr 9, 2008 7:33:12 PM

Hillary backer-

You need to go back to school and learn how to write.

Posted by: jj | Apr 9, 2008 7:33:30 PM

Hillary supporters, have you been watching the current polls out of PA, NC??? The Fat Lady is about ready to sing!!! I have been watching these candidates closely, Hillary is constantly looking down at prepared statements when she addresses the media and her rally supporters. If you watch OBAMA he talks to reporters with direct eye contact and never reads a prepared statement, that's who I want running my White House, someone that articulates right from his mind and mouth.

Posted by: Dennis | Apr 9, 2008 7:34:00 PM

Gee..what a shock!
He only put that statement out because he couldnt vote 'present'.

Posted by: Joan | Apr 9, 2008 7:34:13 PM

Obama: HEY!!! somebody tell me what to say here, I can't find Hillary.

Posted by: BikernAz | Apr 9, 2008 7:35:59 PM

lou-

OH SHUT UP! HILLARY and BILL get rich from getting into bed with foreign governments and making shady deals!

DUBAI
SAUDI ARABIA
SYRIA
COLOMBIA

Quit picking on Obama who has never damaged this country the way the Clintons have. Or do you pick on him because you can't defend your whore and his pimp?

Posted by: stacy | Apr 9, 2008 7:36:08 PM

lou-

OH SHUT UP! HILLARY and BILL get rich from getting into bed with foreign governments and making shady deals!

DUBAI
SAUDI ARABIA
SYRIA
COLOMBIA

Quit picking on Obama who has never damaged this country the way the Clintons have. Or do you pick on him because you can't defend your whore and her pimp?

Posted by: stacy | Apr 9, 2008 7:36:17 PM

JJ - Calling people stupid for disagreeing with you is a lot worse than anything you are criticizing Clinton for.

Posted by: jock59801 | Apr 9, 2008 7:37:29 PM

Anyone else think it's a strange coincidence that China was awarded the games right after they released our P-3 crew that they basically Shanghai-ed and held hostage?

Posted by: MaxiDial | Apr 9, 2008 7:38:28 PM

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