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Obama Takes Issue With Bush Foreign Policy Speech
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ShareMay 15, 2008 9:57 AM
ABC News' Ed O'Keefe Reports: The Obama campaign is taking issue with a comment President Bush made while speaking to the Knesset on the 60th anniversary of Israel's statehood.
"Some seem to believe we should negotiate with terrorists and radicals, as if some ingenious argument will persuade them they have been wrong all along," the President said to the country's legislative body, "We have heard this foolish delusion before. As Nazi tanks crossed into Poland in 1939, an American senator declared: 'Lord, if only I could have talked to Hitler, all of this might have been avoided.' We have an obligation to call this what it is –- the false comfort of appeasement, which has been repeatedly discredited by history."
Watch video of Bush's comments on terror HERE.
In a statement, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., shot across the bow: "It is sad that President Bush would use a speech to the Knesset on the 6Oth anniversary of Israel's independence to launch a false political attack. It is time to turn the page on eight years of policies that have strengthened Iran and failed to secure America or our ally Israel. Instead of tough talk and no action, we need to do what Kennedy, Nixon and Reagan did and use all elements of American power -- including tough, principled, and direct diplomacy - to pressure countries like Iran and Syria. George Bush knows that I have never supported engagement with terrorists, and the President's extraordinary politicization of foreign policy and the politics of fear do nothing to secure the American people or our stalwart ally Israel."
ABC News' White House troops point out that the President has made similar statements in the past and Bush did not specifically cite Obama by name, though he did reference Sen. William Borah's immortal reaction upon hearing that Hitler had invaded Poland and begun World War II, something he has not highlighted in the past.
"(The President) has said similar things before," a White House official told ABC News' Martha Raddatz. "But it is in reference to a number of people, think Carter, others who have engaged in this or suggested it."
White House spokesperson Dana Perino was asked if Bush's line was a slam against Obama and she insisted, "It is not."
"I understand that when you are running for office sometimes you think the world revolves around you. That is not always true and it is not true in this case," Perino added, though the White House is keenly aware of how such statements might play during a heated political season and has steadfastly avoided commenting on the 2008 race.
Late Thursday that notion seemed to be confirmed.
"Did we know this could be construed as being about Obama? Yes, of course," a White House source told ABC News. "But was this about just Obama? No, it was about Pelosi, Carter, Biden, Obama, etc. When the line went in the speech, we made sure that it was the same as everything (Bush) has said in the past. This was not about just Obama."
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Cali., did not take kindly to the remarks calling Bush's statement "beneath the dignity of the office of the president" in her weekly press conference on Capitol Hill.
Pelosi alluded that presumptive Republican nominee Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., should distance himself from Bush's assertions in Israel, repeatedly saying "any sensible person" would.
In an ABC News interview with the President in April, Bush told Raddatz, "I've said the president's job is to solve these issues diplomatically first and foremost. But, of course options need to stay on the table."
Vice President Dick Cheney has been more direct in criticizing the 2008 Democratic candidates, although still not by name.
"The idea that we can walk away from Iraq is, I think, terribly damaging on its face, and to say that, 'well that's the only way we can get the Iraqis to take on responsibility,' I don't believe that's the case," Cheney said in a March interview with ABC News.
Without addressing the Democratic candidates specifically, the vice president said those who want to pull out of Iraq are "seriously misguided," adding that the presidential candidates would be risking an attack on the homeland if U.S. forces withdrew, and arguing that terrorists would find safe havens in other countries.
Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., both have said they'd withdraw U.S. forces from Iraq if elected president. Sen. McCain has advocated a continued U.S. presence in Iraq until security and political situations improve.
When asked if he was talking about any candidate in particular, Cheney said, "I am talking about any candidate for high office who believes the solution for our problem in that part of the world is to walk away from the commitments that we've made in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere."
ABC News' Ann Compton, Jon Garcia, Sunlen Miller, and Martha Raddatz contributed to this report.
May 15, 2008 in Bush, George W., Hunter, Duncan, Kucinich, Dennis, Tancredo, Tom, Thompson, Fred | Permalink | User Comments (1259)
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Even though I am a conservative Republican, Bush has no credibility to criticize anyone! He has devastated our country! Heaven help whoever is our next President. He or she must bring this country back together and clean up the horrendous mess that they will inherit.
Posted by: James | May 15, 2008 10:21:16 AM
A vote for Obama is just plain stupid.
Obama stands for higher taxes, no guns, and abortion on demand, just to name three.
The crap he spewed about a mandatory retirement account matched by the government is un-frigin' believable! Who's going to pay for that crap?
Just look at the taxes he'll be piling on with this nonsense!
Talk to Iran? What good has come of that? Thanks to Carter, it's like talking to a wall.
Posted by: EJ Smith | May 15, 2008 10:21:18 AM
There is undeniable evidence that Iran is killing American troops in Iraq. Iran was in complete control of the Beirut Lebanon terrorist uprising. They are funding and arming the two terrorist groups, as well as Syria, surrounding Israel. They are creating havoc in any way they can to become the regional power in the middle east. If they get a nuclear weapon, they will be 200 times harder to cotrol...... So Obama wants to pull out of the middle east immediately and create a void for Iran to fill ---- not too bright Barack!!
Posted by: Mark | May 15, 2008 10:21:33 AM
OMG!WTF?
You know he only did that as a desperate attempt to get control of the situation after his racist pastor continued his racist rants. If not for that, he would not go near Fox News.
Posted by: Darryl | May 15, 2008 10:21:56 AM
No solar energy development, drilling or nuclear plants results in wars, devaluation of dollar, high energy prices and disaster. None of these candidates has agreed to solve this problem, not even McCAin. None of them get it. 20 years of this policy and everybody can see and feel the results.
Posted by: Ballen | May 15, 2008 10:22:11 AM
VOTE: JOHN MCCAIN, the only sane vote for true Americans. A true war hero, patriot in the Oval Office.
Amen! justme2see
Posted by: mary | May 15, 2008 10:22:28 AM
I voted for Bush twice before and would happily do so again without thinking.
Posted by: Tina Fresno | May 15, 2008 10:23:22 AM
Dave, Obama can't bankrupt this country. George Bush already has. Our trillions of dollars in deficit is GWB's fault. How can you equate bankrupting this country and keeping your family safe? That makes no sense. But, if GWB "alternate older brother" gets in office, at least your family would be safe...in a cage. Is that where you want to be? In a cage? We used to be able to travel this world freely as Americans. No longer thanks to your buddy GWB.
Posted by: George | May 15, 2008 10:23:34 AM
Having an Islamic background, Obama should know that appeasement approaches will only be viewed as weaknesses. Make no mistake about it, countries that are Islamic are not secular in nature, but religious. As an example here in the U.S. just look at what CAIR has done. The entire purpose of the Islamic political agenda is about eradicating Isreal and enforcing Islam on the rest of the world. Islam grew by the sword, and is still using it to further its goals. How far off the beaten path is any religion that not only espouses, but indoctrinates its younger generation into suicide? There are no radical muslims, nor are there any moderate muslims. There are only muslims who follow the dictates of their mullah.
Posted by: Dennis Dean | May 15, 2008 10:23:45 AM
Face it the truth hurts Barak...as the saying goes, Those that do not learn from history are destined to repeat it.
Barak wouldn't be so defensive it he didn't feel deep down that what President Bush said is true.
Posted by: Rolando | May 15, 2008 10:23:48 AM
Oh yes... let's vote for McCain, the walking goiter. Someone his age should spend his time playing bingo and picking dried food off his bib, not running this country.
Posted by: Doug | May 15, 2008 10:23:53 AM
Obama sure is defensive. Bush didnt even say his name and he freaked out..must have a bit of guilty concious about this.
Posted by: greg | May 15, 2008 10:24:15 AM
Who listens to Bush or Cheney any way? Who cares what these failures have to say about any thing? McCain too!
Posted by: IndieVisible | May 15, 2008 10:24:25 AM
Jon...if you listen to Fox at all O'Reilly announced that Obama is going on as soon as the nominee is decided. He is waiting until either he or Hillary have the "nod". At least he is respecting her and letting this run it's course...
Posted by: cindyct | May 15, 2008 10:24:39 AM
Obama is a trip, anything said against anything he says is deflected to be "racist", "politics of fear", blah blah blah
November should be interesting, cause this guy really has not been vetted at all as of yet. Most Americans barely pay attention to the primaries. I fear that the whole Wright things and lack of hand over the heart stuff (google Obama & pledge) will do him harm in the general election. This is where Hillary would have been better for the General election. Most Americans want a president that hands down loves this country and will do anything to protect it.
Posted by: jon | May 15, 2008 10:25:02 AM
Obama HUSSEIN will destroy this country if he gets in!
Posted by: Joe | May 15, 2008 10:25:25 AM
We have been "negotiating" with terrorists and their supporters for three decades. For our efforts, American interests have been attacked over 15 times since then, culminating in the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Bush changed the "tone" of the talk and we haven't been hit since.
Obama forgets that Iran has steadily grown stronger and Democrats voice of opposition grows louder.
Posted by: Lew Waters | May 15, 2008 10:25:39 AM
Why won't Obama be thoroughly interviewed about his relationship w/Rev Wrong?
Posted by: plainsm | May 15, 2008 10:26:03 AM
I've decided as an American, the progressives are right - libs like Tina aren't worth fighting for and she is deserving of sharia law. Cowards like her certainly isn't worth the risk of losing one military man so I say bring them all on home.
Al Queda, your welcome mat awaits. And this time, don't worry about retaliation. Tina wants to talk nice and she takes the blame for your anger.
Vote Obambi 2008! Women, one burka size fits all!
Posted by: Tex Taylor | May 15, 2008 10:26:11 AM
"We have heard this foolish delusion before. As Nazi tanks crossed into Poland in 1939"!!! Who does this lying piece of garbage think he is? His own grandfather was Hitler's biggest financial supporter and his father and his ideals are right inline with Adolph Hitlers. George Bush, you are a menace to the free world and have caused more damage to the world than any terrorist could ever dream up.
Posted by: A True American | May 15, 2008 10:26:18 AM
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