When you have no substance, you simply criticize your opponents, accusing her or him things they never said or did. They have to defend themselves, and by the media cycle finished that round, they forgot what the original question was and a new subject will come along.

NewYorker fuels misconception - so said 0bama. Now you know, NewYorker was probably correct since 0bama is shifting blames.

That's how a phony does his business to deceive you.

As a Senator after Vietnam, I was so impressed with Dr. King's work, that I voted against a MLK national holiday over and over. . . . . . every time that request hit the Senate floor.

I new McCain would endorse Obama for President eventually...

I knew McCain would endorse Obama for President eventually...

DAVID NH

We do not even have holiday for our founding fathers. why in the world you want a holiday for one civil right leader.

McCain was right on opposing it

McCain would endorse Obama for President of School, not the President of USA.

I have news for you David. Maybe to you all MLK was just a civil rights leader but to the millions of blacks across this nation and people throughout the world he was larger than life. It is not what he accomplished but how he accomplished it. I had the pleasure to travel the world and in many great world cities they have streets named after him. I didn't see many streets on foreign lands with the names of our founding fathers. Do yourself a favor and educate yourself and join the 21st century.

The theory of school vouchers sounds good, but I agree with the earlier poster in that the reality is that poor families (often in urban areas) are in no position to place their children in expensive private schools (often in the suburbs). A voucher for a portion of the tuition won't help the families pay for the balance of the tuition. Further, if the students attend failing schools, they may not even be accepted at better-performing private schools because of their own performance levels. The answer is not to filter off a few students here and there to better-performing schools; the answer is to address the problems in the public schools so that something closer to education equity actually exists in the public school system. That was the initial intention of the public school system in this country. We should expect that of our public schools.

All other issues aside, McCain's plan to revamp the educational system is a great one - his education adviser is the same woman who revised public education in Arizona, lifting it out of its ranks as one of the worst in the country. If she can do for the country what she did for Arizona, America would be a much better place. It's funny that this issue gets so little press because improving our educational system is probably the most pressing issue facing the country - our future depends on it.

Mary - Well said. Add to that the fact that poor urban families have no way of transporting their children to suburban schools. The future of our children lies in rebuilding the public school system after years of neglect.

Missy - the issue gets little press because its HARD. It would require that people think, debate, plan, and make compromises across ideological boundaries for the good of the country. It's MUCH easier to scream "Obama is a Muslim" or "McCain is an old man" then stand back and watch. The media is in business to make money, not resolve issues.

It does not bother me that McCain opposed the MLK holiday.

Kids should be in school on MLK day learning about Civil Rights but many just sit at home watching TV not giving a rat's behind about MLK. Mandate a civil rights course in school, not another stinking day off that most parents do not get and have to scramble for child care.

McCain will push vouchers because they remove the responsibility of education from the public schools and build up streams of capitalism for private schools. But do not be fooled, must of the problems we are experiencing with oil, the American economy, healthcare and other sectors of our lives is directly related to capitalistic greed. Public schools can work, but communities, parents and undustries must invest resources in public schools and public schools have to open up their industry to MBA's, MPA's and other disciplines in order to make education practical and functionally competent. In other words, it does no good to get A's in Trig and Chem, if you can not balance a checkbook or have the skills to get along appropriately with other people. Vouchers will continue to make the rich richer, and poor poorer.

I will give mccain credit for attenting the naacp award. I am a Obamacan and I don't think that I would feel very comfortable at the Naacp. This org is not supose rep just one party , the stuggle was supose to be freedom to vote for who you please. I dont see this, just as travis smiley state of the black family I feel so much hostilaty from most of the black people that I would be just as afraid to attend the naacp. I was not suprised when jesse jackson said what he said. This how I see lots of black people who actually express them selves with such thoughts and language. however I do believe that a change has come where we can discuss our differences. I was afraid to tell anyone that I was republican because that year they addressed my issues. this year I am an Obamacan because he address my issues this year and I do have a right to change my mind or vote for my issues.

babsNJ - not a bad idea. We should do the same with president's day - spend a day learning about some of the truly great leaders in our past. Then they can compare them to the nitwits we've had in the last 20 years. Maybe they will choose more wisely in the future.

p:

we do not need your pessimism....

just be sure you vote!!

I am definitely in favor of McCain over Obama, but school vouchers are a ridiculous idea. Public schools are abysmal in California and it's not from underfunding. It's from poor management of funds and from lazy parents. Private schools receive far less funding, yet they work a great deal better. It's because of parents taking a much more active role in their children's education and teachers who are not shackled by the political correctness that has crippled our country.

Throwing money at schools is not going to resolve the issue of poor people not taking an interest in their children's education. Nor will it change the fact that minorities are the bulk of poor people.

I think it's great that this old guy with the mediocre intellect and the well-deserved reputation for a rash and hot temper spoke at the NAACP convention.

Did he explain why he wants soldiers to remain indentured servants and not get a college education?

Republicans continue to amaze me. Here is John McSame, talking so much about the darkness of his POW cell as if he was cryin' his eyelashes off when Dr. King was assassinated. But wasn't this the same John McSame who voted against making King's birthday a national holiday?

It's too bad these candidates don't have to have a lie detector tied to their bodies while campaigning. If there was a bell ringing each time they lied to the American people, the tone would hopefully be deafening enough that no one would be able to listen any longer.

IMHLAR - Can't argue with that. It's the same here in Texas. What I meant to say was that we need to invest to rebuild public EDUCATION - of which the schools are only one part. Get the parents involved and invested in their children's education, throw out half of the administrative staff and employ more teachers, and get the government off the backs of the teachers. Easy to say - a lot harder to do.

Generally, if public schools are so despicable, thus, forcing me to pay twice for the safety of private schools, why shouldn't I have access to vouches? Better yet, I'm still waiting for any politician in Washington DC to provide a list of any of their colleagues who send their kids to public schools.

OOPS - cut and paste error. let me try again.

David - of course no politician sends their kids to public schools. Politicians are the problem. In our collective insanity we keep going back to the source of the problem looking for a solution. Let's take politicians, especially FEDERAL politicians, out of the equation and take back control of schools ourselves and fix the problem - one school at a time if necessary.

So Obama is not for changing the failed school systems.

I am a McCain voter, but I dont agree with the voucher system. Yes, some people would put them to good use, but others would send their scummy children and the children would just be the same in a private school as they are in a public school. I for one did go to a public school, our school system was pretty good in comparision with those around it. I, however, am thinking when my children are old enough I want to put them in a private school...I would work 2 jobs if needed if thats what I felt was best for my child. My son right now shows signs of being gifted, but if not challenged he acts up. If he were in public school I know they woul recommend me drug him up b/c he was ADD. Thats whats wrong w/ the school systems, kids just are not being challenged enough. Also I must agree with the babsNJ about MLK day.

I was recently in Australia and Japan, the people that I talked with in those country's didn't even know who MLK was, they had never heard of him.

"McCain said he plans to spend $500-billion in federal money to build virtual schools and pledged to support the development of online courses for students."

That would be $500 billion on top of $68 billion for the Department of Education, $7 billion for head start, and other billions for other equally harmful programs. John McCain wants to buy votes with your tax dollars. T'were ever thus.

There are three main factors in the academic success of young people: genes, parental guidance and example, and schools. Given quality in the first two, a child can benefit from good schools. Absent quality in the in the first two, no amount of money for schools will lead to academic success. Given the politically correct culture that prevents honest discussion of all three factors, and that also prevents recognition that not all children are going to qualify as rocket scientists, it is not likely that effective steps will be taken to better insure that all children reach their academic potential.

The Department of Education was established in 1867. For the first 100 years it was a relatively benign department. Then Lyndon Johnson's war on poverty of the 1960s turned it into a mess. If the war on poverty had been a success instead of a miserable failure - like almost everything else congress does to pander to voters - we would not be wringing our hands today over the poor academic performance of some of today's children.

There are two illustrative situations: (1) Communities with enlightened, intelligent and capable parents who support with their local taxes excellent community schools and guide and nurture their two children per family in preparation for attendance at those schools; and (2) Other communities. Since the 1960s, federal and state governments have tried to create equality of academic performance in the two communities, primarily by transfer of wealth, and secondarily by transfer of students. To no avail.

John McCain is at best pandering in pretending that $500 billion for federal schools would be an effective use of tax dollars.

BTL Musings - Do you normally go around asking people in other countries if they know who MLK is? How does something like that even come up? I call BS, dude.

geecee - the NRA, as currently constituted, may be crazy but they're not racist. They are against ANYONE, regardless of race, creed, national origin, or sexual orientation, that opposes their unlimited gun ownership agenda. It's sad really, the NRA was formed originally to promote shooting sports and gun safety. How they have drifted so far from their roots is a mystery. I have been trained and certified by the NRA in gun range safety (so I can supervise boy scout troops, etc.) and they perform that function well. However, I am not a member of the NRA and won't ever be until the embrace sensible limits on gun ownership.

Chris,

How can you claim choice of where a child is sent to will not make a difference and yet in the view of most liberals claim that a woman's choice in childbirth makes such a big difference. These children will have a better chance to learn when they are put in a school that cares and teachers that care. School vouchers give the parents the opportunity to see their kids get the best education.

I don't think that your kids have a "right" to my tax dollars to pay for their education. The world needs ditch diggers, too!

Freddyelvis - "School vouchers benefit POOR FAMILIES. The rich don’t need school vouchers. It gives the parents of POOR children a choice". Would that it were true... This is the central fallacy of the voucher system. It holds out the promise of poor children attending private schools but it cannot deliver. Are we going to create another system of busing kids around entire geographic regions to get them from where they live to where they want to go to school? Hardly. Plus, by deriding teachers for their "nine months of work and fat pensions" you obviously do not have any meaningful involvement in your neighborhood school. Teachers work their collective butts off for crummy pay while half of that $11,000 per kid goes to pay for administration salaries and federal and state paperwork.

At least the man had the GUTS to speak to an AA crowd.

Unlike most of the coward repubs.

Way to go John!!!!

Dave - sorry, but I cannot see any connection between school vouchers and abortion. Please.....

Tim...I don't think Obama has enough experience (or accomplishments)to be president of a school. Obama = Jimmy Carter II.

I felt McCain showed true grace, even honoring Obama. This is why Obama loses in November. When the message is hollow, the winner is McCharacter who hasn't turned to lying and negativity, despite what Obama says.

This year, where was Obama? He missed the Travis Smiley’s event and MLK’s event. And, Obama wants to over shadow MLK’s ‘I have a dream’ day when his convention.

Remember when we ask "Why can't Johnny read" 20 yrs ago? Well now he can't make change for a dollar. With this kind of progress, do you really wish to waste YOUR child while they "fix" public schools?

I believe Senator McCain's voucher policy will be viewed favorably by many Americans. School vouchers have worked wherever they have been tried. This is particularly true when they have been implemented in the inner cities where the dysfunctional public schools have failed miserably. Despite the many challenges of educating inner city kids, charter schools have been successful. Access to vouchers will allow many more inner city kids the opportunity to attend these successful schools. Education is a key to unlocking the chains of poverty and providing everyone a chance at upward mobility. This is especially true in our changing economy where 'knowledge jobs' are expanding and good paying manufacturing jobs are contracting.

William - ever notice that those same Johnnies who can't read make up the FOX News demographic?

Didn't McCain get his own education on the taxpayers' dime at Annapolis? Why do Republicans always want to pull the ladder up on everyone else after they've climbed to their own success?

Chris - I'm afraid that it's impossible for anyone to trust the GOP to act in good faith and actually compromise after the Bush years. The lessons that we moderates learned is that if you give Republicans an inch, they will steal the White House and give you 8 years of misery, lies, failure and disaster. We first have to remove the GOP from power before any real progress can be made in this country.

Chris...I'm a democrat and I kinda have to agree with you. I think that once they (both parties) hit a certain number of years in government they lose touch with what's really going on. It's human nature to kinda become complacent and with things after you've been immersed in a certain atmosphere for awhile. Not to mention that many of them are eligable for social security and honestly most seniors I know are of the mindset that they've raised their kids, given to their families, given to their communities and are trying to enjoy their golden years. I only say that to say that I can see how most career politicians can lapse easily into the Washington bubble.

freddielvis well said, our schools have been taken over by unions, plain and simple. The no child left behind that Bush started is a joke. In my city the principals just use it to get rid of their problem kids and ship them off to another school.

to ryan: u and ur kind are the reason this country cannot see past color and look at the intelligence of this man u stupid ass.

Public education has been (was) the foundation of this nation and the envy of the world. Globally education systems were patterned after the United States. When metropolitan city decay, outsourcing and off-shore relocation became the central focus of industry, wall street and the American dream was a burb house public education was the first to take the blow. Vouchers became a quick "spin" fix to a very, very complicated problem that does not remove the root cause nor does it address school districts across the nation facing very, very difficult problems. Now another quick "spin" is to draw out the AK-47s on the teachers unions, but since 95% of those unions see teachers with college and academic training required to enter the classrooms being paid less than the municipal garbage system workers there is a voice that has to speak up as well. I am also amazed literally at the PTA organizations across this nation that have routinely screamed at the delimmeas that teachers face, back them in their efforts including salary etc., know full well the district problems and then remain mute on vouchers (can it be that pandering has its own rewards somewhere else?). John McCain is wrong. John and Mary may get a voucher but pray tell how they are going to get litte John from 137th Street to Better Number Two Junior High on the other side of town or worse yet in the burb. Common sense flies out the window too many times, but unfortunately the bad idea nor the one who doesn't have it does.

I knew McCain would endorse Obama for President eventually...

Posted by: Jen | Jul 16, 2008 2:17:31 PM

_______________________________________

Classic!! that was a beauty,

Now all Barack has to do is put the final touches come November and that entails putting McCain in his rightful position under the BUS(*_)

Separate but unequal. Be careful people...we've been on that road before. Public education when segregated was for some far, far worse than now. Start on a road that starts this nation backward and we will make a big, big mistake. Vouchers are not the answer. Obama's plan is a start and it won't get done in four years nor in the next 8 or 12 - but vouchers will set this nation back 30 or more at a time we can least afford to do it - unless no one has noticed we're falling behind globally. Together it can be fixed - separate and unequal: NEVER !

Look at McCain's history towards blacks.

The internet is filled with them. Do your own research and you will see McCain has a terrible history toward minorities. He will say one thing, but when it comes to voting, McCain has a long history against minorities.

McCain voted against MLK day.
In 2008, McCain voted against the equal pay for equal work bill.

OnTheGloryRoad - well said. This is a very complicated problem that does not have a quick fix solution. There is plenty of blame to go around. Parents that think that by paying their property taxes they have fulfilled their obligation to their local schools, mountains of rules and regulations imposed by all levels of government, layers of dead-weight administration, corporate indifference to the needs for an educated workforce, unions imposing work rules and protecting failures, to name a few. It will take years of determined effort. Unfortunately, the political parties (ALL OF THEM) are using education, among many other things, to divide, conquer, and rule us. They don't want an educated populace because it is the cornerstone of our democracy. An educated, informed, electorate will threaten their hold on power. The future of our country lies in our children. Their future lies in our schools. It's time we take them back.

think McCain should focus on research with all minorities. If our research scientist could make semen taste like chocolate;

Posted by: McCain in 08 i hope | Jul 16, 2008 5:40:45 PM

________________________________________

Wouldn't you like to know , IS THAT YOU

REPUBLICAN SENATOR LARRY CRAIG.

I thought you would have learn your lesson.

.

I'll bet the old geezer probably got at least another 10 black votes today.

McCain voted against the MLK holiday because of the cost of giving everyone a day off not the meaning. He went to the meeting to reach to the other side, be inclusive, which is what he does in the Senate to get good legislation for everyone. Obama has no record of bipartisanship. A lot of the times he doesn;t even vote on issues.

pieceof cake,

I'll take that bet !!!!

I'll bet the old geezer probably got at least another 10 black votes today.

Posted by: pieceof cake | Jul 16, 2008 5:48:44 PM

---------------------------------------

And those 10 blacks have to be making over 250.000 a year and dont want to pay the luxury tax, why else you would vote this clown.

Well, it looks like we're not going to talk about education reform anymore so I'm out of here. I'll leave the rest of you to discuss the merits of chocolate covered semen and prove my point about a educated and informed electorate.

Way to keep the topic on education folks.

From education to the taste of semen in less than 4 HOURS !!!!

....and everybody is soooo surprised to see our country going straight down the crapper.....GEESH

hehehe

I hate it when white folks claim that black support of Obama is just racially motivated.

Blacks have a history of voting for white candidates (like they had a choice!) But whites simply don’t return the favor. How many black senators or governors do you see out there? We’ve only had TWO elected governors and THREE senators since Reconstruction (including Obama)!
All black members of Congress represent districts with large black populations (thanks to gerrymandering). White folks didn’t send them to Washington. That’s always been the career ceiling for black politians. Statewide offices are simply out of reach because they won’t get the white vote.

Without gerrymandered black voters, there would be NO blacks in Congress right now (save for the Obama accident).

john brown-----dont insult the jerk character mccain is no were near as smart as that steve martin character. mccain is so senile he is lost.

During the planning for the Surge, Obama was one of those who said that not only will the Surge NOT WORK, the Surge will cause legions of terrorists to spring up and create even more chaos in Iraq. RESULTS - SURGE IS A MAJOR SUCCESS AND... MORE CHAOS DID NOT HAPPEN - JUST THE OPPOSITE! Good example of how unprepared Obama is in the field of foreign policy and national defense, AND.... one of the many reasons why recent polls show lopsided confidence for McCain over Obama in foreign policy and national defense.

temagami----- yes it has gotten better in iraq but it has got very bad in afgan and pakis. the middle east is like a guy being in a boat and having eleven holes in the boat and only having ten patches the boat wiil sink no matter how hard you work. the terrorist will never stop no matter how many troops we throw at them we will always miss some and they will continue to cause trouble. so i say and alot of americans say lets bring our troops home tell any american business overseas that they are on there own and lets protect our borders and our people and let the rest of the world find a new police force the american people are sick of footing the bill to make everybody nice and safe all the while those people hate us.

temagami--------that is why the only way to stop the middle east violence once and for all is to nuke the whole area from israel to india from russia to south africa. there would that make the warmongers happy.

Chris, the reason there are not that many black senators and governors is because there are not that many motivated black people to enter the field of politics..you cannot blame that on racism...you can blame it on EDUCATION!!!!!

I will vote for McCain even if he has to be carried into the Oval Office with an O2 cart, and with paramedics and alzheimer's specialist in tow. The alternative, Obama, is unthinkable. Unfortunately, as bad as some say the USA has it (which I really don't buy - consider the Amish), the world situation , particularly in the middle-east, has to take top priority. Other issues ARE important, but don't mean a damn thing if we cannot, nor will not protect ourselves. Obama just does not have the ability nor experience to perform those functions. Obama's early prediction of the Surge failing and ensuing chaos in Iraq (just the opposite has occurred) clearly shows his complete lack of knowledge of foreign affairs and national defense

temagami------vote for mccain he doesnt have a chance to win this fall. america knows that we need to change directions and mcsame is just more king george policies. i will vote with the other 70% that will vote for obama you vote for mcbush.

Tom - I didn't post that inane drivel. Someone else used my name for their post!!!!!

Tom.

Unfortunately, The USA is next to the top of terrorist kill list (after Israel). Playing isolationist would be an invitation for disaster, especially with Obama's projected border security plan (or lack of plan). Bush declaration that nations harboring terrorists will be fair game has to be the order of the day. McCain concurs. The intelligence agencies of USA, GB, France and Israel have done an outstanding job in preventing further attacks. I have no confidence in Obama's ability to do same.

Sorry, I meant MFMROS. Only a true loser uses someone else's name to post their absurdities.

Tom.

In-depth discussion of issues or more adjectives?

Temagami...I am with you..McCain will win the election...and we will never hear from the Obama supporters again with their nasty slurs against anyone who does not support their idol! Even more dems will vote for McCain simply because not only is Obama a flip flopper the dems in Congress have done nothing for 2 years and continue to deny supporting drilling in this country! Drilling in this country will make this country more self sufficient than it has ever been not to mention safer! McCain will also not raise our taxes so high we will bring home a paycheck that looks like a welfare check and suck the life out of our 401K's!

McCain's remarks were gracious. As for MLK day, unfortunately, we can't have a holiday 365 days. It's hard to make these choices, and it's not done trivially. I even personally opposed the idea for a long time. But, today, it is indeed a chartised American holiday that all Americans celebrate and honor. McCain has also said he regrets his former position on MLK day, and that's more than understandable giving historical developments.

Actually, according to pollsters, Obama needs to come out of the convention with at least a fifteen percent lead over McCain to be competitive, as Reps usually catch up by Fall. Not many see that happening and with Obama being way behind in the areas of national defense and foreign policy, Obama will have a tough road.

Obama is a naive, inexperienced one-term senator who is not ready to lead this nation. The fact that he flip-flops so often is an indication of his lack of knowledge on the issues. He should try again in 8 years time.

No substance??? Naive and inexperienced??? Janephilip and Atom, did you not listen to Senator Obama's National Security speech yesterday? If he has no substance and is so naive, then why is the Bush Administration doing what Obama has advocated doing all along... talking with Iran? If Obama has no substance and is so naive, why is the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff now advocating a draw-down of troops in Iraq to shift emphasis back to Afghanistan?
I look for Obama to have a double-digit lead, perhaps as much as the fifteen points you say he will need, Temagami, by the time he completes his visits to Iraq, Afghanistan and or "former" allies in Europe.

Opa...Obama advocted appeasing Iran, Bush is not pretty much telling Iran that if they don't behave---Israel is going to bomb them and the US will back Israel. I keep telling people to follow the Iran/Israel saga going on---I don't think most realize how likely we are to be officially in a war with Iran by year's end----last word Iran's president said he chop off invaders (israelis and Americans) hands for coming into his area and that he has missles already aimed at Israel and 32 bases in the ME of the Americans. I think Israel is trying to wait till right after the election so they do not influence the election.

Obama is a stupid choice for president---he's a crook and he can't even talk without a teleprompter. There is no way he could handle a war correctly. Good thing is that he is going down in the polls and since he isn't much ahead of McCain already, (polls are almost always bias in demmy favor), November is looking real bad for him. Republicans tend to do better than demmies as the election nears.

Chattyway, tell me please how you equate "talking" with Iran as appeasement and just how you come to know precisely what message Undersecretary of State Burns will be delivering to Iran. Although I fear you may be right about danger we face in the Persian Gulf region, you cannot know of which you speak.
You come across to me as a person who has very strong opinions, but very few facts with which to back them up. You lose all credibility spouting innuendo, groundless judgments, and name calling.

Oh geez, do I have to spoon fed the Obama nuts-----not only appease terrorists but Obama personal ties repeatedly show sympathies for and leave his loyalities in question.

Obama aide wants
Foreign adviser's 'anti-Israel policies,'

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: January 29, 2008
1:00 am Eastern

By Aaron Klein
© 2008 WorldNetDaily.com

Robert Malley
JERUSALEM – While officials here largely maintain a policy against interfering in U.S. election politics, some Israeli security officials quietly expressed "concern" about an adviser to Sen. Barack Obama who has advocated negotiations with Hamas and providing international assistance to the terrorist group.

The officials noted Robert Malley, a principal Obama foreign policy adviser, has penned numerous opinion articles, many of them co-written with a former adviser to the late Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat, petitioning for dialogue with Hamas and blasting Israel for numerous policies he says harm the Palestinian cause.

Malley also previously penned a well-circulated New York Review of Books piece largely blaming Israel for the collapse of the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations at Camp David in 2000 when Arafat turned down a Palestinian state in the West Bank, Gaza and eastern sections of Jerusalem and instead returned to the Middle East to launch an intifada, or terrorist campaign, against the Jewish state.

Malley's contentions have been strongly refuted by key participants at Camp David, including President Bill Clinton, then-Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and primary U.S. envoy to the Middle East Dennis Ross, all of whom squarely blamed Arafat's refusal to make peace for the talks' failure.

(Story continues below)

"We are noting with concern some of Obama's picks as advisers, particularly Robert Malley who has expressed sympathy to Hamas and Hezbollah and offered accounts of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations that don't jibe with the facts," said one security official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The official stated he was not authorized to talk to the media about U.S. politics, noting Israeli officials are instructed to "stay out" of American political affairs.

In February 2006, after Hamas won a majority of seats in the Palestinian parliament and amid a U.S. and Israeli attempt to isolate the Hamas-run Palestinian Authority, Malley wrote an op-ed for the Baltimore Sun advocating international aid to the terror group's newly formed government.

"The Islamists (Hamas) ran on a campaign of effective government and promised to improve Palestinians' lives; they cannot do that if the international community turns its back," wrote Malley in a piece entitled, "Making the Best of Hamas' Victory."

Malley contended the election of Hamas expressed Palestinian "anger at years of humiliation and loss of self-respect because of Israeli settlement expansion, Arafat's imprisonment, Israel's incursions, Western lecturing and, most recently and tellingly, the threat of an aid cut off in the event of an Islamist success."

Malley said the U.S. should not "discourage third-party unofficial contacts with [Hamas] in an attempt to moderate it."

Hamas is responsible for scores of deadly shootings, suicide bombin