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Fact Check: Kissinger Defends McCain's Iran Stance

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September 26, 2008 11:54 PM

ABC News' Kirit Radia Reports: Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger came to the defense of longtime friend Sen. John McCain following Friday's presidential debate saying he "would not recommend the next President of the United States engage in talks with Iran at the Presidential level."

"Senator McCain is right. I would not recommend the next President of the United States engage in talks with Iran at the Presidential level. My views on this issue are entirely compatible with the views of my friend Senator John McCain. We do not agree on everything, but we do agree that any negotiations with Iran must be geared to reality," Kissinger said in statement issued by the McCain campaign.

During the debate, Obama pointed to Kissinger to defend his position because the former secretary of state supports direct talks with high-level Iranians without preconditions. Kissinger does not, however, support the U.S. president personally engaging in those talks, a point which McCain sought to drive home during the debate.

While it appears Kissinger and Senator Barack Obama disagree on what level those talks should occur, they do agree talks should begin, in Kissinger's words, “at a very high level” and without preconditions.

During the debate, McCain said that Kissinger would not endorse Obama's position that he would meet on a presidential level with leaders of enemy countries. "I guarantee you he would not say that," McCain said of Kissinger.

Obama took issue with McCain's characterization of the former top diplomat's position, but just last week Kissinger said that, while he broadly agrees on the need to negotiate with Iran, he "preferred doing it at the secretary of state level."

When asked if high level talks with Iran should begin right out of the box, Kissinger replied "Initially, yes."

According to Obama's official website he supports "direct presidential diplomacy with Iran without preconditions."

On preconditions the two appear to agree. Last week Kissinger also said that "I do not believe that we can make conditions for the opening of negotiations."

September 26, 2008 in McCain, John, Obama, Barack, Vote 2008: Democrats, Vote 2008: Republicans | Permalink | User Comments (428)

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I can't believe people on here are saying Obama won. McCain clearly won the debate. McCain was even better on the economic portion that I thought for sure would be Obama's strength. McCain made Obama look very naive and inexperienced on foreign policy. I though Obama sounded as if he was regurgitating lines his advisors had made him memorize. McCain came across as really experienced and knowledgable. I was really impressed with McCain.

Posted by: sarah | Sep 27, 2008 12:30:14 AM

"Did anyone catch the fact that Obama had to look at the name of the soldier on his braclet, He did'nt even remember the dead spldiers name! That was sad."
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Let's see. Which is worse. Forgetting a soldier's name or sending thousands to their death in a war of aggression?

Posted by: pubguy | Sep 27, 2008 12:30:27 AM

Theresa:

Kissinger will say anything to make it seem that his thoughts are important. He screwed things up badly 40 years ago. So he is an authority …… at screwing up.

Posted by: pubguy | Sep 27, 2008 12:33:43 AM

KISSINGER SLAMMED OBAMA

Obama got humiliated.

Posted by: Lexi | Sep 27, 2008 12:34:00 AM

Obama won. McCain was lost on the economy. On foreign policy Obama had an advantage on Afghanistan and McCain on Iraq.

Obama has better judgment.

Posted by: krista | Sep 27, 2008 12:34:10 AM

OBAMA WAS LIKE A SCHOOL BOY WHO OVERCRAMMED FOR HIS FINALS AND GOT QUITE A FEW FACTS WRONG..
MCCAIN DID SUPERB TODAY.
I THINK HE WOULD BE A GREAT PRESIDENT.. BETTER THAN CLINTON OR CLOSE.
MCCAIN REALLY IMPRESSED ME TODAY
I JUST WATCHED THE DIANE SAWYER SPECIAL ON ABC..
THERE IS NO COMPARISON BETWEEN THESE TWO..
MCCAIN WAS WELL VERSED, WELL TREAVELED
HE HAS DONE HIS JOB-
' LET THE MEDIA SPIN-MEISTERS BEGIN-
LIES AND VIDEO TAPES-- OBAMA DID THIS AND OBAMA DID THAT.. ITS GONNA BE ALL ABOUT OBAMA..
GIVE US REASON NOT TO COME TO YOUR SITES ANYMORE..
HERE IS MCCAIN, A WAR HERO, A MAN WELL SCHOOLED IN THIS JOB AND A FAST TALKING 47 YR OLD WHO IS HERE BECAUSE THE MEDIA GOT HIM HERE..
LOOK AT THE # OF MISREPRESENTATIONS AND LIES OBAMA MADE TOHIGHT.
MCCAIN IS REALLY A HERO--IT WASNT EVEN CLOSE BUT WE ALREADY KNOW THE MEDIA ANSWER...
SPIN
SPIN
SPIN

Posted by: TJ, THE CLINTONITE | Sep 27, 2008 12:34:32 AM

I agree...I thought it spoke volumes that Obama had to read the soldier's name off his bracelet. Showed it for the gimmick it is (sort of like the American flag pin he now insists on wearing). I am the wife of an active duty career military man who is deploying for the 3rd time and I can tell you right now that I am voting for McCain. Not a doubt in my mind after tonight's debate.

Posted by: Sarah | Sep 27, 2008 12:34:34 AM

Kissinger is a flip flopping Republican. Just like McCain is. Now who won the debate?

Well, in my eyes, it was a draw. SPENDING FREEZES DO NOT HELP THE ECONOMY. SPENDING FREEZES HURT THE ECONOMY WHEN IT'S DOWN!

Posted by: Rickia | Sep 27, 2008 12:35:01 AM

THERE IS REPUBLICAN ASTROTURFING GOING ON HERE. Obvious Astroturfing is Obvious.

Posted by: Alert | Sep 27, 2008 12:36:22 AM

What did you expect Kissinger to say when his "friends" campaign is on the line.

Posted by: Deena Rockefeller | Sep 27, 2008 12:36:56 AM

Pubguy.... It just shows how litle class Obama has . He'll do,say, or use anything to win!! It just struck me as pathetic that he had to read it of the braclet. It was just a low in the debate for me....

Posted by: ynot | Sep 27, 2008 12:37:12 AM

"one by one, they fall. whatever is he going to do when Palin takes the stage.

I CANNOT WAIT!"

Me neither, maybe Biden can tell us more about that TV address FDR gave after the crash.

Posted by: The Oorth Cloud | Sep 27, 2008 12:19:01 AM
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sure thing! anything better than listening to Palin talk... I mean, did you not SEE her on the interview with Couric?

Posted by: GIGI | Sep 27, 2008 12:37:41 AM

"I am the wife of an active duty career military man who is deploying for the 3rd time and I can tell you right now that I am voting for McCain.'
---------------------------------------

Most veterans are supporting Obama.

Posted by: pubguy | Sep 27, 2008 12:38:13 AM

I can't always remember names either and I am much younger than Obama. You people are grasping for straws. It was a blunder, but things like that happen. Some people will grab onto the smallest thing and blow it out of proportion. Despite this, Obama came forth as being more presidential.

Posted by: Deena Rockefeller | Sep 27, 2008 12:39:14 AM

Oh, and did anyone notice McCain referring to what "President Eisenhower" (yes, PRESIDENT Eisenhower) was doing during WWII? Ike didn't become president till 1953!

Posted by: Zigazig Ha | Sep 27, 2008 12:39:43 AM

You repubs think Obama is so bad. Unfortunately he is going to be the next president. I didnt see anything tonight to make me think the independents or undecides would go with McCain. Either they will vote for Obama or a 3rd Party. Awesome. It will be sweet knowing how painful it is for you repubs to be living under a democrat. About the same way many of us have felt the past 8 horrible years.

Posted by: Obama Lover Here To Annoy You Repubs | Sep 27, 2008 12:39:54 AM

Obama would have received a passing grade if this was a debate class but this was a Presidential debate! He gets an F in my book! He made faces, got clearly angry and interrupted several times. He clearly does not care about Israel! His lack of experience as McCain said is DANGEROUS! When Obama said you can't look into Putin's eyes McCain said I looked into his eyes and saw K-G-B! It was a great one liner that the media missed! TOO BAD!

Posted by: carey | Sep 27, 2008 12:40:20 AM

What else was he going to do. It isn't any body in their families getting shot at or blown up.

Posted by: Rose Szymanski | Sep 27, 2008 12:41:58 AM

GLT21 GREAT LINK! thanks!!!!

so far I find this, boy! are you sure this man is friends with McCain? AT ALL???

KISSINGER: We have a number of common issues that we have to settle, if possible, with Russia. We need Russia for a solution of the Iranian problem. We may need Russia if Pakistan evolves in some of the directions that it might.

We have to face the fact that the first shot in Georgia was fired on the Georgian side. Now Russia reacted in an excessive manner. But we should not make the whole relationship depend on the pictures that you showed (ph).

And I would urge the new president, as I'm urging this president, to explore the possibilities of cooperation and be very sure before we go the route of cutting off WTO and the other international measures for which cooperation with Russia may be very important.

And I think also that this Russia is not democratic, but it is also not what it was before, and that one must permit some evolution to take place.

Posted by: GIGI | Sep 27, 2008 12:42:08 AM

Pubguy**** Every vetran and active duty man or woman I've talked to is voting for McCain... Their families too!!! Obama just had a realy bad nite, maybe next time??

Posted by: ynot | Sep 27, 2008 12:42:35 AM

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