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Friday, May 16, 2008

Obama Self-Identifies Himself As The Appeaser In Question

Ed Morrissey has an interesting point about Obama’s reaction to President Bush’s comments about appeasement in Israel.  Obama has been talking about it as if it were a “political attack” on him specifically, but the truth is that Bush never actually singled anyone out with his comments.

He didn’t even say if he was talking about an American.  Here are the President’s actual comments:

Some seem to believe that we should negotiate with the terrorists and radicals, as if some ingenious argument will persuade them they have been wrong all along. We have heard this foolish delusion before. As Nazi tanks crossed into Poland in 1939, an American senator declared: “Lord, if I could only have talked to Hitler, all 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.

Some people suggest if the United States would just break ties with Israel, all our problems in the Middle East would go away. This is a tired argument that buys into the propaganda of the enemies of peace, and America utterly rejects it. Israel’s population may be just over 7 million. But when you confront terror and evil, you are 307 million strong, because the United States of America stands with you.

Morrissey notes:

No one in the US who runs for public office has suggested that the US break with Israel to appease terrorists. Obama certainly hasn’t suggested that, and perhaps apart from the really lunatic fringes of both Left and Right, that notion doesn’t get any oxygen at all here. Obviously, Bush wasn’t referring to American politicians in this passage, but instead politicians in Europe and elsewhere who have either an animus towards Israel or appreciation for dhimmitude. Nothing — and I mean nothing — in this speech points to any candidate or the Democratic Party, unless they identify themselves as the reference.

Which is exactly what Obama has now done.

What’s funny is that the Democrats are actually making the President a more effective critic of Obama’s foreign policy than he ever intended to be.  It’s clear that his comments weren’t aimed at any Democrat, or even any American, but by responding to his comments as they have they’ve interjected themselves into something that had nothing to do with them.

Comments

Avatar for Rob B.

He’s also trying to tie it to McCain in order to enforce his “4 more years of Bush” mantra to the masses. However, did you notice that Obama never responded in the speech with the retort “I will not dialogue with terrorist or terrorist supporting countries.” That’s because he’s already bragged that he will do so on his webpage, specfically with Iran.

Obama is the only major candidate who supports tough, direct presidential diplomacy with Iran without preconditions. Now is the time to pressure Iran directly to change their troubling behavior. Obama would offer the Iranian regime a choice. If Iran abandons its nuclear program and support for terrorism, we will offer incentives like membership in the World Trade Organization, economic investments, and a move toward normal diplomatic relations. If Iran continues its troubling behavior, we will step up our economic pressure and political isolation. Seeking this kind of comprehensive settlement with Iran is our best way to make progress.

So I guess, in Obama’s mind, it would have been better for Bush to go to Israel and stand in front of thier leaders and say “Sorry, we like you and all, but we’re going to be talking with the nutjob that says he wants to wipe you from the map and that the holocaust didn’t happen. After all, we’re sure that all the Hamas funding and nuke building and terrorist bombing are just a logical error we can correct with a really good powerpoint and a hug… and hope.”

Rob B. on May 16, 2008 at 01:23 pm
Avatar for FlyOnTheWall

...supports tough, direct presidential diplomacy…

Rob B (of 47 Robs on this site) thank you for what has to be one of the best ‘say nothing of substance’ quotes of all time.  I wonder who he supports it from?  I’m assuming UN or Kenya.  If this is followed with strongly worded warning notes after, I might have to support the man.

FlyOnTheWall on May 16, 2008 at 01:46 pm
Avatar for HJFudge

While Bush never directly mentioned Obama or even the democrats in his speech, his white house aids confirmed that while he wasnt the sole target, the comment was meant to include Obama in it.

And lets say this...even if Obama WASNT the intended target, it was a master political move to jump in front of that bullet.

Now, every major democratic leader is behind him (even Hillary Clinton had remarks to bash McCain and not even mention Obama negatively), the party took a huge step towards unification after this divisive primary, and he was able to interject himself in the debate as the man who is standing against what many americans feel are the failed policies of Bush

HJFudge on May 16, 2008 at 05:08 pm
Avatar for jpgr

As soon as I heard this I thought “CARTER” (with maybe a side order of Pelosi w/Assad?)...there was no doubt in my mind.  Either Obama is so full of himself that he assumes he is the center of the current US policy, or he is using it as a way to say “I’m not Bush!” so I will part the Red Sea and take you to the promised land (although I do believe the Jewish people voting for him will be very, very unpleasantly surprised if he wins).  Either way, he is a douche!  He is literally nothing, no real answers, no real substance, NOTHING!  Good GOD, can you believe that any American would vote for such an obvious opportunist???  F’ me to tears people, what is wrong with our country?

jpgr on May 16, 2008 at 05:29 pm

Rob” I know a long time ago you have taken the pledge to never read my comments here; but

Obama has been talking about it as if it were a “political attack” on him specifically, but the truth is that Bush never actually singled anyone out with his comments.

Didn’t I say exactly that via comments here at SA immediately after the blow-up?

Also, Bush mentioned a Senator during WW-II, a Republican Senator from Idaho, which clearly indicated his thoughts were mostly on WW-II and not, by any direct references, about any specific person during this election cycle.

Lastly, Obama is not only a MINORITY MESSIAH, in this election cycle he is a PERPETUAL MARTYR!


No matter the age or state of health, for a military man it is always glorious to tilt at windmills, rescue a fair Dulcinea and be a gallant knight in armor in a glorious cause.

Neiman on May 16, 2008 at 05:54 pm

his white house aids confirmed that while he wasnt the sole target

Yeah, unnamed “aides” as cited by CNN. I’m sure Bushie went straight to every one of those “aides” and let them know exactly what and who he was referring to, and that it’s really not red meat thrown to the leftist echo chamber over at the CNN message boards.

Now, every major democratic leader is behind him (

They have to be, just for a hot minute. Because they know the American public suffers serious doubts about the democrat party when it comes to keeping Americans safe. Believe me, they’re doing it for their own interests, not Barrys.


""That’s the problem with you lefties, you’re not willing to get your hands dirty. I’d suggest you roll up your sleeves.”

-Jack Bauer

Hoss on May 16, 2008 at 07:08 pm

Who do you think wrote the
23 minute speech?

I’m sure Bushie went straight to every one of those “aides” and let them know exactly what and who he was referring to,

WOOF on May 16, 2008 at 07:13 pm

Not those unidentified “aides.”


""That’s the problem with you lefties, you’re not willing to get your hands dirty. I’d suggest you roll up your sleeves.”

-Jack Bauer

Hoss on May 16, 2008 at 07:24 pm

If I was in the Bush White House, and Obama and the Democrats had screwed up like they have by acknowledging their intent to appease those who are our enemies, I’d damn sure have any aides I could find out there talking to CNN or MSNBC telling them that of course we had Obama in mind.

Whether the trap was deliberate or not, Obama and Pelosi jumped into it with both feet (the other two feet were in their respective mouths - one each!).  Looks to me like Mr. Bush has been “misunderestimated” once again.


“Poverty of goods is easily cured; poverty of the mind is irreparable.”

Bat One on May 16, 2008 at 08:03 pm
Avatar for mglazarus

I agree this was a masterful republican move to provoke Obama to react....and the idiot DID!! If Obama is so versed in Hegelian, marxist tactics of the reactionary politics of he likes of Che Guevara...how can then he be allowed to be sucked in with such a lame tactic...Now, Go Figure!! You imagine what he is going to be suckered into, when he does go to Ahmandinejah, CAstro,Chavez, Evo Morales, Cristina Kisnher, Lula Silava,Kim Jong Ill, Correa, Ondinga,et al. Oh My God...he is going to be busy flying while wife Michelle reaks havoc in the White House...SCARRY...Go Obama...YOU ARE THE MOST PUSILANIMOUS, AMBITIOUS, CANDIDATE EVER..and like fish, they die through their mouths....and if YOU WIN THE NOMINATION>>YOU WILL BE CREAMED IN THE GENERAL>>>

mglazarus on May 20, 2008 at 04:44 pm
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