Obama considers Bush-McCains idiocy-waits, waits, waits, BLAM!

[kjoe]

I thought his timing was about right. That primary seems a distant memory. Obama on McCain: Hypocrisy and fear-mongering In an appearance in South Dakota just now, Barack Obama came back at yesterday's attacks from George W. Bush and John McCain, accusing them of "hypocrisy, fear-peddling, and fear-mongering." He responded first to the charge from Bush that Democrats stand for appeasement in the Middle East. "That’s exactly the kind of appalling attack that’s divided our country and that alienates us from the world, and that’s why we need change in Washington," he said, going to repeatedly link Bush and McCain. "That was frustrating enough," he said of Bush's words. "Then John McCain gives a speech. He gave a speech in the morning where he talked about the need for civility in our politics. He talked about elevating the tone in our country.... Not an hour later, he turned around and embraced George Bush's attacks on Democrats. He jumped on a call with a bunch of bloggers and said that I wasn’t fit to protect this nation that I love." McCain "accused me of not being fit to protect this nation – a nation my grandfather served in World War II– a nation that’s given me everything that I have," Obama said, then pivoted to attack Bush and McCain on a series of issues: Iraq; the survival of Osama bin Laden's and the Al Qaeda's leadership; Iran's strength; and Hamas's and Hezbollah's ascendancy. He broke in particular with Bush's focus on democracy in the Middle East above all else. "They’ll have to explain why Hamas now controls Gaza – Hamas that was strengthened because the us insisted that we have democratic elections in the Palestinian Authority," he said. McCain "still hasn’t spelled out one substantial way that he’d be different from GB when it comes to foreign policy," Obama said, accusing both of "dishonest, divisive attacks." He also mocked McCain's opposition to talking to Hamas in light of an interview McCain gave two years ago in which he appeared to support talking to Hamas. Then he returned to themes familiar from his primary fight with Hillary Clinton. "They’re trying to fool you. They’re trying to scare you. And they’re not telling you the truth. And the reason is that they can’t win a foreign policy debate on the merits," he said, calling their belief in the power of "tough talk" "naive and irresponsible" -- charges he exchanged with Clinton over his plan to meet with dictators. By Ben Smith 12:38 PM

[dooz]

formatting is your friend.

[kjoe]

dooz--doesn't wait, doesn't wait, doesn't wait,---poof.

[dooz]

dooz--doesn't wait, doesn't wait, doesn't wait,---poof.

does anyone here speak kjoe? i need an interpreter.

[kjoe]

McCain answered quickly---not very effectively---he could get bogged down with the nuances of just what he said about hamas in 2006.

May 16, 2008
Category: Barack Obama
McCain campaign responds: 'Hysterical diatribe'

This general election campaign is getting off to a rollicking start.
From McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds:

It was remarkable to see Barack Obama’s hysterical diatribe in response to a speech in which his name wasn’t even mentioned.
These are serious issues that deserve a serious debate, not the same tired partisan rants we heard today from Senator Obama. Senator Obama has pledged to unconditionally meet with Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad -- who pledges to wipe Israel off the map, denies the Holocaust, sponsors terrorists, arms America’s enemies in Iraq and pursues nuclear weapons. What would Senator Obama talk about with such a man? It would be a wonderful thing if we lived in a world where we don’t have enemies.
But that is not the world we live in, and until Senator Obama understands that, the American people have every reason to doubt whether he has the strength, judgment and determination to keep us safe.

Oddly, McCain's response also contained the claim he'd distorted Defense Secretary Robert Gates' willingness to meet the leaders of Iran, but didn't contest Obama's point that McCain had suggested meeting with Hamas.
UPDATE: Cancel that. The McCain campaign sends over video of a second 2006 interview from the same day in Davos in which, unlike in his interview with Jamie Rubin, McCain suggests that aid and the peace process can only "resume" when Hamas agrees to "renounce" their commitment to the state of Israel.
That's a different tone, though it doesn't really contradict the the first interview, in which McCain was asked directly about American diplomats meeting with Hamas, and seemed to answer in the affirmative.

[blue zone]

Is it me, or does McCain sound like the adult there.


I question your loyalties kjoe.

[kjoe]

In the context of all the contradictions by McCain regarding the middle east---mostly iraq---he might sound like the adult---but even with my suspect loyalties---that does not mean much if he says something different in the adult voice 2 weeks from now. Obama has been consistent. I don't think it has been a foolish consistency.

[moedrabowsky]

Is it me, or does McCain sound like the adult there.

It's you.

[sketch]

And, of course, Obama has not pledged unconditionally to speak with the Iranian pres, but don't let facts get in the way of good campaign applause line...carry on

[kjoe]

My suspect loyalties notwithstanding---John mcCain has a long way to go to be in the same league as Hillary and bill when it comes to parsing--claiming, well, I did not really exactly say that. McCain has not much experience------in dealing with someone who is not going to let him by with crap.

It was remarkable to see Barack Obama’s hysterical diatribe in response to a speech in which his name wasn’t even mentioned.

Here's NBC's John Yang:

Speaking on background, a senior administration official says the president's language to anyone -- the official specifically mentioned Obama and former President Jimmy Carter's suggestion that the U.S. talk to Hamas -- who has suggested engaging with rogue states or terrorist groups without first getting some leverage.

And CNN's Ed Henry:

Although the President didn't name names, administration officials are privately acknowledging this was a shot at Barack Obama and other Democrats.