The "anyone but Hillary" wing of the Democratic party needs to find a new candidate. Fast. Barack Obambi Obama is just not going to cut it. He's got the charm, he's got the poise, he thinks fast on is feet. That's carried him far, but do the Democrats really want to put him up against a Rudy Giuliani or Fred Thompson.
The debate Tuesday Barack Obama gave Hillary Clinton a nice opening and she took it:
The question that sparked the controversy at Monday's debate seemed simple enough: Would the candidates for president be willing to meet, within their first year in office, with the leaders of Iran, Syria, Venezuela, Cuba and North Korea?
Obama said yes, while Clinton said no, arguing that the president should only meet with world leaders who are hostile to the United States after lower-level diplomatic contacts are conducted. In an interview today with the Quad City Times, Clinton more directly criticized Obama's answer.
"I thought that was irresponsible and frankly naive," Clinton said, according to a story posted on the newspaper's Web site.
There are several interesting things about this. One is that the campaign is going negative, they're going negative on foreign policy and experience, and that Hillary is the one here carrying the knife. That has not been their pattern to date, but this opening was probably just too good to pass up.
It's highly likely that the Clinton camp has decided that Obama is the only serious challenger unless Al Gore gets in the race. So attacking Obama will not help any other candidate like John Edwards. It's now safe to take the gloves off and take out Obama.
Reader Comments ( Page 2 of 3)
16. Sen. Clinton said, “I thought that was irresponsible and frankly naive,” when she referred to Sen. Obama statement.
Now here is what she said on one of her stops, "I would begin diplomatic discussions with those countries with whom we have differences, to try to figure out what is the depth of those differences," said Clinton, who spoke to about 1,000 people at Luther College in Decorah in northeastern Iowa.
"I think it is a terrible mistake for our president to say he will not talk with bad people. You don't make peace with your friends -- you have to do the hard work of dealing with people you don't agree with," said Clinton. Opening talks with other countries doesn't mean the U.S. won't defend its interests whenever necessary.
Oops, voting for the Iraq War was irresponsible and frankly naive, now she wants a do over (if she had to vote again she would not vote for the war). Sen. Obama was not in the senate but he is on record that he was against the war and as it stands now that is responsiblity and creditablilty. Say what you mean and do what you say.
johnny at 5:06PM on Jul 26th 2007
17. What great foreign policy has Hillary enacted? Maybe I'm missing something. Wasn't it Hillary and other senators who okayed for our troops to go over to Iraq without getting ALL of the information as to what would be our exit strategy? And wasn't it Hillary who voted on this without even reading the declaration or all of the facts for sending our young men and women over in harms way where many gave their lives because of her decision? And this is from an experience politican? Please!!!!
Marcia at 10:09AM on Jul 26th 2007
18. I really hate the fact that our polititions are on this huge pension plan. They should be on SOCIAL SECURITY like the rest of us. I bet the SOCIAL SECURITY mess would clear up once they were on the DOLE! I wish this question would go to ALL DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN - WHAT IS YOUR VOTE!!!!!!!!!!!!
DANZEY TREANOR at 7:52PM on Jul 25th 2007
19. I really hate the fact that our polititions are on this huge pension plan. They should be on SOCIAL SECURITY like the rest of us. I bet the SOCIAL SECURITY mess would clear up once they were on the DOLE! I wish this question would go to ALL DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN - WHAT IS YOUR VOTE!!!!!!!!!!!!
DANZEY TREANOR at 6:45PM on Jul 25th 2007
20. Obama is coming out as juvenile in all this and all are you people above. Clinton never said she wouldn't talk with other countries, but she wants the proper process. It is dangerous for the president to just walk in and have meetings. Not one country acts that way. Obama was wrong in his answer and now his campaign is trying the old "oh no..this is what he meant..." and it doesn't work.
Go Hillary----your knowledge and experience will prevail!!!
Patrick at 6:50PM on Jul 25th 2007
21. If hillary is worried about being used by other countries for some sort of propaganda what do you think they will say about her unwillingness to talk ? Barack understands we need to not appear to be so powerful and almighty that immediately the other countries can say see the president of the united states will only meet if they get their way. It can work both ways on propaganda. It can happen now if Hillary is elected because she has already given them the propaganda they need to be against the USA. She will be talked about there as another bush.
Danielle Clarke at 7:03PM on Jul 25th 2007
22. I think that Obama is a better choice. Hilary spoke saying that she be cautious, the way our government has been ever since we invaded Iraq. Obviously that isn't working. We need to make a radical change NOW. It is absolutely crucial that we take on our problems and fix them before they get too out of hand. Gas prices for instance, you know it doesn't cost that much for oil, the middle east is unhappy with us. Being cautious about it is unnecessary. They are going to sell us oil one way or another. Do you realize that America probably uses the most gas, considoring how much our people commute to places? Do you not see that us not buying oil from them would mean them taking an economic dive? Oil is one of their only exports, they can't afford to loose our business. It is a known fact that everybody loves money. We don't need to take this slow, we must take an immediate stand and protect our fellow citizens. I believe Hilary will not get us there.
Claire at 6:52PM on Jul 25th 2007
23. Senator Clinton recieved the advantage of answering second to the question thereby allowing her to refine and by default get one-up, so to speak, on the topic at hand. The question was posed generally, as to say "as president would you be willing to meet with these leaders? Senator Obama stated generally that his foreign policy would be in stark contrast to the current administrations handlings of foreign relation matters, by using direct talks, if it was seen to be the best course of action. I respect Senator Clintons depth in answering the question, by essentially adding to Senator Obamas comment that one must maintain a cautious attitude. But to say that Senator Obama would just walk blindly into these high profile meetings without proper preparation, stance, and agenda, is simple minded political hyperbole that plague blogs and irresponsible media outlets. I'd be willing to bet if one was to query Senator Obama on what the path would be to these meetings one would recieve a more responsible course of action.
fatcatmatt at 9:29PM on Jul 25th 2007
24. WHY IS IT THAT MOST OF YOU PEOPLE CAN'T OR DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT HILLARY SAID: SHE SAID SHE WOULD USE THE CORRECT CHANNELS FIRST BEFORE SHE SAT DOWN WITH OUR ENEMIES: BUSH HAS REFUSED TO MEET WITH THEM NO MATTER WHAT CHANNELS ARE USED,SO IT'S DIFFERENT AND THIS LITTLE OBAMA IS NOT THE PERSON FOR THIS JOB. WHATEVER WE DO LET US NEVER AGAIN PUT A DAMN OLE MURDERING REPUBLICAN IN OFFICE NEVER AGAIN.
BRENT at 9:35PM on Jul 25th 2007
25. As far as I'm concerned, those candidates who've already voted for war and continuation of war have dropped the ball for my vote. Obama has said he'd establish communication with America's 'enemies', which is the right thing to do. Peace should be our first goal. International security will only happen when we have established relationships with those parties who have legitimate reasons to hate the USA.
Scott Zimmerman at 10:43PM on Jul 25th 2007
26. Hillary how do you vote War or no War? War!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rap at 11:31PM on Jul 25th 2007
27. America needs to keep in mind the shape our wonderful country is in. I am a veteran and have served my country with pride. I love America and truely have RED,WHITE and BLUE running thru my veins. Now it is truely time for change. i believe a woman can do alot for this nation. Lets give her a try. Afterall what do we have to lose.
DIANE at 11:34PM on Jul 25th 2007
28. THANK YOU BRENT, FINALLY SOMEONE WHO ACTUALLY UNDERSTANDS WHAT HILLARY SAID!!!
And to fatcatmatt: did you not watch the debate??? Did you not hear the question. The question was would you meet with these leaders under no circumstances. Obama answered yes, thats a clear yes. A yes that cannot be defended other than he said YES he would meet without conditions. Hillary said NO, she would want conditions. Not saying she wouldn't meet, but saying that you can;t rush into a meeting and certainly not under any specific conditions. Listen to Secretary Albright's analysis of this and maybe you'll begin to understand how diplomacy works. Just meeting with leaders who want us all dead without any conditions is not diplomacy. Diplomacy works by sending over peace envoys such as Secretary of State and setting the groundwork for a major talk. Then once everything is set up, the president carefully engages in talks. Obama answered foolishly and stupidly. The question was a clear question to which he answered a clear yes!!! Watch the question and tell me he didn't say with no pre-conditions, so fatcatmatt it wasn't a general question. there was a very specific word being pre-conditions in there. So you see by saying yes Obama did say he would blindly walk into meetings. If you don't have conditions, then you are blindly walking in. Its hilarious that the Obama campaign is trying to turn this around and try to give the same response that you gave, saying that he didn't mean it. that he would have pre-conditions, that he gave a general response. No he didn't, the question was there and he answered it. Obama is not stupid, he said what he meant, it just so happens that what he said shows his in-experience. I don't know what's harder to believe, that the Obama campaign would try to pull the wool over americans' eyes, or that its actually working. So for anyone who wants to say that Obama did't say what Hillary is making it out to be...he actually did say it and the proof is in the video.
And to Obama who thinks that Hillary's vote was naive. She voted for the war because she was lied to. I supported the war because i was lied to. She did not have any reason not to trust the president or Colin Powell, who was extremely respected by both parties. She, as well as America, were under the impression that Iraq had WMDs and posed an imminent threat to the U.S. But that was a lie wasn't it. Also remember that the vote was to authorize power if diplomacy didn't work. Thats what senators were told by the administration. Turns out diplomacy didn't work out. So was her vote a mistake? yes. Was it naive? no. I would have done the same under those circumstances.
And then of course there's Obama's little sound-bite of him saying we should have asked how to get out of Iraq before we got in. OK, fair enough i suppose, but how does he get out of the fact that it was HILLARY, not him, who asked how we get out from the pentagon. Why wasn't he the o so great leader he claims to be and asked the pentagon 1st. Why was it Hillary who asked how do we get out? I ask you this: isn't it better to ask later rather than never?
Patrick at 11:55PM on Jul 25th 2007
29. Well where was Obama at that time? Back in Illinois as a state senator. He didn't have to vote for the war and if he did i bet you he would have. And an exit strategy Marica??? ok, i agree, maybe we should have had one before we went into Iraq, but what about now. Who asked for that exit strategy from the Pentagon??? Hillary did, not Obama. If Obama wants to make a big deal about not asking for an exit strategy, why didn't he ask for one as soon as he got in the Senate??? Why was it Hillary who asked. Its better to ask late than to never ask at all.
Patrick at 11:52AM on Jul 26th 2007
30. I think Hillary would be perfect lady to enter the oval office as the 1st female president,she already has the knowledge of what it takes to run our country ,and lets just b honest she did a D-- good job when Bill was in office,despite what happened in his personal life she stood by his side and still ran the country . As far as i'm concerned those were the best years this country has seen since the Kennedy years !!!! Way to go Hillary !!!!!
erica at 7:16PM on Jul 26th 2007