Obama Defends Columbia’s Ahmadinejad Invite
EmailABC News’ Jonathan Greenberger Reports: Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., defended the right of his alma mater, Columbia University, to invite Iranian President Ahmadinejad to speak, but he also said that if were president of the university, he would not have made the same decision.
"One of the values that we believe in is the value of academic freedom. They have the right to invite people to speak," Obama said during an on-camera press conference Monday. "It’s not a choice I would have made, but we don’t need to be fearful of the rantings of somebody like Ahmadinejad. All we need to do is just to know what our values and ideals are and be clear about what America stands for."
Obama said he would have denied Ahmadinejad the opportunity to speak at Columbia because the Iranian president has "other forums" available to him in New York, including his speech at the United Nations.
Still, Obama continued to insist that as president, he would be willing to meet one-on-one with Ahmadinejad.
"Nothing’s changed with respect to my belief that strong countries and strong presidents talk to their enemies and talk to their adversaries," he said. “Listening to the views, even of those who we violently disagree with, that sends a signal to the world that we are going to turn the page on the failed diplomacy that the Bush administration has practiced for so long."
Obama’s comments came at a press conference in New York where he was endorsed by the New York corrections officers union.
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There is absolutely nothing wrong with allowing Iranian President Ahmadinejad to speak at Columbia.We need to listen to his perspective.
Posted by: Collins Ayoo | September 24, 2007, 1:52 pm 1:52 pm
This enlightened wisdom is why Obama will get my vote! I admire an individual who stands by the Constitution’s intent. If we don’t listen to those we call “our enemies”, then how on earth can we determine outright what views we stand by? We embrace Nonie Darwish, who bashes Islam because she had a “personal experience” in her childhood she blamed religion for instead of her government in Egypt.
If we are indeed an enlightened nation, we are prepared to open our minds and ears to the opposition without fear. If we find ourselves in the wrong… we should correct our wrongs and make amends. We may well find that we are ignorant to the history behind our enemies attacks… let us listen and try to understand.
Posted by: Shamrock | September 24, 2007, 1:57 pm 1:57 pm
Actually, the most meaningful thing that could have happened, but won’t, would have been for Ahmadinejad to have shown up to speak, but nobody showed up to support him. Just left him there like what happened to Cindy Sleestak at her own book signing at Camp Sleestak in Crawford.
Posted by: TexBork | September 24, 2007, 1:57 pm 1:57 pm
LOL, leave it to the left to support a raving lunatic who has publicly called for the anihilation of Israel and the death of every Jew on the planet.
This sums up the belief of the clueless liberal.
“Oh WHY can’t we just all get along? If we show them we mean them no harm I just KNOW they will come to love us.
Posted by: Jnh J Vilessio | September 24, 2007, 2:09 pm 2:09 pm
I am so sick of the “right” and “left” BS. Take your head out of the sand and look at the state in which this country is in with every nation on this continent. We are the most hated nation in the world. And for that, we can give thanks to the Bush Administration. I am neither left or right, just for what is the best for our future as a nation and the welfare of its people.
The lies and decite that we have experience during the Bush reign has been a disgrace to our nation. We have to go back to correct all the wrong to make things right. We are not on this great big planet alone. We as a people, as a nation, need to learn to communicate and really listen to one another. If we can not do that, we will continue to live the way we all are living now…
full of fear, hatred and ignorance of one another.
Posted by: PM | September 24, 2007, 2:21 pm 2:21 pm
I think he should have the right to speak even though he constantly flip-flops on the issues. First he wants to wipe Israel off the map now he dosen’t want to have war with them. He has a military parade to brag about Iran’s weapons but now he dosen’t believe that the U.S wants war with Iran.This man is either very crafty or he is suffering from schophrenia.
Posted by: BTL musings | September 24, 2007, 2:35 pm 2:35 pm
Jnh j Villessio: Obviously you are posting to the wrong story. Nowhere in this story does it say anything about support of the Iranian leader.
Posted by: gc | September 24, 2007, 2:42 pm 2:42 pm
Who supports Ahmadinejad? I support his right to speak. I am so tired of this right-wing small-minded idea that if we don’t agree with people they should not talk. Free speech isn’t reserved for the like-minded. This is America, everyone gets a chance to speak, everyone can have their voice heard. Even guests in our country. Be thankful that people can speak out even if they do not agree with popular opinion. Ahmadinejad is an idiot, he says whatever will keep his constituants angry at something else rather than focusing on his failed policies and selfish agenda (sound familiar?). But if they stop him from speaking, they can stop you from speaking and they can stop me from speaking. This is what makes our country the best in the world. Stupid people get their say too, this is why you were able to vote for Bush.
Posted by: waleeg | September 24, 2007, 3:32 pm 3:32 pm
BTW – saying “death to Isreal” and “Death to America” are empty political rhetoric. its like saying you support family values or we will stay on the offensive. They may think they mean it, but if they bomb Isreal or us their country would only exhist for another 24 hours. And supporting family values is something cool to say until your caught in the mens bathroom playing footsie with an undercover cop. Take everything politicions say with a grain of salt, cause they will say anything to get your vote.
Posted by: waleeg | September 24, 2007, 3:39 pm 3:39 pm
After listening to the blistering comments of Columbia’s President, for the first time in a long time I am proud to be an American! This is why we can win wars with words rather than lose lives with bullets.
Posted by: Andy Brown | September 24, 2007, 4:14 pm 4:14 pm
Ahmadinejad can speak all he wants, but I already know what the opinion of a terrorist is.
Posted by: Dean Taylor | September 24, 2007, 4:22 pm 4:22 pm
JNH J YOU HIT THE NEIL ON THE HEAD WE AS A PEOPLE NEED TO COME BACK TO REALATY AND GET IT TOGETTER TO THINK AND ACT HONESTLY WITH OUT THE DECEIT OF THE BUSH AND LEFT AND RIGTH
THANK YOU FOR YOUR VEIWS
Posted by: kazenski1 | September 24, 2007, 4:37 pm 4:37 pm
For Andy Brown — too bad GW doesn’t feel that way — he and Cheney would rather hide in the bunker or walk away from a tough question.
It appears other in the GOP feel the same the way they are ducking debates with those other than WASPS
Posted by: Paulet | September 24, 2007, 5:06 pm 5:06 pm
You cannot place the blame of hatred towards our country on President Bush. NO, that started a long time ago when people from this country became centered on instant self gratification!
President Bush has had his hands full trying to keep terrorism at bay, and I am VERY GLAD it is happening over in the deserts of Iraq rather than here.
Be an AMERICAN and support your Commander in Chief! You don’t have to like it, and yes, people die, it is a very real fact of war!
Posted by: A.R | September 24, 2007, 5:33 pm 5:33 pm
I don´t understand the blindness of these university naive children. This man comes to your home to laugh right at your faces, lies and ducks every question asked giving no answer whatsoever, and you people are hypnotized by his blah blah blah and don´t see what is behind this man. He is an antichrist to begin with, because he is not a Christian, and in his homeland he vanishes freedom of speech, thought, religion and way of life. If you want to become a sheep without a face then follow him. If not rebuke his abominable being and don´t let yourself be fooled. He has stated according to the haaretz newslines in Isreal that he will bring The powerful nation of the United states down to its knees. WAKE UP for Christ´s sake¡
Posted by: southern cowboy | September 24, 2007, 6:08 pm 6:08 pm
Interesting how people the constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights. You all do realize, I hope, that “freedom of speech,” is given not to “guests,” but to citizens, those of us who support the constitution and love our country. To afford “freedom of speech,” to the leader of a country who posts banners that say, “Death to America,” DURING A TIME OF WAR, is much like treason. The problems in our country stem from a lack of understanding of our constituition and the responsibilities of freedom. He should not have been “invited.” If he wanted to speak to Americans, he should have been on a ship in the middle of the ocean( a historical meeting place) and I’m sure our media would have covered every word. Many illiterate,politically unavvy Americans will read and listen to the stories about his comments and lose the point completely. Countries like Iran believe we are a totally divided nation and would welcome his guidance and leadership. Blind support of what people believe to be a “right” of a non-citizen/enemy of the state, is what fosters his belief.Americans need to relearn boundaries, loyalty, nationalism,and go back to history to understand who we are. So many lost souls waiting for soe magic words and calling for “manners” is one of the reasons we are now at war.
Posted by: R | September 24, 2007, 6:25 pm 6:25 pm
Obama is rational, reasonable, willing to talk to people who don’t agree with him. He’s what we need in the White House. He’s got my vote.
Posted by: Eric Donovan | September 24, 2007, 7:44 pm 7:44 pm
Are you folks kidding? Obama is only repeating what Moveon and/or Soros told him to say. Remember? “We bought you, now we OWN you.”
Posted by: Bill | September 24, 2007, 9:31 pm 9:31 pm
After reading all the comments about President Ahmadievejad’s visit and the American assessment made of his speech, to include his past remarks about Israel, one cannot help but love America.
We are the greatest nation in the world, witty and wise, yet, so very comical.
All power to Waleeg’s posting September 24, 2007 at 3:32 p.m. Waleeg, I had a good laugh on the comparison of your political assessment as it pertains to one’s “figure of speech” and that of another’s hiped family values, until getting caught playing bathroom footsies with an undercover Cop.
I love your sense of humor!
Posted by: Vilmore | September 24, 2007, 9:47 pm 9:47 pm
Obama in the pocket of MoveOn? Are you kidding me? He did the smart thing – didn’t even give the motion his attention. The MoveOn ad isn’t worthy of it. It says more about the priorities of GOP senators and Joe Lieberman that they find MoveOn bombast more dangerous than our over-stressed, seriously exhausted troops.
I’m a moderate liberal Democrat but was appalled by MoveOn’s ad. What I would like us all to do is IGNORE it, just as I believe we should Ahmedinejad. Everyday Iranians – the large majority of whom embrace the West – would like nothing more from us. The sabre-rattling from Washington is only exacerbating the situation in Iran, emboldening their leaders.
Posted by: GordonsGirl | September 24, 2007, 10:19 pm 10:19 pm
In response to “R”‘s comments: “You all do realize, I hope, that “freedom of speech,” is given not to “guests,” but to citizens, those of us who support the constitution and love our country. ”
Was Bollinger talking to you when he said “”You are either brazenly provocative or astonishingly uneducated”?
So, what? According to your interpretation of the constitution, in the “land of freedom”, foreigners are not allowed to speak freely? Should they be praising Amerrrrica the beautiful, the perfect, the promised land, 24/7 with a big smile on their face, instead of saying what they truly believe?
Posted by: Pete | September 25, 2007, 6:28 am 6:28 am
Obama got my vote…
Enough is enough!! If the world had engage itself to more dialogues among foes and friends, this world could have been a better place for everyone. On the other hand anyone who is against any dialogue with someone that they don’t like is a fool because of fear thinking that its going to make you less of a person “Aucontraire mon frere” is quite the oposite.
Bottom line is, we have to learn on how to respect first ourself, then other people and their ideas, and beliefs. Then and only then, we will find a common groung to better understand one another. Its a small world people, we’re going to have to learn one-way another on how to better understand one another.
If my statement make sense, please!! let us vote for a new change and for hope in our goverment. Let us put aside our ignorance and let us bring unity in 08 elction.
Make the right choice and that is Obama!!
Thank you all!!
Posted by: Wesner, Miami Beach, Fl | September 25, 2007, 8:50 am 8:50 am
Remmeber keep your friends close and your enemies closer!!!! Good job Obama!
Posted by: GETITSTRAIGHT | September 26, 2007, 4:27 pm 4:27 pm
I listened to Ahmedinejad’s speech.It was brilliant.He talked about God, values,friendship,peace,love,brotherhood.He also talked about honesty, kindness.
It is sad that Lee Bollinger treated him rudely.It is also most unfortunate that the media is distorting what Ahmedinejad said.There is alot of small thinking in America.This is tragic!
Posted by: Collins Ayoo | September 27, 2007, 2:09 am 2:09 am
It doesn’t matter what Ahmadinejad believes about Israel, Lee Bollinger acted like a fool. You don’t invite someone to speak at your university and insult them in your opening remarks. He embarrassed himself, his academic institution and America. Politics are one thing, but if you are going to invite someone to have an intelligent conversation about the issues, you treat them with courtesy. If he wanted to insult Ahmadinejad, he shouldn’t have invited him at all. If you want to debate the facts, do so in a mature and respectful manner. It’s ironic that Bollinger was the one using the word “petty.”
Posted by: J.D.P | October 16, 2007, 10:56 pm 10:56 pm
What does Obama think he can get Ahmadinejad to do by talking to him? Change his mind?
This is absurd. And someone as smart as Obama will have to learn it is.
Posted by: Shalom Freedman | February 24, 2008, 5:00 am 5:00 am
R, you clearly don’t know much about the Constitution — when it says “Congress shall make no law abridging freedom of speech,” it has no parenthetical saying, “except abridging the freedom of non-citizens’ speech, that’s quite all right for Congress to do.” The Founders wrote in absolutes.
Posted by: PG | March 5, 2008, 1:47 pm 1:47 pm