Giuliani Paints Obama as Inexperienced
EmailABC News’ Tahman Bradley reports: At a Republican media avail about the Democratic Convention in Denver, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele attacked Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., on foreign policy and his preparedness to be commander in chief.
Steele followed the lead of John McCain’s aides by mocking Obama for planning to present his Thursday convention acceptance speech from a columned ancient Greek-style temple.
"Tomorrow night you’re going to see Obama come down from Olympus to be among us mere mortals to talk about, ‘well, we’ll wait and see.’ We need a little bit more than a soundbite presidency. We need a little bit more than a president who is a brand," Steele said.
Both men made a case against Obama by using some of the past statements of the presumptive Democratic nominee’s opponents during the Democratic nomination battle.
Giuliani pointed to remarks made by Obama’s running mate, Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., who, in August 2007, called Obama’s willingness to negotiate with the dictators of rogue nations without preconditions, "naive."
Steele brought up the fact that last summer, Obama and Biden split on a troop funding bill that did not include a troop withdrawal timeline.
The person Giuliani most often quoted to make his point: Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y.
"I think the case could be made very strongly from the words of Democrats that he’s not ready to lead. Hillary Clinton said that," Giuliani noted, referring to the numerous times Clinton and her campaign said Obama was not as prepared to be president as others.
Giuliani said no one can question whether Clinton is prepared to be president, but serious doubts remain about Obama. He gave Clinton’s Tuesday convention address a strong review and noted that he thinks Clinton purposely did not speak to Obama’s readiness to be president. "Last night, she gave a very good speech. I thought it was a very good speech for her, a very good speech for us, and I don’t think it was a very good speech for Barack Obama because she left out the key question," Giuliani said.
"It’s not whether they agree on policy, we know they agree on policy. We know she’s going to support him as a loyal Democrat, but what we don’t know is (whether) she thinks he’s prepared to be commander-in-chief."
Giuliani charged Obama with continuously showing a lack of knowledge and experience on foreign policy during the course of the campaign. The former mayor cited a past quote that Obama made about Iran that, some argue, has been taken out of context.
He said, "One of the more astounding (examples of Obama’s inexperience) is to describe Iran as a tiny – just a tiny country that didn’t pose a serious threat, even though Iran actively supports terrorism, is probably the biggest state sponsor of terrorism in the world, is threatening to develop nuclear capabilities, and has repeatedly threatened to eliminate the state of Israel — to describe them as a tiny country that didn’t pose a serious threat indicates that the statements of Sen. Clinton, Sen. Biden and Sen. (Chris) Dodd — that Barack Obama is naive in regards to foreign policy — seem to be correct."
Obama’s use of the word "tiny" was misrepresented by Giuliani and is being misrepresented by the McCain campaign in a new television commercial, as ABC’s Jake Tapper points out. Obama was simply making the point that the U.S. used to have relations with the former Soviet Union, and that Iran is tiny compared to the Soviet Union.
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“Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill, an Obama supporter, said Clinton’s challenge in getting her delegates to come on board with Obama “may be the biggest test of her leadership.”
Posted by: geevill | Aug 27, 2008
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Really?! A New Concept of democracy from the Temple of Doom on top of Mile High – Your own inability to earn support is because your opponent’s lack of leadership to persuade those who are against you to vote for you!
Posted by: fact check | August 27, 2008, 4:23 pm 4:23 pm
Pot meet kettle.
Posted by: hang | August 27, 2008, 4:28 pm 4:28 pm
How long was this guy a senator??
Posted by: DAVID NH | August 27, 2008, 4:34 pm 4:34 pm
Senator Obama is not qualified nor experienced enough to be President. We need a true statesman, not a rock and roll star or center of the circus ring clown.
Senator Obama is a socialist, not a moderate democrat.
Posted by: Mai | August 27, 2008, 4:55 pm 4:55 pm
How about Rudy’s son, Andy, who got kicked off the Duke golf team for being an obnoxious twit, and is now suing the university? The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Let’s just hope Andy can find some skills in life so he doesn’t need taxpayer welfare as a public servant his whole life like Rudy did.
Posted by: pericles | August 27, 2008, 4:55 pm 4:55 pm
“Senator Obama is a socialist” Really? I haven’t heard Obama clamoring for a taxpayer bailout of Bear Stearns, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac – privately owned businesses that pay their executives millions in bonuses in good times and bad, but are bailed out by socialist Republicans when they perform poorly by giving out bad loans.
Posted by: bob | August 27, 2008, 4:57 pm 4:57 pm
I am sick of it.
McBush’s experience is exactly –a-La-Bush experience No more, no less. No, probably even worse: he is still mumbling about surge, when troops are scheduled to leave. So, let’s just McBush to stay for 100 years in Iraq, exactly as maverick – by himself without troops(cause they do not want him close by).
Also his military experience has several disgraceful dirty spots,so we do not need them either.
Thaks him for honesty – he does not know much about economy .
So what is left – under the table negotiating with aggressors different sort? (for getting paid.) I guess we do know the word, how to name it – “Bribes”, that is in case as he forgot it (as many other things he did forget).
As for the leadership – that is the funniest one: McBush is on the strict Rove’s leash, with Lieberman correcting, what is he saying and other stuff trying to shut his stupid mouth as much as possible.
Hey, GOP, that is your leader – paranoiac militarist on leash of Bush’s advisers? Congrat, that is exactly what you need. But not America. Get OUT.
Posted by: Linda,Fl | August 27, 2008, 4:57 pm 4:57 pm
How experienced is Giuliani on the national level? Certainly less than Obama.
Posted by: Mr. Coffee | August 27, 2008, 4:58 pm 4:58 pm
Why is socialism all right when it’s benefiting banks and defense industries, which couldn’t survive without wars by the way, but the taxpayers money can’t be used to benefit taxpayers? Republicans need to get an education on the terms they love to throw around without understanding them.
Posted by: rupe | August 27, 2008, 4:59 pm 4:59 pm
Wow. Talk about naive. The author writes a story that, for a moment, seems to be fairly balanced. However, that last paragraph made me laugh. The author has one piece of evidence that illustrates how republicans are nitpicking Obama’s words. This is true. What is wrong with this is that they present the evidence, in such a way, as to imply that all the allegations against Obama aren’t true.
Clever, but shallow. What I would give for a real journalist.
Posted by: Ben | August 27, 2008, 5:00 pm 5:00 pm
Giliani repeatedly lied to his family and now he is lying to you.
“Obama’s use of the word “tiny” was misrepresented by Giuliani and is being misrepresented by the McCain campaign in a new television commercial, as ABC’s Jake Tapper points out. Obama was simply making the point that the U.S. used to have relations with the former Soviet Union and that Iran is tiny compared to the Soviet Union.”
Unlike Giuliani, Obama has the experience of being a loving husband and father, and of winning a party nomination. Giuliani despite having a huge lead in the polls and celebrity status, failed to win a single primary.
Posted by: MrUniteUs | August 27, 2008, 5:00 pm 5:00 pm
No one person would be qualified to be President if they had to meet the qualifications that I am assuming you think they should have and that you state Obama does not have. It is similar to saying that John McCain is qualified to be Commander & Chief and Obama is not, yet John McCain has never had any previous experience as a Commander & Chief. He served in the military and flew a plane and was a POW. But that is not Commander & Chief experience. And that experience of McCain’s does not guarantee that such a person could perform the job of Commander & Chief. In fact, someone who has never served in the military just might make a better Commander & Chief then a person who has had military experience. If that is not the case then why do we place this important decision making role in the hands of a civilian.
Frankly, I think many people have no clue of what they mean or what is important regarding a person who is or is not qualified to be President. If it were up to me I would give all candidates a series of psychological and management profile exams. To determine if they were nuts or rationale; if they had an aptitude for leadership; if they were able to get along with different kinds of people; if they were able to work with others as team players; if they were able to absorb and comprehend large amounts of data and material; if they had sensitivity to the needs of others; if they possessed empathy for the problems of others; if they were assertive without being too aggressive; if they were able to read and write and speak fluently; if they were able to solve problems using a proper series of deductions; if they knew how to use proper conflict resolution skills; if they were honest and trustworthy; if they knew how to identify and put to use the strengths of others and to help improve the deficiencies of others, etc.
These are many of the qualifications I would want a person running for President to have. These are the important skills and abilities regardless if they ever flew a plane or worked as a community organizer or were a POW or had attended a prestigious law school.
Posted by: beck | August 27, 2008, 5:01 pm 5:01 pm
Hillary should have been President, let alone VP.
Posted by: JA | August 27, 2008, 5:10 pm 5:10 pm
Where were y’all when Dubya was running on little experience, especially regarding foreign policy? Hmm?
Posted by: W | August 27, 2008, 5:18 pm 5:18 pm
I’m surprised Gulianni stopped saying 9/11 long enough to say anything but 9/11
Posted by: Charles Kushner | August 27, 2008, 5:23 pm 5:23 pm
“Tomorrow night you’re going to see Obama come down from Olympus…”
Better that than watching McBush trying to crawl up from the Republican slime pit. Anybody for some warmed-over george bush? If so, vote for ol’ lowroad mcbush!
Posted by: Valerie | August 27, 2008, 5:28 pm 5:28 pm
“McCain is like a Grumpy Elephant with no vision and a flip flopping memory! There is a reason this Elephant is always attacking without a postive message. His trainers are Rove & Schmidt at the circus! We know what to expect at the McCain’s convention a Grumpy Elephant entwining his trunk with 2 Rogue elephants in Bush/Cheney with two cheering trainers in Rove & Schmidt who are trying to sell the American People a 3 rd George Bush Term.” RFK
Posted by: Yei Raven | August 27, 2008, 5:38 pm 5:38 pm
“Senator Obama is a socialist” – well, so were the first Christians. I refer to Acts 4:32-35 where Luke says “The whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. …for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold… and it was distributed to each as any had need.” Actually, they were more Communist than Socialist. If it was good enough for them, it’s good enough for me. – A Christian for Obama.
Posted by: Chris | August 27, 2008, 5:54 pm 5:54 pm
Dems defend Obamas lack of experience, by saying Rudy has less,is that a joke? Rudy ran one of the largest cities in the world and cleaned up that dirty place. Would someone serious tell me what Obama has done other than community organizer and board member on the weathermens projects.
Posted by: Jason | August 27, 2008, 6:16 pm 6:16 pm
Oh ya Bush was the Gov of a state, so please tell me what city Obama ran or what state he ran or what company he ran or something, anything he has been completely in charge of. OH NOTHING, THATS WHAT I THOUGHT. I wont hold my breath.
Posted by: Jason | August 27, 2008, 6:21 pm 6:21 pm
Jason – GWB was the governor of TEXAS. Those of us who live in TX knows what that means. The governor of Texas is a figurehead with no real power. The executive power in Texas lies in the office of the Lieutenant Governor. The founding fathers of Texas set it up that way to make sure that no idiot politician could screw up our state. So, during Bush’s tenure in Texas, he accomplished absolutely nothing. The good news is that he didn’t have to power to do any damage either. Too bad the same can’t be said about his presidency. GWB will go down as the the worst president in US history. He makes me long for the good old days of Nixon. At least Nixon had a brain.
Posted by: Chris | August 27, 2008, 6:33 pm 6:33 pm
I thought the topic was Obama’s inexperience???
Obama State Senator of Ill. 1996..
Obama runs for Congress 1999-2000..Losses
Obama campaigns for US Senate 2003-2004
Obama US Senator Nov. 2004-Present
Obama campaigning for President from Jan. 2007 to Present..
So to recap Obama has had State Senate experience for approximately 7 years of which 2 were devoted to campaigns…
Has been a US Senator since 2003-present so he has been a Senator for maybe 5 years of which at least 19 plus months has been campaigning for President…
Gotta agree with Rudy…He is not experienced enough to take on the Putins of the world
Posted by: CuriousIndep | August 27, 2008, 6:42 pm 6:42 pm
Over at dailykos, they’ve found BOMBSHELL video of McCain insisting lettuce pickers get $50 an hour…and insulting AMERICAN workers. check that stuff out! http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/8/27/152544/337/19/576614
Posted by: kravitz | August 27, 2008, 6:59 pm 6:59 pm
OK. Abraham Lincoln was a 4 term Illinios state congressman and a one term US representative. One could argue that he didn’t have the experience necessary to guide the nation through the greatest trial in o urhistory – the Civil War. And yet he is remembered as one of the finest examples of the Presidency in history. I would argue that character is more important that experience when is comes to leadership. No one individual can “manage” a country like ours. It takes a team of experts, selected by the President, each overseeing their area of expertise. I look to the President to provide the leadership necessary to assemble this team and move them in the direction he wants to take the country. I trust Obama more than McCain when it comes to character and leadership.
Posted by: Chris | August 27, 2008, 7:03 pm 7:03 pm
Kravitz….WOW, it you are looking for a friend for illegal aliens, you won’t find a better one than McCain as in his very liberal immigration bill he sponsored with Kennedy’s approval…most of us in So Cal will never forget that one….. BTW daliykos self-description is as follows: US CURRENT EVENTS FROM A LIBERAL PERSPECTIVE……GET REAL YOU MAY BE LIBERAL AND DIGEST THIS GARBAGE AS FACT BUT MOST OF US DO NOT…YOU NEED TO GET TOGETHER WITH RUSH LAME-BLAH AND PEDDLE YOUR “FACTS” TO THE DUMPSTER…
Posted by: CuriousIndep | August 27, 2008, 7:14 pm 7:14 pm
Obama doesn’t have to be painted inexperienced….He is! A community organizer turned state senator turned junior US senator that has spent most of his term campaigning for president.
Hillary backs him because she’s a Democrat. She believes in the philosophies of the Democratic Party. Somehow she hopes the Party will run the country… I believe in Hillary, but I don’t believe in the Democratic Party or Obama… While we’re at it, lets put Nancy Pelosi and Howard Dean along with Harry Reid in there too.
What a cluster….
Posted by: AmericanWoman | August 27, 2008, 7:24 pm 7:24 pm
LOL Chris how can you realistically compare Abe Lincoln’s time to our own..that like comparing the personal computer to a chalk board…We live in very troubling times…The fact remains that Sen. Obama has 5 years experience in the White House with 19 plus months of those years campaigning so he probably has had 3 years of devoted Senate experience vs. McCain’s 22 years Senate experience…experience that includes knowing White House politics, where the skeletons are buried, knowing follow politicians etc…With McCain you cross your fingers on one hand, with Obama you cross fingers and toes on both..I just can’t take the chance, with people I care deeply for in the military..
Posted by: CuriousIndep | August 27, 2008, 7:28 pm 7:28 pm
American Woman – I like Hillary too and would have voted for her for president had she garnered the nomination. But let’s be honest about her experience. For 8 years she was the White House tour guide and is a 1 term senator. She has spent the balance of her 2nd term campaigning as well. Again, I would vote for her because of her ideals and leadership qualities, not her experience.
Posted by: Chris | August 27, 2008, 7:30 pm 7:30 pm
CuriousIndep – Lincoln faced down Jefferson Davis and 100,000+ Confederate troops that had DC surrounded in 1862… but I won’t argue that point with you. I only used Lincoln’s example to make my point that character and leadership quality is more important than experience in the Presidency. I also have family members in the military and have concerns about a president as “commander in chief” who does not have military experience a la George Bush. Yes McCain has 22 years of experience in the US senate but, in my estimation, he does not possess the leadership qualities and character required to lead the US. Just my opinion. If elected, will McCain be a disaster like Bush. I don’t think so. But I feel that it’s time for new leadership that can focus on the problems of the 21st century. I don’t think McCain is that person. Just my opinion.
Posted by: Chris | August 27, 2008, 7:38 pm 7:38 pm
and……
Posted by: Omentum | August 27, 2008, 7:51 pm 7:51 pm
would you expect anything less from two of the biggest puppets in the GOP party.
two insignificant figures even in the republican party
Posted by: Omentum | August 27, 2008, 7:53 pm 7:53 pm
Chris..I am not a fan of Bush’s last term either I think that is important for me personally to put out; however, McCain’s military career absolutely lends to leadership qualities as well as the numerous committees he has chaired. You just can’t compare 26 years in Senate and House to 5 years of same….But if Obama is elected our President so be it I will survive economically and my family in the military plan on getting out…But what about the people who have no choices because of economic pressures, he may end up hurting the very people he promises to help with his inexperience and arrogance…..
Posted by: CuriousIndep | August 27, 2008, 8:08 pm 8:08 pm
“Dems defend Obamas lack of experience, by saying Rudy has less,is that a joke? Rudy ran one of the largest cities in the world and cleaned up that dirty place. Would someone serious tell me what Obama has done other than community organizer and board member on the weathermens projects.”
Posted by: Jason | Aug 27, 2008
Uhh…conducted the most effective presidential compaign in America’s political history of…and won his party’s nomination by providing the extraordinary leadership and judgement that will manifest the greatest good for all Americans. Seriously.
Posted by: Che Baraka | August 27, 2008, 8:15 pm 8:15 pm
CuriousIndep – it’s a crap shoot to a certain extent. Obama may be more reluctant to engage in “foreign entanglements” (in the words of Jefferson) and McCain may be more inclined to address problems through military force. However, having been in an actual shooting war, McCain may be LESS inclined to use force because he understands the implications. Personally I see the use of force as a last resort. Whoever wins the election I hope that person withdraws from Iraq in an orderly and responsible fashion and thinks twice about acting rashly in the future.
Posted by: chris | August 27, 2008, 8:18 pm 8:18 pm
Giuliani ….NEWSFLASH……all the Clinton supporters already knew that, but NOBODY would listen to us!Hmmm Denver is the mile high city and Obama is on Mt Olympus….I see the similarity!
Posted by: Darla | August 27, 2008, 8:50 pm 8:50 pm
The most profoundly important responsibilities I have ever shouldered, placed me in a position of leadership for which I had absolutely no prior experience.
I was born a black man in America, got married (27th anniversary as of ’08), and raised five children into educated, successful, self-confident, compassionate, and patriotic Americans.
A retrospective examination of my life convinces me that by fulfilling the responsibilities successfully, despite my lack of experience, were based upon the blessings of thoughtful judgement and my personal acknowledgment and respect for the inherent value of other human beings.
You’d have to have walked in my shoes, in order to know that experience is not superior, nor a substitute for sound judgement.
Posted by: Che Baraka | August 27, 2008, 9:39 pm 9:39 pm
Last Sunday on the talk shows Rudy Giuliani couldn’t even defend McCain’s 7 houses. Hillary’s back! And this is Rudy’s worst nightmare because he wants to run again in New York! Rudy fighting Hillary in New York will not be easy. But after her great speech at the convention and hitting the campaign trail for Obama/Biden in the fall Harlem will be ready to vote for her again! Don’t forget Bill! Anther Rudy nightmare. Waiting in the wings somewhere is Andrew Cuomo. This will be a battle New York will remember Andrew vs Rudy in a close race. May the best team win. New York Democrats will give Rudy a run for his money or McCain’s 7 houses!
Posted by: Ruth | August 28, 2008, 9:47 am 9:47 am
Is Giuliani tripping over Hillary’s speech at the convention? Her great convention speech don’t give anything to the Republican Attack Machine and everything to the Democrats family and Obama/Biden. The next day Hillary on the convention floor with the New York delegation when she threw her support to Obama she showed her commitment to a unified Democrat Family backing Obama/Biden. Hillary just clocked the Republican Attack machine two days in a roll. You can’t spin what we saw and felt on TV at the Democrat Convention Mr. Giuliani. Even the pundits at the Convention felt the unity and togetherness of the Democrat Family rumbling against the Republican smear machine. But we do honor and respect McCain’s service to this country and we are courting Republican’s like David Brooks and George Will fans. Join us!
Obama/Biden ’08
Posted by: Yeil | August 28, 2008, 10:11 am 10:11 am
Nobody’s painting anybody anything!
Obama is Inexperienced!
ABC stop the Lies and Deceit and report
the truth!
Joe Biden in reference to Obama said
“the presidency does not lend itself
to on the job training”!
Hillary Clinton said that “John McCain
had a lifetime of experience and
Obama had a speech he made in 2002″!
Those are the Facts.
We cannot entrust our nation to this
Media Creation known as Barack Obama!
Posted by: reaganfan | August 28, 2008, 12:39 pm 12:39 pm
Oh ya Bush was the Gov of a state, so please tell me what city Obama ran or what state he ran or what company he ran or something, anything he has been completely in charge of. OH NOTHING, THATS WHAT I THOUGHT. I wont hold my breath.
Posted by: Jason
Calm down Jason, You must remember the state he was govenor of was Texas. He left it in much worse shape that he found it. Please – hold your breath.
Posted by: sunny in tulsa | August 28, 2008, 4:24 pm 4:24 pm
Giuliani and McCain got it right, the DNC nominee does say Iran is a tiny country and doesn’t pose a threat. This was spoken by the DNC nominee shortly after Iran advised the world they were developing nuclear weapons and capability, and that they intended to destroy Israel. Iran is OPECs 2nd largest exporter of Oil, and they do not accept US dollars for the oil. Iran is very important to the US, because we depend on oil, and we need stability in the Middle East. The DNC nominee can say he did a boneheaded mistake, but during the speech, he intended it to show that he didn’t much care about Iran – which is extremely shortsighted.
Posted by: Jerry | August 29, 2008, 12:42 am 12:42 am
lol for those people jumping on the Barack Hussein Obama wagon. Just take the reality that Obama is not a qualified leader to become president.
I know truth hurts but that’s the way it is. He’s running for president with his empty resume. He’ll be a good salesman though.
Don’t get fooled by his rhetoric. He’s a phony guy. All you gotta do is listen on both sides of the campaign and accept who really makes sense.
Posted by: MArk | August 29, 2008, 12:02 pm 12:02 pm