Penn in December 2007 on Plan for Two-Way Race Against Obama: “Release the Tapes”

Wow! Penn must be physic! All those things are coming to pass! It just proves that Hillary should be the nominee – she showed good judgement! She voted against B0. Can’t wait for the tapes to be released! Hope the Nat. Enquirer follows up on this one! Enquiring minds want to know!

I’m afraid to disappoint, but check the bottom of page 9 where the “release the tapes” point reappears, but in the context of demonstrating inconsistencies on various issues. This is what he is likely referring to.
Nothing to exciting.

Beckie -
can’t quite figure out what your point is. Explain.

Hiliary should have listened to Penn better—the guy sure sounds like he is on the ball. McCain 08/Hilliary 08/12. Get rid of the

It sounded like a desperate attempt to win the white house. This would have destroyed Hillary’s chances.
Now Mccain is adopting these desperate tactics and it’s only going to backfire.
Nothing admirable about people acting out of desperation.

Megan…I’ll take McCain anyday over Darth Vader Obama. I’m a centrist and so is Hillary and McCain. Obama is so far left he’s in orbit….I don’t want a citizen of the world, I want an American who loves THIS country…i.e. Hillary or McCain!

I guess it was PENNS plan for Edward to cheat on his wife and lie

Beckie-
nope…make it clear.

every time I start feeling that this blog is fair and serious, there’s an entry like this which is the journalistic equivalent of yelling “fire” in a crowded movie house, usually at Obama’s expense
in fact, there was literally a headline about Obama’s advertising plans being “up in flames” at one point
it’s really getting pretty disappointing

You guys are amazing. None of you have realized that “release the tapes” is a figure of speech not to be taken literally. It means the kitchen sink strategy. Not that they are holding these secret tapes that will expose Obama. COME ON PEOPLE!!!!

The democratic party is not unified. I am tired of people villifying the Clintons. I wonder if we will ever knwo the inner workings of Obama’s campaign I am sure it will come out but by then it will be too late. I could have never imagined that 4 years ago that when the next election came around I wouldnt be excited to vote for a dem. I am not picking the lesser of two evils is just not good enough anymore.

Hillary hired this idiot very bad judgement hillary very bad campaign too

There’s no question that Penn is physic. Blockages, witholding, intestinal fortitude to be sure, but ultimately comes the deluge. Master Rove foretold all of this. He waits until Lord Cheney directs that the moment is right, and then he will strike.

Dont some of you people realize with hillary and mccain they have not dug and dug to find anything bad on him if there were anything it would be out now dont you think???

LeeLee07 |
PUMA! 9.2 million votes and counting – coming to the polls WITH you!
peep!….
Your online petition last week produced a total of 400! You’re all delusional.
You can’t stop a freight train!
By the way, if there are 9.2 million of you why haven’t you folks each donated $1 dollar and retired Senator Clinton’s debt?

Rick….I have a dozen or more men friends here in L.A., that also can’t believe they are voting for McCain as they were HILLARY SUPPORTERS! Unless uneducated inexperienced youth take over this election, Obama will lose. Boomers are the largest demo and that will favor McCain.
Obama supporters always give them selves away with their blatent rudeness.
What a horrible reflection on Obama you all are.

This is too easy. The tapes were the recorded sessions of Rev. Wright’s sermons. Hillary was behind the Rev. Wright fiasco along with her new found Republican friends. That’s why Hillary-camp organized the Rev. Wright press club event, too.
Obama 08!

Deb
A dozen? WOW!

Danny,
“it’s really getting pretty disappointing”
Understatement. I used to read the abc news and blogs a lot more. Now I’m down to once or twice a week because it has become too much like a right-wing tabloid. Next they’ll be telling us Obama is an alien.
Obama 08!

LeeLee 07 – I’m with you. I’ll check out the website and do whatever I can to keep Obama away from the WH. I’d love Hillary to get the nom, but it’s a huge long shot. So I will vote McCain in ’08 and Hillary ’12.
The DNC must allow a role call in Denver, but I’m afraid that will be snuffed out.

Jeff it really is OK to vote for the candidate you “like”, and not just party platforms. Trust me, I can’t stand Obama (for President). He’s fine to stay in Illinois as Senator since he’s only served 143 days. BUT MILLIONS OF AMERICANS VOTE FOR WHO THEY LIKE AND WANT TO TRUST. It’s a gut thing and MY GUT says STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM OBAMA.

Politics is disgusting and not worth getting upset over. The Dems have blown it anyway, McCain can win now.

Wait a minute, if they are talking about the Wright tapes, then we are to believe the Clinton’s knew about them but refused to use it themselves while she was losing Iowa and then a dozen straight contests (and essentially the entire nomination) in February? By the time Fox aired those tapes Clinton was essentially already dead in the water. Hmm, maybe that’s why Bill & co. is so pissy about the perception of their tactics, because had those tapes been released earlier it could have actually changed the dynamics of the contest.

Jeff…I don’t have to fall in line and support Obama, like millions of Hillary supporters who won’t be voting for him. I’m sorry that angers you. WE’RE JUST NOT THAT INTO HIM.

Jayson makes a good point. The timing has to be figured out, because Obama would never have had his 11 wins if the Wright/Rezko/Ayers relationships had been revealed in January, and Hillary’s campaign would have put it out there sooner to stop the momentum.
Maybe there is more to come out?

Obama is the best canddidate in american history. Period. Clinton lost because Obama was too good for her.

Release the Tapes…What tapes? The Jeremiah Wright tapes…How obvious. Those were around for a long time before they saw the light of day. IMHO

Next we’re going to find out Hilary’s camp leaked the Edwards story in hopes that the main stream media would pick it up.

LeeLee 07 – I must admit, I’ll get some sort of satisfaction when the election is over and it is analyzed and proven Obama loses due to Hillary supporters that just couldn’t get behind him. The Dems are devided this year to be sure, more than I can ever recall in recent history. But I am an Independent who voted for Hillary here in Calif.
McCAIN ’08/HILLARY ’12

sonia trevino
Of course it’s creepy. It’s the internet. What did you expect? I don’t see how you can blame that on Obama, though. I certainly don’t blame McCain for the pettiness of his “supporters” on here.

Chatty
no
you hold that distinction

I think BUSH running against Obama could win now

sonia at 11:14 sums it up in a nutshell.
She speaks for millions of dissatisfied Dems.

Barak= same position as McCain on wiretaps, Same position as Cheney on energy Same position as Kaine on a womans rights, Same position ….. at least Clinton stayed consistent.

“…he has taken a bunch of liberal positions that make him unelectable, has been inconsistent on Iraq, has flip-flopped on issues, and voted present a number of times in the Illinois legislature instead of taking a position.”
Well, he was right on ALL counts!!
And now we can add: he divided the party with race-baiting and sexism, attacked a fellow Democrat taking pages from the Republican playbook, and has a bunch of wackos as friends and mentors.
RELEASE THE TAPES!!!

Forget the tapes. I want to see the IP addresses of the donors at his Website. How many millions is he getting from overseas?

(I’d like it to mean more than that; but it’s the most obvious explanation given the context of Penn’s other remarks, and it’s inconceivable that the Hildebeest would still be holding any major Obama dirt in reserve after months of mutual mudslinging.)

I doubt there are any “tapes” other than the ones already disclosed (such disclosure not coming from the Clinton campaign). It most likely refers to Jeremiah Wright, though. The thought is rather tantalizing, isn’t it.

Obama is damaged goods. Read Obama Nation-very scary.

Penn is right!
Hillary got the most votes……..
Obama is unamerican is experience and values…….. thats why I voted for Hillary
Now my vote will go to the only real american left in the race
McCain 08′

Remember during the primaries? Wishful thinking… people saying that Obama was not going to win and guess what? He won more delegates. The general election is about the electoral votes, the popular vote will probably be close, half/half perhaps, but the electoral map will favor Obama. Barack’s campaign has one thing to his advantage that John Kerry’s camp did not have, and that is a higher level of trust and loyalty from his supporters. There is also hatred, pure hatred, towards Obama from Hillary supporters and neocons, but there’s more people who faithfuly will work hard to make Barack Obama president doing whatever they can (I’m one of them, call me an Obamabot,I trust the guy).

Media loves to tell how the campaigns of Clinton and McCain are so mismanaged. Only campaign that runs fantastic is Obama. Their problem seems to be the candidate?
As to the leaks from the Clinton campaign. What do they really show, if not: Clinton ran on issues and refused to go negative! And really. How successful is the Obama campaign when it ran so negative that the opponents refuses to give up?

Do these tapes really exist? if they do, doesn’t that present a big problem for the campaign? Is this the October surprise that the republicans are planning? Man, talk about drama. Is it possible that Obama is a bigger liar than Edwards?

I’ve just read through the postings. Almost everyone is writing from a perspective that somehow that Obama and his campaign are in a bubble and are unaware of the “tapes” or the so-called “October surprise.” Do any of you truly believe that out there somewhere is this big bombshell about Barack? And that the most web-savvy campaign in history is not tracking every thread of every blog? And if this bombshell really existed they wouldn’t be fully aware of it? And why would the opposition be holding this so secretly, when using “it” would have taken Obama out of the race months ago? What could be so big and so secret that Obama and his campaign leadership wouldn’t already know about it? Well?

I’m 24 and since I have been aware of presidential elections, I don’t think I have ever seen this much hate for a presidential candidate. I talk to people and they just flat out hate Obama, and they usually can’t give a good reason why. They come up with the muslim stuff and the left wing stand, but nothing never really solid.
I read some of these comments and they are more hate for Obama himself than his politics. I’m a white person and I don’t think america is ready for a black president. It’s sad and I hope some day we will be.
I’m not saying I’m for McCain or Obama, but from the things I’ve heard from people, They would rather keep things just like they are now than have a black man for president, yet they say they are not racist. I just don’t get it.
If Obama walked in the room with Jesus Christ himself it wouldn’t make a difference in the opinions people have of him. They are always looking for something to nail him with, tapes and what ever other dirt than can find. It’s just sad and I don’t know if politics is worth it.

If there were any damaging tapes the Clinton campaign would have released them. Quit grasping.

Let’s be serious for a moment: With how quickly Hillary’s campaign was faltering and heading down the tubes, don’t you think that IF there were any tapes containing ‘dirt on Obama’, they would have already been used? The Clinton campaign would have used it immediately in the hope that it would ruin Obama and save her campaign. There are no tapes, people, just more wishful thinking by Clinton supporters.

Was Mark Penn prancing around in a pink tu-tu while requesting the tapes??? This is lame, tired, and disrespectful. Not only does Senator Obama have to battle McFraud, he has to defeat the Clintons for a second time. There has been no candidate in history that has to battle his OWN party this close to the convention. Bob Beckel, Richard Morris, Mark Penn, Howard Wolfson…these are supposed to be Democats, and nightly they get on television and poke, prod, and spread Hannity’s talking points against Senator Obama.

Jake P. Tapper…why the scrub of my post at 7:10 AM?

I saw Nacy Pelosi on Larry King last night. Lots of times, she leaves you kind of on a cliff. I wanted her to go further with her answers. And larry could have used more than two segments with her, if he wanted to get beyond the surface answers. But, NO…everyone is plastered to their tubes to get a glimpse of the NEW WAR…Russia vs. Georgia. Could Bush really demand Russia to stop its agression against a sovereign nation? I mean…was Iraq not a sovereign nation when he did it? Is what’s good for the goose…ever good for the gander as well?

BruhMan, he also has to battle the media. For example, McCain lifting his speech on Georgia from Wikipedia. Since it doesn’t fit into the media narrative you wont hear it. If it was Obama, they’d be all over it.

I knew the Clinton Campaign was Race Baiting. The Media denied it, but with this whole “release the tapes” thing, we know that’s exactly why they were doing. I will never forgive Hillary and Bill especially, for allowing their campaign to be racist like this.
NEVER!
Amy
Posted by: Amy | Aug 12, 2008 1:49:46 AM
————————————- The Clinton campaign was not race baiting it has be the Obama campaign all along, race baiting then crying racism. They even tried to do it to McCain-but finally some reporter called Obama on it, saying McCain has not used Obama’s race. Obama has.

Puma people – I am not an official member of your group, but I am with you in spirit. I’m a Democrat, never voted Republican. I was going to sit out the election, but since it looks like it will be close, I’ll vote McCain. I have many friends who feel the same way I do. YOU ARE NOT ALONE. (I live in Missouri, a swing state).

How quickly we forget.
When did the Rev. Wright “TAPES” videos come out?

cathy6224
what do you call the comments and plans by Mark Penn… if it is not ethnocentric in nature than what is your new definition of these memos?
stop reality is Penn set the overall tone for quite a while and Wolfson just proved again that he is as slimey as they come…
Clinton had a team of some really gross people and she did not manage them well.
so stop with the accusations to redirect away from the facts.
Please be a grown up.

Dee,
If Obama loses in 2008, Hillary can kiss her Senate seat goodbye and she will be lucky to get elected Dogcatcher in New York in 2012.

damnit…they should have released the tapes. It was probably the Wright tapes. It’s a crime Obama is our nominee…a freaking crime.

The “tapes” are now under the heading of an “octorber surprise” for the obuma camp…..
I never looked so forward to Halloween…

At the beginning of the campaign, Barack Obama told a reporter that he was sure Hillary Clinton’s supporters would come over to his side if he won the nomination. Then he added, “It is not certain that my supporters will do the same for her.” I could not believe my ears! I thought we’d seen the epitomy of arrogance in George Bush. We’ve had eight years of total arrogance in the White House. We don’t need any more of it. Sometimes off-hand remarks reveal so much about a person’s character, and that remark certainly revealed all I need to know about Barack Obama.

NinaRuth – and let’s not forget Obama’s arrogant comments about “typical white people” being “bitter and clinging to guns and religion”. His arrogance is stifling!! Obama’s lack of foreign policy experience (or any real experience), and his overblown tax plan are both scary as h###!! Vote McCain – wake up sheep!!!

Dont some of you people realize with hillary and mccain they have not dug and dug to find anything bad on him if there were anything it would be out now dont you think???
Posted by: angie | Aug 11, 2008 9:26:26 PM—————————————No the Republicans would hold off until after the Dem Convention and he was the official nominee. I don’t think Clinton cares about the party and she wouldn’t do it.

I doubt that Mark Penn turned over the memos. I would bet money on Patti Solis Doyle. She was asked to leave the Clinton campaign and then was hired by Obama. Obama can’t play without getting dirty, but he’s met his match and more with the Republicans, who unlike Hillary, WILL use the tapes. Hello President McCain

I believe there are more tapes to come out and the Republican are waiting until late September or October. The one of Michelle , there are those that state they do exist. Obama’s campaign know which tapes there are , not all are distroyed.

Isn’t this evidence that Hillary Clinton, despite all the stereotypes, is actually a fair person? If Penn wanted to let all the dogs loose on Obama and destroy him, it only makes sense that Hillary showed restraint. Hmm…so playing fair was more important than winning? That doesn’t sound like the stereotype of Hillary.
I don’t know whether this was supposed to further damage her reputation before the convention, but to be honest, it makes me LIKE her MORE.

I think the GOP is waiting until after Obama is the nominee, after the convention, then they will release the tapes. That way, it will have a far more damaging effect on Obama. I dont see Obama winning in November…the Dems are not unified.

Were not tapes released at that time? (ie Rev. Wright) Bottom line; illegal war, economy sinking, oil companies in control, corruption……U.S. needs change….VOTE OBAMA

Unlike Obama, this proves that Hillary has class and american values that matter more to her than just winning.

I actually think this will help Hillary and hurt Obama. Something is brewing here…we’re all being egged on by the press. They’re letting this out,little by little. Hillary is not defeated……she is planning something and I think we will see a major shifting at the Convention…postive shift for Hillary, very negative shift for Obama!

The New York news media has effectively shielded Obama from the normal scrutiny accorded presidential candidates … so far. But as the National Enquirer expose of John Edwards shows, there are alternative medias and sooner or later the truth will out.
Soon, we may learn much of the other 95% there is to know about Obama. And since Obama and his pet propaganda organization (New York media) hasn’t publicized it, it probably won’t be pretty.

Since when is a strategy to discredit someone by building fears among the American people based upon fabricated information and talking points an honorable thing to do? Shame on you Hillary – you are a discredit to America!

I would like to know how the HELL the “McCain 08/Clinton 2012′ believe they will get the REST of the Democratic Party to vote for Hillary in any future Primary? I’m a Democrat, and I want to see a Democrat in the White House cleaning up the mess made over the past 8 years — not someone who thinks there IS no mess.
Further more, the articles on how things were in the Clinton Campaign Staff tells me she has NO management ability. We live in far too dangerous a world to have the sort of Administration, complete with drama queens and cabals, wasting time with their petty internal warfare.
Obama 08 and 12!

jeleanoro
Unfortunately for you, apparently, many of us Obama supporters are quite well informed, and are also not criticizing Hillary. Of course, there are all kinds in all “camps,” and I doubt you want to be lumped in with many McCain supprters any more than I would.

pp – You are, of course, assuming that all of that “information” is true. Since most of it is already “out,” and people are ignoring it for the nonsense that it is, I wouldn’t keep my hopes up for the ultimate “gotcha.”

Why is the media so focused on the Clinton strategy when the Clinton campaign is over?! How about some memo’s of the Obama camps stategy?How about the strategy to disassociate himself from shady Rezko,Ayers,Wright and what about the strategy to cover up a fake birth certificate?We all know the Clintons use dirty politics so its not like this comes as a shock to anyone. Big deal!
This is all an attempt to distract from the rookie and idiot Obama is.He has no new politics. With tensions in Russsia,North Korea,Afghanistan, and the epic Iraq war we are on the verge of serious trouble. We dont need an arrogant rookie by the red button who only cares about his own agenda and scripted speeches.An Obama administration would be thin on foreign policy.Listen to him talk when on the spot…ummmm,uh ,uh,ummmm,stutter stutter ,stutter….what a joke the DNC is.What a joke the party is….stupid idiots Pelosi,Dean and Brazile..youll pay for your errors in Nov..And to think they believe everyone will be singing the Koom -bah-yahs at the convention…..doesnt work that way….take it to the floor Hillary! Or McCain 08…..We need experience….the alternative is frightening

pp – Like I said: You are, of course, assuming that all of that “information” is true.
As for the vote at the convention: yes, it makes it official, but it is mostly the official tallying of elections already held, not any kind of revote. That’s why we have a pretty good idea of the outcome.

You guys are dreaming, or in denial, if you think Hillary will get the nomination at the convention.

Wake up people – they are ALL corrupt and they ALL have their own agenda. It doesn’t even matter who is President. The President doesn’t run this country, MONEY does.

#1` best selling NYT books
1. The Obama Nation
2. The Case Against Barack Obama
3. Fleeced
Its a shame the truth about Obama had to come out in books because the Media love affair with Obama prevented them to be objective.
Posted by: hardy | Aug 12, 2008 8:18:07 AM
I agree, but, as you can see, America is seeking the truth about this fake, Barack Obama. I don’t see him winning in November.

pp – You are, of course, assuming that all of that “information” is true. Since most of it is already “out,” and people are ignoring it for the nonsense that it is, I wouldn’t keep my hopes up for the ultimate “gotcha.”
Posted by: jock59801 | Aug 12, 2008 11:35:46 AM
————————————–
jock59801…just like they ignored the Edwards affair because it was nonsense…right?

The press found plenty to Wright-about and Obama lost 9 of the last 14 primaries, Hillary Clinton won the popular vote and superdelegates showed their true colors. They chose wrong, and sacrificed the rules and democracy to secure a flawed candidate.
Posted by: Sylvia Johnsen | Aug 12, 2008 12:50:16 PM
Good post! This shows how Obama was “selected” but not “elected”. The DNC had this planned all along and the StupidDelegates jumped on board because of pressure from the DNC. However, Clinton is roaring back now and I think it will be a different story at the Democractic Convention.

Do we really need to rehash Hillary got the popular vote, blah, blah, blah. Again that’s if you count Michigan and give no votes to Obama…..Hillary math.

The tapes of hussein’s endless double-talk:
I will take public financing for my campaign—–I will NOT take public financing for my campaign.
Clinton’s NAFTA is BAD—–Just kidding, NAFTA is GREAT.
I will get the troops home immediately—–I will NOT get the troops home immediately.
“I could no more disown him (rev. wright) than I could disown my … grandmother.”—–I DISOWN rev wright. (Look out grandma, you may be next!).
I support total gun control—–I do NOT support total gun control.
NO on offshore drilling—–YES on offshore drilling.
NO on tapping the strategic oil reserve—–YES on tapping the strategic oil reserve.
I don’t need no stinkin’ flag pin—–I NOW WEAR a flag pin since I’m now patriotic (wink, wink)!
No immunity for illegal wiretapping telcos—–I vote YES on Bush’s immunity for illegal wiretapping telcos.
At last, I finally know what he really means by “change”.
“Change we can NOT believe in.”
Remember that guy who masqueraded as a “compassionate conservative” to get you to vote for him? Don’t be duped by another chronic, habitual liar!
/

so sad to want to seek and destroy an individual just because he brings all americans together

I would like to see the tapes. Why shouldn’t they release them and let the voters decide if his comments “don’t square with his current stated views.” Chances are, these tapes wouldn’t hurt Obama any more than any other comments he’s made over the past months.

Obama takes no positions on anything. he’s a fake. Are you guys seeing that now? Thank god the election takes several months. If it didn’t that fake would’ve been elected based on his charm alone. This country is going down the drain fast.

Whatever may be was in the tape, Hillary did not return, that shows she did not want to destroy Obama like he did in Chicago.
DNC, it is not too late to nominate Hillary.
Remember Democrats ruled white house only 12 years out of last 40 years.
8 out of 12 arwe Clintons

Donna, Hillary is not going to be nominated anyway.

There are so many doubts about Obama. We had a similar doubt about Edward and look what he did. I just can not think about Obama. Hillary would have been my first choice but in her absense, I can trust John but I can not trust Obama because of readiness as president of United States. Think.. This is top most important and critical role in US and in probably in world. With so many doubts about him and he changes position on every other day and call it is CHANGE… I wish Hillary should consider herself for independant candidate.

How on earth can everybody say oh we can trust mccain. Change Obama skin and name to Charles Smith and take a look at his story (actually the American dream + instead of getting rich went to work for the poor…huh) Check Mccain’s story (all of it) served valiantly, amazingly, can’t even imagine what he went thru, next chapter cheats on wife (for the person who compared Obama to Edwards) talks so much trash about his now wife Im surprised any woman would vote him. Serves in the senate for AZ, check our issues out here…poor,schools, illegals, etc. 2000 goes against grain. Then sticks with the agenda of the current Pres. Please someone tell me if Mccain has flipped on current issues or if he took his eye of the ball Al-qaida (which destablized the middle east aka oil, gave Al-qaida another location)… think about if all the money that went in to Iraq went to catching terrorist and not creating them. Not let’s not take a minute to think, let’s challenge Iran and Russia. John is like a bad poker player, tough talk, but anyone who is actually tough i.e. Russia knows he is bluffing.

As we have been hearing frightening reports of Russia’s actions against South Ossenia and beyond in Georgia, you might be interested to read this statement issued by Senator Hillary Clinton on Georgia and Ukraine on April 18, 2008:
I am deeply disturbed by the latest Russian actions regarding Georgia, and Russia’s broader policies towards its neighbors.
Several weeks ago I called on NATO to extend a Membership Action Plan (MAP) to Georgia and Ukraine at the Bucharest Summit. I emphasized that this move would be a litmus test for the success of President Bush’s leadership of the trans-Atlantic community. My support for MAP was based on the need to send a positive signal to Tbilisi and Kyiv to encourage them to stay on track with their positive reforms as well as to send a signal of our concern to Moscow about the future security of these countries.
I deeply regret President Bush’s inability to convince our NATO allies to take this action. This is the first time in memory a U.S. President has traveled to a NATO summit and failed to achieve his publicly proclaimed goals.
Now the Russian government has taken advantage of the lack of unity coming out of the Bucharest Summit to further ratchet up the pressure on young democracies on its borders. Moscow’s actions this week to strengthen ties with the separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia undermine the territorial integrity of the state of Georgia and are clearly designed to destabilize the government of President Mikheil Saakashvili.
Georgia is a small democratic state in a turbulent region. It must not be allowed to be undermined. Two weeks ago President Bush sat with President Putin in Sochi just a few kilometers away from the Georgian border. He prided himself on his close working relationship with Vladimir Putin. President Bush should call on the Russian leadership to immediately rescind these steps.
I also call on President Bush to immediately send a senior representative to Tbilisi to show our support for the government of Georgia. The United States should raise this matter in the United Nations Security Council, in a special 26+1 session of NATO’s North Atlantic Council (NAC), and in the NATO-Russia Council. Russia needs to hear a unified message from the United States and our European partners about our shared commitment to Georgia’s security and territorial integrity.
These are not the only Russian moves that I have found troubling. Senior Russian officials have engaged in a pressure campaign to prevent Ukraine from seeking deeper ties with NATO. President Putin even raised the prospect of retargeting nuclear missiles against Ukraine.
I am not advocating, nor do I envisage, a return to a new Cold War with Russia, which I believe ought to remain in the G-8, where the United States and its allies can together address our growing list of concerns with Moscow. But the current Administration’ s mishandling of Russian relations has contributed to Moscow’s belief that it can do as it pleases. America and its allies can and must do better.
Since Hillary is no longer ‘in the race,’ not wishing to upstage Senator Obama, I believe, she did not issue any further statement over the weekend, although clearly she has a deep understanding of this crisis and our role here. As reported previously, Senator McCain was also touted as a having a 3 A.M. moment on this issue.
In stark contrast, here was the ‘Statement from Senator Obama, on the Grave Situation in Georgia’ on his way to his Hawaiian vacation on August 8th:
“I strongly condemn the outbreak of violence in Georgia, and urge an immediate end to armed conflict. Now is the time for Georgia and Russia to show restraint, and to avoid an escalation to full scale war. Georgia’s territorial integrity must be respected. All sides should enter into direct talks on behalf of stability in Georgia, and the United States, the United Nations Security Council, and the international community should fully support a peaceful resolution to this crisis.”
I will point out that upon checking Senator Obama’s website just now, he has issued two subsequent statements after the one above, one that came on August 9th and one on the 11th — each of which, respectively, was longer and more detailed than the last and perhaps, more reflective of copying Senator McCain’s homework on the subject.
Hey, take a mulligan, Senator Obama – keep floating those statements till one clicks with the appropriate gravitas.
As you can see, Hillary required no such tutoring, but exhibited a very clear, detailed grasp of the crisis, well before it reached the boiling point, when she urged President Bush to act.
Here is the opening phrase of yesterday’s missive from Senator Obama:
The situation in Georgia continues to deteriorate because of the escalation of Russia’s use of military force. I have spoken to President Saakashvili, and conveyed my deep regret over the loss of life, and the suffering of the people of Georgia.
Why Obama would be calling President Saakashvili, I have no idea. Who is he? He is not yet the official Democratic nominee, never mind that he is not the President. A mere technicality, I suppose.
Between Senators Clinton and Obama, it is eminently clear who has a far stronger grasp of foreign policy issues and certainly on the economy, she is hands and feet above a man who does not even understand what a capital gains tax is – nor could he explain it when he was questioned by Charles Gibson during the ABC debate before the Pennsylvania primary.
Who is the DNC planning on coronating, er, nominating, again?
The San Francisco Chronicle’s top story, that Clinton Supporters are pushing to get her name into nomination, reports how diligently the Obama camp is working to block such a thing from happening:
“It’s a simple thing to do, and it’s the biggest sign of party unity,” said Laura Spanjian, a San Francisco-based Clinton delegate, who also supports the move.”
Clay Dougherty, another San Francisco delegate for Clinton, says that “if the situation were reversed, the Obama people would feel the same.”
Let’s imagine if the situation were reversed. Since Obama has asked that the FL and MI delegates be seated in full now, the magic number has reverted to the correct 2210. He does not possess that number. If Hillary did not have enough pledged delegates to seal the nomination — or super delegates for that matter, imagine if Hillary tried to prevent a roll call that would honor Barack’s historic candidacy. There would be hell to pay. And she would be paying it daily. Such behavior on her part would not be tolerated.
“For the first time in a generation, it’s been a close election … and this was such a unique situation,” he said, in which both the first major African American presidential candidate competed with the first major female presidential candidate. “We need to honor both candidates,” he said.
And many Democrats suggest that the move to accommodate her supporters may be politically smart…
[Texas Delegate Garry] Mauro insisted that since it was such a closely contested election, he is mystified as to why the Obama campaign is resisting and even balking at a roll call vote, according to some reports.
“Are these folks so new to politics, are they so arrogant that they think he’s different from every other nominee we’ve ever had?” he asks.
I guess I don’t need to answer Garry’s question.
Serrano Sewell even stated, in an attempt to assuage any worry on the part of the Obama camp, there is no connection between Hillary’s delegates and PUMA:
“We’re not trying to drag Obama down,” he said. “We’re Democrats. We’re precinct captains. We’re fundraisers. We’re the kind of Democrats Obama will need to win in November.”
Similar to Senator Obama’s lack of detailed understanding of foreign policy, so, too, his arrogance and political shortsightedness is clearly in evidence in preventing a roll call vote for Senator Clinton. Or shall I say, his fear is showing.
Again, this is not indicative of good leadership, of putting the country or the Party’s interests before his own.
A true leader would not wish to treat 18,000,000 voters and 1918 delegates disrespectfully. If, as Michelle Obama says, he is going to ‘heal our broken souls,’ how does he intend to do that by throwing millions under the bus in another show of pettiness, bullying and arrogance?
Regarding the current acts of Russian aggression, a true leader, as he claims to be, looking to demonstrate his readiness for the toughest job in the world, might stop to do his homework before realizing that the first “essay” he handed in was rather flimsy.
I know I am not wrong in wanting the truly qualified candidate to be our nominee. The one who needs no tutoring. Certainly, Hillary Clinton would know better than to do what Senator Obama did yesterday: indicate he would be announcing his pick for Vice President via text message. Some traditions do need to be adhered to. The world is watching.
Senator Obama’s action do not indicate respect – either for his V.P. choice, or for us.
That is not healing.
That does not indicate political knowledge, maturity or gravitas.
Lastly, that is certainly not good leadership. Hmm!! Ready to Lead on Day 1.

I don’t think the republicans will be as nice as Hillary. If they have the tapes also, I’m sure we’ll see them after the convention.

WOW – SO OBAMA IS GOING CANCEL THE INCOME TAX FOR US OLD GUYS!! AND… GIVE LOTS OF OTHER INTITLEMENTS FOR PRACTALLY EVERYONE ELSE EXCEPT THE FAT CATS AND BIG OIL. THAT WILL ONLY CAUSE THE NATIONAL DEBT TO DOUBLE, WEAKEN THE DOLLAR SOME MORE, AND…… CAUSE THE FIRST DEPRESSION SINCE THE 1930s. SAD TO SAY THAT AT LEAST SOME OLD GUYS WILL FALL FOR OBAMA’S GOBBLEDEGOOK!!

badger1…It just is amazing that so many people are falling for Obama knowing what they know about him…All his life he chose to have the people that hate America all around him and Why?…It sure does tell you how some
American’s feel about this country
…Sad really really sad that they will not stand up for this country and all it gives them…Because they really think Obama is going to do something for them…Some just can’t understand that he’s just another typical politation.

What alot of you Obama supporters don’t understand is we don’t hate Obama …Obama has done more then his share of hating what America stands for by staying with wright all those years…You see we don’t trust Obama and all his friends alot of American’s don’t trust him and this is going to show come Nov…Its called trust ..If you can’t stand for something you will fall for anything and thats what alot of you Obama supporters are doing ..You will not stand up for America against wright and Obama and Farrahkan ..You are saying it’s ok to G.D America and that we had 911 coming to us…Obama thanks it’s ok to or he would have left the trash he was being feed..

McCain is terrible: massive flip-flops and deception. He is completely immoral: he voted against his own anti-torture bill to curry favor with his political bosses. His campaign is staffed by lobbyists. He even had a lobbyist campaign staffer announce that he wouldn’t have lobbyist campaign staffers.
His website pays people points to post anti-Obama posts. They are called trolls and Badger is one of them.
McCain has to pay people to write lies about Obama because he can’t win on his own accomplishments.
If McCain is elected, he will crash the American economy just like he crashed FIVE planes when he was in the military.

Bart.
Ever hear of issues? For example…. Obama wants to repeal the capital gains tax break…. do you understand what that means to millions of seniors just getting by on limited income? Have you researched this? FEELING GOOD ABOUT OBAMA IS JUST NOT RATIONAL… DO YOU UNDERSTAND???

I would love to hear Obama’s plan to beat Hillary. I bet it includes playing the race card.

Jeff – Please stop jeff, youre making me laugh way too hard. you are so easily taken for a ride. That birth certificate is a PROVEN PHONEY. It lacks official characteristics, found on real BC issued in Hawaii at that time. You expect to find the truth an Obamas website??? Of course you do, youre an Obamna supporter. Was his 20 years membership to black liberation church just a figment of our immagination also? Howabout his choice of anti-american associates? No lies there. Count em, Frank Davis, William Ayers, Jeremiah Wright, Louis Farrakhan,Tony Rezko, Louis Ortega, Raila Ordinga,,,, Shall I go on. Stop watching MSNBC before they make a complete sucker out of you. The man is a Marxist ideologue.

jeff, let us catch you up… Soetoro adopted Barry and his name was changed as was his birth certificate, to Barry Soetoro, and he traveled to Pakistan on his Indonesian citizenship passport in 1981. You can’t even get a low-level security clearance at the FBI with dual citizenship, fyi.

hfp – All of your conspiracy theories lead to one logical conclusion: Evil Obama has been smart enough to fool everyone in the US government. You’re right, it would be terrible if we elected someone smarter than everyone else…

Hillary Clinton sucks! I hope her 13 millon in debt chokes her!