The Note: Georgia On Candidates’ Minds
EmailABC News’ Rick Klein reports in Tuesday’s Note: If it’s 3 a.m. in the race — does it matter what time zone a candidate is in?
If the Russians are acting like Soviets — does it help to think Czechoslovakia still exists?
Will Mark Penn’s strategy become Sen. John McCain’s? (And which tapes exactly did Penn want released?)
It’s not a terrible time for Penn’s visage to reemerge: The Russia-Georgia conflict — with its memories of bad-old-days Cold War flare-ups — just may reorder the race in the same way Penn wanted to back when he tried to sound a middle-of-the-night wakeup call.
That’s McCain’s play — and a vacationing Sen. Barack Obama can hope that that Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is really in control — that when he orders hostilities cease, as he did early Tuesday, no one has other ideas.
Read the rest of The Note — and get all the latest on the 2008 election, Congress, the White House and the wide world of politics every day — from Rick Klein by bookmarking this link.
"The violence between Russia and Georgia quickly thrust foreign policy into the U.S. presidential election, with John McCain standing to benefit and Barack Obama facing a more perilous situation," Laura Meckler writes in The Wall Street Journal. "As such, the conflict gave Sen. Obama the opportunity to show that he is indeed prepared, but it also gave prominence to foreign policy, one of the few areas where polling shows that Sen. McCain has a clear advantage with voters."
With President Bush stepping up his rhetoric upon his return from the Olympics, this may be one area where McCain is happy to see him.
This is Obama, D-Ill., playing a bit of catch-up — with a lovely Hawaiian backdrop: "No matter how this conflict started, Russia has escalated it well beyond the dispute over South Ossetia and has now violated the space of another country," he told reporters in Kailua Monday.
For McCain, R-Ariz., it’s a double whammy: He gets to highlight his experience, plus put some space between himself and President Bush. (Remember those letters McCain saw when he looked into Putin’s eyes? McCain wants you to.)
"The crisis has played mostly to McCain’s advantage," Time’s Massimo Calabresi writes. "Obama’s campaign made two early missteps. First, in its initial statement, it called for restraint from both Russia and Georgia. . . . Then Obama’s campaign released a statement questioning McCain’s objectivity in the crisis because a top McCain aide, Randy Scheunemann, had lobbied for the Georgians."
Experience (maybe) counts: "Senator John McCain, who has met the Republic of Georgia’s president and whose chief foreign policy adviser has lobbied for the country, responded to the news Friday with visceral anger, condemning Russian forces’ crossing into Georgia and warning of ‘grave’ repercussions in long-term relations between Moscow and Washington," Michael Kranish writes in The Boston Globe. "Senator Barack Obama, who has never been to Georgia, initially seemed reticent to single out Russia for criticism, issuing a general call on Friday for ending ‘the outbreak of violence.’ "
Continue reading today’s Note by clicking HERE.
ABC News’ Hope Ditto and Amanda Temple contributed to this report.
USS Gabrielle Giffords Honors Courage 
Mitt Romney's Full Speech at CPAC 2012
If McCain’s push and agrressive stances and our weakened military hadn’t opened the door for Russia to invade.
If McCain’s foreign policy advisor hadn’t lobbied into a situation that made the stand off worse not better…
If McCain knew the President of Georgia’s name and that Czechoslovakia no longer exists.
If Mccain hadn’t been slapping a glove across Medvedev’s and Putin’s metaphorical face every week.
then I would say you have a point…
but other wise any logical person who looks at how we got here would say ugh…get McCain and his lobbyist advisors away from a microphone…never mind the whiote house.
can everyone not see that McCain adn D!ck Cheney are much closer than we all realized?
and that is the problem and America’s blind spot.
Posted by: dl | August 12, 2008, 8:48 am 8:48 am
We can’t have Obama playing president while the US is dealing with superpowers like Russia.
Does anyone think this JR senator is strong enough and experienced enough to run the country? NO
Posted by: West | August 12, 2008, 9:36 am 9:36 am
Hillary is a true leader, I would have loved to see her deal with this Russia invasion. Obama is weak and inexperienced. Obama the arrogant will never get my vote.
Democrat for McCain
Posted by: West | August 12, 2008, 9:41 am 9:41 am
McCain would do just exactly what the US did. Nothing.
Georgia counting on the support of the US because of it’s pro western rhetoric, attacked it’s own people.
We have to remember that bin Laden was pro western when he fought Russia in Afghanistan too.
Poppycock! The whole bunch of them.
Posted by: Thinking | August 12, 2008, 9:45 am 9:45 am
Hillary is a true leader, I would have loved to see her deal with this Russia invasion. Obama is weak and inexperienced. Obama the arrogant will never get my vote.
Democrat for McCain
Posted by: West | Aug 12, 2008 9:41:52 AM
Me too, West, me too! Obama can not light a candle to Hillary or McCain on foreign affair issues. And, whether Obama’s supporters realize it or not, this conflict with Georgia and Russia, if not handled properly, will have very long-term affects on America.
Posted by: Jane Hussein Obama | August 12, 2008, 9:45 am 9:45 am
Mr. Obama seems an odd and weak response. Your first 3:00am call and you FAILED.
Posted by: Ann | Aug 12, 2008 9:48:24 AM
I TOTALLY AGREE! Even though I hate this conflict, it happened at the right time. Now, the world sees Obama as the inexperienced novice he is and how much he needs that damn teleprompter!
Posted by: Will | August 12, 2008, 9:52 am 9:52 am
“This moment calls for more than playacting, yet Obama looks lost without a presidential script,” Jonah Goldberg writes in his Los Angeles Times column. “Perhaps this is not a time for a novice spouting grand rhetoric about a new page in history, but for someone who’s actually read the pages of some old, but still relevant, books. Perhaps this is not the time for playacting. Perhaps it is not the time for body surfing?”
*****
Boy, this reporter definitely has Obama pegged!
Posted by: Will | August 12, 2008, 9:56 am 9:56 am
Experience does not always come with age.
Posted by: d | August 12, 2008, 10:06 am 10:06 am
Here we go again swift boating and sticking our noses where it dosn’t belong when are we going to learn?
Posted by: Rose Szymanski | August 12, 2008, 10:13 am 10:13 am
This is for Will Bush had tea with Putin and where did it get him? Tron the Hillary lovers will vote for Hillary I am and maybe so will the other 18,000,000 that voted for her in the Primaries wouldn’t it be great to have a write in winner and west I agree with what you said up to voting for Mc Bush If i was going to vote It will be Hillary or not voting at all. We better cle3an our own house before we try to Clean Russia
Posted by: Rose Szymanski | August 12, 2008, 10:21 am 10:21 am
Rose, I’m with you on that! I hope and pray that there is a floor vote and Hillary somehow comes away with the nomination! I would LOVE to see the expression on Obama’s, Pelosi’s, Dean’s, Reid’s, and especially, Donna Brazille’s face as Hillary makes her acceptance speech!
Hillary 08!
Posted by: carpe' diem | August 12, 2008, 10:25 am 10:25 am
If you think the dems are divided now just think what would happen if somehow Hillary got the nomination. That’s a guarantee victory for McCain.
Posted by: ll | August 12, 2008, 10:29 am 10:29 am
If you think the dems are divided now just think what would happen if somehow Hillary got the nomination. That’s a guarantee victory for McCain.
Posted by: ll | Aug 12, 2008 10:29:04 AM
It’s already a guaranteed victory for McCain. Obama, nor the DNC, can pull this party together now. It seems that all the ills of the Dems are coming to surface now, and Obama, is not helping by being in Hawaii on vacation. Bill and Hillary Clinton will rule at this convention, wait and see! Never underestimate a Clinton. Hillary merely suspended her campaign, she didn’t give up her delegates. With the Edwards scandal, Obama’s flip flops and non-reaction on this conflict in Georgia/Russia, and his empty rhetoric, Hillary could very well seize the nomination. Remember Ted Kennedy? He had less delegates than Hillary and he called for a floor vote……this convention is going to be interesting…however, I do think the Dems are wounded beyond repair at this time and the GOP is attacking and will keep the White House.
Posted by: edward | August 12, 2008, 10:33 am 10:33 am
Obama needs a VP that can carry a teleprompter for him … Edward sounds like an excellenet choice in his hour of need. Bill Richardson, Homeland Security guarding our borders. Dean, the Defence Secretary. Pelosi the Secretary of State.
Dream Team … we are ready to take on Russia and China.
Posted by: VPSteak | August 12, 2008, 11:02 am 11:02 am
Have we all forgotten that Georgia started all this????
What good does it do for the U.S. to rattle the scabbord when there’s no sword in it?
Bush has drained our military by playing games in Iraq. How would he defend Georgia? By sending in his drinking buddies?
Posted by: DAVID NH | August 12, 2008, 11:13 am 11:13 am
This is so funny, Fox has a story about a London newspaper reporting that George Clooney is advising Barack on oratorical and policy matters. They are in close contact and speaking by phone about twice a week. Not only is he a celebrity but he is letting the celebrities dictate policy to him. Where did the dems come up with this guy?
Posted by: Shaking my head | August 12, 2008, 11:19 am 11:19 am
Shaking my head – and who’s advising McCain?
Oh, right, Wikipedia.
Posted by: Paul | August 12, 2008, 11:26 am 11:26 am
Why is McCain so intent on starting a new cold war. Does he just hate Russia that much?
I’ll take Obama’s reasoned and objective approach any day of the week and twice on Sunday.
To David in NH – yes, seemingly, the neocons don’t know that Georgia started this conflict because that doesn’t fit into their over-simplified view of the world.
The bottom line is that South Ossetia declared independence in 1992 – 16 years ago – and while not recognized by the Georgians, they have enjoyed 16 years of de facto independence… until Thursday when Georgian forces rolled in.
And then there’s the whole truth in war thing. To hear some news, you’d think the Russians are running rampant through Georgia. But last night on the BBC it said and showed Georgian howitzers still pummeling South Ossetia as of yesterday.
I have no doubts the Russians have done more than they should have, and don’t want to come across as defending them, but can’t the neocons understand sometimes both sides are at fault?
Posted by: Paul | August 12, 2008, 11:31 am 11:31 am
I am ready for a leader who thinks before speaking, does not offer war as the first option, and knows and understands what is going on without copying from an encyclopedia. Obama can lead us forward but McCain will continue to drag us into military conflicts until we have nothing left.
Posted by: bernadette | August 12, 2008, 11:55 am 11:55 am
Georgia started it and Russia made Georgia its Grenada — “A puny country that we can dismantle.”
“It is ok when we do it but bad if somebody else does it” is bad foreign policy.
BTW: The Russians used their version of “shock and awe.” Again, ok when we do it bad when they do it.
Posted by: Mr. Coffee | August 12, 2008, 11:55 am 11:55 am
Time for the “Top gun” campaign ad with McCain starring as “Maverick”, lots of “Danger Zone” blaring away, and our hero vowing to bomb the Russkis into the next galaxy. And after lunch, we’ll be back to drilling ourselves dizzy. At the end, a voiceover says “I’m John McCain, and I approved nuking the Evil Empire.”
Posted by: rogerthomas | August 12, 2008, 12:03 pm 12:03 pm
And note how McCain can’t even keep a coherent story line through two questions and answers with David Letterman.
First he flatly declares to the Letterman audience that Iraq was the second phase – more than a year before our actual invasion.
Then he switches back and says if his accusations about Iraq launching the anthrax attacks can be proven, “some tough decisions are gonna have to be made.”
You mean like a tougher decision than… oh, I don’t know, already having decided that Iraq is a second phase of our fighting?
One of two possibilities here.
1) Either McCain was just spouting off about things he didn’t know, such as whether the Bush Administration would actually invade Iraq, or
2) McCain did know what he was talking about and for some odd reason (that I’m sure had the other neocons throwing martini glasses at the television sets) was letting the cat out of the bag about the neocon conspiracy to orchestrate a rationale for invading Iraq.
Posted by: Paul | August 12, 2008, 12:08 pm 12:08 pm
Dear Steve,
I want to point out unlike what current US administration, local media and John McCain would dearly like you to believe the current Georgian leadership is corrupt, totalitarian and militaristic. The overall country does not like this leadership, as we have seen many protests over the last few years. While the Georgian government enjoys ample support from the West, the country is one of the least democratic and most poor in the region.
We (the USA) is keeping that regime in power because we are over reliant on foreign oil. This is causing us to ignore the malicious tendencies of Saakashvili regime. For example last year, when facing weeks of unarmed and democratic protests, Saakashvili had his troops open gun fire onto protesters. In time we will see McCain and Obama condemning Saakashvili for killing of many innocent civilians in South Ossetia.
The other hard to swallow pill is that we armed and trained the Georgian army. If we did not give them those funds, Georgia would have not attacked as it could not be able to keep its army force. So I guess we funded the deaths of many of these people.
Georgia is currently very corrupt and poor; military and government provides most of the jobs. Since USA provides most of the funds for Georgia – I am sure it determines where the projects go. Thus delegates, like McCain, who visit Georgia get treated extra well and get “special” perks. Throw in an oil pipeline running through Georgia, and there is little limit to the fun. Especially ones planning to run for president and who has been there 32 or more times.
Furthermore Saakashvili is bad for Georgia. He did very little to improve Georgian economy. His regime has banished the opposition and lowered human rights standards, as stated by many human rights watch dogs. His actively supports the use of force vs. diplomacy to resolve his issues. Really he is our puppet leader and we need to remove him, before he turns into another Osama Bin Laden, Hussian, etc.
For more equal opinion read German, UK and French media; they have English versions of online sites.
Posted by: Axar | August 12, 2008, 12:10 pm 12:10 pm
Obama showed is total lack of experience and his naive way of looking at foreign policy. His initial tepid response is going to hurt him politically, especially at his weakest point – older voters…
Posted by: Independent Thinker | August 12, 2008, 12:11 pm 12:11 pm
Independent Thinker – compare Obama’s response to McCain. No, it wasn’t fiery. It was thoughtful. Isn’t it time for a little of that?
But back to McCain. Think about that Letterman transcript…
No wonder the guys who know McCain best tried to tell us he was nuts in 2000. But we didn’t notice and continued to not notice for the next eight years because whenever he said something whacky, it was “just McCain being McCain,” right?
But look at what he actually said on the Letterman show. He announced the coming invasion of Iraq, and then changed course back to the need to artificially create a justification for that invasion.
To all the Republicans I ever criticized for calling McCain mentally unstable, okay, I get it now. You guys were right about that one.
Posted by: Paul | August 12, 2008, 12:18 pm 12:18 pm
Did Obama allow Russia to attack Georgia? I think he did.
By throwing his support for a prolonged war in Iraq and/or Afghanistan, he effectively told the Russian government that America will be too busy in the next four years to deal with other crises around the world.
Obama turned his back on closing the war in the gulf. For that, I would rather vote for John McCain because at least he has experience in these foreign affairs.
oh and by the way, American voters should not forget that Obama made two missteps at the start of this Georgian crises. They decided to act political in step #2.
OBAMARAMA— NOT!
Posted by: obamarama | August 12, 2008, 12:19 pm 12:19 pm
obamarama – huh? What are you talking about? Somehow the crisis in Georgia is Obama’s fault?
Posted by: Paul | August 12, 2008, 12:21 pm 12:21 pm
And, obamarama, as for McCain being experienced, is he really?
He says he knows the president of Georgia well, yet can’t pronounce the name.
He says he understands the situation there, yet gets caught plagiarizing from the Wikipedia article on Georgia.
I don’t know. He tried to exploit this crisis for political gain, in order to demonstrate his “chops,” and instead just demonstrated Wikipedia’s “chops.”
Posted by: Paul | August 12, 2008, 12:24 pm 12:24 pm
#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
America is taking a stand against Obama, no matter how the media spins stories in his favor!
Posted by: david from texas | August 12, 2008, 12:40 pm 12:40 pm
David – there’s no getting around it anymore. Your guy is nuts. And book sales can’t change that fact.
Between the Wikipedia flap yesterday and someone finding the Letterman clip today, it hasn’t been a good week thus far for hot head.
Just imagine when independents who right now aren’t paying attention start learning some of this stuff.
Posted by: Paul | August 12, 2008, 1:01 pm 1:01 pm
Paul….not to worry. When the GOP releases the tapes of Obama after the convention, IF he is the nominee, it will be all over for Backtrack Obama!
Posted by: david from texas | August 12, 2008, 1:26 pm 1:26 pm
I love the bologne on these comments…trying to blame obama for a situation that John Mccain has a direct link with
his comments were not responsible effective or smart that he has made every other day for months inflaming the situation with Russia …stupid is as stupid does.
McCain has a lobbyist the same warmongering lobbyist that was the head of the lobbying group comm for the liberation of Iraq…who was a war mongering greedy lobbiest bast##d for the president of Georgia. This guy isn’t just any lobbyist on mcCain’s team…he is the lead foreign policy advisor for McCain …
how reasonable is to think we could have ANY diplomatic resolution when a presidential caniddate puts one sides lobbyist on his foreign policy team never mind it’s lead.
and McCain has not much credibility to call for a peaceful resolution and he knows it.
this is bad all around.
Get Mccain away from the drum and the microphone he is making the world much more unstable than Cheney and Bush already did.
seriously.
and who is the moron that is trying to post that this is Obama’s fault because we need to fix afghanistan and go after the guys who attacked US.
moron.
Posted by: dl | August 12, 2008, 1:26 pm 1:26 pm
and david from texas…
you are the worst of Americans trying to spin some imaginary tapes…
it’s been tried before with Obama…these …oooh scary…loook at the tapes we have in our pocket.
if they had tapes they would have released them duh.
get a brain…and some character.
Posted by: dl | August 12, 2008, 1:28 pm 1:28 pm
In reference to Georgia/Russia conflict:
“This moment calls for more than playacting, yet Obama looks lost without a presidential script,” Jonah Goldberg writes in his Los Angeles Times column. “Perhaps this is not a time for a novice spouting grand rhetoric about a new page in history, but for someone who’s actually read the pages of some old, but still relevant, books. Perhaps this is not the time for playacting. Perhaps it is not the time for body surfing?”
Says it all….McCain will be the next POTUS!
Posted by: david from texas | August 12, 2008, 1:29 pm 1:29 pm
In reference to Georgia/Russia conflict:
“This moment calls for more than playacting, yet Obama looks lost without a presidential script,” Jonah Goldberg writes in his Los Angeles Times column. “Perhaps this is not a time for a novice spouting grand rhetoric about a new page in history, but for someone who’s actually read the pages of some old, but still relevant, books. Perhaps this is not the time for playacting. Perhaps it is not the time for body surfing?”
Says it all….McCain will be the next POTUS!
Posted by: david from texas | August 12, 2008, 1:29 pm 1:29 pm
If you are using a computer to post, I expect you have the capabilities of making sure your facts are accurate and not make biased assumptions. I am sure, neither Obama or McCain are idiots. They are doing what they feel is best in the situation.
However, there ways of processing and handling situations are of the utmost importance. Do they demonstrate anger or patience? Are they capable of admitting wrongs and rectifying or hold on to a sinking ship?
Judge these men on their merits and what they will bring to the table as individuals commanding a force larger than themselves. In the end, who is truly capable of mastering the world stage and has the energy and willingness, the HUMPH to do so?
I know who I believe that man is, but make your decision on what you believe based upon critical thinking, not blind speech and bashing.
Posted by: Jomari Peterson | August 12, 2008, 1:30 pm 1:30 pm
Obama is basically an “actor” in the movie, “What the DNC Wants You to Believe”. Give me a break! Obama will lose if he is the nominee. That, however, is yet to be seen. Bill and Hillary will destroy Obama at the Convention, if not, wound his campaign beyond repair. All the GOP has to do is sit back, with their front row seats, and watch the drama unfold!
Posted by: david from texas | August 12, 2008, 1:32 pm 1:32 pm
I’ve NEVER heard him mention Georgia/or Russia. Has he had too much Obamaberry Koolaid?
Posted by: JT | August 12, 2008, 1:36 pm 1:36 pm
cannot believe the ignorance of some of the posts here. Obama clearly mishandled his statements re: the Georgia crisis. Every opinion article I have read today (at least 6 different articles from 6 different newspapers) says that Obama comes across as a complete novice due to his response . McCain comes across exactly as he is…..an expert on foreign affairs who appropriately took a hard line against Russia invading a neighboring democracy. Those of you who feel differently are obviously not aware of the historical and political consequences of what has just happened. Putin is a dangerous man who wants to bring Russia back to its former military and political “glory”. If we do not take some hard diplomatic steps now then this type of attack will only continue….. I stand firmly behind McCain for POTUS. Obama is a weakling who would kowtow to Russia in the hopes he can use his famous oratory “skills” to convince him to change his mind. When we deal with dangerous bullies like Putin, kissing butt only weakens us.
Posted by: sarah | August 12, 2008, 1:41 pm 1:41 pm
Obama’s ‘no income taxes on seniors’ draws critics
Some of Obama’s allies in Washington think he’s onto a bad idea.
“Most low- and moderate-income seniors already owe no income tax. Among seniors with incomes below $50,000 who do owe income tax, a significant number have modest incomes because they are retired but possess substantial assets,” said Robert Greenstein, who heads the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a liberal think tank. “Given all the problems and needs the nation faces, targeting relief to this group isn’t a priority.”
The Tax Policy Center, a think tank run jointly by the Brookings Institution and the Urban Institute, gave the idea bad grades in a recent study of the two presidential candidates’ tax plans.
Seniors already get preferential treatment in the tax code. They get to claim an additional standard deduction and only a portion of their Social Security benefits are taxed. Many don’t pay payroll taxes because their income is from investments rather than wages.
Even the powerful seniors’ lobby AARP doesn’t seem excited about Obama’s idea. An AARP bulletin on the presidential candidates’ tax plans barely mentions it, saying that Obama’s proposal could partly offset additional taxes that Obama would impose on seniors through higher tax rates on dividends and capital gains.
Tax experts across the political spectrum also fault the Obama plan’s abrupt $50,000-a-year threshold. As described by the campaign, seniors making, say, $48,000 would pay no income tax, while someone with income slightly more than $50,000 could pay several thousand dollars in income taxes. Seniors nearing the $50,000 threshold would have incentive to quit working.
*******
Keep driving that wedge, Obama, between you and senior citizens!
Obama=novice, empty suit no substance
Posted by: david from texas | August 12, 2008, 1:45 pm 1:45 pm
Will Clinton’s name go into nomination? Stay tuned!
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/08/12/clinton/index.html
NEVER, EVER, UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF A CLINTON!
Posted by: david from texas | August 12, 2008, 2:00 pm 2:00 pm
I think Obama supporters must know in their hearts that Obama is mishandling the Georgia crisis b/c they sure are posting alot of defensive posts. Clearly Obama does not know how to handle foreign affairs in a time of crisis. Even Newsweek (uberliberal mag if there ever was one) has a great article about the danger of appeasing Russia re: Georgia. Yet the Obamanites keep trying to say that Georgia started this conflict and so got what was coming to them? Obama is not qualified to lead this country….his handling of the Georgia crisis only makes that even clearer.
Posted by: sarah | August 12, 2008, 2:07 pm 2:07 pm
sarah: “I think Obama supporters must know in their hearts that Obama is mishandling the Georgia crisis…”
Not at all.
First his comments were measured, factual (and not stolen from Wikipedia).
Second, Obama isn’t handling the crisis at all, and neither is McCain. They are candidates as opposed to actually being the president.
Posted by: Paul | August 12, 2008, 2:54 pm 2:54 pm
All we are saying, is give thoughtfulness a chance, lol.
Or we can elect a hot head who seems to itch for the next war he can “win by winning it.”
Posted by: Paul | August 12, 2008, 2:56 pm 2:56 pm
Paul,
Of course neither Obama or McCain is the actual president (although you didn’t seem to mind when Obama made is trip overseas b/c he was certainly acting like he thought he was already the POTUS by the way …or maybe President of the World??). Obama is mishandling his press statements and his reactions to the Georgia crisis. Is that clear enough for you?
Posted by: sarah | August 12, 2008, 3:01 pm 3:01 pm
sarah: “Obama is mishandling his press statements and his reactions to the Georgia crisis. Is that clear enough for you?”
Not, not clear enough for me. Why don’t you explain it?
In my opinion, Obama’s statements on the situation in Georgia have been thoughtful and measured. But you seem to think otherwise. Explain yourself, please.
Posted by: Paul | August 12, 2008, 3:49 pm 3:49 pm
Sarah
McCain has mishandled the Russian Georgia situation for months…months and months.
Obama is answering a press question as the President is the man in charge of making the decision as he cannnot…
McCain gets up and threatens Russia (the stupidest thing we could have launched with) before the President could make a statement on the situation when he was back on national ground.
and your editorials are almost all neo cons.
Cowboy diplomacy is working against us even now and McCain doesn’t even have the right to.
Posted by: dl | August 12, 2008, 3:50 pm 3:50 pm
Oh, and sarah, Obama explicitly did nothing to undermine U.S. policy when overseas, and some of the media actually criticized his speech in Germany for not going beyond U.S. policy.
But I remember when it was just assumed a presidential candidate wouldn’t undermine a sitting president during a crisis.
I guess McCain doesn’t remember that time – kind of makes you wonder what he does remember.
Oh yeah, he remembers comic book like simplicities:
“Soviet U… er, Russia, bad! Czechoslavakia good, but Russia bad!”
Posted by: Paul | August 12, 2008, 3:56 pm 3:56 pm
Funny how you are so up in arms about McCain’s statements when Obama is now copying him almost verbatim in his responses (after offering appeasing statements to Russia the first time fo course). How can you condemn McCain’s statements when Obama is clearly copying them? Guess Obama realized it is time to act like he actually cares about a fellow democracy in trouble.
Posted by: sarah | August 12, 2008, 3:58 pm 3:58 pm
Sarah – here’s what your candidate McCain said on your behalf today, after getting off the phone with the Georgian president.
“And I told him that I know I speak for every American when I say to him, ‘Today we are all Georgians.’”
So, sorry for all the neo-con war mongering jokes, but you do realize if McCain manages to put U.S. credibility on the line here, it could very possibly lead to a war between us and Russia. And who knows – some of those nuclear missles might still work. Would hate to put it to the test.
I’m betting even Bush sees the danger in this statement and publicly disavows it.
Posted by: Paul | August 12, 2008, 4:43 pm 4:43 pm
Obama was correct to call for restraint from both sides. It was clearly an error for Georgia to move into South Ossetia which has been autonomous since 1992. And it is just as clear that Russia’s response was disproportionate. The thing that I’m against is saying “we [Americans] are all Georgians”. The suggestion is that we will send in our troops to help Georgia control the autonomous regions. I don’t think Americans think of themselves as that closely tied to Georgia. We shouldn’t be giving unconditional security guarantees in volatile regions. If John McCain is a Georgian he needs to say whether he supports taking control of S Ossetia by force with the support of American troops. I’m against that and I think that most Americans don’t want to get entangled militarily in centuries old territorial disputes. I think that a return to the status quo in the disputed regions is needed, followed by negotiations to replace Russian “peacekeepers” with international peacekeepers. I think that the Georgian government should accept that these regions are for the time being going to be semi-autonomous and drop these ambitions of asserting control. I certainly think it is a mistake for McCain to talk like we’ll have their backs if they want to try to take control militarily.
Posted by: Jeremy | August 12, 2008, 4:55 pm 4:55 pm
The media has a very inflated assessment of its importance, if it believes that anyone gives a rat’s butt about its analysis of election moves. The MSM and its cable cohorts have been wrong so many times that no one wants to read or hear their opinions about anything. Rather, just give me the facts and I’ll think for myself.
Posted by: caliguy55 | August 13, 2008, 10:08 am 10:08 am
Will we ever learn to clean our own before we look elsewhere? We have enough problems right here to keep all the politicians busy 24/7. And they can take the swift boating and shove it where the sun doesn’t shine. Lets get the USA back on track and stop meddling in other countries affairs. Is that so hard to do?
Posted by: Rose Szymanski | August 13, 2008, 10:40 am 10:40 am