Today’s Qs for O’s WH – 5/6/2009
EmailSecretary of State Hillary Clinton made a surprise visit to the briefing room today to talk about the trilateral summit with Afghanistan and Pakistan.
TAPPER: As this plan was being developed, the U.S. believed that a lot of the insurgency issues were going to be in eastern Afghanistan. Obviously, the problem has now emerged more heatedly in Pakistan. How has that affected this strategy of the U.S., as the summit came together?
CLINTON: Well, I think that the wisdom of the approach that we took even before the president was inaugurated has been borne out by the events of the last months. We were determined to see Afghanistan and Pakistan as a — a region, as two countries that were dependent upon each other, influenced each other, and needed to figure out a way forward together. So, if anything, the fast-moving conflict and, frankly, the adaptability of the enemy that we are all fighting has demonstrated clearly the wisdom of that approach.
You know, one of the other comments that was made today is that Afghanistan and Pakistan are conjoined twins. And in effect, they are. But they were never treated that way. You know, they were kind of one-off. You know, what are we going to do about Afghanistan? And, oh, by the way, what are we going to do about Pakistan? And we have a history there, as you know. We have a history of having been deeply involved and then having withdrawn. And so I think seeing the two countries as connected geographically as they are and in as common struggle against Al Qaida and the Taliban and their allies has given us the flexibility to be able to, you know, move more agilely than we did before.
After Secretary Clinton left, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs took questions as well.
TAPPER: Does the president or the White House have a reaction to the governor of Maine signing a same-sex marriage bill?
GIBBS: No, I think the president’s position on same-sex marriage is — has been talked about and discussed.
TAPPER: He opposes same-sex marriage?
GIBBS: He supports civil unions.
TAPPER: Does that mean that he’s going to say or do anything against what the citizens of Maine did — did today?
GIBBS: Not that I’m aware of. I think the president believes this is an issue that’s best addressed by the states.
– jpt
CPAC: Romney Struggles to Convince Voters 
Obama Backs Off Birth Control Battle?
Obama is opposed to harsh interrogations but killing dozens of civilians in drone attacks is OK.
Where’s the logic?
Where’s the outrage from the anti-war lefties?
Posted by: nick | May 6, 2009, 3:28 pm 3:28 pm
“Afghanistan and Pakistan are conjoined twins. And in effect, they are. ”
So, if this is true, then there should be no problem putting our combat troops into Pakistan since they’re already in Afghanistan?
Posted by: Sigmonde | May 6, 2009, 3:30 pm 3:30 pm
I want someone from the gay community to ask Obama why he supported gay marriage awhile back–then changed his mind.
Why did he flip-flop? For political points?
Posted by: max | May 6, 2009, 3:32 pm 3:32 pm
The President believes this is the only issue best addressed by the states.
Posted by: DontGet818OnMeNow | May 6, 2009, 3:45 pm 3:45 pm
“The President believes this is the only issue best addressed by the states.”
Actually he has felt it was up to the states when it comes to medicinal marijuana, ending DEA raids on providers in states that have laws on the books making it legal.
Posted by: Ryan C | May 6, 2009, 3:48 pm 3:48 pm
Sigmonde:”"Afghanistan and Pakistan are conjoined twins. And in effect, they are. ”
So, if this is true, then there should be no problem putting our combat troops into Pakistan since they’re already in Afghanistan?”
Thank you for providing such an excellent example of the very type of ignorant oversimplification that caused such trouble in the last administration. Complex problems always have at least one simple, easy to understand, and utterly wrong answer.
Posted by: jhw539 | May 6, 2009, 3:52 pm 3:52 pm
“Complex problems always have at least one simple, easy to understand, and utterly wrong answer. ‘
So, what is the right answer? Troops in Palistan or no troops in Pakistan? We either are or we are not, no?
Posted by: Sigmonde | May 6, 2009, 3:54 pm 3:54 pm
Ryan C:
Ha – talk about being an Obama apologist. Either that, or you clearly have no idea what you’re talking about.
How about you take a look at this link, from you’re favorite left-wing news source (I’m positive Ryan is familiar with Huffington Post.com):
So I’ll ask Ryan again…..did you just not KNOW that Obama supported gay marriage before he set his sights on national office? Or are you simply being an apologist who will find the good in anything Obama does? My hunch is that you’re the latter, like all the other Obama-lambs. But if you’re the former, maybe you should learn to research a little better? Just a suggestion.
Posted by: Brandon | May 6, 2009, 3:56 pm 3:56 pm
Ryan..
remember when all the stoners suggested that ganja would be the best way to save the economy.. and POTUS was like.. no, no.. stoners.. you just don’t get it.
Posted by: DontGet818OnMeNow | May 6, 2009, 4:05 pm 4:05 pm
Sigmonde:”So, what is the right answer? Troops in Palistan or no troops in Pakistan? We either are or we are not, no?”
No. It is not a simple yes/no issue, and I am thankful we have an Administration that understands that and is giving it the attention and effort it requires.
Posted by: jhw539 | May 6, 2009, 4:10 pm 4:10 pm
Where’s the gay outrage??? hhhmmmmm??
Posted by: Wow | May 6, 2009, 4:10 pm 4:10 pm
CNN now thinks the fly-over photo-op story is relevant. Must be right-wingers like the Christian Science Monitor:
“CNN) — The White House indicated Wednesday that a report and a photo from the controversial low-altitude New York flyover by a 747 plane used as Air Force One could be released soon.
“A 911 caller on the day of the flyover said, ‘There’s a plane falling. There is a big aircraft falling like 9/11.’
“Earlier, White House officials had said that there were no plans to release photos to the public.
“But the tone seemed to change on Wednesday.”
It’s pretty clear that we’re surrounded by right-wingers.
Posted by: Fascist Hyena | May 6, 2009, 4:12 pm 4:12 pm
“So I’ll ask Ryan again…..did you just not KNOW that Obama supported gay marriage before he set his sights on national office”
I’ve read the original article and sorry to say I don’t see his position as changing all that much if at all.
Civil unions were not even mentioned.
Though as I said, I can’t imagine the gay community as pleased with his non support of marriage even if he is supportive on other discrimination issues.
Posted by: Ryan C | May 6, 2009, 4:13 pm 4:13 pm
ross:”Obama supported gay marriage back in 1996.
But because he has no intregrity and is only concerned about his political future, he changed his mind.”
In 1996 he voted against a Federal Marriage Amendment. This is not the same as supporting gay marriage, and is completely consistent with his position that this is an issue for states. Your distortion of his record does bring your integrity into question as a reliable source of information.
Posted by: jhw539 | May 6, 2009, 4:14 pm 4:14 pm
Fascist Hyena:”CNN now thinks the fly-over photo-op story is relevant.”
They reported it the day it happened – what do you mean by “now” they think it is relevant? They had great fun getting ‘word on the street’ reactions and showing grainy cell phone video. Are you suggesting that CNN did not report that story initially? Because that is absurdly easy to prove false (note the little CNN in the bottom corner of many of those ‘scare force one’ clips on posted on the 28th).
Posted by: jhw539 | May 6, 2009, 4:20 pm 4:20 pm
“In 1996 he voted against a Federal Marriage Amendment.”
I think you mean 2006.
Posted by: Ryan C | May 6, 2009, 4:21 pm 4:21 pm
This is from CBS News:
“Taxpayers may never get back billions of dollars lent to Chrysler, according to various reports. Testifying in bankruptcy court on Monday, one of the top financial advisers overseeing Chrysler’s restructuring said the U.S. government may never get back its loans to the company.”
CBS has obviously gone over to the right-wingers. This must be a lie.
Posted by: Fascist Hyena | May 6, 2009, 4:22 pm 4:22 pm
“Are you suggesting that CNN did not report that story initially?”
No, fascist is mad because the story is no longer relevant when the right have so many Vince Foster-eque theories about it.
They actually think this can bring Obama down.
Posted by: Ryan C | May 6, 2009, 4:23 pm 4:23 pm
Obama did NOT flip-flop
Oct 2004
Gays should not face discrimination but should not marry.
Q: [to Keyes]: You’ve criticized homosexuality throughout your career. What would you say to your child if he or she were a homosexual?
KEYES: Marriage is based upon heterosexual relations because they are connected to procreation. Where procreation is impossible, marriage is irrelevant. And that is the civic explanation against homosexual marriage. It is irrelevant. And the idea that one should have legislation that is regulating private friendships for no reason is a degrading of those friendships.
OBAMA: Well, to answer the original question, I would love that child and seek to support them. I believe that marriage is between a man and a woman but I detest the bashing and vilifying of gays and lesbians. Most gays and lesbians are seeking basic recognition of their rights so they’re not discriminated against in employment or renting a house, so they can see their partner in a hospital. These are rights for everybody, not just some people.
Source: Illinois Senate Debate #3: Barack Obama vs. Alan Keyes Oct 21, 2004
The Audacity of Hope, by Barack Obama, p.222-3 Oct 1, 2006
Posted by: Julie | May 6, 2009, 4:24 pm 4:24 pm
“CBS has obviously gone over to the right-wingers. This must be a lie.”
Actually that article is full of facts and lacks an editorial slant so it can’t be right wing.
But good for you realizing that right wing media is trash.
Posted by: Ryan C | May 6, 2009, 4:24 pm 4:24 pm
“…what do you mean by ‘now’ they think it is relevant?”
One of your esteemed colleagues here yesterday asserted that it was irrelevant; I never did. When I quoted from a story on the subject from the Christian Science Monitor, your colleague dismissed them as mere right-wingers.
Posted by: Fascist Hyena | May 6, 2009, 4:25 pm 4:25 pm
“…No, fascist is mad because the story is no longer relevant…”
See what I mean, JMH?
Posted by: Fascist Hyena | May 6, 2009, 4:27 pm 4:27 pm
Sorry–that should have read “JHW.”
Posted by: Fascist Hyena | May 6, 2009, 4:28 pm 4:28 pm
“When I quoted from a story on the subject from the Christian Science Monitor, your colleague dismissed them as mere right-wingers. ”
ROFLMAO!
So fascist you are comparing CSM trying to stir up a story with CBS reporting on new facts on a story!
I just realized that if right wing media didn’t lead their audience by the hand to the desired message, the audience would be lost.
Posted by: Ryan C | May 6, 2009, 4:37 pm 4:37 pm
How soon after the Taliban take over Pakistan will India invade Pakistan?
Posted by: Sally J | May 6, 2009, 4:46 pm 4:46 pm
You should ask Glibbsy if Obama still “supports civil unions” (i.e., he “opposes” gay marriage), when will he be coming out with a statement of support on behalf of Ms. Prejean?
Also, I loved Glibbsy’s flub: “No, I think the president’s position on same-sex marriage is — [Oh crud, I can't repeat his position - it changes with the wind!] has been talked about and discussed.”
Posted by: Dan | May 6, 2009, 5:05 pm 5:05 pm
Fascist Hyena:”One of your esteemed colleagues here yesterday asserted that it was irrelevant; I never did. ”
My esteemed colleagues? Some anonymous chat border speaks for CNN?
You actually said:
“CNN now thinks the fly-over photo-op story is relevant.”
In common usage of English, that suggests that CNN did not believe it relevant until now. In reality, they heavily reported it when it occurred and thought it relevant (just listen to the background ‘analysis’ on some of the clips ripped from CNN).
Posted by: jhw539 | May 6, 2009, 5:06 pm 5:06 pm
Fascist Hyena:”"…No, fascist is mad because the story is no longer relevant…”
See what I mean, JHW?”
Wow. You really are trying to accuse CNN of bias based on anonymous posts in a chat room rather than the recorded record of their on air and online coverage. I do see what you mean now and I’m appalled at such a absurdly shallow tactic.
Posted by: jhw539 | May 6, 2009, 5:09 pm 5:09 pm
Ryan C:”"In 1996 he voted against a Federal Marriage Amendment.”
I think you mean 2006.”
Doh – yup. Too much cutting and pasting.
Now I’m really baffled as to what the original poster was alluding to by “Obama supported gay marriage back in 1996.”
Posted by: jhw539 | May 6, 2009, 5:11 pm 5:11 pm
“Now I’m really baffled as to what the original poster was alluding to by “Obama supported gay marriage back in 1996.”
They are referring to a survey Obama took in 1996 that was reported by a small LGBT paper Windy City Times in Jan 2009(and picked up by HuffPo among others).
Posted by: Ryan C | May 6, 2009, 5:32 pm 5:32 pm
Hillary has the gift of blah blah blahing her way through a question. Nothing has changed with her.
What she really meant is “I’ll check back with you after I ask my advisors”
How many of you read her answer and heard her monotone voice in your head. Be honest.
Posted by: Jack | May 6, 2009, 5:40 pm 5:40 pm
I actually think she did a good job today.
Posted by: rachel | May 6, 2009, 5:59 pm 5:59 pm
Hillary, the one who should be President.
Brilliant, as always.
Obama is so unworthy of your service.
Posted by: 4hrc | May 6, 2009, 10:29 pm 10:29 pm
Offshore Bankers and Global Elitists are moving their agenda quickly, they know their servants who have infiltrated government have a short window of time to complete their agenda! When we stop them there will be trials for High Treason and prison time dealt out! We need to speed up our objectives before they get entrenched, which they are attempting to do right now with some of the most ridiculous proposed bills we have seen all slanted to take freedom from citizens! If we don’t act to end governmental terrorism, we will become slaves, our standard of living won’t be worth calling living! We don’t have anything to lose! Remember to support Senator Ron Paul’s HR 1207 Bill to help get the Federal Reserve audited etc.! Phone your Government Reps!
Folks, this is not a battle of Left or Right, whether our government is Left or Right our leader is under the force of Elitists, they love to get you blaming left or right while they pull the strings!
If you want life and liberty, you better get to work backing Govt, Reps who are working to save your First and Second Amendment Rights as well as others as time really is of the essence!
Posted by: Paul Revere | May 10, 2009, 10:04 pm 10:04 pm