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Re: Obama says Iraq war makes US, Israel less secure
WASHINGTON - The war in Iraq has made Iran stronger and the United States and Israel less secure, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said Wednesday in a speech to Jewish political activists.
Only hours after securing his party's nomination, Obama tied his Republican opponent, John McCain, to the Bush administration's Middle East policies, which Obama described as disastrous.
Because of the war in Iraq, he said, "Iran, which always posed a greater threat to Israel than Iraq, is emboldened, and poses the greatest strategic challenge to the United States and Israel in the Middle East in a generation."
"Iraq is unstable," Obama said in a long-scheduled speech to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a major Jewish bipartisan group. "And al-Qaida has stepped up its recruitment."
Israel's peace efforts have stalled, he said, "and America is more isolated in the region, reducing our strength and jeopardizing Israel's safety."
"As president I will never compromise when it comes to Israel's security," he told the crowd of 7,000.
McCain, President Bush and some Democrats have criticized Obama for saying he would talk with leaders of hostile governments, and they say he underestimates the threat posed by Iran. Such attacks could pose problems for Obama in key states such as Florida, home to many Jewish voters, some of whom question his commitment to Israel.
Obama used the occasion to outline his limits on negotiations with adversaries.
"We must isolate Hamas unless and until they renounce terrorism, recognize Israel's right to exist, and abide by past agreements," he said of the Palestinian group opposed to Israel. "There is no room at the negotiating table for terrorist organizations."
"Contrary to the claims of some, I have no interest in sitting down with our adversaries just for the sake of talking," Obama said. But if elected, he said, "I would be willing to lead tough and principled diplomacy with the appropriate Iranian leaders at a time and place of my choosing if, and only if it can advance the interests of the United States."
"I will always keep the threat of military action on the table to defend our security and our ally Israel," he said.
When McCain addressed the AIPAC group Monday, he ridiculed Obama for suggesting he would sit down with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Obama said Wednesday there is no greater threat to Israel than Iran, which "supports violent extremists" and "pursues a nuclear capability that could spark a dangerous arms race." All those threats were known in 2002, he said, yet the Bush administration "ignored it and instead invaded and occupied Iraq."
He said McCain "refuses to understand or acknowledge the failure of the policy that he would continue. He criticizes my willingness to use strong diplomacy, but offers only an alternate reality '” one where the war in Iraq has somehow put Iran on its heels. The truth is the opposite."
Obama was followed on stage by Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, whom he had warmly praised. She did not formally concede the nomination to him but told the audience that Obama "will be a good friend to Israel."
Some Jewish voters are wary of Obama partly because his former pastor praised Black Muslim leader Louis Farrakhan, who has made anti-Semitic remarks. Obama has disavowed the pastor's intemperate remarks and later resigned from that church.
Obama also cited e-mails "filled with tall tales and dire warnings about a certain candidate for president," a reference to false accusations that he is a Muslim with a hidden agenda. "Let me know if you see this guy named Barack Obama, because he sounds pretty scary," he said.
Obama clearly impressed some in the massive hall.
"He had me in tears, this feeling for an understanding of Israel's predicament," said Leonard Eisenfeld, a Connecticut pediatrician whose son was killed in a Hamas bus bombing in Jerusalem in 1996. He said he respects McCain, but is now more open to Obama, calling him a "good soul" in Yiddish.
But Evelyn Mottsman of Pittsburgh said it "disturbs a lot of people that he thinks diplomacy is possible" with Iran.
And one Palestinian official expressed dismay because Obama "said that Jerusalem would remain undivided as the capital of Israel."
"If he means that, that means closing all doors for peace," Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat told The Associated Press in Jerusalem. "We had hoped that under the banner of change, Mr. Obama would have said that east Jerusalem would be the capital of the Palestinian state."
Re: Obama says Iraq war makes US, Israel less secure
This guy has no fucking clue. He makes Carter look like Patton.
The war in Iraq has made Iran stronger
How so? How does a war with a different country make them "stronger"? Because you think they are "emboldened"?
Please....
"Iraq is unstable," Obama said in a long-scheduled speech to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a major Jewish bipartisan group. "And al-Qaida has stepped up its recruitment."
Really? How do you know that? I thought they weren't in Iraq? Might want to get your stories straight before debating McCain.
America is more isolated in the region
WHAT?? This is the dumbest thing I've heard in my life. We occupy two countries in the region, and only a couple of the countries in the region do not have US forces on their soil. How in the fuck is that "isolation"?
"As president I will never compromise when it comes to Israel's security,"
Thanks. Neither did Carter.
I would be willing to lead tough and principled diplomacy with the appropriate Iranian leaders at a time and place of my choosing
He now resides in dipshit city. He's not even president, and he's already saying diplomacy will only take place on his terms. Great way to "negotiate".
Obama said Wednesday there is no greater threat to Israel than Iran, which "supports violent extremists" and "pursues a nuclear capability that could spark a dangerous arms race."
An arms race with who??
We must isolate Hamas
How are you gonna do that when Israel has spent decades trying? This is Carter pie in the sky bullshit.
"There is no room at the negotiating table for terrorist organizations."
Then why are you willing to talk to Iran on your terms??
McCain is gonna destroy this clown.
Re: Obama says Iraq war makes US, Israel less secure
Is he really, here's a review of how pathetic McCain was in his speech the other night where you stated he was going to destroy Obama
"McCain's Speech [Amy Holmes]
McCain's speech was creaky, ungracious, and unnecessary. I never understand why politicians don't take the opportunity, when so easily presented, to simply be gracious and hold their fire. Watching McCain, I couldn't help but think of the astonishing contrast Barack's triumphant speech to a massive and adoring crowd will be. It was not a comparison McCain should have invited. "
Oh by the way, that FROM A CONSERVATIVE WEBSITE!!!
http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/? … EzYzkzZDg=
It's over, McCain has as much chance as Bob Dole did in 96. By November Norm McDonald will be doing John McCain impressions on SNL.
Re: Obama says Iraq war makes US, Israel less secure
Conservatives don't like McCain. Its not classified information. Like I said, everyone is gonna hold their noses while voting for him. Including democrats.
McCain isn't Tony Robbins, but when he gets in Obama's face and tears apart his foreign policy line by line just like I did, its over. I don't care if he's as outgoing as Helen Keller, no one is taking a chance on Obama.
- Gunslinger
- Rep: 88
Re: Obama says Iraq war makes US, Israel less secure
No offense PaSnow but Amy Holmes is a fucking idiot. I actually was going to vote for Obama simply because McCain wasn't a strong choice and at the time it looked like a lesser of two evils. With time I have seen how SCARY it would be to have Obama as president. The guy has no clue and is more interested in being popular than making the right decision. I think he is a good guy but my best friend is a good guy too and I sure as hell would not want him to be president.
McCain's only real problem is being labeled as "a third Bush term" which isn't true. I don't know who will win the election but McCain is a FAR better choice than Obama even if not the choice we would all like to have.
Re: Obama says Iraq war makes US, Israel less secure
Can you link a source to this original post please.
WHAT?? You're actually questioning the legitimacy of this article?
The sound you just heard is Obama and his followers being flushed down the toilet.
When AP and Reuters articles all of a sudden require concrete proof of their legitimacy, the fat lady is singing nonstop.
Re: Obama says Iraq war makes US, Israel less secure
"a third Bush term" which isn't true.
It'll be the same old horseshit with him. People are sick of the war people running this country. I'[m not talking about Bush or Cheney, I'm talking about the guys who fueled this war, the guys Clinton had the balls to say no to. There's cronies out there who were bugging Clinton in 97 to goto war with Iraq. He said no, because there was absolutely no reason. 9/11 gave Bush an opportunity to twist the logic and fool the American public and take advantage of such a national tragedy. Fortunately for him the 2004 election wasn't far away from when the war began. Now, 5+ years after the war started, it's a disgrace.
Don't get me wrong, I do like McCain, moreso that many Republicans, and especially the two dipshits in office now, but 2000 was McCains year. Not 2008, I'm sorry, too much has changed, and he's too old. He's an old 72. Frank Lautenberg just won another election in NJ, AND HE'S 84!!! But he doesn't even come across as it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zE9XDrp1yaU
Bush & Cheney made deals with this group, and went to the war they wanted to go to, it's time to end it, and try to get this country on a different and better track. McCain won't do that, hence, he is a 3rd term.
- Gunslinger
- Rep: 88
Re: Obama says Iraq war makes US, Israel less secure
We are all sick of this war. No argument at all but hindsight is 20/20. The problem is the answer is not for someone to act like it was just a bad dream, fluff their pillow, turn off the light and go to bed hoping to wake to a nicer reality. Expecting to simply leave Iraq and go back "if needed" is just that. Obama is just trying to tuck the covers and hope for the best. Sounds great but it's not reality.
McCain is NOT my ultimate choice for president although I do like a moderate much better than a an extreme conservative. Extreme polars are NOT the answer to fix today's problems. McCain has experience, a decent track record in voting for what's best and not for public opinion or a stepping stone for personal gain.
I wanted to like Obama, I REALLY did. CHANGE is very pleasing in times like this but not all change is good. Sometimes you need an adult to come in and fix what the kid fucked up. McCain is the adult here, Obama is the idealist.
