Does anyone know who the Int'l Crisis Group is?  Check out their website. They are an amazing aide organization that operate in all corners of this world where suffering exists.  It's no surprise that someone who works for this organization is on Team Obama.

Hillary, in recognition of her outstanding efforts this week in marginalizing the black constituency of the Democratic Party, has been nominated by David Duke and the KKK boys to be thier personal representative. If she doesn't win a place on the ticket, she can start a formal lobbyist group with Bill. And maybe a joint venture with Mark Penn. Thye already represent common clients.  

I think we are just beginning to learn what Obama's advisers are doing around the world. Even though they leave the campaing now, I am pretty sure Obama will keep them in his back pocket. Hamas did endorse Obama, no matter how he spins it, now matter how he attacks McCain's ball bearings. This is what Hamas said: "We like Mr. Obama. We hope that he will win the election."

Molly
You're a freakin moron.

More skeletons in the closet. I hope nothing major to upset him further in the GE.

I'm really bothered by his associations. His foreign policy is definitely naive.

Molly. The guy worked previously for the Clintons. No story here.

MY MY - OBAMA has an advisor on his campaign that has talks with Hamas - Could THIS be yet another
QUESTIONABLE ASSOCIATE!!!!!
And you thought HILLARY would step aside - Not a Chance!!!
Molly (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 5:37 PM)

-----------------------------------

This man is an expert in Middle East issues.  He is not a questionable associate. This man stepped aside because he was being hounded by and did not want to be a blemish on Obama's campaign.  I also don't think you read the whole article.  This man initially worked for the Clinton Administration.  

Throw another under the bus with rev wright.What was the woman name who called hilliary monster but then again Obamma has run a clean campaign By THE by RACIST is 95% of one color voting for thier color canadate

Molly, What are you talking about. I am a business woman and know that you are no better than your weakest link. We should be talking to our enemies and learning about them. I read a book on the beginning of Al Quaida. The man who became the leader of Al Quaida was from Egypt and educated in America. He went to Cairo Illinois because it was called little Egypt and he wanted to see it. The place was so racially charged with hatred and he was treated with such distaste that he went back to Egypt hating the Americans. He wrote the book against us that is now the Bible for Al Quada. Gee, do you think if people would have treated him with respect, that we might not be hated as we are now. Come on people, get rid of your hatred and try to work things out before we destroy ourselves. Rome did not last forever.

Could someone please explain to me why people say Obama is "just words" and nothing behind them?   From what I can tell as many of his words have plans behind them as the other candidates.  None of the candidates have anything but words right now because they aren't president yet.

I've had patience so far, but frankly, the media is really starting to piss me off. When did Malley have these talks?  Probably long before Obama's campaign.  What was the source of the discussion--what does "talks" mean? You people seem to insinuate that Malley was discussing policy and legislation with Hamas.  This is such a fear-mongering article clearly intended to cast suspicion without any actual facts.  Go to the IRC website and see what these people do for a living before you allow this air of suspicion.

"Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer."
Sun-tzu, Chinese general & military strategist (~400 BC).

Repubs call this "sleeping with the enemy". Gotcha politics. Mission Accomplished!

drk in tn, you can't be that ignorant.  tell me it isn't so.  pls.

Barack:  Rob, ol' buddy, got a favor to ask.  Would you mind falling on your sword for me temporarily and then explain you did it to save me from those mean 'ol Republicans?  Really, no problem?  Hey, you're the man.  I really really really won't forget this."

SMS, thank you for some background.  Why is this information not in your post First Read?

What a nice way to say it INFORMAL then why resign? But andrea and the crew at MSNBC are pushing hard for obamma listen to Oberman or shisters voice the anger of that side of the democratic party Imean come on they are democrats using the airwaves to influence voters whats wrong with that?

WHO CARES ANYMORE.  LET JUST GET ON WITH THE ELECTION. I FOR ONE AM SICK AND TIRED OF ALL THE LIES, HALF TRUTHS AND CHARACTER ASSASINATIONS GOING ON. WE HAVE A PRESIDENT WHO KNOWS ABSOLUTLY NOTHING ABOUT FOREIGN POLICY OR THE ECOMONY, AND GOT US INTO A WAR...BEFORE HIM WE HAD A PRESIDENT WHO WAS HAVING SEX WITH INTERNS, LET OSAMA BI LADEN ESCAPE, WAS, WITH HIS WIFE UNDER INVESTIGATION (HIS WIFE STILL IS) AND FINALLY GOT IMPEACHED. NO MATTER WHO BECOMES THE NEXT PRESIDENT, HOW BAD CAN IT BE?

"savory and the unsavory" for you red-neck repugs....

Savory- "Mmmmmmm Maw, them there viddles sure is good"

Unsavory- "Eeew, them viddles is fixin to make me sick"

All of you Obama coat tail riders REALLY think he is going to change government, If he is elected and that is a big if,he will take over and not make any changes that he has promised.The so called educated have learned nothing, every candidate sells the snake oil but when elected all you get is an empty can.He gives a great speach,excately what the blind want to hear but his actions will be that of all the elected people in office.The false hope of change is nothing more then a great catch phrase that he will ride as far as he can at the expense of let down voters when its all said and done.As a devoted dem I will be voting for anyone but Obama,at least I know I will not be apart of the educated who fell for the politics as usual and the let down of a politician who talks the talk desperate people want to hear but when the smoke clears all you get is "gotcha again"

And Mark, St. Louis, (above) when you're listing the unsavory company that Obama keeps, don't forget about Obama's own wife who is only now proud to be an American.

Mark of St Louis Mo. If you apply your logic; how do justify, Cheney, Bush, the brain dead Lieberman,Dobson, Robertson, Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz, Rice, Hadldey, Rove, Hughes, and all the others hanging out with Mc Cain.  

Nice crowd you hang out with Mark.   Good work baby!

Why is it that so many of Obama's friends and associates are  terrorist, anti- american or racists?

Stay in the race Hillary, the $hit might still hit the fan.

I just love how people read a headline and then jump at the chance to BASH someone on a message board. Read the article, and god forbid read some of the other links that explain what the guy's job was.

More than anything, I'm concerned that the yahoos on here who jump to conclusions have the right to vote.

One more silly distraction. Even Israelis talk to Hamas. Talk might, just might, alleviate problems, but no, not to pandering McCain and the other Bushites.

Obama has tapped Richardson who with the exception of Carter is the best in this nation with forign affairs! so stuff it! as long as he picks the right people to do the right job! he is good for the country! look who bush picked and was re-elected with the same bunch! NOW THAT IS NEWS, not Obama, not one person born in that region can claim they are not, as per our definition, a terrorist! Not freedom fighters wanting to secure a state to call home, and his home!  face it folks the leader of the Hamass is a democraticaly elected head of state, just cause we don't like him, don't make the election rigged, as it was not!!! I know WE WANT a ONE STATE so kill everyone there but the jews-right!!! When will we allow the Nation of Islam to build a 105 acre embassy in Isreal-never but we will do it to them in a profitable heartbeat! go Obama, we need the change and McCain is not even close, and he [Obama] has not stolen anything from Clinton! She just can't take responsability for her own actions a-typical politican!!! As is McCain!

to pacificaharry

This sounds like a case of condemn them if they do and condemn them if they don't?

Now hear this, don't ever say anything nice about Senator Obama just in case there is something about you that someone can use (or make up) to smear him with.  Apparently, Senator Obama is held responsible for the actions of everyone who has ever crossed paths with him or said anything nice about him

Also, anyone who has any expertise on any subject, do not share it with the Obama campaign.  You might have gotten your expertise by doing some kind of research, which might have involved coming into contact with people for whose actions Senator Obama would not want to be held responsible.

From now on, Senator Obama will be sealed into a large bubble under constant surveillance to make sure that he never comes into contact with anyone or gives anyone any reasons to say anything nice about him.  

The clinton campaign will manage to STEAL this campaign away from Obama just like the Bush family managed to STEAL it away from Gore.  Wake up people, the powers that be are controlling this thing, democracy is just an illusion to let the masses feel like they are in control.  The Clinton family will once again rule this country regardless of what the people vote.

We are noting with concern some of Obama's picks as advisers, particularly Robert Malley who has expressed sympathy to Hamas and Hezbollah and offered accounts of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations that don't jibe with the facts," said one security official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The official stated he was not authorized to talk to the media about U.S. politics, noting Israeli officials are instructed to "stay out" of American political affairs.

In February 2006, after Hamas won a majority of seats in the Palestinian parliament and amid a U.S. and Israeli attempt to isolate the Hamas-run Palestinian Authority, Malley wrote an op-ed for the Baltimore Sun advocating international aid to the terror group's newly formed government.

"The Islamists (Hamas) ran on a campaign of effective government and promised to improve Palestinians' lives; they cannot do that if the international community turns its back," wrote Malley in a piece entitled, "Making the Best of Hamas' Victory."

Malley contended the election of Hamas expressed Palestinian "anger at years of humiliation and loss of self-respect because of Israeli settlement expansion, Arafat's imprisonment, Israel's incursions, Western lecturing and, most recently and tellingly, the threat of an aid cut off in the event of an Islamist success."

Malley said the U.S. should not "discourage third-party unofficial contacts with [Hamas] in an attempt to moderate it."

Hamas is responsible for scores of deadly shootings, suicide bombings and rocket attacks aimed at Jewish civilian population centers. The past few weeks alone, Hamas militants took credit for firing more than 200 rockets into Israel.

Hamas' official charter calls for the murder of Jews and destruction of Israel.

Hamas maintained a national unity government with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas until the Palestinian leader dissolved the agreement and deposed the Hamas prime minister last year.

In an op-ed in the Washington Post two weeks ago coauthored by Arafat adviser Hussein Agha, Malley – using could be perceived as anti-Israel language – urged Israel's negotiating partner Abbas to reunite with Hamas.

"A renewed national compact and the return of Hamas to the political fold would upset Israel's strategy of perpetuating Palestinian geographic and political division," wrote Malley.

He further petitioned Israel to hold talks with Hamas.

"An arrangement between Israel and Hamas could advance both sides' interests," wrote Malley.

In numerous other op-eds, Malley advocates a policy of engagement with Hamas.

After the breakdown of the Camp David talks, Malley wrote a lengthy New York Times piece that mostly blamed Israel and the U.S. for the breakdown of the negotiations

We are noting with concern some of Obama's picks as advisers, particularly Robert Malley who has expressed sympathy to Hamas and Hezbollah and offered accounts of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations that don't jibe with the facts," said one security official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The official stated he was not authorized to talk to the media about U.S. politics, noting Israeli officials are instructed to "stay out" of American political affairs.

In February 2006, after Hamas won a majority of seats in the Palestinian parliament and amid a U.S. and Israeli attempt to isolate the Hamas-run Palestinian Authority, Malley wrote an op-ed for the Baltimore Sun advocating international aid to the terror group's newly formed government.

"The Islamists (Hamas) ran on a campaign of effective government and promised to improve Palestinians' lives; they cannot do that if the international community turns its back," wrote Malley in a piece entitled, "Making the Best of Hamas' Victory."

Malley contended the election of Hamas expressed Palestinian "anger at years of humiliation and loss of self-respect because of Israeli settlement expansion, Arafat's imprisonment, Israel's incursions, Western lecturing and, most recently and tellingly, the threat of an aid cut off in the event of an Islamist success."

Malley said the U.S. should not "discourage third-party unofficial contacts with [Hamas] in an attempt to moderate it."

Hamas is responsible for scores of deadly shootings, suicide bombings and rocket attacks aimed at Jewish civilian population centers. The past few weeks alone, Hamas militants took credit for firing more than 200 rockets into Israel.

Hamas' official charter calls for the murder of Jews and destruction of Israel.

Hamas maintained a national unity government with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas until the Palestinian leader dissolved the agreement and deposed the Hamas prime minister last year.

In an op-ed in the Washington Post two weeks ago coauthored by Arafat adviser Hussein Agha, Malley – using could be perceived as anti-Israel language – urged Israel's negotiating partner Abbas to reunite with Hamas.

"A renewed national compact and the return of Hamas to the political fold would upset Israel's strategy of perpetuating Palestinian geographic and political division," wrote Malley.

He further petitioned Israel to hold talks with Hamas.

"An arrangement between Israel and Hamas could advance both sides' interests," wrote Malley.

In numerous other op-eds, Malley advocates a policy of engagement with Hamas.

After the breakdown of the Camp David talks, Malley wrote a lengthy New York Times piece that mostly blamed Israel and the U.S. for the breakdown of the negotiations

Hermine Clouser Middletown Pa said; Another brilliant person, like Samantha Powers, taking themselves out of the campaign picture so as not to be a distraction. Again we college educated Obama supporters can understand that diplomacy involves speaking to the "savory and the unsavory".  I guess we have to prepare for a Republican strategy that hits below the belt.  Now "losing one's bearings" and "bitter" are regarded as insults!


All Samantha Powers did was tell the truth that is evident now, Billary Republican Clinton will say and do anything to win, even destroy a party or nation.

McSame has his ball bearings checked everyday by Joe "Droopy" Liberman.

Obama will get right back in the face the Republican smear machine. Thats been the Dems problem all these years, grow some and hit back.

1027fm.org The Lunatic Fringe of the World Wide Web

Go Obama '08

Good God people, how do any of you think that anything in this world will ever change if we all stay in our respective corners and eye each other warily, then discuss with other people stuck in our little corner with us, what that eye movement by the other guy meant.  You have to have advisors who actually have communication with those "others" , what do you think peace talks are about?  Grow up, you are acting like babies.  This is really getting old.

We see you are trying to swiftboat Obama. We are not believing anything you say without doing our own research.   Robert Malley is an American lawyer, political scientist and specialist in conflict resolution.  Malley is Jewish. Robert Malley writes about foreign policy including extended commentary about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  Mr. Malley also attend Harvest Law School.  I will be checking to see if this is posted.

omg -- what is WRONG with some of these people?  How on earth do you think peace can be negotiated if you don't talk with someone? How can differences be understood and resolved if you don't communicate?

Do you think we should just nuke everyone who doesn't think or look or act like middle white America? For those of you who didn't live thru the Cold War and didn't do nuclear bomb drills in school, it's a very very scary place for your children.

According to HRC what keeps her going is the support
of "white people who did not complete college".

What a wonderful and inspiring statement! HRC is  
incomparably presidential!

regarding the following message:

"Racists (Rev Wright), Terrorists (Bill Ayers, Hamas), and communists (Obama's father and official blogger).  Quite a cast of characters this clown keeps around him. "

This is a case of someone with a big mouth trying to talk like he actually knows something. You slander people because you have nothing else to add but you what to say something. If this wasn't politics you could be sued. My guess this comment will not be allowed because it is attacking someone's comment, but yet the moderater allows someone to destort the truth.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

We are noting with concern some of Obama's picks as advisers, particularly Robert Malley who has expressed sympathy to Hamas and Hezbollah and offered accounts of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations that don't jibe with the facts," said one security official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The official stated he was not authorized to talk to the media about U.S. politics, noting Israeli officials are instructed to "stay out" of American political affairs.

In February 2006, after Hamas won a majority of seats in the Palestinian parliament and amid a U.S. and Israeli attempt to isolate the Hamas-run Palestinian Authority, Malley wrote an op-ed for the Baltimore Sun advocating international aid to the terror group's newly formed government.

"The Islamists (Hamas) ran on a campaign of effective government and promised to improve Palestinians' lives; they cannot do that if the international community turns its back," wrote Malley in a piece entitled, "Making the Best of Hamas' Victory."

Malley contended the election of Hamas expressed Palestinian "anger at years of humiliation and loss of self-respect because of Israeli settlement expansion, Arafat's imprisonment, Israel's incursions, Western lecturing and, most recently and tellingly, the threat of an aid cut off in the event of an Islamist success."

Malley said the U.S. should not "discourage third-party unofficial contacts with [Hamas] in an attempt to moderate it."

Hamas is responsible for scores of deadly shootings, suicide bombings and rocket attacks aimed at Jewish civilian population centers. The past few weeks alone, Hamas militants took credit for firing more than 200 rockets into Israel.

Hamas' official charter calls for the murder of Jews and destruction of Israel.

Hamas maintained a national unity government with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas until the Palestinian leader dissolved the agreement and deposed the Hamas prime minister last year.

In an op-ed in the Washington Post two weeks ago coauthored by Arafat adviser Hussein Agha, Malley – using could be perceived as anti-Israel language – urged Israel's negotiating partner Abbas to reunite with Hamas.

"A renewed national compact and the return of Hamas to the political fold would upset Israel's strategy of perpetuating Palestinian geographic and political division," wrote Malley.

He further petitioned Israel to hold talks with Hamas.

"An arrangement between Israel and Hamas could advance both sides' interests," wrote Malley.

In numerous other op-eds, Malley advocates a policy of engagement with Hamas.

After the breakdown of the Camp David talks, Malley wrote a lengthy New York Times piece that mostly blamed Israel and the U.S. for the breakdown of the negotiations

TIME TO PUT UP ,YOUR THE PRESIDENT when can I expect change ,dont hold your breath its always change after 8 years remember carter how about clinton now obamma hope he is as good as clinton was but I have my doubts see you in 4 years and time will tell I feel we will see no difference how business is conducted in this country just like the IDEALIST george bush we will see what happens.I will never forgive the democratic party for this she should have run in 2004 as a first term senater and said f john kerry we would have creamed him with a real fighter not a wimp like kerry obamma reminds me alot of kerry.

Molly,

The guy reports to the State Department...it's his job. Please get a clue.

We are noting with concern some of Obama's picks as advisers, particularly Robert Malley who has expressed sympathy to Hamas and Hezbollah and offered accounts of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations that don't jibe with the facts," said one security official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The official stated he was not authorized to talk to the media about U.S. politics, noting Israeli officials are instructed to "stay out" of American political affairs.

In February 2006, after Hamas won a majority of seats in the Palestinian parliament and amid a U.S. and Israeli attempt to isolate the Hamas-run Palestinian Authority, Malley wrote an op-ed for the Baltimore Sun advocating international aid to the terror group's newly formed government.

"The Islamists (Hamas) ran on a campaign of effective government and promised to improve Palestinians' lives; they cannot do that if the international community turns its back," wrote Malley in a piece entitled, "Making the Best of Hamas' Victory."

Malley contended the election of Hamas expressed Palestinian "anger at years of humiliation and loss of self-respect because of Israeli settlement expansion, Arafat's imprisonment, Israel's incursions, Western lecturing and, most recently and tellingly, the threat of an aid cut off in the event of an Islamist success."

Malley said the U.S. should not "discourage third-party unofficial contacts with [Hamas] in an attempt to moderate it."

Hamas is responsible for scores of deadly shootings, suicide bombings and rocket attacks aimed at Jewish civilian population centers. The past few weeks alone, Hamas militants took credit for firing more than 200 rockets into Israel.

Hamas' official charter calls for the murder of Jews and destruction of Israel.

Hamas maintained a national unity government with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas until the Palestinian leader dissolved the agreement and deposed the Hamas prime minister last year.

In an op-ed in the Washington Post two weeks ago coauthored by Arafat adviser Hussein Agha, Malley – using could be perceived as anti-Israel language – urged Israel's negotiating partner Abbas to reunite with Hamas.

"A renewed national compact and the return of Hamas to the political fold would upset Israel's strategy of perpetuating Palestinian geographic and political division," wrote Malley.

He further petitioned Israel to hold talks with Hamas.

"An arrangement between Israel and Hamas could advance both sides' interests," wrote Malley.

In numerous other op-eds, Malley advocates a policy of engagement with Hamas.

After the breakdown of the Camp David talks, Malley wrote a lengthy New York Times piece that mostly blamed Israel and the U.S. for the breakdown of the negotiations

The regularity with which advisers and onetime associates have had to recuse themselves from the Obama campaign (or have had to be "explained" away by the candidate) is less than reassuring to this college-educated Democrat who thought he was the wrong choice to begin with.

Obama's protracted delay in fully cutting himself loose from Reverend Wright is an example of a management style that I've seen get more executives (and in some cases their companies or educational institutions) into big trouble long-term. It reeks of indecision unbecoming someone who seeks to occupy the Oval Office.

If I'm skeptical of the guy and his judgment, it's because it seems that every time you turn around, another of his associates pops out of the woodwork with something potentially damaging to his campaign.

Makes me wonder who'd he appoint to his cabinet and his inner circle of advisers...and how long they'd last in those roles. For all his "inspiring" rhetoric, he lacks judgment chops. If he's the nominee, I'll pass. I'll vote for the Democrats down-ballot, but leave the presidential selection blank. I've had enough of voting for second-best.  

He took himself out,samatha powers took herself out,REV WRIGHT NOW OBAMMA KICKED HIMK OUT but the black people dont mind him doing that. easy on the paronoia obammaswannabes

In response to "He isn't ready to be president. It's all just words, nothing behind the words".  Hillary and McCain DON'T have any foreign affairs experience.  "LETS JUST GET RID OF THEM BY BLOWING THEM UP AND ALL THE INNOCENT PEOPLE" No wisdom in trying to work with them.  Yeah Right!

It seems that Obama will take the Democratic nomination regarldless of what McCain does or says about him. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have had differences on the issues during the campaign, but these will all be over when the nomination is complete. I believe the Democratic Party will come together to win in November. The United States is ready for a change in the type of leadership that we have had for the past 7 years. It is not a world where we act like the old west and just shoot first and then hope we don't have to ask any questions. At least in the old west your opponent was given the chance to face you and decide if they wanted to shoot or not.
Obama 2008

But only Hillary worked for a communist law firm.

How can anyone in their right mind vote for Barack HUSSEIN Obama, a man with ties to sleazy crooks and the middle east thugs.  Also his intelligence is questionable.

Ah, informal, huh? Is that how the Obama campaign is spinning their contacts with Hamas? And I see this is discolsed on the Friday dump news cycle, no less.

Going to look into this more and spread the word. Thanks!

Relax you leftist quislings, there is absolutely no implied or intended reference here to race, ethnicity, nor to any hue of cutaneous pigmentation. Obama is, however, a very dark character(reference to his utterances, positions, slips of the slick tongue, associates, and off-the-mike insights, voting record [when minimally present in the Senate], and shady deals) with a very dark agenda for the USA. He is a very, very bad omen for our Democracy.

ISREAL!!!! someone tell me why a country that only has 5 million people and is the size of rhode island has the whole of washington marching to its orders. I HATE THE MIDDLE EAST!!!

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