Obama: Malley's departure

Posted: Monday, May 12, 2008 9:03 AM by Mark Murray

The Chicago Sun-Times: "Rob Malley, a Middle East policy adviser to likely Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama, resigned after news surfaced that he had been meeting with Hamas -- something Obama pledged he himself would never do. Obama campaign spokesman Ben LaBolt said Saturday Malley called the Obama campaign on Friday to sever ties with the candidate after learning the Times of London was publishing a story about his contacts with the terrorist group."

Here's what NBC's Andrea Mitchell reported on First Read Friday: "Malley's paid job is with the International Crisis Group, which, he says, requires him to meet with Hamas and others. Malley worked for six and a half years at the Clinton National Security Council under Tony Lake and Sandy Berger. Lake is now one of Obama's top foreign policy advisors. Speaking to NBC NEWS, Malley said, "I decided based on the fact that this was becoming a distraction that it was best that I remove myself from any association with the campaign."

Malley added, "My job with the International Crisis Group is to meet with all sorts of savory and unsavory people and report on what they say. I've never denied whom I meet with; that's what I do."

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Comments

How about you guys report what Malley's job really is? Malley works for a conflict resolution group and meets with groups like this all the time. the way you're reporting this makes it sound as if there's another nefarious "behind the scenes" deal that Obama is not acknowledging. Shame on you. there is not. this is utterly irresponsible.

the facts (Sent Monday, May 12, 2008 9:08 AM)

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Betty Miller, Miami,Florida (Sent Monday, May 12, 2008 9:11 AM)

This is a poorly researched and written article, clearly trying to depict Obama's informal adviser as someone with terrorist ties where in fact his job is one of those liason officers who works for a lot of agencies, including the US government.
Shame on you First read !

Steve. NewYork NY (Sent Monday, May 12, 2008 9:11 AM)

Sorry Mark, this was Fridays story. Your a few days late.

RC (Sent Monday, May 12, 2008 9:13 AM)

I womdered what these people would do, the day before an election, now we know.

Garnet, Corning, OH (Sent Monday, May 12, 2008 9:14 AM)

In this election cycle, two days behind is very old news.

donna (Sent Monday, May 12, 2008 9:16 AM)

Hey Mark Murray - How about adding the part where IT'S PART OF HIS CURRENT JOB TO DO THIS!!!!! His position is one where, as he claims himself, he meets with savory and unsavory groups. Your reporting is quite lacking. I'm a stay-at-home Mom who knows more about this obviously.

Mel (Sent Monday, May 12, 2008 9:16 AM)

I read about this briefly over the weekend. Apparently, his "regular" day job requires him to meet with a variety of people (I think he said "unsavory" people) and so he resigned basically as a preventive measure, so it wouldn't be a problem for Obama in the future.

I am on the side that until they are on your payroll, in some official staff position, you just can't control their every movement or every statement out of their mouths (supporters) because we all have complicated lives.

I am pretty much over the guilt by association and I am going to do a lot of ignoring of this on all sides over the Summer. Just no time for it.

Obama for our best future.

Lisa, New Britain, CT Enthusiastically for Obama (Sent Monday, May 12, 2008 9:17 AM)

Gee we cant find anything better to report so lets make this non story an Issue since McBush mentioned something close to it. What is it any story to make Obama look bad looks good in here?? Guys please.

BadReportersReportBadStories. (Sent Monday, May 12, 2008 9:20 AM)

‘Malley is an analyst at the Washington, D.C.-based International Crisis Group, specializing in the Israeli-Arab conflict. He told NBC News that his job "is to meet with all sorts of savory and unsavory people and report on what they say. I've never denied whom I meet with; that's what I do."

_________
Malley - according to his statement - always briefed the State Department. So, where is the problem?

ELM (Sent Monday, May 12, 2008 9:27 AM)

OH BOY ...They'll blow this one up to BOSIAN-NAFTAINEAN proportions.....Finding sooner than later
bodes well for the communications within the Obama campaign...
But remember this: talk is cheap..intelligence of the other side is expensive...
They should look into how and if Israel paid for that intelligence Rob Malley acquired...follow the money...

BJ, CA (Sent Monday, May 12, 2008 9:29 AM)

Full context here please!

jesse stamper (Sent Monday, May 12, 2008 9:46 AM)

Sometimes it is really hard to control people who work for you. This is one case like that. Given this staffer did something that the candidate said he would never do, it should have been clear that this staffer should have either not done that or resigned before doing so. It is a good thing that this staffer has gone; good for the campaign.

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ (Sent Monday, May 12, 2008 9:51 AM)

As usual the radical warmongers of the RNC have forced another good person out who is doing more than Prissy Poser Rice to solve the Palestinian problem. Poser Rice's incomplete peace treaty will just be another piece of paper that's less useful than tiolet paper. There will be no peace in Palestine or Isreal until someone gets smart and brings Hamas into the peace process.

Go Obama 08/12!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Monday, May 12, 2008 10:04 AM)

Chuck Todd
I defend you so much, but this story needed context and you know it !
Common man.
First read is known for fair and balanced reporting !
Do not veer off the rails. There are very few blogs left that are fair.

Steve. NewYork NY (Sent Monday, May 12, 2008 10:14 AM)

Can this article be either rewritten or updated giving the full news? First Read. Please give us better journalism.

J. Richter (Sent Monday, May 12, 2008 10:15 AM)

Obama plans to meet and greet all the bad guys. Didn't he say that in a debate??? I believe so and I believe he will too.

anybody but Obama (Sent Monday, May 12, 2008 10:16 AM)

Obama plans to meet and greet all the bad guys. Didn't he say that in a debate??? I believe so and I believe he will too.

anybody but Obama (Sent Monday, May 12, 2008 10:16 AM)

Maybe This Maley dude is one that helped to sell us out! Jobs e.t.c. WE're in trouble America ! If Hillary isnt our nominee I will vote for J.M. DJM

Donna Mohler Logan Ohio (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 10:53 PM)

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