Democrats fire back at Bush

Posted: Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:07 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: White House, Democrats, 2008

From NBC's Mark Murray and Mike Viqueira
Top Democratic leaders wasted little time reacting to Bush's earlier swipe at Obama today, in which the president seemed to liken Obama's call to talk with US adversaries to negotiating with the Nazis.

Speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill, Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Bush's remarks in Israel were "beneath the dignity of the office of the president." She added, in an obvious reference to McCain, that she hopes that "any serious person would disassociate themselves" from what the president said.

VIDEO: House Speaker Pelosi responds to Bush's remarks.

DNC chairman Howard Dean fired a similar shot. "On the same day John McCain is talking about putting partisanship aside, the president launched a cheap political attack while on a state visit honoring the 60th anniversary of Israel," Dean said in a statement. "Bush's outrageous comments are an embarrassment to our country, not based in fact and bring us no closer to our goal of ending terrorist attacks against Israel and bringing peace to the region. If John McCain is really serious about being a different kind of Republican, he'll denounce these remarks in the strongest terms possible."

And Rep. Rahm Emanuel, chair of the House Democratic caucus, said in a statement, “The tradition has always been that when a US president is overseas, partisan politics stops at the water's edge. President Bush has now taken that principle and turned it on its head: For this White House, partisan politics now begins at the water’s edge, no matter the seriousness and gravity of the occasion. Does the president have no shame?”

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Comments

THE GENERAL ELECTION OFFICIALLY BEGINS !

The fierce urgency of Now.
OBAMA 08

Steve B... NewYork NY (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:14 PM)

No, Rahm, he does not.

chad (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:14 PM)

It should come as no surprise that George Bush has chosen John McCain to carry out his third term.

Bill, Atlanta (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:15 PM)

George Bush is a national security threat.

P.S. Did he have on a flag lapel pin?

Nashville_fan (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:15 PM)

On that note ... let's hear keith say it again ...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/24635229#24635229

This is going on my blog!

Ralph in Chicago (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:16 PM)

Looks like united Democrates behind Barack 08. Watch out MCcain DNC is after you. Denounce Bush statement or be fired by the US citizen

Mounchili Mama, Sweden (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:16 PM)

Oh by the way, thanks George Bush for stepping on John McCain's hope speech to remind us that he's really your guy.

Bill, Atlanta (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:16 PM)

no shame?

that defines his administration!

Matt, Idaho (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:16 PM)

Keep on digging the hole for the repubs, nice job.

Noel, Hot Springs, AR (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:16 PM)

THE REIGN OF BUSH/CHENEY TERROR IS OVER!

WE WILL NOT SIT IDOLY BY AND WATCH THE REPUGS DESTROY OUR CHANCE THIS YEAR!

THEY HAVE INTIMIDATED THIS COUNTRY FOR THE LAST TIME!

THE "TERROR" REGIME IS OVER!

GO DEMS!!!!!!!! KICK BUTT!!!!!!!!!

MR (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:16 PM)

Does the president have no shame?”
No, he has none at all. In fact I believe he loves to see just how far he can push the envelope and to see just how many more nations and citizens of teh world and our country will hate him.
Shame on you Bush

Kris STl (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:17 PM)

big *SIGH* of relief. Finally people are speaking out against this dreadful administration. .

CHANGE. HOPE. BELIEVE.

peace (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:19 PM)

Dean said in a statement. "Bush's outrageous comments are an embarrassment to our country."

How true. W is really pitiful. Can you believe we elected this guy? I feel sorry for the GOP. This kind of propaganda can only elevate Obama. It's a good day for Barack.

chris, SC (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:19 PM)

Shame, what shame, who Bush...get out of here!

I am glad the Dems are getting involved in this. The republicans don't stand a chance this year and they have no one blame but themselves.

They deserve it, because they sat around for 8 years and allowed Bush to trample on the constitution and do absolutley nothing to support this country.

Remember Iraq has a surplus, we have lost jobs, infrastructure failures, rising fuel costs, foreclosures, you name it, it is happening.

I hope the repulicans lose every seat up for grabs and take the Clintons with them!

Michelle Zee (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:20 PM)

Why are we wasting our time and efforts on this lame duck that no one likes? Everyone knows he's an a-hole. Let's not get riled up over his weak right hook and let's concentrate on McCain.

Tom, Huxley, Iowa (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:20 PM)

Stop ratcheting it up with Iran! If you like oil prices now, your going to love it as you keep on escalating the rhetoric.

evan (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:21 PM)

These Guys have got go!!!!!!! Dems unite! Get over it: Obama will be the nominee. don't tank the whole country because your lady didn't get it! we are better than that! leave that for the gop!

matthew, newark nj (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:21 PM)

wow -- here's a newsflash -- Bush is a moron.

Didn't I hear MSNBC report last nite that he had an 82% disapproval rating in the U.S. (the highest EVER of any sitting president)? It's probably 100% in the rest of the world. How can we still be amazed at anything he says?

He's a moron.

sara, mesa, az (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:21 PM)

No, Bush has no shame. As Tom Davis says, "when he speaks, he swallows the microphone". This is exactly what he's talking about; contradicting Mccain, his chosen third-termer, and uniting Dems all the more solidly against him and Mccain. The Republicans may feel shame now for having elected him and followed him for twoterms, though.

Class Warrior, D.C. (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:24 PM)

And this poll says it all. You won't believe these results!

http://www.votenic.com

John, New York, New York (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:25 PM)

Maybe if we had alittle more talk and not so much willing to put other peoples lives at risk we would not be in the position! Keith O is sooo right on what he said last night everyone should see it! My husband and I were blown away by him!

p.s. Bush has no currency anymore. He will go down as the most shameful Prez in history.

Dorothy Rodriguez Granton, WI (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:25 PM)

This is the reason why Dubya is hated all over the world. I think we may even have a worldwide holiday in the future celebrating the last day of this guy's 8 years of shame.

Oscar, Rio Vista CA (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:27 PM)

How embarrassed would you be to have THIS guy as your father-in-law. I would have not married Jenna BECAUSE of her dad.

LMOA at the GOP (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:27 PM)

Honestly, this whole business about national security is important. I remember a few weeks ago when Sen. Obama appeared before an audiance and I asked him the question on how does he define national security and could he explain to me the differences between terrorism and insurgency.

His reply ...he just kept on walking as if he did not have to answer mt questions. Simply did not care to address the questions... and this was when I realized the reason he has such large gatherings is so that he does not have to answer or address questions.

Needless to say ..he lost my support.

eeezeeed (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:27 PM)

This man's ignorance has no bounds. I'm so glad I never voted this clown into office. Send him back to the golf coursei where he serves a purpose.

Enough With Ignorance In The White House (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:27 PM)

What else do you expect from an idiot?

tired of the lying liars in dc (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:28 PM)

I just hope this doesn't do any more damage.

Bush's policy of fear sucks, but it's worked. For all those who think Obama's scary, this type of guilt-by-association crap will just add to their reasons.

Seriously though, what a cheap, shameless political shot; and to do so overseas! Way to represent your country "President" Bush.

Skeptic (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:28 PM)

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Barack Obama collected the support of four of John Edwards' Democratic National Convention delegates on Thursday, then gained the backing of a West Coast congressman and a large labor union as he marched steadily toward the party's presidential nomination.

The fresh support brought Obama's overall delegate total to 1,892, compared to 1,718 for his rival, Hillary Rodham Clinton. It takes 2,026 to clinch the nomination at the party convention in Denver this summer

Mathew (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:29 PM)

As far as IRAN is concerned, not Obama, when was the last time appeasement worked? I believe you'll find the answer is never. Was it disgusting to use Iran as a sucker-punch to Obama, yes. But is he wrong about Iran, no.

Give and Take (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:29 PM)

(CNN) – At least six of John Edwards’ eight pledged delegates in South Carolina will throw their support to Barack Obama following Edwards’ endorsement of the Democratic frontrunner on Wednesday, CNN has learned.

Daniel Boan, Christine Brennan-Bond, Robert Groce, Susan Smith, Mike Evatt and Lauren Bilton — all elected as pledged delegates for Edwards following his third place finish in the South Carolina primary on January 29 — announced Thursday they will follow Edwards’ lead and pledge their support to Obama at the Democratic National Convention in August.

Lyn, (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:33 PM)

Please do find time to watch the following video:

“Barack Obama Caught Lying About Preconditions For Iran Talks”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lgr5XrEZTTw

The mainstream media will not tell you that Obama has back-paddled on the “precondition” issue and now talks about “preparation”, instead of “precondition” in the context of handling the rogue states, without, of course, defining what he means by “preparation”! And, Obama claims that he is post-partisan, transcendent and different from a run-of-the-mill politician!

Pradeep Srivastava, Detroit, MI (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:34 PM)

'beneath the dignity of the office of the president'?This moron has proven time and time again that he has no dignity and no shame but we have tolerated for the nearly 8 years. What does that to him and what does that say about us. Who is the biggest fool here?

Tess, Portland, ME (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:34 PM)

Bush and McCain's world views are clearly warped. Neither has a good relationship to reality - they interpret all events according to a calcified set of ideological rules, making them very dangerous and ineffective leaders. I want a leader who is wily, innovative and unconventional. I want Obama '08

Amy B Portland, ME (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:34 PM)

This is not per this post, but per his appearance on Countdown last night.

Hi Chuck, I watched you on KO last night and in a tiny time frame you managed to work in the word "phenomenal" twice talking about her victory in West Virginia. You did so with no qualifiers of how many phenomenal blowouts Senator Obama has enjoyed. West Virginia is only her second blowout and the other one was her home state (well, one of her home states). Take a look at how many blowouts Senator Obama has had and as you do, maybe make a note how many have large percentages of white working class. It's here: http://www.jedreport.com/2008/05/stacking-up-the.html Thank you for the generally good work you do.

Lou in Idaho (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:35 PM)

Simply put Bush= McCain !!!! Same tuff talking cowboy mentality. To hell with real diplomacy. This mentality is why we as democrats need to stick together, and welcome all independants and republicans to the party.We have had almost 8 yrs of a tuff talking baboon, We dont need the grampa munster version of more of the same.

Brian M De. (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:35 PM)

"Stop ratcheting it up with Iran! If you like oil prices now, your going to love it as you keep on escalating the rhetoric. "

So on your list of priorities, "low gas prices" is higher than "preventing a nuclear Iran." I love when people can see the big picture.

Joe (NJ) (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:37 PM)

Does anybody really wanna miss Countdown with keith Olbermann 2nite? I didn't think so.

Blaine (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:37 PM)

The current democratic race has become less about America. We see how dangerous a third term for this guy would be and still Clinton supporters on this very blog will threaten to support these war minded hacks. We have these feminist groups blasting others for supporting Obama. Nevermind the fair words he and his surrogates have had for her and her campaign. It is getting a little bit out of hand. Someone has to lose and this time it is her. Get over it. These guys are trying to finish off the American dream.

Hussein (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:38 PM)

Okay, so I'll probably receive grief but let's be serious. There isn't a nanosecond that passes where Bush isn't burned in some sort of effigy and endures and if Obama is the transformative politician that I hope he is, he doesn't need us all to handhold and protect him against big bag Bush. Several points: (1) Bush and McCain HATE one another. I have to imagine that one of Bush's worst days recently was the realization that his nemesis was actually going to secure the Republican nomination, (2) Although this was a clear swipe at Obama and Pres. Carter, the Bush administration has been making these same statements for months now, it's clearly a policy difference that Obama's campaign can highlight and hopefully the American people will agree and (3) finally, I really believe it's a mistake to hang the entire election on Bush III. Isn't that what Barack stands for? He's a politican of yes, we can rather than why the other one can't. I live in a state where Barack supporters aren't automatic and I guarantee you that endless attacks on the agreed Bush failures alone won't win the White House. Solutions will. That's what Sen. Obama promises and I think we should take a page out of his book and say, "now now W...isn't it time to teach the dog new tricks."

Holli, Oklahoma City, OK (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:38 PM)

Bush is a national embarassment

If you haven't seen this video of Olbermann yet, do so NOW:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/05/14/olbermann-to-bush-this-wa_n_101831.html

I never thought I would see someone in the mainstream media tell the truth this sraightforwardly

Independent in TN (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:38 PM)

Dear world,

We're so sorry, we can't actually kick him out of his job for a few more months. Feel free to ignore him, most of us already do.

Signed,

Rational American citizens

Sarah, Pittsburgh, PA (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:39 PM)

"P.S. Did he have on a flag lapel pin?"

Video released by MSNBC captures a small object near the top of the left lapel. Unfortunately, the cameras did not get close enough to the unidentified object to verify it was, in fact, an American flag. It may have been, or it may have been part of a detonation device on a suicide vest. It may also have been another flag that Bush put on with the knowledge that the cameras would never get close enough to verify it. However, the Today Show did report this morning that pictures taken on a disposable camera by a seven-year-old girl named Emily confirm that it was, in fact, an American flag.

The FBI has still not ruled out the possibility of that American flag being used to detonate a suicide vest.

Much as we'd like to, we cannot forget about Bush until January 21, 2009. That is the first day Bush cannot launch a nukuler weapon and so that is the first day we can feel safe knowing we do not have someone with the intelligence of a pig's feces occupying the White House.

Don Tsto P.B. Eli Eving (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:40 PM)

This president is a disgrace. Embarrassing !

Frank G. (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:41 PM)

President Bush is an idiot, period. If you watched the Olbermann special comment last night, you will know exactly why.

http://www.politivine.com

Cory (SC) (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:41 PM)

Let Bush keep talking. Then ask McCain to denounce what Bush is saying ewverytime Bush opens his mouth. Run an Ad in the General Election campaign continuously that shows McCain hugging Bush on stage when Bush won the Presdiency. That's all that will be needed.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:41 PM)

My Last First Read Post......

I am so sick and tired of reading about peoples hurt feelings and angry rants with no substance regarding this primary. You all need a freakin' reality check. Only in this country could we have the choice between the first black man or first woman president in the history of our country. Both candidates are extremely intelligent. Both candidates are champions of the average american. Both candidates want to bring this disgusting, illegal war to an end. Either candidate is going to destroy the GOP. The evidence is already there. The GOP already knows it. The Bush administration will go down in history as the absolute worst in american history. The damage done in 8 years will be felt for generations to come. So you go ahead and whine and cry like children because things did'nt go your way in a popularity contest. You go ahead and throw the most important vote for America you will ever cast away. You go ahead and focus on revenge and distract yourself and others while the Bush administration gets away with more and more illegal activities every freakin' day. I choose to ignore you from here on out. I choose intelligence and common sense. I choose to keep my focus on a band of thugs disguised as an administration until the day I have been waiting for eight miserable years. 1-20-2009.

Mark,Seattle (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:41 PM)

CHANGE IS COMMING OBAMA/ZINNI 08 LET'S ROLL BABY!!!!!

javier san antonio,tx (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:42 PM)

Nancy Pelosi is truly a remarkable politician.

chad (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:42 PM)

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