Obama defers on Middle East

Posted: Monday, December 29, 2008 10:15 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: White House, Security

From NBC's Savannah Guthrie
HAWAII -- President-elect Obama and his team deferred on the situation in the Middle East over the weekend, but said he would confer with National Security Adviser-designee Gen. James Jones and Secretary of State-designate Hillary Clinton.

Here's the statement:

"President-elect Obama continues to closely monitor global events, including the situation in Gaza," a transition official said. "He had an intelligence briefing today and plans to talk with General Jones and Senator Clinton this evening. We appreciate the information being shared by the Administration. There is one president at a time, and our work now is focused on being ready to hit the ground running on January 20th."

*** UPDATE *** White House places blame squarely on Hamas
NBC's Patty Culhane adds that National Security Council Spokesman Gordon Johndroe released the following statement:

"In order for the violence to stop, Hamas must stop firing rockets into Israel and agree to respect a sustainable and durable ceasefire. That is the objective to which all parties need to be working. That is what the United States is working towards."

*** UPDATE 2 *** Here's this morning's statement from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who says that he "strongly support[s]" Israel's "right" to retaliate against Hamas:

"I continue to closely monitor events in Gaza. I strongly support Israel's right to defend its citizens against rocket and mortar attacks from Hamas-controlled Gaza, which have killed and injured Israeli citizens, and to restore security to its residents. Hamas' failure to stop these attacks only exacerbates the humanitarian situation for the residents of Gaza and undermines efforts to attain peace and security in the region."

*** UPDATE 3 *** NBC's Carrie Dann adds a wrap on the latest in the violence:
Violence -- defined as "all-out war" by Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak -- continues in the Gaza Strip today as the Israeli military intensifies its efforts to weaken Hamas. The Bush administration has squarely placed the blame for the retaliatory air strikes on Hamas, which has rained rockets into Israeli territory. Palestinian casualties are estimated at more than 300.

Obama has remained cautious about inserting himself into the politics of the clash, speaking only through spokespersons and repeating the mantra that "there is one president at a time."

Politico points out that the Gaza strikes mean a tough path ahead for the president-elect, whose foreign policy team includes advisors with slightly divergent views on the best way to work towards Middle East peace.

"Within Obama’s transition, Democrats say there’s a subtle division between advisers who hold out hope for a directly negotiated peace, culminating with a signing ceremony on the South Lawn, and those who have argued for a more oblique approach aimed at a negotiated peace between Israel and Syria, and weakening Syria’s ties with Iran. The latter group of advisers -- which include former Clinton aides Dennis Ross and Martin Indyk -- see weakening the role of Iran, which is closely tied to Hezbollah, as central to establishing an Israeli-Palestinian peace."

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Comments

Hit the ground running? what direction?

Free American Tehachapi Ca. (Sent Monday, December 29, 2008 10:40 AM)

It's amazing how many time the Obama transition folks have to repeat their mantra: "There's only one president at at time." When will the MSM get it? Do they really expect Obama's team to suddenly fall off their message? Haven't they proved their nickname "no drama Obama" often enough?

Indie Woman in Denver (Sent Monday, December 29, 2008 10:48 AM)

and how exactly is this deferment? We should want the president to CONFER with their counterparts as we do not want a president that acts before thinking, a la President Bush.

Do You Find “Barack The Magic Negro” Song Funny? RNC Candidate Does
http://sensico.wordpress.com/2008/12/27/do-you-find-barack-the-magic-negro-song-funny-rnc-candidate-does/

fderk (Sent Monday, December 29, 2008 10:50 AM)

It’s pretty lame I know for me to speak about the gay community and their disappointment in having Rick Warren at the inauguration. But I came across an article the other day and wanted to share it. It was written by Lanny Davis.

“My view: Standing up to their bases and holding to the view that a civil society must allow for disagreement without demonization is important. No. Not just important: After the couple of decades of cancerous “gotcha’ politics, it is vital. Obama has shown himself to be a progressive Democrat who is sometimes prepared to take positions that counter the views of his most purist base, that is, when he is moved by conviction to do so. This is the definition of political courage made most famous by JFK in “Profiles in Courage …Warren has contributed millions to gays and other people suffering from AIDS, and to other causes. He is a good and decent man. And on this occasion, he too has shown the courage to stand up to his base by participating in and thus blessing the inauguration of a pro-choice, pro-stem-cell-research, pro-gay rights present.”
____________________________

Having grown up in a working class Irish Catholic deeply religious and very large neighborhood, I noticed at a very young age the hypocrisy surrounding me, and I found that family and friends and neighbors who went to church on Sundays, Wednesdays and Saturdays were the worst. But I decided not to hate or judge them; I decided not to hate or judge anyone, even though I knew them to be racists, alcoholics, gamblers, etc. These are the people who walk around judging everyone but themselves. They just aren’t very progressive. Nor do they care to be. In many instances, they are just out and out mean.

I learned that people like them are everywhere. And will continue to be. I don’t agree with one single thing they stand for, but if I were to hate and dismiss people like them, I would be a pretty lonely person. They are family, they are friends, they are neighbors, they are co-workers. They know very little about people who are “not like them” and don’t care to. They are steeped in narrow mindedness.

And even though I may in some ways be surrounded by narrow minded people, that doesn’t mean I can’t continue to look at society from a progressive point of view and stand up for what I believe to be right and wrong. No one can stop me from doing that.

So I truly hope the gay community will be full of optimism on January 20, 2009. They played a vital role in Barack Obama's victory. I think at moments such as an inaugeration, reaching out to the "other side" is a good thing. It makes us stronger when we hear opposing points of view. It makes us more determined to be heard when we don't always agree with them, regardless of what the issue may be.

That’s how change comes about. I know I can't wait. I just hope all those who contributed to the events that will occur on January 20th will take a moment and be so very proud of all the hard work we all put into this day.

That's what January 20th is all about. Not Rick Warren.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Monday, December 29, 2008 11:01 AM)

No news here

We really do have a President
(worthless and inept, as usual)

And we only have one President at a time

The Israelis are creating more terrorists with their terroristic actions

Collective punishement is prohibited by the Geneva Convention
so is targetting civilians

MSierra, SF (Sent Monday, December 29, 2008 11:02 AM)

Again. msnbc is taking time off again...no wonder CNN is always ahead of you.

sabestu, Amarillo, Texas (Sent Monday, December 29, 2008 11:11 AM)

Thank God we will have someone of the caliber of Hillary Clinton in situations like this.

Smart - strong - steady - - composed and informed.

Thankfully, for him and for all of us, she accepted Obama's offer to be Secretary of Stte.

There is simply nobody better!

csh, Il (Sent Monday, December 29, 2008 11:13 AM)

Yes!!!!No more cowboys in the white house for a change.Just imagine if John McCain were president elect our troops would be in Israel right now as we speak.This matter is complicated & should be dealt with much consideration & thought not just shooting from the hip.

Sunshine, Peoria IL (Sent Monday, December 29, 2008 11:15 AM)

That is becuse he is inexperienced. I need not say more.

Terry Elrod (Sent Monday, December 29, 2008 11:15 AM)

I think this is one that could get out of control if he remains silent and doesn't voice his opinion to the world. He never had a problem voicing his opinion during the elections so why now that it really matters is he reluctant to. Obviously he is not the president but he should have his own view of the situation and be able to let the combatants know it. His lack of expressing it may lead to deaths of people in the region who see it as condoning their actions. His being president or not at this point does not matter.

Marcus D., Chicago (Sent Monday, December 29, 2008 11:26 AM)

I'm not sure Obama or anyone else can do anything to resolve this issue. Hamas is determined to see the destruction of Israel and Israel is not going to let that happen. Bloodshed will continue coming from both sides.

One cannot find a reasonable solution to a problem that itself is without reason. As long as Israel exists there will be extremists who pester Israel with suicide bombings and rocket attacks. And as long as these extremists continue their terrorists attacks Israel is going to fight back no matter what anyone says.

Obama can condemn the violence, call for restraint, call for political negotiation, etc., but he is not God and cannot end a religious hatred, intolerance and war that has gone on (and most likely will go on)for centiuries.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Monday, December 29, 2008 11:28 AM)

Bush internal report released clears administration of any improper actions or contacts.

Merry Christmas!
Marcus D., Chicago

Works for Obama, works for me. Touche'

Sandy Moore, Indy (Sent Monday, December 29, 2008 11:30 AM)

I feel sorry for the innocents on both sides of this war (especially the children). But I have no sympathy for those extremists who cry foul after being retaliated against for shooting rockets into another country.

There are many fine Palistinian people. But those representing Hamas and who evoke violent terrorists acts aganist Israel need to have a change of heart or be eliminated. Not only are they a threat to Israel but are also a threat to their own people. They bring retaliation from Israel, death and misery on to the own people.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Monday, December 29, 2008 11:38 AM)

Obama should certainly make a policy statement once he meets with his advisors. At this point, Bush is less interested in being president and more interested in "preserving his legacy". He's pretty much abducated the presidency, and is only going to leave this for Obama anyway. Hamas knows there's a leadership vaccum here at the moment and are trying to take advantage of it. Obama can go a long way toward solidifying his credentials by laying down some law here.

22 Days Until Inauguration Day!
http://jawillie.blog.com

jawillie, Philadelphia, PA (Sent Monday, December 29, 2008 12:01 PM)

Very frightening situation in Gaza. Even more frightening is the U.S. road to peace in the Middle East. Neither Clinton or Bush could succeed with the peace plan - alas, is wasn't meant to be, however I suspect Obama will succeed and if this happens, as predicted in the Holy Bible, this peace will only last 3-1/2 years, then the time of tribulation will begin. Palestinian’s don't have a right to Gaza - it belongs to Israel alone,
as per the covenant between Abraham and Jehovah that spelled out the borders of Israel. No man has the right to take that land from Israel and deed it to the Arabs, but one man (the beast) will sign a false peace accord. Many don’t believe Obama is the antichrist – I’m not sure – but it cannot be ruled out and his actions will most assuredly tell us the truth. Many already call him messiah – I pray that Jehovah has mercy on us all…..

Patrick Sheridan (Sent Monday, December 29, 2008 12:31 PM)

Obama is correct with the fact that there is only one president at a time. He understands that Rice is the Sec of State and Bush is still president. Doing or saying anything could undermine any possible efforts that they might (hahaha) be doing.

At this point, I can only see fault with Hamas for the following reasons: they never stopped completely firing missiles at Israelis CIVLIANS; the hide among civilians to make any attempt to either catch them or kill them at dangerous as possible while causing the most amount of civilian casulties. If they can't accept the idea that Jews will have a seperate country of their own, then they are behind the times. This is not the way to show the world that they can handle governmental responsibilty.

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ (Sent Monday, December 29, 2008 12:41 PM)

Patrick Sheridan (Sent Monday, December 29, 2008 12:31 PM)

Patrick:

You refer to biblical teachings yet in the same breadth express a possibility that Obama could be the anti-Christ. If you truly read your Bible you would know that the anti-Christ will come from Europe (leader of the Ten Member Nation), and that the United States is not even mentioned as a minor player during this period of tribulation.

The way for the Palistinians to secure World sympathy and support is to become the peace-makers, to greet Israeli tanks if necessary with sit-ins rather than rocket propelled mortars. They don't understand that if they would truly become and act like the victims rather than appear as aggressors (terrorirts) the entire world would jump to their side and help them to develop, improve and sustain their own nation. But that is not the plan is it? Their hatred overtakes their sensibilities. All one has to do is watch the young Arab extremists youth jumping up and down in the streets with their rifles in hand screaming death to Israel with little regard for the fact that Israel can match those rifles with air power, tanks and highly advanced military weapons. There is no sensibility, no rationale. Just blind hatred.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Monday, December 29, 2008 1:32 PM)

Marcus, I have to disagree with you. There is only one President at a time. For Obama to voice his opinion on this issue would be undermining anything current President Bush says or does. A true leader would not undermine the current president.
Yes, Obama should (and most likely does) have an opinion. But for him to make statements about it now, before he takes office, only weakens both the current president (Bush) and will weaken Obama once he takes office.
Your comment "Obviously he is not the president but he should have his own view of the situation and be able to let the combatants know it". I have to ask a question. Did you at any time get upset with Obama when he spoke about Pakistan and the possibility of striking that country in the hunt for Bin Laden? Many people at that time said "No, you cannot tell your enemies what you plan to do", yet in essence, that is what you said you wanted Obama to do in your comment.
So I have to ask, is that how you really feel? Do you really want Obama (or any president) to inform their enemies before they act?

Dan St. Louis, MO (Sent Monday, December 29, 2008 1:55 PM)

Patrick Sheridan - You are a whacko.

Move to the Bible Belt Where You'll Fit In (Sent Monday, December 29, 2008 2:58 PM)

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