Obama and Sarkozy meet, hold presser

Ira, Freehold, NJ — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:15:00 GMT

Senator Barack Obama said Friday in France that Iran should promptly accept an international call to freeze its uranium enrichment program, which some nations see as a potential step toward obtaining nuclear weapons, and not wait for the next U.S. president.

Speaking at a news conference, Obama said Iran should accept the proposals made by French President Sarkozy and other Western leaders. He urged Iran's leaders not to wait for the next U.S. president to push them "because the pressure, I think, is only going to build."

Obama said: "My expectation is that we're going to present a clear choice to Iran: change your behavior and you will be fully integrated into the international community with all the benefits that go with that. Continue your illicit nuclear program and the international community as a whole will ratchet up pressure with stronger and increased sanctions. And we should have no illusion that progress will come easily."

Is this what Bush meant when he described Obama as an “appeaser”? Sounds like good solid diplomacy to me.

Obama and Sarkozy meet, hold presser

Ira, Freehold, NJ — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:17:54 GMT

As many posters have pointed out, today McCain is touting the need to not set timelines for Iraq U.S. troop withdrawals. Instead he claims we need to listen SOLEY to the military.

The President is Commander-In-Chief.

Truman did not listen to MacArthur. He fired him.

The President doesn’t listen to the Generals, he commands them.

When are we going to learn that in this country, civilians control the military?

Obama and Sarkozy meet, hold presser

Dan, New York, NY — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:18:35 GMT

Obama's success on foreign policy really has set John McCain off. He's all-surge-all-the-time now, he really sounds pissed and grumpy:

http://strategy08.wordpress.com/2008/07/25/good-to-see-john-mccain-ignore-critics/

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Lee-- Dallas, TX — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:22:11 GMT

I’d for one like to thank Barack for what he’s doing overseas. I can’t remember the last time we had so many world leaders and citizens of other nations as anxious as they are now in hearing what one of our premier political figures has to say.

Not to mention when he speaks, he actually knows what he’s talking about and is able to construct constructive and articulate statements. I’ve grown accustomed over the past eight years of people domestically and abroad running from the presence and words of these ‘politicians’. Barack appears to be genuine in his ability to actually want to hear the concerns of these individuals.

It will be amazing or should I say less so, the criticism he will face for being liked by those other than left of center Americans or those disaffected by the last eight years. Who knew being liked around the world would be such a bad thing.

What a concept, people other than Americans liking America...

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Donald Keiser, Baltimore MD — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:24:26 GMT

I imagine Barack Obama feels very much at home in France. Short work week, no responsibilities, hanging around with a bunch of socialists. Reminds him of being back home in the Senate.

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Capt. Smash, Salt Lake City, Utah — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:28:16 GMT

I loved it, and it shows Obama knows how to lead. Anyone that wants to vote for McWar needs to think again. No body was burning American flags like they do when Bush and the GOP goes overseas. Everyone was flying flags with faces of hope on them. God Bless this man and I hope America will do the right thing come november.

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Pepe Le Pew — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:30:51 GMT

>>>There was an odd moment early on in the Q-and-A, when Sarkozy was asked about an incident several years ago when, as interior minister, he called rioting blacks in a poor French neighborhood "scum."

Sarkozy apologized and said he wasn't aware at the time that Obama was one of the protestors.

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Amy B Portland, ME — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:32:54 GMT

I saw the footage of Obama putting his prayer into the Jerusalem Wall, and he certainly pushed it in there in way that suggested he wanted to make sure it didn't fall out. I think it was wrong for the Israeli newspaper to print the note, but how moving to read his prayer! I know Obama is a masterful politician, but he's also the real deal.

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Nashville_fan — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:32:57 GMT

Obama is Presidential and can handle himself on the world stage. Another Republican talking point down the drain.

I am not going to spend the next three months chasing Republican lies. I will share the truth when I can, but I WILL NOT let all the lies, smears, racist innuendo, and ignorance get me down.

Senator Obama already has won in one sense - he has proven that you can run a first class campaign without resorting to the type of hateful attacks we have seen in the past.

He has proven that you can raise enough money to run a national campaign without selling your soul to corporations and lobbyists.

He has proven that people do care about politics, and that we can make a difference.

No matter what happens in this election, nobody can put that genie back into the bottle. I am grateful to have witnessed it all - the victory is won - and all Americans will benefit from the path that Senator Obama has blazed.

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Colleen, Ithaca, NY — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:33:21 GMT

Oui nous pouvons! (Yes we can!)

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Lilly Poole, Brenton, ID — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:33:28 GMT

Another odd moment occurred when Obama agreed that Sarkozys' wife was hotter then his.

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LP — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:34:12 GMT

Well ...http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/25/mccain-blows-off-wsj-repo_n_114955.html

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Katie — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:36:01 GMT

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J. Richter — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:38:15 GMT

- Maliki whom Bush installed endorses Obama's plan for Iraq
- Merkel another conservative and German chancellor endorses his world vision and listens to his demands for more partnership and more troops to Afganistan.
- Sarkozy, france's conservative president and Bush friend endorses Obama's American-Europe vision (that could actually help us economically and militarily).

Isnt this guy a brilliant negotiator at least? Is anyone still thinking its a bad idea he at least try to talk down our enemies as REagan did in the 80s?

Meanwhile, five days after releasing a documentary criticizing Obama for flip-flopping on Iraq, the McCain campaign argues that Obama is too inflexible on Iraq.

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Tim Rollins — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:38:34 GMT

You know, Obamas trip can't be going that well if his liberal friends need spend so much time to spin his constant set of gaffes and try to make them into something positive. Three words lefties: "It's not working!"

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Bush Man — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:42:22 GMT

Obama babbles again: "And the goal of an Obama Administration in foreign policy would be obviously to act on behalf of the interests and the security of the United States, but also to listen carefully enough to our allies that we understand their interests, as well, and we try to find ways that we can work together to meet common goals."

Ehh, Barack. That's also the Bush policy. And I believe it was the Clinton Policy, Bush I policy, and Reagan policy. Don't recall if Carter even had a policy.

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S.B. Stein E.B. NJ — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:44:12 GMT

It seems that Obama gets along well in most places. He also seems to be following a custom that was broken by Bush while given a speech to the Kenesset in Israel -- critize another politician. In Obama's case, there was no critizism of Bush, the sitting president. It is nice to see someone take the high road even for a moment. I guess that Obama is also doing that because Bush is beginning to see the logic in Obama's suggestions which must be driving McCain insane.

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Kathy in Michigan — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:44:36 GMT

Via La France!!!

Great Job, Senator Obama!!! Finally, we will have another President who works to get along with others and who doesn't always have to be right. I think that in the next months John McCain is going to show himself to be an old, crotchity, tempermental, old man who wants everyone to agree with him. We have already had George Bush who beleives "either you with me or agn me!" Enough of this foolishness. John McCain is too old. If he isn't too old now, he will be in a year or two. The term is for four rigourous years of hard challenges and serious work. He is too old for the Presidency period. He can even work weekends unless he goes home and has a BBQ.

Really, he is too old, his way of thinking is too old, and our country and world is moving too quickly for him and the level of diversity is beyond his adapting to it. That is largly why he is so upset with Senator Obama. He is from another generation than Obama. He is from a generation when blacks in the military were used to bolster the whites with no credit for doing so. They ordered them around to do the grut work in every war including Iraq without recognition.

1) He believed that Senator Obama should commit to TEN not one or two, but TEN Weekly Town Halls. He set the time and place of the first and expected that he would show up. Well, he didn't and he's complaining.

2) "He hasn't been to Iraq, he should go with me" Well, he didn't go with him, but he went and so did the majority of the press and he's angry.

Senator Obama hasn't tried to dictate to McCain what to do with his campaign. (They are doing a horribly fine job on their own already). But, for some reason, Senator McCain wants to "order" Senator Obama around as if he knows best. I wonder if in the coming weeks if Senator McCain's true colors don't begin to show.

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Tex Mex — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:44:52 GMT

Why is the press so evil trying always to drag up dirt from every corner. The comment was made during a period of high tensions in France. I was in Europe at the time. Now, I can see why American are considered to be so arrogant by other nation. The press is our worse enemy.

Dirt...Dirt...Dirt.

The press "McCain Surrogate"

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Nj — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:45:04 GMT

THIS IS A COMPLETE OUTRAGE> OBAMA PEOPLE UNITE AND DEMAND ALL MEDIA TO BLAST MCSHAME FOR THIS..
WHAT WILL MCSHAME SAY NEXT????
___________________________________________________

John McCain: Barack Obama failed the commander-in-chief test on Iraq

BY MICHAEL McAULIFF
DAILY NEWS WASHINGTON BUREAU

Friday, July 25th 2008, 1:40 PM

WASHINGTON - John McCain unleashed his harshest broadside yet at Barack Obama Friday aftenoon, accusing the Democrat of flunking the commander-in-chief test.

Speaking to veterans in Denver, McCain tore into his rival for opposing President Bush's troop surge in Iraq - one of the few issues where the GOP has gotten traction against Obama during his tour of Europe and U.S. war zones.

"Eighteen months ago, America faced a crisis as profound as any in our history," McCain said, declaring that the choice to boost troops in the faltering Iraq war was "a real-time test for a future commander in chief" that Obama failed.

"He didn't just advocate defeat, he tried to legislate it," McCain declared in a blistering denunciation that mentioned Obama 16 times and accused him of playing politics with war.

"Sen. Obama told the American people what he thought you wanted to hear. I told you the truth," McCain said. "Fortunately, Sen. Obama failed, not our military. We rejected the audacity of hopelessness."

Obama traveled to Iraq after McCain and the GOP taunted him for not visiting the war in more than 900 days. While there, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki came out in favor of Obama's plan for the U.S. to withdraw in 16 months, leaving McCain as one of the few remaining advocates of an open-ended U.S commitment.

The Republican also ripped Obama for ignoring the surge's successes.

"Sen. Obama said this week that even knowing what he knows today that he still - still - would have opposed the surge," said McCain. "Given the opportunity to choose between failure and success, he chose failure. I cannot conceive of a Commander in Chief making that choice."

The Obama campaign shot back that McCain was engaged in bogus, backwards-looking attacks.

"The American people are looking for a serious debate about the way forward in Iraq and Afghanistan, and angry, false accusations will do nothing to accomplish that goal," said Obama spokesman Bill Burton.

Burton condemned suggestions that Obama preferred a political win to a military loss.

"Barack Obama and John McCain may differ over our strategy in Iraq, but they are united in their support for our brave troops and their desire to protect this nation," Burton said. "Sen. McCain's constant suggestion otherwise is not worthy of the campaign he claimed he would run."

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donna — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:46:54 GMT

Who else among Senator Obama's supporters posting here feel as though we are there with him? Always remember, he would not be there if it were not for us; (by The Grace Of G-D).

We supported him, voted for him, and cheered him on through the dark times. It is our money that is paying for this leg of his trip!
***************

The posters hear suggesting Senator Obama's prayer tucked into the Wailing Wall was leaked by the Obama campaign, are drunk on hateraid.

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ashish — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:48:37 GMT

President Obama, has a nice ring to it

Obama/Biden 08

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lupercal — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:49:29 GMT

i thought that the presser was the most telling part of this journey, even more than the speech itself yesterday. it shows an America that isn't afraid to engage and does so especially because it is strong. I was quite rejoiced by the body language as well. Obama set the tone, by language, body language, the way he gently touches sarkozy's arm in an affectionately patronizing way, and the way sarkozy is yearning for an America to follow. to sum it up, this clearly was a brilliant journey. one obama gets back here, let's go back to the small events, with added creds. i'd definitely do a few hundred townhalls that focus on domestic policy primarily but that draw on foreign policy pretty heavily to validate our domestic policy goals. this week was a game-changer, or nothing will be. But we won't notice anything in the polls until 2 weeks from now when the dust is settled. and basically obama has to make the argument that the surge has been a great tactical victory, but given our strategic priorities, if we had to it all over again, it would not have been wise to do so. It came at too high a price. hundreds of billions of dollars that could be used to provide middle class tax cuts, and finance an Apollo Project-like mission to end our dependence on foreign oil within the next 10 years. take a highly visible trip to oil rigs and the mississipi river to highlight the dangers of offshore oil and more importantly the pragmatic impossibility of doing so, because we wouldn't have a drop of oil for the next 10 years. mccain's policy is all designed to give us 'psychological' help to relieve our 'mental recession'. this is winnable. he just has to keep on taking the right steps. obama 08!

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Ann DC — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:49:35 GMT

"And the goal of an Obama Administration in foreign policy would be obviously to act on behalf of the interests and the security of the United States, but also to listen carefully enough to our allies that we understand their interests, as well, and we try to find ways that we can work together to meet common goals."
-------------------------------
It's a shame it took Bush 7.5 years to come to this conclusion....NO MORE C STUDENTS IN THE WHITEHOUSE!!!

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"I'm singing in the rain" "singing in the rain" — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:50:59 GMT

I watched all of it and it was very apparent that these two men really like each other. I'm glad and very happy, it's good to see how down-to-earth and comfortable Senator Obama is as a strong,competent leader!
Republicans are so envious! They try to rain on our party all the time.
But....

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"I'm singing in the rain" "singing in the rain" — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:51:40 GMT

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MI Chick — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:51:48 GMT

"A little research goes a long way.
Ira, Freehold, NJ (Sent Friday, July 25, 2008 2:05 PM)"

Bravo, Ira!

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JL Beasley, Upper New York State — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:54:34 GMT

Until this trip, I was going to vote for Obama. But I kind of want a guy that puts Americas interests first rather then some other countries, and especially Frances. Americans need to be happy with their president first, then, if some other countries agree with our policy, great! I'm not going to feel better about a policy I disagree with just because France likes it.

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A. Fortune — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:55:23 GMT

Obama will be good for this country,Mcain and his ilk are living in the past, I dont think old policies will work in these new times, I think that the republicans no this but are too thickheaded to be honest about it. Then there is the race issue its not really about experience, its about Obama being black, and that goes not just for republicans but some clinton diehard supporters. Apart from being governor of TX how much foreign policy experience did the current occupant of the white house have....so I say give Obama his chance America is sure to improve its world standing, worst case scenario we vote hime out of office in 4 years, Mcain is not getting my vote.

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AE, Portland Maine — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:57:39 GMT

Finally we have someone who we can be proud to share an American message with in France. After suffering through GOP morons dumping out French wine and eating 'Freedom Fries', it is so refreshing to see a smart, reasonable person on the world stage from this country. Obama isn't perfect, but he's SO MUCH BETTER than the sludge we've had for the past 16 years. Thank God that it's almost January.

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Allison Morte, Ames Iowa — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:58:05 GMT

[[[Senator Barack Obama said Friday in France that Iran should promptly accept an international call to freeze its uranium enrichment program]]]

I'm sure Ahmadinejad will get right on that.

[[[Is this what Bush meant when he described Obama as an “appeaser”? Sounds like good solid diplomacy to me. ]]]

What's your point? It's the same policy as Bush's.

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McPaperorplastic — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:58:38 GMT

Hey RNC staffers:

We know, there was some French cheese at that supermarket McCain was wandering around in the toher day.

He is still relevant!!

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MI Chick — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:59:17 GMT

RE: The prayer being published - C'mon! Is NOTHING sacred anymore in this 24/7 news cycle?

No matter what side you are on, prayers are PRIVATE! The sad thing is, when I saw him put that in the stone, I thought that this would happen.

I'm surprises that the guy who swiped it didn't tell EVERYBODY that it was he (or she) that did it so he (or she) could get their 15 min. - or post it on eBay.

Disgraceful.

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A. Fortune — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:59:50 GMT

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Oscar, Rio Vista CA — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 20:00:03 GMT

Pepe: You are not in the least bit funny. In fact your statement just shows how ignorant you are.

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Wanda, Florida — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 20:01:04 GMT

I imagine Barack Obama feels very much at home in France. Short work week, no responsibilities, hanging around with a bunch of socialists. Reminds him of being back home in the Senate.
Donald Keiser, Baltimore MD (Sent Friday, July 25, 2008 3:24 PM)

And yet he still has a better attendance/voting record than McCain!

Obama08

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nuanced — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 20:02:00 GMT

Still no reporting on Robert "Prince of Darkness" Novak's hit and run incident? You have recently quoted the traitorous outer of a CIA operative several times for his "wisdom" but you won't relate how he hit an 86 year old pedestrian in the middle of a cross walk and then kept going. He said he didn't notice he had hit anyone even though witnesses said the victim was splayed across his windshield.

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Dave, Tn — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 20:04:44 GMT

Is this what Bush meant when he described Obama as an “appeaser”? Sounds like good solid diplomacy to me.

Ira, Freehold, NJ (Sent Friday, July 25, 2008 3:15 PM)
______________________________________________

Sounds just like Bush to me, but you probably only hear what Olberman let's through the filter.

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Ira, Freehold, NJ — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 20:05:18 GMT

Ummm, I don't remember electing Senator Obama President. This seems so inappropriate. Is this not a violation of the Logan Act? This really worries me. I did not and would not vote for Bush, but....he IS our President. And if anyone wants to be respected in the future, they need to honor the present. This seems like a very slippery-slope. There's a reason we call it the UNITED States of America.
Katie (Sent Friday, July 25, 2008 3:36 PM)
...............................................

Obama and his advisers have repeatedly stated before and during this trip, that America has one president at a time and that he did not intend to negotiate or make policy during his tour.

Not making policy or acting as a ghost president.

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Ann DC — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 20:08:17 GMT

Ummm, I don't remember electing Senator Obama President. This seems so inappropriate. Is this not a violation of the Logan Act? This really worries me. I did not and would not vote for Bush, but....he IS our President. And if anyone wants to be respected in the future, they need to honor the present. This seems like a very slippery-slope. There's a reason we call it the UNITED States of America.
---------------------
Reading is Fundamental.

"Obama declined to say how many additional troops he wants France, Germany, and Great Britain to send to Afghanistan, while praising Sarkozy for his willingness to send more troops. And he did not criticize Bush when asked directly to comment on the Administration. Both non-answers seemed in line with a statement he and his advisers have made repeatedly before and during this trip, which is that America has one president at a time and that he did not intend to negotiate or make policy during his tour."