David Gregory
In an interview with NBC's Brian Williams yesterday at The Atlantic's "First Draft of History" event, General David Petraeus addressed issues ranging from the future of Afghanistan, what's ahead for Iraq, and offered his take on the happenings in the Middle East--including talks with Iran yesterday. He stressed the importance of reevaluating U.S. goals and objectives in Afghanistan and said, "We're not yet at the point of talking about resources or numbers," and added that he has "not yet endorsed the resources" requested by General Stanley McChrystal, the U.S. commander in Afghanistan. He also made clear the importance of understanding the unique culture of the Afghan people and land while fighting extremist forces there compared to fighting in Iraq: "You cannot transfer everything that we learned in Iraq by any means to Afghanistan without, again, applying it with a very, very careful and granular appreciation of local circumstances." In describing the differences in leadership style between Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, Gen. Petraeus said, "I would just say that both of them are absolutely intent on understanding situations and on doing the absolute best they can for our men and women in uniform and for their families--and obviously for our country."
Later at the Forum, House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) told NBC's Chuck Todd that he believes Iran is an "outlaw regime" whose participation at the so-called P1+5 meeting yesterday in Geneva should not be taken as a signal that Tehran is willing to be transparent with its nuclear activities. Cantor told Todd that he believed the U.S. was entering its first direct discussions with Iran in thirty years "with the illusion that we can trust this regime." He added that Congress should "act as swiftly as possible to force a regime of sanctions" against it, in response to recent disclosures of a covert nuclear facility at Qom. When asked by Todd whether Cantor's exhortations for increased sanctions--even as President Obama moves forward with direct talks--was "politics on the waters' edge," Cantor responded: "The executive branch is the one to determine the posture of this country vis-a-vis others. It's his prerogative," adding, however: "we shouldn't be engaging with the regime."
From NBC's Ali Weinberg
In an interview with NBC's David Gregory, Arizona Sen. John McCain (R) declined to "nitpick" President Obama's first eight months in office, although he did offer some specifics on how he would have governed differently had he been elected. He also offered his views on Sarah Palin's new memoir, "Going Rogue."
On Obama's health-care plans, McCain said that the administration has "overlearned the Clinton experience," where President Bill Clinton and then-First Lady Hillary Clinton put forth a detailed package, which "in their view was picked apart by the opposition."
"This administration has yet to come up with a specific proposal from the president,” McCain said. “We read in the media, and hear there is a plan being developed in the White House, but we have not seen it yet.”
He explained how he would have built a health-care plan. "I would probably start with what we could agree on and then add on rather than have an encompassing proposal that obviously has led to the kind of gridlock we're in," McCain said.
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In an interview to be broadcast Sunday on “Meet the Press,” NBC's David Gregory sits down with former President Bill Clinton, who says, “it’s a good idea, if possible, to look somebody in the eye and have a chance to have a conversation before there’s a total breach.”
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Here's the transcript:
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From NBC's David Gregory
Republican sources say the president will endorse McCain tomorrow at the White House.
President Bush is not expected to speak to McCain tonight.
Bush is said to consider McCain an attractive candidate on national security and taxes
A source close to Bush says McCain has to be careful with a Bush embrace.
"Better to do it now rather than later," this source says, "Get it out of the way."
Bush can pass the baton to McCain to help with party unity and declare McCain the future of the party. McCain needs all those things. McCain, the source says, can then say to Bush, I need you to do these things without having to associate too closely with him.
From NBC's David GregoryI have heard from many Jews who are worried about Senator Obama. Is he an anti-Semite? Is he close to Farrakan? His own pastor is close to Farrakhan. Tonight a strong attempt to assuage their fears. To say that Israel's security is sacrosanct is a strong pro-Israel statement. Beyond that, to say he wants to rebuild the relationship between Blacks and Jews is new ground. But give Senator Clinton for pushing him harder to reject Farrakhan. Here, again, he absorbed the blow, conceded the point and defused what could be a slip up for him.
From NBC's David GregorySenator Clinton the fighter. This answer on having to be a fighter on health care is her strong suit. Her point in lampooning Obama's high-flying oratory is to say, I, too, had only the highest ideals about public service in Washington. But I know through experience, you need different tactics. This is her experience argument.
From NBC's David Gregory"I find it kind of curious..." Senator Clinton wasted little time charging press bias. But what's wrong with getting the first question? I don't think she made a clear argument there. Getting the first question allows her to set the tone for the answer, why is she against that?
From NBC's David Gregory and David Gelles
Inside the Westridge elementary school in West Des Moines, this Democratic caucus site is packed. Huge turnout here.
Only 86 showed up in 2004. Tonight, the line is out the door.
It looks like almost 200 here.
Registration is still open.
*** UPDATE *** Per NBC's David Gelles, the official number of participants at this particular Democratic caucus site is 267
Only 86 showed up in 2004.
*** UPDATE II *** Per NBC's David Gregory, this is actually a GOP-leaning area in West Des Moines...
