Reader Posts
« previous | TPM CAFÉ READER POSTS HOME | next »
"I know more and understand the world better than Senator Clinton or Senator McCain" -- Obama
"Foreign policy is the area where I am probably most confident that I know more and understand the world better than Senator Clinton or Senator McCain"--Obama.
Advertisement
Comments (16)
Yep! Sounds good to me. Thanks for reminding me about a reason to vote for Obama.
April 8, 2008 11:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
My post obviously got truncated! I reposted:
"I know more and understand the world better than Senator Clinton or Senator McCain" -- Obama
"Foreign policy is the area where I am probably most confident that I know more and understand the world better than Senator Clinton or Senator McCain"--Obama.
Yes! Obama claimed more foreign policy experience than either Clinton or McCain! Is this audacity, arrogance, or hopeful statement in look for a believing sucker?
Clinton offered a telling response:
“I’m somewhat shocked by that since I don’t see any evidence of it,” Clinton said, chuckling. “This is, you know, kind of hard to square with his failure ever to have a single policy hearing on the only responsibility he was given, chairing the European and NATO subcommittee on the Foreign Relations Committee.
“And as he admitted in the last debate, he was too busy running for president to pay attention to what we needed to do to improve our chances in Afghanistan and get NATO more involved. So, you know, I, I ,I don’t, I don’t know, I’m speechless. I mean, you know, making an assertion like that belies the facts and the record.”
Obama's foreign policy experience: a newly disclosed three week trip to Pakistan in 1981 as a college student, travel and living in Indonesia, and visits to Kenya. Wow! I'm know I'm supposed to be impressed but having traveled to more than 46 countries myself--including Pakistan, Dubai, Yemen, Indonesia, China, Vietnam, and more--I'm left speechless by Obama's hollow claim. While I might offer that I have visited these countries for business, pleasure, and, in some cases, while in the U.S. Navy, thus giving me some limited level of cultural awareness, and a definite level of comfort in these travels and in my contact and relationship with peoples from around the world, I would never venture to suggest that this gives me more foreign policy experience than either Senator Clinton or Senator McCain. That Obama would suggest his even more limited travel, his lack of military service, and his apparent lack of work overseas, is comparable and better is both laughable and offensive.
Matthew
http://www.TheProblemWithObama.com
April 8, 2008 11:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
Watch the videos of Obama in 2002/2003 discussing what he thought would happen in the Iraq war. He nailed it, including the internal conflicts between the Sunni, Shia, and Kurds.
Where was Hillary's warnings about this?
April 8, 2008 11:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
You call yourself a progressive and refuse to vote for one in the GE (Obama). I suggest you go back to school (i.e. read a book) to remember what a progressive is.
April 8, 2008 11:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
Obama is not progressive. He may claim this as do many Obama supporters but this is not progressive. Progressivism is not a license to lie, to be corrupt, to play on racism, sexism, and other divisive games. Maybe this is some form of neo-progressive, I'm been giving this some thought lately. I do plan on writing more on this but want to do some research first.
April 8, 2008 11:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
Prove it. And disprove your candidate doesn't do the same, or even more. You are so full of shit I can smell you up here in Minnesota.
April 8, 2008 11:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
Another convert! First destor23, then DKDC, and now Matthew Weaver!
Um, you might want to change your avatar, though.
April 8, 2008 11:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
Damn, Weaver, that's a pretty pathetic follow-up to Goatlife's mega-post earlier. There's no way you're going to be competitive in the Troll Olympics unless you start picking up your game a little.
April 8, 2008 11:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
Matthew - Congratulations on your extensive travels, as something of a global citizen myself I am aware of the broadening affect they can have on one's horizons. Therefore, I put to you - If any of the neo-cons who were so enthusiastic about invading Iraq had actually set foot in the country involved, they would have quickly realized it was a very bad idea. Agree or disagree?
If the "experience" you set in such a reified position is the only factor required for presidency, both the democratic candidates may as well concede the election to McCain right now. However, were Hilary somehow to "win" the nomination at this point, I'm sure your argument would change in the blink of an eye.
April 8, 2008 11:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
What's your point? All the candidates think they understand the issues the best and have the best proposals. I'd imagine that's why they're running, rather than endorsing each other.
April 8, 2008 11:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
i_like_tuesday,
I have previously noted and have consistently opposed the war in Iraq. While Clinton and Obama can offer different reasons and timetables for their opposition the simple truth is that they, like McCain, both keep voting to fund the continued war and occupation. In this I do not see any difference between any of them. I do trust Clinton and, yes, McCain, to get us out honorably and quickly--they both have more stature, more care, more history behind them. McCain, especially, knows the realities of war. I suspect that Obama will spend a lot of time backpedling from his campaign statements and the reality of getting the troops out. His staff and advisors already suggest as much. He'll be either learning on the job (like Bush who got us into the war) or defer to others (again, like Bush), which also created a nightmare for us and the Iraqis.
Matthew
http://www.TheProblemWithObama.com
April 8, 2008 11:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
Someone elsewhere suggests that maybe Obama stays at a Holiday Inn Express, giving him is expertise in foreign policy.
Matthew
http://www.TheProblemWithObama.com
April 8, 2008 12:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Weaver says that he trust McCain to get us out of Iraq.
That is all you need to hear from him folks. Check out his own profile. He is a right wing troll.
April 8, 2008 12:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
I've tried to respond to each comment to my post here this morning but have to now get on to some work. I appreciate those responses that have not been based insulting and offensive statements and accusations. For those that simply prefer to respond with name calling and insults, consider how you reflect upon the candidate you claim to support.
Matthew
http://www.TheProblemWithObama.com
April 8, 2008 12:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Mr. Circle Slash wrote: "Progressivism is not a license to lie, to be corrupt, to play on racism, sexism, and other divisive games."
That's namecalling and insults. Physician, heal thyself. As to corruption, you'll have your chance to vote for the Keating Five survivor who did talk to Paxson, the client of his lobbyist pal, but lied and said he didn't at his faux-indignant press conference. A third term of the Iraq War, good thinking.
As to playing on racism, it's why we elect so many black Presidents (and Senators, and Governors). We're their helpless pawns . . .
April 8, 2008 2:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
I suggest you start with this link.
April 8, 2008 3:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Post a Comment