About That “Smear”
- 05.08.2008 - 5:46 PMJennifer is too modest to mention it, but she played a considerable role in the “smear” to which Obama today referred. It was during a blogger conference call on April 25 that she, in fact, asked John McCain to comment on Hamas’s preference for Obama above the other presidential candidates. As it happens, I was on that call as well. And it’s worth noting the nature of McCain’s response to Jennifer. He began his reply by saying, “All I can tell you, Jennifer, is that I think it’s very clear who Hamas wants to be the next President of the
Considering the situation, this is about the most delicately phrased response that one could have expected. It was not in the least a smear. Jennifer introduced Hamas’s very real preference into the conversation. John McCain essentially chose to let the facts speak for themselves. He did go on to mention Obama’s willingness to talk to hostile players like
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May 8th, 2008 at 6:01 PM
It is clear Hamas watches our elections. Understanding the NYT effect maybe they really want McCain elected and endorsed Obama knowing their endorsement would be seen as a negative. Next thing you know they will be advocating voting for Hillary to interfere with the Dems primary. Nah, no one would do that.
Steve
May 8th, 2008 at 6:22 PM
Doubtful. Consider their association with and “respect” for President Carter. He can hardly be described as an enemy of Hamas or the people of Palestine. When speaking on American politics directly Hamas has–strangely enough–been largely earnest.
May 8th, 2008 at 6:22 PM
It’s a good preview of things to come from the man who’s above petty old-style politics. If McCain doesn’t react quickly, and with force — and then keep up the pressure — he will let Obama define him, with the eager help of the MSM.
May 8th, 2008 at 6:48 PM
I’m a McCain supporter but I think it’s pretty close to a sorta’ smear. A near-smear?
Instead of mentioning Hamas’s support for a Obama presidency, just highlight how Obama’s policies are viewed, unintentionally, favorably by enemies of the US.
Let the voters make the (or any) connection.
May 8th, 2008 at 7:18 PM
Obama denounced former President Jimmy Carter for meeting with Hamas. Obama said “Hamas is not a state, Hamas is a terrorist organization.”
May 8th, 2008 at 7:22 PM
Near Smear? Sorta Smear? Good grief! Let’s not be ridiculous splitting hairs about a statement that was 100% true. Yah, after the cheap lie Osama Obama tried to make of the 100 year war misquote, let’s be fastidious in any criticism of the man who would roll out the red carpet for terrorists at the White House.
May 8th, 2008 at 7:28 PM
Why is it that the terrorists keep endorsing the Democrat presidential nominees?
It’s a mystery.
May 8th, 2008 at 7:29 PM
“Obama denounced former President Jimmy Carter for meeting with Hamas. Obama said ‘Hamas is not a state, Hamas is a terrorist organization.’”
That does not mean that they don’t want him to win the upcoming election. Good for him that he condemns them. We should expect nothing less out of all of our politicians.
May 8th, 2008 at 7:34 PM
Let’s not be ridiculous splitting hairs about a statement that was 100% true.
There is no evidence that Obama endorses or supports Hamas’s agenda in any way. That’s what McCain is implicitly trying to convey.
It’s an unfair shot just as it was a unfair one when liberals were waving around the fact that the pro-apartheid National Party in South Africa supported Reagan’s re-election in 1984. No candidate can be held accountable for the endorsement of any other party or group.
If McCain wishes to attack Obama’s pie-in-the-sky (and appallingly dangerously misguided) policies towards Iran and North Korea, that’s another matter. Expose Obama; not the people who endorse him.
May 8th, 2008 at 7:39 PM
McCain’s adviser Mark Salter put it perfectly re this matter:
The McCain campaign has never suggested that Senator Obama supports Hamas’ agenda, but it is more than fair to raise this quote about Senator Obama because it speaks to the policy implications of his judgment..
If they stick to the policy implications of what he is espousing - and how enemies of this country view the favorably - they’re on solid and fair ground.
Question Obama’s judgement; not Hamas’.