A Peek At What We’ll See
- 05.08.2008 - 5:06 PMBarack Obama accused John McCain of “smearing him” by claiming that Hamas wants Obama to be President. But this isn’t a smear, it is fact. A spokesman for Hamas, you will recall, did endorse Obama. This report is fairly straightforward:
During an interview on WABC radio Sunday, top Hamas political adviser Ahmed Yousef said the terrorist group supports Obama’s foreign policy vision. “We don’t mind – actually we like Mr. Obama. We hope he will [win] the election and I do believe he is like John Kennedy, great man with great principle, and he has a vision to change America to make it in a position to lead the world community but not with domination and arrogance,” Yousef said in response to a question about the group’s willingness to meet with either of the Democratic presidential candidates.
Matt Brooks of the Republican Jewish Coalition had this comment:
It’s understandable that Obama would like to make this go away. However, the reality is, Hamas is comfortable with Obama and they endorsed him. It’s the truth, not a ‘smear.’
As for the McCain camp, this will be an early test of their willingness to go toe-to-toe with Obama. Will they let this Obama remark pass? Or set the record straight and make clear Obama is, as he did in the “100 year” fight, fudging the facts? And we can expect more of this. Every bad fact for Obama or questionable association is a “smear” and every attempt by the McCain camp to set the record straight is “gutter politics.” It is up to McCain’s team to decide whether they will play along or call foul.
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May 8th, 2008 at 5:20 PM
Obama could easily make this go away: “Hamas will be VERY sorry if I am America’s president. They need to be careful what they wish for.” He doesn’t have to say anything else, but I doubt it occurs to anyone on his staff to go after Hamas instead of McCain. To me, that’s the obvious fix. What could McCain possibly say after that?
May 8th, 2008 at 5:42 PM
Democrats, There is some pretty vile things on the internet about insinuations about Senator Obama. I want Hillary for President, but no one needs to win this way. I think the things she has complained about have been truthful. Democrats, you know darn well that Hillary has been warning the party about the dirty stuff the Republicans will do. Guess what? Rush Limbaugh has encouraged people to vote for Hillary. That would appear that he feels Obama has less of a chance to win. You know the worst word in the English language is “liberal”. You also know how much Republicans hate Hillary. Yet, they have not really stopped her. They are not voting for her because they want her to win. Figure it out. When she see some of the stuff they is going to be said about Hillary. Think about how much Hillary has been blamed for stuff they have planted and will plant in the very near future. As I said, no one should want to win an election this way. Obama is inexperienced if he thinks he will be able to play above this kind of election.
May 8th, 2008 at 5:47 PM
It’s not a “smear!” McCain is “swiftboating” Obama.
May 8th, 2008 at 5:47 PM
MJT - McCain could actually use that. “Rather than challenge Hamas’ support of him, he would rather criticize me for pointing it out. This just shows that Obama does not have the experience or toughness to deal with the world’s worst actors.”
May 8th, 2008 at 6:31 PM
McCain could actually use that.
Both Obama and McCain can take my advice. It’s free!
May 8th, 2008 at 7:26 PM
A Fisher,
can you suggest that John O’Neil and the unimpeachable Swiftboat vets lied and John Kristmas-in-Kambodia Kerry told the truth? Can you contradict the Hamas spokesman who endorsed Senator Obama?
Yes you can.
May 8th, 2008 at 7:58 PM
It is important also to explain why Hamas might have reason to welcome an Obama administration: Hamas is funded and controlled by Iran. Obama has promised to meet with Ahmadinejad unconditionally, a great PR coup for Iran and what is good for Iran is good for Hamas.
May 8th, 2008 at 8:12 PM
so what, stupid?
Hamas has it’s own mind to think whatever they think.
I think you are incredibly stupid, Jenifer, and you are indirectly supporting terrorists, am I right?
Is my judgement affecting you?
May 8th, 2008 at 8:13 PM
btw, bin Laden endorsed McCain
May 8th, 2008 at 8:27 PM
I think it is just bluster by Obama to look as if he is already fighting in the general election. He is already hinting he is going to go after McCain on age by the “lost his bearings” crack. I guess the only real question is how badly in the tank will the media go to elect Obama?