HOME    WORLD    U.S.    POLITICS    CRIME    ENTERTAINMENT    HEALTH    TECH    TRAVEL    LIVING
May 15, 2008
Appeasement, naivete.. Welcome to campaign 2008
Posted: 10:44 PM ET

Dana Bash
CNN Correspondent

We were riding the bus from John McCain’s speech on his vision for 2013, after his 4 years as president.. a somewhat utopian speech.
 
We had just finished going ’round and ’round with him over whether his vision — or promise — of an end of the Iraq war by then, constituted a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq. He repeatedly denied that and called it a false interpretation.

We asked him about President Bush’s comments before the Knesset, suggesting Democrats favor “appeasement” of terrorists in the way some Western leaders appeased

Hitler in the run-up to World War II. Noting that Barack Obama took that to be a shot at him, we asked Senator McCain if he agreed.

Mccain responded that he takes Bush at his word, but then criticized Obama repeatedly for saying he would talk with the president of Iran.

He was clearly eager to talk about this, saying,

“It is a serious error on the part of Sen. Obama that shows naivete and

inexperience and lack of judgment to say that he wants to sit down across the

table from an individual who leads a country who says that Israel is a stinking

corpse.”

McCain also recently charged that Obama is the favored candidate of  Hamas, which the U.S. has listed as a terrorist group. Obama called that McCain remark a “smear,” and today called Bush’s comment, a false political attack.”

I later asked Senator McCain how much of an issue this will be and he said that of course national security – and their differences on it – will be big.

 A taste of the general election campaign to come.

57 Comments
Filed under: Barack Obama •  Dana Bash •  John McCain •  President George W. Bush •  Raw Politics
57 Comments
charlie, atlanta, ga   May 15th, 2008 10:47 pm ET

In regard to Bush’s speech at the Knesset, one thought comes to mind: BUSH - MCCAIN’S REV. WRIGHT …

Greg in VA   May 15th, 2008 10:52 pm ET

The reason most Presidential candidates don’t present end of term benchmarks is because most go in planning on running for a second term and don’t want their own words to come back to haunt them.
I ask you Who really thinks Mccain if elected at age 72 to one term will run for a second at age 76? Therefore in this case his age works for him by eliminating the risk of making such bold predictions since if he doesn’t fulfill there will be no consequence.

James   May 15th, 2008 10:54 pm ET

How dare he(President Bush) accused the Democrats of appeasment when he is paying terrorists in Iraq not to fight American soldiers. He needs to be reminded that the same terrorists he is paying not to fight the U.S. army are trained by Iran.
So, tell me who is appeasing?

LDH   May 15th, 2008 10:55 pm ET

With all the mention in the news about the President’s bashing of Obama and Democrats during his speech in Israel, I thought it wise to actually watch the speech. I was able to see the entire speech on CSPAN and cannot find any mention of such bashing. Sure, he agrees with the Israel people that anyone thinking that you can appease terrorists is wrong and does reference history — that it wouldn’t have worked with Hitler either — but never mentioned that this was an American position — nor singled out any individual around the world. So you have to question the media when they can’t even report this accurately. It would be accurate to say that Democrats/Obama assumed it was aimed at them but to say that it was as though it was fact, is false. It wasn’t even mentioned that Parliment applauded the President when he made that comment. You should at least review the entire speech before “reporting” on it… I wouldn’t call it reporting or journalism… and you wonder why Americans don’t trust the media.

Dianne   May 15th, 2008 10:56 pm ET

Hasn’t anyone figured out yet that McCain is simply trying to turn Iraq into a winnable Vietnam. Many of the veterans of Vietnam are bitter because they always felt that if America put its full force to it, the war could have been won outright. I would be willing to bet that McCain has that same mindset and thus, he is trying use Iraq as his appeasement. The man is out of touch with the entire country on this issue and he will not by changing his mind anytime soon.

Kevin   May 15th, 2008 11:09 pm ET

It is amazing how on Anderson Cooper tonight the title is Barack under fire for what??? It is also sad that Barack’s speeches does detail his plans for the country, like health care, college tution credit, the labor unions, taking away tax breaks for companies that send jobs overseas, tax breaks for the middle class, in which he states is for people making under $100k a year by at least giving them $1000 back annually. Also if we don’t talk to our enemies, then how is anything going to be resolved without getting innocent people killed who are willing to die for this country b/c they serve in our military for men who are running the country with enourmous ego’s. It is also sad that Hillary Clinton supporters will be willing to trash Obama b/c he wins the democratic nominee fair and square. It is not like he has cheated her with votes, delegates, or super delegates. He has gotten them fair and Hillary signed the agreement that Michigan and Florida votes wouldn’t count b/c they broke the rules. Plus Barack wasn’t even on the Ballot in Michigan b/c he was informed that they broke the rules and their votes wouldn’t count. Another point is that the supporters of Barack hasn’t nearly been as rude as the Hillary supporters making all kinds of threats of not voting, or supporting him as the candidate in the general election. If you can stand for Hillary, but then vote for McCain b/c she is not the nominee then you really don’t stand for the democratic party or really what she stands for regarding her policys and plans.

Joe   May 15th, 2008 11:11 pm ET

I got the impression that Pres. Bush’s message was a reminder to moderate politicians around the world about the mistakes of the past and not speaking firmly toward leaders of hostile countries and hostile elements.

It’s the President’s job to set the “moral high ground” and his representatives job to negotiate the grey areas opening the doors for the President to have more lucrative higher level negotiations.

As far as a message specifically to our democratic candidates I feel it was a poigniant tap on the shoulder, a reminder that if you want to “wear the daddy pants” you’d better be prepared to act firmly and it puts some perspective on the campaign which has focused so narrowly on our condition in the United States and less on our role as citizens of a larger world.

Tammy. Berwick. LA   May 15th, 2008 11:15 pm ET

Bush was right today. Leaders with no regard for human life are not going to be rational enough to have an intelligent discussion like Obama wants. This isn’t a college seminar, but actual foreign policy at work. About 11 million died because of Nazi German policy. Anyone who wasn’t a perfect Aryan was marked for death. This included Roman Catholics, gays, alcoholics, disabled, gypsies, the elderly who could not work, and children. Some of the current leaders in our world harbor similar hatred. Obama can’t have a nice chat with these leaders. Get a grip. Bush is right. McCain is right. And if Obama and his supporters are going to go on the defensive when the attack wasn’t at them, they need to get a grip and discover why they are paranoid. Does the truth hurt? Sounds like it to me. Welcome to big boy elections!!! Let the games commence.

Ron M   May 15th, 2008 11:17 pm ET

We were deeply involved in the negotiations in Northern Ireland. We have negotiated with Libya (under Bush - imagine, speaking to terrorists). We are negotiating with North Korea (an axis of evil).

You need to keep your friends close and your enemies closer if you are ever to succeed. Speaking to your enemies is never easy but it is through dialogue that understanding is reached. When you choose to ignore them, it is easy for them to demonize you to their people. A smart leader realizes that the dialogue is not only with their leader but also with their people.

Our military realized far too late that to succeed in Iraq, we would need to engage the people of Iraq. Our defense secretary states often that Iraq will never be safe until Iran is brought into negotiation.

It is not hard to understand why the world seems so unsafe right now. The leader of the free world practices foreign policy defined in the vacuum of only those who agree with his policies.

I understand that John McCain is a very knowledgeable person on foreign affairs however that has nothing to do with his judgement.

If he is so “naive and inexperienced” as to think he can reach his stated goal of ending the war in Iraq before 2013 without speaking to Iran, he is obviously far to ignorant to be president.

angelo pete   May 15th, 2008 11:27 pm ET

i wasnt suprised at bushes remarks he has a pattern of saying things with no factual intel to back it up. he did forget to mention though that his granfather prescott bush was chairman at a bank in new york in the early 1900,s that was charged with the crime of laundering money for the nazis regime. is that appeasement or what?

Chanel   May 15th, 2008 11:32 pm ET

Since when was diplomacy naive and in bad judgement?

james   May 15th, 2008 11:39 pm ET

Indeed the bush administration is paying off terrorist in Iraq not to shoot at American troops. they are also negotiating with North Korea one of the axis of evil. on may 15 2006 the State Department removed Libya from their state sponsored terrorism list which it had been on for 27 years. They did this through deplomacy not bombs. According to bush, fish and humans should live side by side together , then why cant humans live side by side together, negotiate and live in peace

Alan Hopkins   May 15th, 2008 11:46 pm ET

Bush’s comments about suggesting Democrats favor “appeasement” of terrorists is so typical of this clown. Isn’t he (Bush) flying to Saudi Abrabia after his trip to Israel??? Weren’t the majority of 911 terrorists from this country?

Ludmila Arnopolskaya   May 15th, 2008 11:50 pm ET

Should I be surprised to CNN coverage of McCain today’s speech? Probably not, probably I should stop to be naïve by expecting any decency in nowadays CNN’s lack of professionalism and respect to their viewers. Shame on you!!! You have a one-way microphone, and you allow yourself to go so low that you think you can brain wash people on another side of TV screens. McCain is an honest person with high principals. You should feel proud that such Great Americans yet exist and are ready to serve their nation. Instead, you cut, spin and twist his words with self-adorable smirk on your face. Shame, shame and shame!
Proud American, Naturalized citizen,
Ludmila Arnopolskaya

peter   May 15th, 2008 11:51 pm ET

if senator obama so-called naivete is legitimate political issue, so should senator mccain’s occassional senility

Lekan, Louisville,KY   May 15th, 2008 11:56 pm ET

Historically, U.S. has always talked to its enemies. During the Cold War, Khruschev came to the U.S. in 1958 and met with Eishenhower; at the brink of nuclear war (Cuban Missile crisis) in the 1962, Kennedy adminstration talked to the Soviets; Nixon in the 1972 went to china and met with Mao; in the 1980; Reagan met with Gorbachov.
So, Obama is not offering something new to American foreign. He is actually following the path that leaders before him had followed that have won victories for America.

Jerri Courtney in Defiance, OH   May 16th, 2008 12:00 am ET

Just a question of historical accuracy. When one refers to the appeasement of the Nazis, I believe it refers to the policy of ignoring Hitler’s annexation of parts of Czechoslavkia (and other countries) in hopes that he would stop there. This seems to me to be a whole lot more than being willing to talk.

xtina, chicago   May 16th, 2008 12:01 am ET

Oh please CNN get your facts straight . The Hamas representative said recently that his organization is in favor of an Obama presidency. I heard the interview . It wasn’t John McCain who said it. It wasn’t John McCain who “interpreted” it; the Hamas guy said it .

The story should be that Hamas supporting Obama is disturbing and alarming.

Jeanne chicago   May 16th, 2008 12:04 am ET

Like anyone puts any credence in what Bush has to say about ANYTHING! Actually he did we dems a huge service, by once again making a total fool of himself.

Kent, Illinois   May 16th, 2008 12:06 am ET

Listen………I remember as a child watching Nixon on tv meeting with the Soviet leader at the time. That was really big. I mean we Americans hated anything communist. But, Nixon was able to put that aside and reach common ground with the Soviets. A lot was accomplished by diplomacy back then.

That is the same thing Obama is talking about. How can we reach common ground without talking to them? What? We should ignore them? If Nixon had ignored the Soviets and China would we have accomplished anything? No………………….

Frances L   May 16th, 2008 12:09 am ET

It is common sense to talk to those in which you disagree or otherwise may despise. Otherwise, what gets accomplished. Bush runs his foreign policy like he runs our country. His way is the right way and nobody else matters. He blames congress for why things do not get done but he uses his veto power. Even when people disagreed with the war early on, they were labeled as “Un-American”. We must talk to others with force and tell our enemies with conviction we will protect our country with whatever resources we have to and at the same time get our point across.

Bush and McCain are one in the same. What has Bush’s government done for us.

War for “Weapons of Mass Destruction” costing thousands of Americans lives. Trying to change a culture that has been the same for thousands of years and will never change. Many more thousands of Americans with injuries both physically and mentally. Costing trillions of dollars, which in turn affects the economy. Allowing foreclose on millions of homes, allowing lenders to use questionable loan tactics. Devaluing the dollar so the price of everything would go up. Tax breaks for companies that move the factories to foreign countries, so it is hard to find a good job. Making education unaffordable. Make healthcare difficult to get and let the insurance companies lobby for their own benefit. Listen to telephone calls, monitor E-mails.Give the rich tax cuts, sit back in luxury, and watch the middle class disappear. Never have I thought in my lifetime would I have guessed an American President would allow this to happen.

What is worse is Bush and McCain are two major political figures that oppose the new GI Bill. McSame, you of all people should embrace this. Bush, well now I do not expect too much from him. I guess ignorance is bliss!!!!

Annie Kate   May 16th, 2008 12:11 am ET

Bush was right on target bringing up the appeasement of WW2 - the reminder that zealots cannot be stopped with talk or compromises should be done more often. Liberals like to think that everyone is reasonable and want what is best for their people and their world - they aren’t. They are far from it and they always will be. Obama needs to realize the limits of talk and the importance of standing for something firmly with no give or take.

Obama needs to learn to take the heat or get out of the kitchen and let Clinton who can take the heat in. This is mild compared to what will be coming later on.

Annie Kate
Birmingham AL

J Sandate   May 16th, 2008 12:16 am ET

Will anyone admit to voting for George Bush? Why should they. They have there own foot in their mouths too.
Democrats better not stay quiet about this outlandish choice of words. Appeasing a divisive autocrat like Bush is inviting the rest of the hypocritical right wing for a turkey shoot.

CAROLYN JONES   May 16th, 2008 12:19 am ET

ASK DANA, IF SEN MC CAIN REMEMBER THAT A VISA WAS ISSUED TO THE PRESIDENT OF IRAN? THAT WAS AUMEJENZAD.
WAS HE NOT CONSIDERED A TERRORIST BACK WHEN.

A ENEMY CAN SENSE FEAR. NO NONO TO FEAR.

HE KNOWS BARACK LOVES AMERICA AND ISREAL, TO BE A CHRISTIAN YOU MUST. AGAIN GOD TOLD ABRAHAM, I WILL BLESS THOSE WO BLESS YOU AND CURSE THOSE WHO ARE AGAINST YOU. READ THE BIBLE SEN. MC CAIN.

YOU SHOULDENT HAVE MISSED THE FAITH AND COMPASSION DEBATE.

CAROLYN
HAWTHORNE, CA.

William Joseph Miller   May 16th, 2008 12:20 am ET

Let’s look at McCain’s “experience.” After 9-11 he stopped short of selling tickets to the war in Iraq. His current campaign manager, Charlie Black, was a lobbyist for Ahmed Chalabi, a con-man, whom the neo-cons hoped to install as Iraq’s replacement for Saddam Hussein. Chalabi turned out to be an Iranian agent. Invading Iraq

William Joseph Miller   May 16th, 2008 12:28 am ET

Let’s look at McCain’s straight talk. First, I can’t figure out when we[’ll be out of Iraq. During the run up to the war, McCain assured us it would be a few weeks. Then it was 100 years. Now it’s between 2008 and 2013. Is this straight talk?
Let’s also look at McCain’s “experience.” This experienced leader was the major cheerleader to the war in Iraq. Invading Iraq after 9/11 makes as much sense as Invading Brazil after Pearl Harbor. McCain’s campaign manager, Charlie Black, was a lobbyist for Ahmed Chalabi, a con-man whom the neo-cons hoped to install as president (or strongman dictator) of Iraq after Hussein got bumped off. It turns out that Chalabi was an agent for Iran. Yet McCain believed everything Chalabi told him. Furthermore Charlie Black is a lobbyist for Blackwater. McCain’s big contributors are all the corporations that have profiteered over the Iraq war. (Roosevelt passed strict laws against war profiteering; the entire GOP is a bunch of war profiteerers.) McCain, as Bush’s henchman, has succeeded in alienating everyone in the world - especially in the Middle East.

McCain also forgets that the Middle East as much of the world is democgraphically very young. We need a leader who can appeal to the young. That definitely is NOT McCain, who looks like the man who bombed your village and killed half your family. Maybe we need a leader that shares names that are “funny” to McCain’s supporters but quite common in the Islamic world. A leader like Barack Hussein Obama.
P.S. Barack means blessing; Hussein means goodness or handsome. Is it any wonder that so many Muslims choose those names for their children???

Tarsha   May 16th, 2008 12:56 am ET

Indeed… Welcome to Campaign ‘08… Can I leave the party now?
I mean, this bashing and pouncing on Obama is beginning to grow out of control. I think that it’s acutally good that Obama at least cares to sit and resolve issues with these “potential terrorists”, instead of go out and raise holy hell and make false assumptions that lead to unnecessary actions (hence, what has gotten our country where we are today… over there in Iraq). Do we want anything that looks like a replication of Bush back into the White House? Because from the way McCain is talking and campaigning, that’s what our nation is going to get if we don’t begin to see things in a different light. Out with the old ideas, and in with the new ones that at least have potential to bring about change…. Obama ‘08.

Sidney DeWaal   May 16th, 2008 1:04 am ET

I lived in Europe before I emigrated to the USA. During my career I also spent eight years in Israel as the president of Jerusalem University College.

Believe me, when President Bush referred to the geopolitical situation in the late 1930s and early 1940s, i.e. the appeasement politics coming from the UK in particular, he was highlighting the political reality that accommodated the killing of millions of Jews, first of all, and many others who lived in Western and Central Europe. At the venue where he spoke the reference to “appeasement” – 60 years ago or current – could hardly pinpoint any candidate for political office in the United States. Although the Israel celebrating its 60th anniversary is not insensitive to the presidential support from the USA, its greater concern is that people around the world understand and embrace the need to support the Israel of today not because it is perfect, but because it personifies liberty and justice in an environment of oppression.

SDW

David, Michigan   May 16th, 2008 1:21 am ET

President Gearge W. Bush’s grandfather, Prescott Bush, is implied to have had connections to and supported Hitler.

Search “Prescott Bush” on Google.

Shawn   May 16th, 2008 1:25 am ET

I’m keeping it brief, if we aren’t talking to these rogue countries and only making threats then at what part are we trying to make things better? How are we going to bring about peace with threats? It’s only going to bring about more war and I don’t think we can or should do it again. They say we’re doing it for the security of this country. If all of our resources and funding is gone and our country starving and poor then who’s to say that we wouldn’t be in more danger? Stop fighting unjustified wars and take care of our citizens. Take care of our economy. Mccain gave his vision for the future and all I heard was a continuation of the war in Iraq, We’ve been there long enough, at what point will the country take responsibility for it’s actions? As the death tole rises we lose more and more soldiers.

beth   May 16th, 2008 1:36 am ET

I sure hope that Ma Caine is trying to turn Iraq into a winnable Viet-Nam..I would hate all these deaths to go down for a losing Iraq. The troops want to win..and they should. Just for them.

Elizabeth from Seattle   May 16th, 2008 1:48 am ET

Hi Anderson -

It is absolutely disgusting what President Bush said today and that Senator McCain followed suit that was directed towards Senator Obama regarding talking to terrorists. I am Jewish and as a Jew and as an American I take great offense from both President Bush and Senator McCain comments. It is about time people realize that Senator Obama and his administration are/would be totally supportive of Israel. Senator Obama has said he would not talk with any leader that does not recognize Israel first to make relations with those countries on more amicable terms. I appreciate Senator Clinton’s comments because I know they were directed to the democrats in general, but more specifically Senator Obama. For President Bush to use the 60th anniversary of Israel’s birth and in front of the Knesset is repugniate and disgusting. If I was a member of the Israeli parliament and government, I would not invite President Bush back for a state visit. I would not invite Senator McCain either. Once Senator Obama is president, Israel will find out that our prior President is a warmonger, war criminal, and has an ego that just won’t quit. Senator Obama wants to bring the USA together and get the USA on a better track with the rest of the world. President Bush is not popular - this is no blessing to the Israelis to have him in Israel with his popularity so low and that he used such a happy time for the Israeli’s an American politically motivated horrendous comment is unforgiveable. The sooner President Bush is out of office and Senator McCain looses the election to Senator Obama, the better hands the USA and the rest world will be in. We will finally have a president that thinks in any decision he makes. President Bush may not have said Senator Obama’s name outright, but please anybody who has half a brain and who this election matters to them would know the comment was meant for. God forgive President Bush and also Senator McCain - they are horrid people.

OBAMA in ‘08

Jane, Detroit, MI   May 16th, 2008 1:49 am ET

No Tammy, you are wrong. You, Bush, Cheney, McCain. There is a solution for peace in the Middle East. And that is meeting with their leaders in diplomacy and show them that we are done with violence and are willing to talk. Guns, killing, and bombs don’t bring peace, only more war, more hatred. Iran has given us many opportunities to make peace with them and we keep screwing it up. It’s time to cut loose Israel and let someone else take care of them, like the Italians or the French. We need to start making peace with our friends in the Middle East. If it means butting out, then so be it. We have done enough damage.

rmm   May 16th, 2008 2:18 am ET

LDH was right on…and is there anyone who can tell me one president, Democrat or Republican, that stated he would have DIRECT unconditional talks with a nation that was a state sponser of terrorism? Obama should have made no comment at all about this today. He now, by condemning Bush today, has proven again, how vunerable he is when it comes to foreign policy.

Michelle   May 16th, 2008 2:28 am ET

I wonder what McCain will have to say now that
James Rubin has an op-ed in the Washington Post
accompanied by tape with McCaiin talking about
dealing with Hamas. It was during the time
Rubin worked with Sky News.I see the political ad
coming any day now.

Fahad   May 16th, 2008 2:31 am ET

What your panel failed to mention today is McCain vision included disarming Iran and N. Korea’s nuclear program. Doesn’t that require some type of diaglogue from him to Iran? It seems Obama should jump on this mistake since he is being criticized about engaging with terrorists.

Kevin Ardery   May 16th, 2008 2:42 am ET

Why would anyone negotiate with Iran when they are bent on destroying Israel! Barack(Neville Chamberlain)Obama is afraid to go on the O’Reilly Factor let alone negotiate with Iran! This guy is a lightweight! How will he persuade Iran that the holocaust existed? These leaders want to kill us! Don’t you left-wing liberals get that!

GAIL AL;   May 16th, 2008 3:04 am ET

Anderson, the Obama camp is always whining about something. If they can’t take the heat stay out of the kitchen. They don’t know anything yet. Get ready for the fireworks’ In the general election. if he gets the nomination. Hillary can hold her own.

J.V.Hodgson   May 16th, 2008 4:36 am ET

Mr Bush is right re Hitler and appeasement. But he forgets the war aolved nothing just created different problems the cold war, Berlin wall and the environment of MAD.
He should remember it was American goverment policy that got the UK to talk to Sinn fein and the IRA, and that negotiations with an “Axis of evil” member DPRK have made good progress withoutthe loss of life.
Also to be considered is the fact that Europe made progress with Iran and failed because the US refused to participate, not surprising.
Even so called appeasement or rather “talking first” is better than pre-emptive declarations of War. If talks fail and the other side resorts to war well, bad as that is, there will be little need to spend months talking ( ha ha) in the UN to get a coalition to support you.
Hodgson.

Barb   May 16th, 2008 6:46 am ET

Why did Obama disagree with the war?
There could be one reason , no one seems to be considering!

If you look at the people Obama was associated with, maybe he ageed with them. They seem too be people that hate America.

Obama could have said no too the war because he feels the same way Iraq, Syria, Iran, Hamas, does.

America really needs too stop listening too Obama and start looking at him and his past.

CNN has done a good job of protecting Obama . If Hillary Clinton had any of Obama’s past connections, do you really think CNN would have treated her the way they did Obama.

linda   May 16th, 2008 8:23 am ET

How much money has Bush and Cheney and all their croneys made off the Iraq war.
Bush’s comments about Hitler reminded me of a web site I stumbled upon, THE HITLER PROJECT. The Bush family fortune was possibly born out of weapon sales to the Nazi military. Is George following in the footsteps of his grandfathers?

Marc, Canada   May 16th, 2008 9:49 am ET

Barack Obama understands the world court of opinion and what it will take to heal many of the ill feelings towards Americans these days. John McCain is lost without a teleprompter.

A vote for John McCain, his temper and his seemingly eagerness to continue meaningless wars and perhaps adding wars will likely necessitate the return of the DRAFT.

John McCain’s experience and track record are over-rated. 5 years in a cage isn’t experience. His voting record is clear and he has changed his mind more often than any other politician I know except perhaps Mitt Romney.

Mike in NYC   May 16th, 2008 9:49 am ET

Not being even remotely an Obama fan — with a pronounced distaste for most of his followers — I’ve got to side with BO on this one.

The Iranians have been building up their political capital as the US continues to flounder in the ME. Hezbollah’s successful counter-coup in Lebanon was a real black eye for Bush.

A “victory” in Iraq? The Iranians have close ties with all three major Shi’ite groups there. They’re sitting in the catbird seat right now.

A BO victory in November, while certainly not to my taste, would at least give the neo-cons a richly deserved slapdown.

Then again, with Brzezinski as his national security advisor, it’ll be target Russia, so I guess we lose no matter who gets in.

Where’s Ron Paul when you need him? It was just a dream, I guess….

Vivian   May 16th, 2008 10:39 am ET

I agree with Hillary’s position on this one. The President of US should only meet with Hamas if specific guidelines are defined. In the debates Barack stated he would be willing to meet without stipulations. Maybe Barack has since changed his mind and is leaning more toward Hillary’s position. I do not know. I got the impression that Bush was directing his statement at “leaders” in general. If Barack’s previous statement stands, then I guess he fits into this category.

Debbie, NJ   May 16th, 2008 10:59 am ET

Tammy get all of the facts before you side with Bush-McCain.
I guess Bush shouldn’t have talked to North Korea or Libya, which resulted in their dismantling of their nuclear programs.
I guess Reagan shouldn’t have talked to Russia ending the cold war and opening up eastern Europe.
I guess Kennedy shouldn’t have talked to Russia to get the nukes out of Cuba.
I guess Nixon shouldn’t have talked to China.

concerned karen   May 16th, 2008 11:35 am ET

BUSH IS REVEREND WRIGHT FOR McCAIN !!!!!!!!

IF YOU WANT FAILURE IN OUR GOVERNMENT PLEASE VOTE MCCAIN SINCE HE GETS HIS RHETORIC, & IDEALS FROM BUSH.

DON’T BE PERSUADED BY GOP FAKE SCARE TACTICS THE HARDER THEY THREATHEN US THE MORE WE DEMS WILL FIGHT!

Claudia, Houston, Tx   May 16th, 2008 11:43 am ET

FEAR PROPAGANDA ALL OVER AGAIN.

Heather   May 16th, 2008 12:02 pm ET

McCain is right and lets not forget Iranians are coming into Ieaq and killing our soldiers with what are called shape charges that penetrate armor. They are terrorists. I dont think Obama realizes that many Jews in this country have family and friends who live in Isreal and we have a relationship with Israel. Bush is right. Congratulations Dana!

sali   May 16th, 2008 12:57 pm ET

i am amazed that CNN can take a generalized historical position of appeasement mentioned in the President’s speech honoring Israel’s 60th anniversary as a nation, and makes it into an indictment against Sen. Obama. Dana, do you as a reporter in the field get a transcript of the president’s speech before you report or what? This is poor reporting and sensationalism at it’s worst. It is dangerous how lopsided CNN presents the news. Your bias in the way you present your news reports favoring Obama’s vague positions at best or lack thereof at worst is a textbook example of yellow journalism. I’m amazed at how the media will protect a leftist racist like Obama (yeah he sat in that church for 20 years and gets a pass!) and you will bash and attack John McCain for what; being a POW and an accomplished politician?… CNN you need to do a better job reporting the news… you forget your viewers can see the President making the speech uninterrupted on C-SPAN.

zius   May 16th, 2008 1:38 pm ET

we can talk with iran ..bomb it ..or leave things as they are if iran now is a greater threat its because of bush and his administration…. the bush and also mccain policy is acting tough without being EFFECTIVE …diplomacy with iran means bringing the whole international community with us effictivly carrots and big sticks so that the iranian government and their people know that theay have a real choice…. peace or action by the international community LED by the us obama=leadership

Debbie   May 16th, 2008 1:41 pm ET

I assure you that I will be one Democrat that will be voting for McCain if Obama gets the nomination on the Democratic ticket. I do not trust Obama and my gut tells me he should NOT be in the White House. I’ve had this gut feeling since the first time I saw Obama. Obama can not do or say anything that will convince me to vote for him. In my opinion, I cannot vote for someone that appears to be deceitful about his religious ties to the Muslim faith. I fully understand that many Muslims are wonderful people and not terrorists, but why would he try to deceive the American people? This is how I feel and if he would be deceitful in this area, then how can we trust him with our Country? Again, I continue to have this sinking feeling in my stomach each time I hear him speak and I can’t get past it.

angie tennessee   May 16th, 2008 2:02 pm ET

here we go again…. everybody knows bush has some screws loose and it look like mccain do too. everybody knows you have to talk to solve problems isn’t that what condie doing now talking with IRAN???? For a president to go to over seas and down grade his country is beyond me and then grin about it is an outrage. has he been in the sauce again??? i’ll be so glad when this race is over and obama is president.

OBAMA 08

jt   May 16th, 2008 2:50 pm ET

Just want to know.

With all this parades of endorsements that Obama had been getting plus the bias tyreatment of the DNC and the media towards Hillary,

How come Obama can not close the nomination?

My take is, he is the wrong candidate.

Hillary 08!!!

Sharon   May 16th, 2008 3:50 pm ET

Please for all that is good in America report on Senator Obama’s speech for what it is…total nonsense. Senator Obama has obviously lost his mind. Please have someone at CNN find out what Senator Obama has been smoking as Senator Obama is talking total nonsense.

Marvin Sadur   May 16th, 2008 3:52 pm ET

Shame on CNN for being so biased. My blog was not accepted. I will try again . I am a Jewish WW2 veteran. I have seen the results of the holocaust by anti semitist. Louis Farrakahn is a anti semetist. The ADL(anti defamation league) labels him an anti semite, Reverend Wright & the Trinity church awarded Farrakahn a distiguished citizen award two years ago. A friend of my enemy is my enemy. God bless America.

Ophelia   May 16th, 2008 4:00 pm ET

The reaction from Senator Obama and other far left liberals is crazy. Not once in President Bush’s speech was there any reference to Senator Obama. This crazy reaction from Senator Obama proves that Senator Obama is not ready to be the President. Senator Obama’s crazy comments need to be examined for what they are.
TOTAL NONSENSE.

Ophelia   May 16th, 2008 4:12 pm ET

Why does CNN continue to report the news with a bias towards Senator Obama? When I watch the news I want the news reporters to report the news with being bias toward the far left liberals. If CNN continues to campaign for Senator Obama I will not continue to watch CNN and I will encourage everyonew I know to stop watching CNN. I will also notify all sponsors that adveretise on CNN to stop supporting CNN.

Comments have been closed for this article

subscribe RSS Icon
About this blog

A behind the scenes look at “Anderson Cooper 360°” and the stories it covers, written by Anderson Cooper and the show’s correspondents and producers. Insight you can’t find anywhere else.

For more details, read our tips on how to win 360° approval for comments.

Send your instant feedback to Anderson Cooper 360°.

Featured Contributors
Candy Crowley
Candy Crowley is CNN's senior political correspondent and an AC360° contributor
David Gergen
David Gergen is CNN's senior political analyst and former presidential advisor
Roland S. Martin
Roland S. Martin is a nationally award-winning journalist and AC360° contributor
CNN Comment Policy: CNN encourages you to add a comment to this discussion. You may not post any unlawful, threatening, libelous, defamatory, obscene, pornographic or other material that would violate the law. Please note that CNN makes reasonable efforts to review all comments prior to posting and CNN may edit comments for clarity or to keep out questionable or off-topic material. All comments should be relevant to the post and remain respectful of other authors and commenters. By submitting your comment, you hereby give CNN the right, but not the obligation, to post, air, edit, exhibit, telecast, cablecast, webcast, re-use, publish, reproduce, use, license, print, distribute or otherwise use your comment(s) and accompanying personal identifying information via all forms of media now known or hereafter devised, worldwide, in perpetuity. CNN Privacy Statement.
Home  |  World  |  U.S.  |  Politics  |  Crime  |  Entertainment  |  Health  |  Tech  |  Travel  |  Living  |  Business  |  Sports  |  Time.com
Podcasts  |  Blogs  |  CNN Mobile  |  Preferences  |  Email Alerts  |  CNN Radio  |  CNN Shop  |  Site Map
© 2008 Cable News Network LP, LLLP. A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by WordPress.com