David Gergen
CNN Sr. Political Analyst
AC360° Contributor
Hello everyone – tried to post a blog earlier but I am afraid that it got lost in the system – perhaps it was eaten by that dog!
Anyway, to be brief, was trying to say tonight on air that I welcome the Obama trip overseas - and hope it sets a precedent for all future candidates. At the same time, as an old-fashioned institutionalist who was strongly shaped by working in the White House, I believe that whether a President is right or wrong on policy, we have only one President at a time and he must be the chief negotiator with other countries, especially in a time of war.
It is not clear that Senator Obama was trying to negotiate with Maliki – probably just the opposite – but in issuing that statement after the meeting, he left himself open to the charge that he was.
That's why I thought it was a mistake – the first in what has been so far a very successful trip.
Hope this helps. Thanks.
Editor's note: Here's what David Gergen said Monday on AC360°:
"Barack Obama made the first mistake of his trip in releasing a statement in which he said exactly what Malaki had said in those conversations. We have a long tradition in this country that we only have one president at a time. He's the commander in chief and negotiator in chief.
I cannot remember a campaign which a rival seeking the presidency has been in a position negotiating a war that's underway with another party outside the country. I think he leaves himself open to the charge tonight that he's meddling, that this is not his role, that he can be the critic but he's not the negotiator. We have a President who does that.
So i think the underlying facts support him, but i think it was be a mistake to get intro these conversations and let it be used politically."
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Since the beginning of this "War" I have never seen the "American Troops", as happy and filled with so much as they did upon "Barack" trip I felt that they so so much hope and someone that truly cares and you can't help but see it in our troops abroad. I have never seen their appreciation toward anyone representing the "United States Government' at anytime when visiting in this worn torn area. It's a damn shame when you "pay/volunteer" to fight for your country and have to pay for your protection as well. Are Americans the only ones that know this? It's known "Worldwide". To those that this may concern, we elected you to represent us and not to fill your stomach to get you full nor sit back and get all these free perks (housing, transportation, dining etc.) and not feel our needs around the world. As I have said so many time in emails "The Whole World Is Looking for A Change" and we need fresh minds to help the with the next generation, I truly feel there would be a lot more acceptance if we all learned how to respect one another in peace and I truly believe this we cannot live in a world and not acknowledge or respect all that live in it.
Anderson, I’ve watched your show on a daily bases and discovered how much of a liar you are. The last four times I’ve watched your show you was spiting out disgusting lies. For instance, today on your show you said Barack made a mistake by discussing time line with the Iraqi leader and that’s an outright lie you told to the American public.
The Iraqi leader said he and Barack never spoke about time lines or any creating of laws. He said after the casual meeting with Barack he wished that the US would leave Iraq by 2010. That was his own idea he spoke to the media in Iraq. The camera’s was there the entire time and never did Barack and the Iraqi leader have a time line conversation. Shame on you Anderson! I greatly respected your work in Africa, but now you’re going astray. Liar!!!
I totally support Barack Obama's fact finding mission trip abroad. This man is serious about trying to put an end to this mess that president Bush has gotten us in. I applaud his courage and what better way to address an issue than to face it head on. You all should stop trying to find fault in Obama and realize that he is the "Change" that the United States need in order to unify our country as well as began to better unify some of our foreign relations.
Keep up the good job Barack!!!
I think that saying Obama's statement about his conversation with Maliki was part of a "negotiation" is an accusation of political OVER-analysis. Where in Obama's statement was there any indication that the two men had debated an issue and then compromised to come upon an agreement together? Finding out that Maliki wants troops out by 2010 IS merely fact finding–which is what Obama set out to do in the first place. If anything, the only "mistake" Obama made was to hit a low blow at the Republicans by undermining their foreign policy-savvy precedent, and I don't think Obama, his campaign advisors, or supporters would call that a mistake in any form or fashion.
i was advisor (somehow)to seven person whom were arch. of iranian revolution.
i believe mr. obama has taken a right course.It will help United State in general.
Our energy problem is initiated from bush offcourse f. policy.iran would have been best business partener for u.s. if jimmy carter would have been re-electe.
thank you anderson for your contribution to inform american people
All this shows how lock step most of you are with the swooning of obama, what obama is doing in the middle east is a huge joke. He is there as a visitor, not any kind of negotiator. He is a big talker, but not very bright and it's amazing how so many people are following even after all the gaffes he's made. I always wondered how anybody could follow Hitler, but after seeing the messiah obama being swooned over by ac360 and the others on cnn, abc,nbc, cbs, I can see now how it happened, wow. Wake up people before it's to late!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
David, I respect you immensely and always enjoy heqring your perspective on issues. While I respect your thoughts on the institutional concept of the presidency, I'd like to suggest that in the case of Bush and Cheney, their disingenuity if not downright deceit in actions they've taken that have helped steer the country into a most ugly quagmire might pose an ordinate exception. That said, I don't want to assume I know with any certainty what Sen. Obama may or may not have intended by revealing content of his discussions with Iraqi leaders. Indeed, it may very well be that the individual and collective suffering, anxiety and uncertainty caused at least indirectly by the current #1 and #2 may be shifting the paradigm regarding an "untouchable" respect for their offices. Their legacy, in short, is to leave behind the greatest need for reparations to be made here in our country and abroad by the administration that follows them than perhaps has ever occurred in our nation's history.
What tradition are you protecting Mr. Gergen. I assume going into Iraq to fight the wrong war, in the wrong place, for the wrong reasons is the tradition you mean. To let the present President be seen as the TRADITION is the sham. Obama made no deals. He did act presidential, which seems to be what is called for these days.
Stupid media: Gergen you should go home and tend your flowers. Read a bunch into any negative situation as you see it and exaggerate the heck out of it.
This war should never have happened and who ever can get us the helk out of there should. And I might add if this countries leaders had any "Guts" they would proceed with legal cases regarding the lies that got us there in the first place.
Go home Gergen, you are a dinosaur. Retire already.
Oh yeah forgot to mention our current President has not negotiated with any skill at all, anywhere at any time. Get this election over with, elect Barack and put the cons in prison for a while.
No!!!! he did not make a mistake, Obama just pointing out some of the stuff that was talked about in the meeting.
If Sen. Obama negotiated US troop withdrawal, then Senators Reed and Hagel did the same. The Press release on this matter was sent out by the three senators, therefore I find it very unlikely they would make a grave mistake as to sit down and negotiate on behalf of the President of the USA. Remember the Senators are on a fact finding tour, and if they are made aware of issues concerning the countries they are visiting, then I believe it is their obligation to the American public to know how the US is implicated.
Mr. Gergen I respect your political opinion, but this time I believe your suggestion of "negotiating" is a bit presumptuous.
I do not believe Sen. Obama nor Senators Hagel or Reed did anything inappropriate. First of all, (as stated by Anderson Cooper)the release was sent by all three Senators so I believe they must have discussed and agreed to what their statement would be. This is after-all a Congressional delegation, is it not? I have long admired and respected David Gergen's analysis on world events and political figures -, but I believe his implication tonight was not warranted. First of all it was Sen. Obama early last week when asked a question by a reporter that said, "there was only one president at a time," and I believe he has been very careful in his remarks and lived up to his standard of not commenting on things he has no right to. Secondly, all during this past weekend and today all we've heard -(as reported by the media) is that Malakie wants a timetable and a date for withdrawl by 2010. This statement by the Iraqis was released even before Senators Hagel, Obama and Reed met with the Prime Minister so for Mr. Gergen to imply that Sen. Obama is trying to negotiate terms of a withdrawal when not even president is misleading. I still like you Mr. Gergen, but on this one you really disappointed me. Myrna – Prescott, Arizona
Why is CNN in the tank for Obama? Is is amazing to me how different the stories are presented from one media outlet to another. CNN makes me sick. You are no better than the three major networks - you all obviously have an agenda.
Lately, CNN, Anderson Cooper, and Cindy Crawly et al have been the knock Barack hour.
The JOINT statement by Senators: Hagel, Reed, and Obama is certainly not negotiating. The Senators, simply repeated what was already in the news. Maliki had already made those statements public and his spokesperson restated his postiton earlier today. Stop trying to create controversy when there clearly in none.
PS Don't forget McCain has also repeated statemets from Maliki and others.
It is absurd that everyone is reporting that the surge is working and ignoring the fact that we are paying those people enormous sums of money to leave us alone. This story has been out there before, but the media ignores it. When we stop paying, the surge stops working!!!
rosanne cohn
rscohn25@comcast.net
No not a good idea at all.
I am disappointed that this would happen due to the fact that it makes the country look indecisive and not united.
If or when Senator Obama becomes president, this is when the talks should begin.
He did not set any terms and conditions. He did not make any firm committment. Obama even did not issue the statement by himself. They talked to folks on ground from all sides (troops, US diplomats, and Iraqi officials) and presented a summary of the observations and issues that surfaced during that discussion. In other way, they just presented a summary of their observations based on discussion with different parties involved. And it was presented on be half of the congressional delegate that also included a republican senator. So these statements are not his own statements either.
I wish I had seen this tonite. I have great respect for David Gergen but I am not concerned that Obama stepped out of his role. I think that the media coverage was quite extensive and more details forthcopming than when McCain made the trip, but nothing was said that struck me negatively. He seemd to set a goal for himself as a listener. But then again you guys may have played a portion of dialogue that I had missed.
Overall I am very pleased that the world stage looks very good for Obama. He's a natural. I knew that all along but the proof's in the pudding and he made some wonderful puding this weekend.
Thanks from an ol white lady!
At which point did Obama make statements the he was negotiating. If he made such statements CNN needs to put the on the air, then commentators could discuss the facts over his statements instead of just speculating. Several weeks ago Time Magazine reported that Maliki requested that U.S. troops leave his country. Who was negotiating with Maliki then? When Maliki spoke to the German reporter he was just being a true politician like those that trained him.
While I ordinarily appreciate the remarks of David Gergen, tonight he was off the wall in his comments about Barack Obama. Mr. Obama did not "negotiate" anything and was the first (before Gergen) to say that the US has only one president at a time and that he was traveling only as a US Senator. Mr. Gergan distorted the facts and did a disservice to Mr. Obama.
I have never seen so many blindly led people in my entire life. When you elect Oslama, I only hope that I am out of this country by that time so that I do not have to stay here with the idiots that supported/voted for him.
You have no idea what this will bring about and I dont want to have to be here and pay for your mistakes!!!!
Obama should take his time and not interfer. Pause.
what obama is doing over there is no different than what MCcain has already done.All the times MCcain has been over there he has comments about the situation in Iraq.the world leaders know bush is leaving and they want to know what the next president is first thinking and what is he going to do about the situation in the whole region' they don't want to be occupied forever' they just want confidence in knowing we will be there for them but at the same time let them so the world they can defend and protect their own country with their new government. They are going to have to do it anyway so why not get the ball running now instead of it just letting the ball sit in the corner waiting for another hour,day,week,month, and years"
oh please!
I agree with others preceeding me ....from all we know at this point, stating that Senator Obama was "negotiating" is a presumptuous untruth on the part of Mr. Gergen and others on air tonight. I am very surprised that Mr. Gergen would so forcefully and extensively present this – and equally disappointed!
I am confused, please clarify. Other news network suggested that Obama conversation with Maliki did not include the time table for troops coming home. Where did your information come from? apparently Maliki had a
news conference after the meeting with Obama and he made those statements. I think CNN tries to keep others honest.
This is the most outrageous thing I have ever heard in my life.Barack Obama trying to take the credit for the the other parties successes and is buying into the prime minister al maliki I will never vote for a liar and someone who will not stick up for are troops and are country.Barack Obama might as well join the enemy and except lose in the war on terrorism.I am convinced Obama is the most unoriginal person who ever ran for President of the united states.
As a senior watching this media show, I am appalled to see our former democracy being usurped by a comedy act. Both candidates are acting as the anointed one even before we have held our conventions. We used to hold conventions to process a democratic vote for the our candidates before the world.
Our tax dollars are being used for a comedy show. Senatorial junkets have frequently been a farce. Now we have the fraud of frauds.
I agree with those saying Obama is not negotiating for anyone. Just going with the flow of the discussions and comments being made by Malakie. Let's face it, what is happening in Iraq is, in part, the result of the last year and a half of Democrats trying to cut funds for Iraq and establish timelines. The various parties in Iraq that have a real stake in Iraq are getting the message loud and clear that the American people are FED UP WITH IRAQ! We are getting out come hell or high water and if the various groups in Iraq want anything other than mass slaughter and chaos, they've got a limited window in which to get their collective you-know-what together. The importance of the constant drumbeat from the Democratic Congress and the poles of the American people have made it abundantly clear to Iraq that support from the US is over.
I can't believe analysts are talking about Obama trying to save lives as a mistake! Why does everyone think it has to be political maneuvering. Leave the negotiating to the commander in chief???? Give me a break. What a joke. Obama was able to do something in 1 trip that Bush hasn't yet been able to acheive at all, and most likely wouldn't! It just might be possible that Obama feels passionate about the war and saving lives NOW enough to do something about it, regardless of politics. Malakie probably thinks Bush is a joke too. Go Barack!!!
Obama screwed up . He should keep his nose kleen until Bush is out of office. The people of the USA do not deserve Bush.
Dave
This is an on spot example of doing things completely differently. Instead of secretiveness with questionable agendas, it is refreshing to see a “glass house” style. This is what it will take to stand before God and each other and honestly take back and re-establish the honor of our country and restore our relationship with the world. Go Obama!
I agree with the writer who pointed out that he is speaking as an active and articulate Senator. He is NOT usurping, he is revealing his style. Given MORE authority, he will DO more, and hopefully continue to include us all in his “glass house” policy.
Dr. Susan Rice, senior national security advisor to the Obama Campaign, issued this statement in response to al-Maliki's declaration of support:
"Senator Obama welcomes Prime Minister Maliki's support for a 16 month timeline for the redeployment of U.S combat brigades. This presents an important opportunity to transition to Iraqi responsibility, while restoring our military and increasing our commitment to finish the fight in Afghanistan."
Change "welcomes" to "acknowledges" and critics have no ground to criticize Sen. Obama. As it stands, they have little ground. Once again, critics are parsing every word in the most extreme way possible in an attempt to create controversy. P.S. The facts of the statement have been known for several days. There is no news here!
David, can you clarify on the air at some point that the so-called "domestic political reasons" that keep being cited as a reason for downplaying or dismissing Maliki's new position are that the Iraqi people want the U.S. troops out? From what I've seen of polling in Iraq (a perhaps dubious proposition, granted), there is 70-80% support for the U.S. leaving asap. Maliki, with an election looming, is aligning himself with the majority of Iraqi voters.
In answer to Shannon, this was not the purpose of his visit. His purpose was to show that he can be a big league player– to win votes. He has no right to be in that country trying to negotiate anything, that is up to the politicians in office now!! Hopefully he will not be the next president to be able to even legitamatly negotiate things. He doesn't even know what he's talking about and he is trying to act like he has some knowledge of war. Where is his experience??? I am an independent, but I don't like his audacity–he has a lot of it.
I don't think he made a mistake. He was stating what was already known by everyone since Friday. Maliki wants us out.
Apparently, Mr Gergen could not wait to attack Obama without knowing that facts himself. Obama did not negotiate, nor did his statement came across as negotiating. Mr Gergen use the word negotiate as a informatory word to jump start McCain's campaign. If Mr Gergen wants to be a flame thrower for McCain, he should apply to work for McCain's campaign. It appears Mr Gergen took it upon himself to get positive attention off Obama by start a political fire when there was none. Mr Gergen you lost your credibility.
I agree with David that it was a mistake for Obama to issue a statement about his conversation with Malaki. Also that at the surface it did seem like a good idea for Obama to go overseas to learn more about our diplomatic and military situation.
However, perhaps this is the exact reason that a candidate should not meet with other leaders of the world during wartime... because it places too much power in the hands of foreign leaders and their media bias.
Even if Obama did not issue a statement, Malaki could have; and depending on the outcome of our own Presidential Campaign if McCain were voted in over Obama, that could create some very deep and powerful resentment not only the current US Administration but the entire US Population as a whole.
Suppose Obama is elected and does not withdrawl accordingly, that too could create some very deep and powerful resentment not only the current US Administration but the entire US Population as a whole.
I respect David Gergen, but he is entirely wrong about Senator Obama negotiating. As a United States senator, he doesn't have the power to negotiate. a negotiator has the power of enforcement. Obama doesn't popssess that yet, hopefully he will soon. You guys freak me out. You can't allow Senator Obama to have a successful trip abroad. It wouldn't be CNN, if you didn't attempt to somehow undermine how effedtive Senator Obama has been. He seems to be in his element.
Yes, Obama made a mistake. He overstepped his bounds. U.S. Senators should not be openly negotiating war policy with heads of state. However, I don't think a lot of the media will spin it that way.
Second, CNN needs to stop doing a split screen when people are talking. It's annoying for a commentator's head to be shrunk down while CNN shows video of other content during their comments.
Regarding David Gergen's comments on Obama's "mistake" of negotiating with the Iraqi PM, I'd like to know exactly what negotiation took place. Obama went on a fact finding mission, and a fact he found was that Iraq wants a timeline for withdrawal. A negotiation hasn't been mentioned. Can Mr. Gergen elaborate on how Obama negotiated as opposed to finding facts?
Wow, everyone here needs to realize that there were no negotations made all was said was that they both think the 1600 month timeline is the best Idea you cant put him down
please stop the liberal bias of your show or i promise i will stop watching and will write editorals to every news paper in my surrounding area proving you keep sensoring me. you refuse to bring david ware on and put him to the task on why he was so wrong about iraq.
Although David Gergin's comments are usually on the money, and I admire his clarity of vision, I think he missed the mark this time. Obama is filling vaccuum created by the Bush administration that has failed to talk to the Iragi's to find out what they wish in their own country. He is holding out hope that this illegal war will be ended soon, and the world needs to know this. As a Canadian, if the USA had invaded us, I like the Iraqi's, would have resisted in any way possible, and would want US troops to go home immediately.
This is a much needed public relations trip for Mr Obama. If the U.S. wants credibility reinstated on the World stage, you NEED this man as President.
The groundwork of visiting prominent politicians and heads of state is the precursor for a much needed change of World opinion about US motives and policies regarding not only foreign conflicts, but also the problem of pollution that is killing our planet.
Let's hope he picks an appropriate 'running mate' for the forthcoming election.
Why is Obama even traveling in Iraq? That's why we have a President and Ambassadors. What is he going to do with his "facts" that he finds? Just more proof that he will do anything that is politically expedient, right or wrong.
WE the people are the ones that Obama needs to be concerned with not the world leaders! THEY are not going to vote for him, WE are! I am not excately understanding who he is trying to impress, WE are paying for this "trip" and he is NOT the president so what he says is really irrelavant to the situation! He should be concerned with what is going on in the US, after all this is where he is running for prsident, NOT overseas, so who cares if they like him or not? THEY ARE NOT THE ONES VOTING FOR OUR PRESIDENT!!!!!!
As far as I am concerned this is the same crude as the summer gas tax deal, doesnt matter what the candiates think, THEY ARE NOT THE PRESIDENT!!!! And no matter who gets elected, they will not have any say until Jan l,2009!!!
Hi Anderson,
My question is simple, what are the Republicans trying to hide? Why didn't John McCain, want Barack Obama to visit the middle east? Was it really about Barack's inexperience dealing with foreign policy.
I hope like yourself David, that foreign trips do become a regular part of presidential campaigns in the future. Especially, in these particular times it helps the U.S. not to look so self centered, in it's world view. And that we do have a concern about how other cultures see themselves on the world political stage.
David, from what I saw in the lower of the screen, that was a joint statement from Reed, Obama, and from Hagel on their findings from the congressional trip. I saw nothing that implied that senator Obama was negotiating anything or making any policy decisions.