Obama’s Foreign Policy Faux Pas
By Larry Johnson on April 8, 2008 at 9:54 PM in Anti-Semitism, Bamboozling, Barack Obama, Current Affairs, Foreign affairs
Sorry for the delay in posting on Barack Obama’s outrageous claim the other day that he has the most foreign policy experience. To be precise, he said:
“I think a lot of people assume that might be some sort of military thing to make me look more Commander-in-Chief-like. Ironically, this is an area–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.”
Let’s give the man from Illinois some credit. He has one hell of a sense of humor. Or is it chutzpah? It looks like Mayhill Fowler broke the story and Jeralyn Merritt at Talk Left provides an excellent analysis.
So rather than plow the same ground, let me go to the core of Obama’s argument–he’s got the judgment. Really? Well, if his judgment is so great and his acumen as a foreign policy maven so extraordinary, why was he funding a pro-Palestinian group that is likely to set off alarm bells in Israel and supporters of Israel here in the United States?Aaron Klein has the story up at the Jewish Press:
Democratic presidential frontrunner Sen. Barack Obama served as a paid director on the board of a nonprofit organization that granted funding to a controversial Arab group that mourns the establishment of Israel as a “catastrophe.” (Obama has also reportedly spoken at fundraisers for Palestinians living in what the United Nations terms refugee camps.)
The co-founder of the Arab group, Columbia University professor Rashid Khalidi, is a harsh critic of Israel who reportedly worked on behalf of the Palestine Liberation Organization when it was labeled a terror group by the State Department.
Khalidi held a fundraiser in 2000 for Obama’s failed bid for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
I am not making a judgment one way or the other about whether it is appropriate or not appropriate to support the Palestinian cause. I suspect if we poll the folks who regularly comment on this blog we will find a split down the middle on that issue. My point is political–no one can be elected President in the United States who takes a position or associates himself with anti-Israeli groups.
Barack’s relationship with folks like Rashid Khalidi, who is widely perceived by most supporters of Israel as a radical, is part of a disturbing pattern. Barack makes nice with Khalidi. Barack steers money to Khalidi and his group. But Barack’s poor judgment in making friends and hanging out with unsavory associates does not stop there. Barack was pals with a self-confessed and unapologetic terrorist–William Ayers. Barack seeks advice and counsel from a racist preacher who damns America and blames whites for inflicting HIV on African Americas–uncle Jeremiah Wright. And let’s not forget Barack’s initiative in seeking help with a real estate deal from Tony Rezko–a man Obama knew was facing a Federal corruption investigation.
So I ask again. What judgment? Barack has demonstrated recklessness, cluelessness, and foolishness in cultivating and maintaining these relations. He did not have enough sense to get up and walk out on any of these people. Does he really believe that the Republican Party will not hammer relentlessly on these issues come the fall?
So far, most Jewish Americans and most evangelical Christians who support Israel have not realized Barack’s ties to the likes of Khalidi. That is going to change. But it is not the kind of change anyone will be eager to believe in. These types of associations will hang like dead weights around Barack’s neck if he becomes the nominee. The credit he seeks for making an anti-war Iraq speech no one recorded back in 2002 will be quickly and thoroughly overshadowed by these other issues.
Barack is right about one thing. He does have experience that neither Hillary or McCain possess. Unfortunately for Barack, it is the kind of experience that will sunder a national presidential campaign. The old saw applies–if you lie down with dogs don’t be surprised to get up with fleas. Sorry Senator Obama, but your judgment is pathetic.
I’m going to keep saying it. Obama has no intention of stopping the war. He simply wants to reverse the direction of the guns.
Oh Uppity! I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the laughs you give me with your diaries and comments. Thanks! It all looks so grim, and all of a sudden one of your comments pops up. Sometimes I have to hold my belly or run to the bathroom.
Wow Gabriele now that saves money on laxatives!
I wonder if Obama’s arrogance will be noticed?
For myself I would like the next President to have an even handed approach in the Middle East. There must be a common ground — something that both sides can agree on. Bush has made such a mess out of America’s foreign affairs — we do NOT need another person who “knows it all”.
And Obama does not know people — he is absolutely ignorant about women. He does know how to USE people — how to manipulate people, how to con people. So in that sense, I guess Obama does “know” some people.
But his experiences as a mere child are NOT “foreign experience” on an adult level. And there are many levels — from the ordinary citizen to the diplomatic relationship between countries. No where do I see that he has any high level country to country experience.
Oh well he is a JERK as well as a wimp.
The thing is….he probably does have the smarts to handle foreign policy as well as the others. I have lived aborad in a number of countries, and, while I certainly don’t see myself as knowledgeable on foreign affairs, i have seen more than the average american - note I say ’seen’ and ‘lived’ among other peoples and cultures. And that experience is very valuable - I am not giving Obama kudos for his living abroad experience as it was not his doing really. But now that I am a LOT older and wiser, I notice how different I and my children (also lived abroad for many years) look at this world - as compared to most Americans, including our politicians.
And I hate to break your bubble, as you are obviously a Hillary supporter and Obama-hater - but NONE of the candidates have foreign day to day experience - NOT by a long shot.
Why does it have to be either/or?
You sound like George W. Bush; black or white, with nothing in between.
It’s quite possible NO ONE is an Obama “hater,” dear, and that any judgement is based on his simple lack of experience.
I’ve Been Told You Listen To A Lie Long Enough You’ll Eventually Become A Part Of That LIE!Where Do You People Come From Al-Qaida.
Obama is not significant enough to have personal hatered directed against him - even though “Obama Hater” is one the the Bots very favorite repsonses.
From what I reserached, I do despise the actions and things Obama has done and will NEVER vote for him nor anyone like him. Hopefully you understand the difference.
Larry is right - if you lay down with dogs who have fleas…
Another way to say, you will be judged by the company you keep - and at this point anyone who keeps company with the type of person Obama has shown himself to be, is someone who will never get my support nor vote.
Same old Larry and Susan show. Quoting right-wing nut Aaron Klein. Do you want some more Klein quotes?
Thanks for proving you are the Republican tool we all knew you were Larry. The problem I have is with you, Susan and the rest of the gang here pretending you are Democrats.
Keep legitimizing the right-wing lunatics. Maybe Jerome might visit here and join Markos is realizing what kind of poison ALL of you here are.
You miss the point. It does not matter whether Klein is a Nazi or a Commie. My point is that these are issues that will be used against Obama, whether you like it or not. As with the parable of the King who wore no clothes, I’m the little boy pointing out Barack’s public nakedness on these issues. Meanwhile, folks like you keep singing his praises about his sartorial splendor.
Do you seriously believe that Jewish American democrats who are strong supporters of Israel will overlook the Khalidi association? My Jewish friends say otherwise. I think they are right.
Who do you think you’re fooling? You allow this poster to have front page status:
How else could that be taken other than saying that Obama is an enemy of America?
You can pretend that you are only exposing what the Republicans will use, but rational, reasonable and intelligent people can see right through you. Your posts, and those of the people you have posting here, are all accusing Senator Obama of vile and disgusting things you KNOW are lies.
You and the rest of the posters here will not be welcome company with any real Democrat or Progressive. All of you will be forever linked to the slime that you perpetuate, and the people you are legitimizing.
Actually, I don’t think Obama or his followers have the best interests of this country in mind. I think he has some post-Democracy vision and very mixed allegiances. I also think those who support him are clueless about the implications of this.
I suggest you read this analysis, written by credible academics who have not been blinded by the light.
http://tinyurl.com/3fouae
ROFL!! FRONT PAGE MAG??? FUCK!!
Lookout , folks; Cee’s back.
He/she doesn’t know how to post without obscenities.
He/she thinks they make him/her sound “erudite.”
Mary,
Pay attention. I never fucking left.
MaryJo, I read FPM’s interviews and analysis you posted by Cushman, Siegel and Herf.
I have to say that despite FPM being a (neo) conservative magazine the analysis of Cushman, Siegel and Herf on Obama’s rise in politics, his political mask and his relationship with Wright are all excellent and right on.
Thanks for sharing that.
We don’t have to accuse Obama of vile and disgusting things. All we do is research the truth, find the information and publish it. But I agree that what we find is vile and disgusting. And it is definitely about Obama.
Larry has been very solicitious from the beginning in coming up with “terrible warnings” that the right wing and swiftboaters can use against Obama, — adding whether it’s true or not.
Well, Gee Thanks Larry for doing the swiftboaters job pro bono.
Hey Cujo,
What’s up with the rabid statement?
sajo, if you don’t think the “swiftboaters” could figure this one out without help, you may need some help. the ad writes itself - “obama says he knows more about foreign policy than mccain or clinton because he lived in indonesia as a child and vacationed in pakistan while in college. is this the man you want in the white house?
Have you taken your meds today?
LOOK at the denial here, a man who deals with terrorists, who was a member of the PLO, Khalidi, is a close Obama associate, Farrakhan, for god’s sake, Qaddafi’s little buddy, visited Libya with Wright and was offered one billion dollars by the good Col in the 90’s, Wright publishes a Hamas manifesto in his church bulletin, tacitly approving Hamas methodology, Auchi launders money, is connected to Qadaffi, and was Saddam’s ex bag man, we have yet to see the depth of the Rezko Syrian, and such, family tree. And Ayers? Ever read what the Weather Underground did, killing Americans, just like Qadaffi did, when he blew up the plane over Lockerbie?
This is for starters.
You see this as OK, normal, it’s only business, for Obama?
It’s CRAZY.
You, and Obama, are in denial.
Or maybe Obama isn’t.
I swear every day, everyday, Obama’s background starts to look more and more like the kid connected to the Washington DC sniper case.
a Dial without a knob once again!
You mean that is a lie that he is tight with Wright? Do you mean that is a lie that Wright
Obama’s moral compass, published in July 2007 a Hamas terror manifesto in the Pastor’s Bulletin of the Church newsletter. Do you mean it is a lie that in the bulletin Obama’s pastor, Jeremiah Wright, compared said manifesto to the American Declaration of Independence.
Do you mean it is a lie that Khalidi is against
the very existence of Israel and that Obama has
cultivated this relationship?
What of all of this is a lie Dave Dial?
Senator Obama is an imposter. He is not who he claims to be. How long must we wait for you spiteful, petty, divisive Obamabrats to put down your pom-poms and GRAB a clue? If he was HALF the man you claim he is he would not put his OWN self interests before the best interests of his constituents and his Country.
Truth is our most powerful weapon.
If I Were As Blinded By Obama’s BS As You Hopelessly Are I Wouldn’t Want To Associate Myself With No Democrat’s Or Progressives.We All Know Mr Obama Is A Closet Muslim Who Has No (HONOR),No Resume,No Plan’s,No Experience,No Common Sense,No Parity,No Sense Of Direction’s,And Nowhere To Go Except Down.
There are reasonable, rational and intelligent people among ObamaBots? Whoa, that statement states much about you.
As a PhD researcher, I can truthfully state absolutely everything posted at this wonderful site is RESEARCHED to the Nth degree and factual. All you have to do is check the citations.
Another thing that is a dead give away, is you resorting to ad hominem attacks. If you can’t respond in FACTS - just throw mud - That’s the Obama way!
Further, you prove with words, your lack of intelligence, when you use one article Larry has found to demonstrate a point.
Perhaps this may be a bit too advanced for you -just remember who Larry is, and what he actually does know to the maximum degree. Can you not realize Larry has to take what he already knows for fact, then find a PUBLICALLY accessable article to illustrate his point?
The rest of us, who do not KNOW things for fact, start by researching to find the Facts so we will know. The exact opposite approach Larry’s connections and work give him.
Frankly, Larry is an excellent teacher, and it is a joy to find so many people here hungry for facts and real knowledge.
Larry,
As a Jew, no we will not. At my synagogue there is great concern for this even among my very liberal friends. No Jew will vote for anyone who has ties to destroy or hurt Israel. PERIOD!
I agree, despite what some in the left at Haartez or Marty Peretz say.
Sorry folks. Change is coming.
You have been drinking the swill way too long. We have been talking to Iran and Syria all along. But they have their own agenda and it does not jive with ours which is a non-nuclear proliferation treaty (Iran). Despite the talks with Iran they now have more centrifuges. Do you honestly think a nubile like Obama would even begin to change their minds? They are sovereign countries and they are going to do what is in their best interest.
Ahminejahd is a hard liner (the more moderate clerics were not allowed to run for office). No way is he going to do anything the US asks. I would also suggest bringing any kind boycott of his country will not work. I suspect we would have another “oil for food” scandal under the auspices of the UN.
Then there are the other countries like Russia which are very unpredictable right now especially with a Putin crony as president and Putin as Prime Minister.
Obama does not have the experience. Four years in Indonesia and one trip to Pakistan (we only have Obama’s word for this which is highly suspect these days) does not mean he will just be able to go up and talk to any head of state. They will chew him and spit him out, while telling him not to let the door him in the a@@.
After all he said he would go and talk to the Canadian president. Well Canada has a Prime Minister…..
Nancy,
You’re wrong. Iran proposed a nuclear free Middle East years ago.
Do you seriously believe that Jewish American democrats who are strong supporters of Israel will overlook the Khalidi association? My Jewish friends say otherwise.
Larry,
People realize the damage that those who claim to support Israel have done to Israel and the US.
What you think of the article by Philip Giraldi at antiwar.com about Obama and The Lobby?
So this stuff should be kept muffled until the Republicans surprise us with it?
Sounds more like YOU are the Republican, dude.
Larry, when you have General Electric as a funder in 2 ways, money and owning NBC behind you as well as a family who holds 2 seats on General Dynamics board of directors as well as one other those being James Crown as a national finance director, war is definately not going to end with Obama, payback for this support and money is inevitable!
Maytag not proof of Obama bending over to Crwon, now General Dynamics and JP Morgan Chase!
Obama already has supported them with his votes!
It is all about judgement Larry, the judgement of who you get into bed with!
Pre Iraq, General Dynamics has sales of about 14 billion, Post Iraq war start, double, with 49 billion in resrve orders!
Interesting Larry..
Somebodys got You and NQ on Speed Dial..Looks like you really touched a nerve with this One..
Right in the 10 Ring..
Yep, I was thinking that, too.
Good.
If you really investigate Obama, one trend seems to make itself quite clear, he usually seeks out and sides with people who are either anti-American or anti-Israeli.
The right wingers are going to blow his shit right out of the water and all the Obama blogs aren’t going to know what hit them.
But, I warned them.
Some veiled reference to me no doubt.
You have far more class than that. In fact, he’d be better off if he hung with you.
Well, I don’t want him hanging with me! Even if I do like arugula.
What some of these folks miss is that this isn’t just a Democrat - Republican thing. Obama’s connections are abhorrent to America. I know I won’t support a President with ties to terrorists (Ayers and Dohrn), mobsters, thugs, racists, homophobes and slumlord fixers. And the list goes on and on.
This is an American issue. And if my Democratic party slates him as the nominee, as an American citizen I will work against him and them. Period. It’s only patriotic.
.
DAMN!
America can pick it’s presidents…
LOL…
How else could that be taken other than saying that Obama is an enemy of America?
Indifference is the enemy of America in all it’s forms. Obama has made a living in perfecting this by taking money from Exelon and voting for a bill written by the Cheney gang.
Greed is the enemy of America, in all it forms. Obama rise in political life was because he was indifferent to the greed of those he associtted with including (in this corner) Michelle “Gimme some” Obama.
Poverty is the enemey of America, in all it’s forms. Obama left people to freeze without running water and buildings left to crumple in disrepair while supporting the crook that made it happen.
Larry I agree, Fleaflicker has far more class. But even IF he hung out with Fleaflicker, I am not sure he would avail himself to what he might learn.
This meeting in california was the one hosted by this man?
Saeed Amidi.
http://www.amidigroup.com/index.html
Kite..
Indifference.to..Poverty..because of Greed..
I thought we hit bottom with the Bush Neo Cons..but it looks like this is going all the way to the Sewer..America is in the hands of Two Powerful wealty Groups..who are trying to buy Control of the Government Again..Money is no Object..They both have thier Front Men..
Rambo on Geritol…and Fakhir on Audacity
Poor Uncle Sam.. They are Stretching His Legs like a Wish Bone …
Does anyone realize what all the Money being Wasted could do for the Poor in Chicago, for people in Detroit, for katrina victims, for Poverty all over the United states..
I think many of the REALLY>>REALLY RICH..
Set Bad examples..
Now Bill (maybe Hillary) are fronts for the government of Columbia.
Columbian officials are cooperative with the Clintons and Mark Penn but President of Columbia, Uribe, is attacking Obama openly.
http://narconews.com/Issue52/article3055.html
You need to trade in the tinfoil hat Cee and get one made of Magnesium. They burn brighter.
Perhaps…it occurs to you that (maybe Hillary) is not a playa.
And your man Bush is gumming up the works?
Teak,
Why must you keep trying to hurt my feelings by being insulting?
Andy,
Thanks for the correction. I’m glad to see that you can be right about something.
Cee Hussein, before posting about this subject maybe you should learn the difference between “Columbia” and “COLOMBIA”
The president of Columbia University is attacking Obama? Overdue library books?
Count Me In Too!
I don’t completely disagree with Obama position towards the middle east but living in New York less than complete acceptance of Isreal’s foreign policy is unacceptable to the Jewish community. This is a key constituancy of the democratic party in particular their contributions to candidates. His nomination could fracture that alliance. Republicans for years have been trying to make in roads this could be their opening. Hillary knows this and her Iran vote is evidence.
Deke, this is the key to the Obama campaign. He destroys the Democratic Party that FDR built, that Truman, Kennedy, Johnson, Carter (who’s perhaps now aiding the destruction), and Clinton maintained.
By appealing to the Democrats who view themselves as “elites”, BO is being allowed to drive wedges into the Democratic base.
he intentionally breaks away the AA vote, blocks out the Hispanic and Latino vote, and turns against the Jewish-American vote. What will be left? The Toyota Prius Left is what will remain.
Obama is the GOP’s dream come true. He is the caricature of the “World luvin’, America hatin’ ‘liberal’ Democrat” that the GOP uses as a straw man.
Obama is the incarnation of that element of the Democratic Party that holds contempt for the very people they need in order to be elected to office. Perhaps the death of the donkey is overdue. Death by hubris… washed down by kool-aid.
I agree. Great analysis.
I’ve been noticing this and wondering if and how Repubs have set this up. They have said many times that their goal is to get rid of all remnants of FDR New Deal.
It is so Rovian - and evil.
I heard something after 2006 election, where some Repubs admitted that their new strategy, since Bush had done so much harm to Repubs, was to run Repubs as Dems.
I have been wondering this about Obama for a long time.
Are his supporters and Dem Party so unaware that he is GOP’s dream come true?
I don’t think we belong in either of their wars. But I CERTAINLY don’t think Obama will stop this war. I just think he will reverse the fire. That’s not acceptable to me.
I’m still trying to figure out why any Jewish voter would still even consider Obama, considering his association with Rev. Wright.
As far as Obama’s rather lengthy comments regarding his qualifications to be Commander in Chief. As I read through all of his comments (not just the small paragraph further up here), it struck me that he seemed to be rather confused as to what the Commander in Chief entails. He’s all over the place talking about foreign relations and time spent abroad, but truly… the role of Commander in Chief is rather narrow in scope, he seems to be confusing that with Head of State, or other diplomatic roles.
That’s why he believes he is better qualified to be Commander in Chief than McCain or Clinton, because he is unclear on the job description. He’s truly having many George Bush Jr. moments lately, out without a teleprompter or Axelrod nearby.
The last time a cocky know-it-all (who didn’t really know much) got in the White House, we were screwed, and we will be until January 2009.
Most don’t.
The Wright affair is a very low blow; hard to get pass that at a gut level; even less when one thinks about it.
Andy,
You wish. From Muzzlewatch:
Yglesias has his finger on the pulse of All American Jews? Since when? Besides, I didn’t see the name Rashid Khalidi in the list of Obama’s relationships. We’ll see how just how well that goes over, won’t we?
First of all, who is they?
You for got the link.
Cee, why is it that you do not express your own opinions and thought in a attempt to advance your argument?
So now the American Jewish community is “afraid”?
Obama is no friend of Israel.
Nag,
This mud isn’t sticking to the wall like Clinton Bush supporters hoped.
McCain won’t touch it because he has a Hagree problem.
Cee, I don’ “wish” I know.
And please; quoting Matthew Yglesias on this topic (or Alterman) is laughable. Since when are any of these two the “pulse” of the jewish community?
Yglesias #@*&?!?!
And what does your quote have to do with their reaction to Wright?
Cee, I don’t “wish” I know.
And please; quoting Matthew Yglesias on this topic (or Alterman) is laughable. Since when are any of these two the “pulse” of the jewish community?
Yglesias #@*&?!?!
And what does your quote have to do with their reaction to Wright?
Andy,
MOST people are decent and smart enough not to tar people based on the woods or actions of others.
The Wright smear isn’t working.
The Phelegar smear isn’t working.
The Meeks smear isn’t working.
The Farrakhan smear isn’t working.
Next?
Then why hasn’t Obama closed the deal?
Forget Wright. The biggest anti-semetic in his crowd is Farrakhan.
The more he speaks, the less I can picture him as Commander in Chief. America, and especially young America is being duped, and hopefully, many will wake up before it is too late. We’ve already had 8 years of someone who did not know what the job entailed. Can we really afford another 4 years of the same if we get Obama?
Obama thinks that he understands the world better than Clinton? Who is his speechwriter, Lewis Carroll?
Alfred E. Newman
What, me worry?
Barack Obama clearly does not have experience ducking sniper fire with his daughter while in the midst of a warzone.
Cello,
Referring to this is so stupid. She embellished. OMG… maybe we should stone her! Her trip was told about the possibility of sniper fire occurring, but luckily, it did not. This is not to say that she has never been in a situation like that, though.
Why would Obama believe never having served is something to be proud of?
How many grunts would want him on your 6?
Barack Obama is a wannabe, not quite ready for primetime. Even if he was ready for primetime, I wouldn’t vote for him. He is all blowhard, no substance.
I just saw a clip of Obama speaking to Petreaus on the BBC news and I swear that he seems to be holding back smiling; like an actor that all of a sudden becomes conscious of the camera.
Has anyone else see this?
I heard Nelson gave him his turn to speak b/c Obama “claimed” to have a scheduling conflict!! Can you believe this? Surely making sure too get a clip ready for the evening news….
Meant
“Has anyone else seen this? “
He asked the chair for “indulgence” and proceeded to brattle on worse than 5 year old, well past the point of indulgence.
WingNut Daily already has some Obama ammo:
That’s right, someone gave Wright a box of matches and told him to play with fire.
Obama was(and still is) a member of this same church.
http://www.bizzyblog.com/2008/03/17/tuccs-church-bulletins-from-july-2007-probably-make-whether-obama-was-present-on-July-22-irrelevant/
http://www.bizzyblog.com/wp-images/TUCChamasColumn072207.jpg
This guy’s freakin’ nukular. The audacity of hope, give me some of what that preacher is smokin!
For the record, Hamas has earned legitmate political standing in the most recent elections, not all of the assertions are accurate, but the general perception of Hamas is a key part of the problem. Leslie Blitzer gets into concern tone every time they are mentioned.
We really expect the MSM to not go for the throat with this kind of material?
They earned “legitimate political standing” only within Gaza (and maybe some of the Arab countries).
Hamas -just as Hezbollah — is a terrorist group.
Larry you missed MY favorite part of the quote
Obama fielded a question on what he’s looking for in a running mate, HuffPo’’s Mayhill Flower writes.
“I would like somebody who knows about a bunch of stuff that I’m not as expert on,” the senator is quoted as saying. “I think a lot of people assume that might be some sort of military thing to make me look more commander-in-hief-like.
sounds like he’s channeling bush. lol.
bunch of stuff ….the speech of a muddled and clutter mind.
What I draw from that is the Bush - cheney setup.
What a funky way of saying he is not qualified.
What is he an expert on? No seriously, what IS his expertise?
queue the crickets….