The Obama Campaign: Consent of, or Contempt for, the People
By Joseph Wilson on April 17, 2008 at 3:08 PM in Afghanistan, Barack Obama, CIA, Foreign Aid, Foreign affairs, Hillary Clinton, Iraq, NATO, Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr., William Ayers
Originally published at Huffington Post. Reprinted with express permission.
__________________________________
Senator Obama’s ill-conceived remarks likening small town Americans to embittered guns-and-God bigots have triggered a justifiable furor. Not only are the remarks insulting, but also factually incorrect.
As it happens, at the same event in San Francisco, Senator Obama made other remarks, equally startling, insulting our Foreign Service, Intelligence Officers, members of Congress who provide oversight, and friendly governments. Like his comments about small town Americans, Obama demonstrated a cavalier disregard for Americans who every day get up determined to make this a better country, whether running the general store in a small town, or representing our national security interests in a foreign country.
This is what Obama said:
Experience in Washington in not knowledge of the world. This I know. When Senator Clinton brags, ‘I’ve met leaders from 80 countries,’ I know what those trips are like. I’ve been on them. You go from the airport to the embassy. There’s a group of children who do a native dance. You meet with the C.I.A. station chief and the embassy and they give you a briefing. You go take a tour of a plant that with the assistance of USAID has started something. And then you go.
Obama’s arrogance and contempt for career professionals in the national security community is palpable. His contempt reminds me of something Bill Kristol, the editor of the right wing war mongering Weekly Standard, said in a debate with me shortly after the launching of the Iraq War in 2003. We were in Midland, Texas, Laura Bush’s home town, and Kristol was asked if he had ever spent time in the Middle East region, to which he responded “I’ve always believed on the ground experience is highly overrated.”
That callous disregard for professional expertise and experience is, of course, one of the reasons we so badly miscalculated the consequences of our actions in Iraq. That arrogance is no less offensive coming from Senator Obama. And it is no less wrongheaded.
Foreign Service Officers, Intelligence operatives, and USAID development experts carry out the mandate of our government to represent the interests of the United States, to understand the dynamics in a foreign society so as to better advise our own government on policies to be pursued, and work to improve relations between the United States and the country in question. The world is a dangerous and precarious place, and there are serious issues that constantly need to be engaged with foreign governments. It requires hard work and diligence. We ignore or denigrate that work at our peril.
Senator Obama should know better. After all, in his professional capacity as Chairman of the Senate subcommittee responsible for Europe and NATO, he was in charge of ensuring Congressional oversight of the administration’s efforts to generate greater NATO support for operations in Afghanistan.
The fact that, by his own admission, he was too busy running for president to convene a single meeting of that subcommittee, should not absolve him of responsibility for acquiring at least some understanding of and respect for the work of career professionals who dedicate their lives to the service of their country.
I was one of those public servants for twenty-three years. My colleagues and I, whether in the Foreign Service, the Military or the Central Intelligence Agency, were and are motivated by a commitment to serve the values that have made this country free and secure, values that are enshrined in our founding documents, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
In exercising our responsibilities, we were careful to ensure that members of Congress were kept abreast and made partners in our efforts to keep America safe. When they visited our posts, we went out of our way to provide substantive briefings, meetings with senior host government officials, trips to USAID projects so elected representatives could see for themselves what the United States was doing to assist citizens of the recipient country improve their lot in life. And yes, there were cultural events, to broaden the perspectives of the visitors and to show respect for the indigenous culture they were being introduced to. Our goal in this was to ensure that those who represent the American people in Congress better understood what we were doing because more knowledge leads to better decisions.
Judgment is not intuitive, as Senator Obama asserts; from my hard-won experience as a Foreign Service Officer, that judgment is learned.
Obama has made plain that he is not bothered in the slightest about belittling the work of Foreign Service and CIA Officers serving overseas, often in dangerous circumstances, any more than he is about denigrating Americans from small towns or blaming democrats in Congress, and especially Hillary Clinton, for George W. Bush’s war in Iraq. It was not ironic that he made both comments at the same fundraiser in San Francisco. The contempt is consistent.
Trashing Congress, small town Americans, and career national security professionals, while befriending Jeremiah Wright and Weather Underground terrorist Bill Ayers may be a winning electoral strategy. Who knows? Time will tell. But I suspect that many small town Americans are as offended as my professional colleagues and I by this display of contempt from one who seeks our consent to govern.
Beautiful words of truth. We small town folk don’t care much for Obama’s contempt of everything not Obama. The only thing greater than his inexperience is his ego.
Fleaflicker,
I almost passed an entire CornNut through my nose. Stop that.
-V
Photos, please.
Please, all of you who are offended by Obama “and friends”, please email Nancy Pelosi and Howard Dean to tell THEM and the superdelegates!!! STOP OBAMA NOW!!!
Well said. Lately our country has become more dismissive of experience. I have been a businessman for more than 30 years and I wish I had the experience now than I did when I first started. I had 4 years in college 2 years of graduate study and numerous post graduate courses and certificates and I learned more from working than I ever learned in the classroom. In fact I learned more from the misstakes I made than from my successes.
Oh the same here! My degrees got me in doors but I didn’t know squat till the Real World kicked in. Theory isn’t practice, that’s for SURE.
I know plenty of senseless educated people too.
Obama: I Am A Pretty Darned Good Politician
Must watch video shows OBama’s arrogance. Reminds me of Bush infact Hitler.
http://embeds.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/04/16/obama-i-am-pretty-darned-good-politician/
Dear Mr. Wilson: Great article. Thank you so much for your well-written articles and the wealth of information you provide to WE THE PEOPLE. Obama, his campaign and his followers are not backing the people of this great nation by trashing those who ask Obama questions or disagree with his viewpoint on any given topic. I have admired you and your wife for a long long time. I would like to thank both of you for your service to our great country and I would like to apologize to both of you to those who do not give you the respect you so richly deserve. All my best.
expresses my sentiments so well I have nothing to add!
thank you for your service Ambassador
“Judgment is not intuitive, as Senator Obama asserts; from my hard-won experience as a Foreign Service Officer, that judgment is learned.”
The above sentence is yet another example of Obama’s similarity to Bush. Bush doesn’t need any facts — he just goes with his gut, or looks into Putin’s eyes and knows what’s in his heart. Look where foreign policy based on crap like that has gotten us. Hillary has enough sense to seek information from professionals in the foreign service and also has enough strength of character to seek said information from more sources than just the yes-men that Bush and Obama favor.
I would like to hear a journalist ask the Senator, if he was elected President, would he forego diplomatic trips to foreign countries since he seems to feel they are a waste of time, going from the airport to the embassy and watching a native dance?
This I know. When Senator Clinton brags, ‘I’ve met leaders from 80 countries,’ I know what those trips are like. I’ve been on them.
What diplomatic trips has be been on in service of our country, to be able to say this? I can’t find any and a high school trip to “Terrorland” doesn’t count.
Joe Wilson for Sec. of State.? I love that guy….He’s so RATIONAL.
LOL…Well there’s that trip he went on where he got an ONION BAGEL HAT…
Does that count…LOL
He says “I’ve been on them”, the only trip I can find is dope.
Well he does stay in touch with his cousin Odinga daily, for the Body Count.
Face it…..
Obama said what ALL politicians think.
He was just arrogant/stupid enough to say it out loud.
Could there be something to it?
Maybe.
I’ve driven all over the 50 states and observed that , by and large, the American people are the nicest, most honest people you could ask for.
BUT….fucking clueless - most of the time.
BUT, I don’t think people are religious or gun owners because of an unrealized economic success.
That’s just who they are - and held in contempt for it by those who would rule them.
I know it’s terribly fashionble to be cynical….but not all politicians are like OBAMESSIAH…..Some actually work hard to serve.
Mr. Wilson,
You and your wife are heroes & patriotic citizens of this great country.
Senator Obama is so arrogant and inexperience in public relations. Lately, he shows he has no wisdom but has lots of ego.
Mr. Wilson, pls. do your best to WAKE-UP AMERICA by exposing Senator Obama’s true color BEFORE it is too late! Save America from his Bushism of arrogance, ignorance, lying,spining,inefficiency & unpatriotism!
PLEASE!!
You gotta love Joe Wilson. He never stops putting himself on the line for Truth. He’s seen thugs and setups before and he recognizes one when he sees him.
He was obviously trying to denigrate Clinton and equate her years of experience down to his level, which is practically zero.
If what he said was true, that going on vacation or living in foreign countries for a couple of years is all the experience that you need to be POTUS, then this this country is in a lot of trouble.
That fact that he may have been insulting or belittling government employees was not a factor to him. Insulting Clinton was his goal. Government employees were just collateral damage.
You know, the thing that’s really interesting about all this is his audience. Do they really buy these ridiculous statements or arguments? I mean, they’re totally lacking in common sense.
Ambassador Wilson,
It is good to read your opinion here. How can one value the Olympics game opening ceremonies and America perhaps being a ‘no-show’ as a political move?
Steve Clemons blog makes a statement on the Beijing Olympics, by comparing it to 1968’s Gold Medal Awards and an expression for Black Power.
http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/archives/2008/04/the_china_games/#comment-105580
My opinion matches his to this extent, the Olympics can take on valid political context within the spectrum of competition. Using visibility provided it can elevate topics symbolically. Women medalists at the Olympics can be the ones to elevate the status of womens’ rights in China, perhaps even beyond the scope of what diplomats can afford to say.
Mostly this is an item of political parsing. Frequent Washington Note commentator Taho Editor nails the dual contrasts of rhetoric to policy by one who has talked to the topic for some additional political visibility.
Posted by Tahoe Editor Apr 16, 7:01PM -
http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/archives/2008/04/the_china_games/#comment-105580
Sen.Hillary Clinton appears ready to make a statement at expense of the Ceremonies, and still celebrate America’s participation in the games.
Clemons thinks this is a reach. Without threat or incentive what can we assume will provide impetus to policy changes? Engagement works better for the most part, but without some kind of symbolic item that could call greater attention, will it be brokered with any hope of driving change? Then again having a woman President attend games could be even greater in helping change emerge to the East.
One finds it difficult to see incentives working this, they have enough of our dollars already and any trade agreements are likely to shatter any cohesive domestic political entity at this time.
Staying the course is not going to work either. We lack legitimate leverage to make them change a lot of items at this time. A regional and world effort needs to develop.
One of our leaders is calling for action to influence policy geopolitically. The other is making weak efforts to copycat. You can put the Darfur emphasis into perspective regionally, from your experience. It really appears this is a kind of pattern change indicator, emerging client states and their sponsors have obligations to uphold.
There’s so many eggshell comparisons to make, we have little moral standing to demand others change without being exemplary. The only item we could perhaps use in this regard would be trying persuade them to drive aid and trade instead of ammo. Even if it’s their goods, use our currency, that they’ve bought from us as part of their underwriting our tax cuts.
We must find ways to integrate pillars of policy. Could you describe the extent to which Darfur’s’ strategic locale could impact energy concerns of the world?
Could we begin to address the Ukraine’s efforts to drive policy through use of scale commodities, Libya being an example?
Prof.Krugman blogs this topic @ his NYT page, if I remember correctly. New models are emerging, if we find a way to level the market there using the strategic resources we have with an allied effort we can mitigate other’s emerging sector dominance.
They’ll do it without our input otherwise.
Dear Mr. Wilson,
I echo many of the comments made heretofore in offering a BIG FAT THANK-YOU SIR.
Thank-you for your dedicated service to this great country.
Thank-you for daring to tell the truth in this election cycle (time and time again).
Thank-you for exhibiting one of the traits I admire most about you, THAT BEING YOUR INTEGRITY.
Thank-you for exhibiting yet another admirable trait, THAT BEING YOUR LOYALTY.
and last but not least,
Thank-you for interjecting COMMON SENSE into the discourse.
I look forward to reading Mrs. Wilson’s book as soon as I can get my grubby little hands on it.
Senator Obama’s ill-conceived remarks likening small town Americans to embittered guns-and-God bigots have triggered a justifiable furor
Ambassador Wilson,
I respect you but can’t disagree with yoy more.
I’ve been canvassing for Obama and only one person mentioned this.
He laughed when he said how ridiculous it was.
Obama’s arrogance and contempt for career professionals in the national security community is palpable
I don’t know his mind. I know that I hold some in contempt. Where were they when they should have holding press conferences and writing op-eds like you did to avert the disater we are in?
I don’t trust your choice in candidates and I’m glad that she won’t be tested.
We’ll be in a war provoked by Israel.
Damn, Cee, you’re hittin’ the sauce hard and early tonight.
I don’t think her flea collar is doing its job …
Beehop,
Why must you be a gnat?
PMS,
Too bad you don’t have anything to add to the discussion.
Will Hillary demand an apology from Bibi?
Will she reject and denounce him?
I’m glad that she won’t be tested.
We’ll be in a war provoked by Israel.
What kind of a bullshit, Cheney-like fear mongering statement is that???
Elect Hillary and we’re all gonna die?? Talk about reactionary.
Cee Hussein are you ANTI-SEMITIC ? You sound like it.
INCOMING>>>>>
Mr. Wilson:
My best to you and your wife Valerie; as you both know, there are many of us who have served in the government in various capacities that have supported you both through your recent travails with the Bush Cabal, and nothing herein will alter that support in any way whatsoever!
I am a delegate to the convention in Denver and, as of this writing, am planning to cast my vote for Senator Obama. I was also an attendee at the event in Marin you, and many others are characterizing, and I must say good sir, you know not of what you speak! First, this occasion was a social event, a good old American cocktail party; and, of course, political banter abounded, some thoughtful and some not so thoughtful. I feel sure that you and your wife have attended more of these than you care to remember. What I can assure you of is that there was not a single disparaging thing said, by anyone, about the American people or the people that dedicate their lives to their service. There were many expressions of concern about the sorrows and desperation of many of the American people, and to be sure, how ill served they have been by their government in the past few years. There were many people there that have supported the Clinton’s with their time and money for many years, several of whom, myself amongst them, who even attended Bill Clinton’s inaugurals in DC. Most of us are of the opinion that the Clinton’s have become a part of that which we believe needs to be changed in our national politics; on this we obviously do not presently agree.
Be that as it may be, my purpose herein is not to sway your political choices as much as it is a simple request to think seriously about what is afoot in the current political theatre. Think about the service and work of my friend Scott Ritter in trying to warn his country about the corruption of intelligence in both the Clinton and Bush administrations regarding the work he was doing in Iraq as the leader of the UN weapons inspectors. Think about the lifetime of work of Dr. Chalmers Johnson, Richard Clark and James Bamford, and the veteran journalistic integrity of Seymour Hersh and the recently published investigative work of Jeremy Scahill; and treat your reason, good sir, to the below cited article by Robert Parry, who has been undaunted in his efforts to provide the American people with honest and accurate accounts of political corruption and misuse of government privilege. I, and all of these people sir, chose to defend you and yours against the wrongs you were subjected to, with no thought of political or personal gain, because it was, and still is, the proper thing to do.
So, if you will, lend your attention to Robert Parry for a few undivided moments, and consider the specific context of the issue he is reporting on. It speaks to a much larger context, as I believe any thoughtful person will discern, and begs the question as to just what the motives for such a wanton disregard for truth might be. As the proverbial ‘bard’ once penned, “Ambition, should be made of sterner stuff!”
TA
http://www.consortiumnews.com/Print/2008/041708.html
Utter cark.
The audio recording says otherwise. The man has no clue what goes on with white middle-class America or even whats important to them.
As far as Obama foreign experience goes, he has stated that experience and foreign service is irrelevant and vastly overstated his own non-existent experience. IOW experts who spent their adult lives studying a area know less than he does.
Its funny that he bases his vast foreign policy experience living in Indonesia as a middle-class child for a short time and later visiting Pakistan two times.
If that were a valid criteria then most folks who take multiweek or month long vacations in Europe and Asia would be area experts.
Its not though, its pathetic.
You’re polishing a turd.
SirScud,
I must admit you surpised me. Other than your puerile Incoming at the beginning of your comment - it seems you do have the capability to speak at an adult level.
That “article” you link to is factually inaccurate as William Ayers is a Professor of Education - not English, at the University of Illinois Chicago. There are many more inaccuracies, but I am not willing to take the time to parse them now.
Not knowing whether you prefer the confines of your gated property, there is no way of knowing your experience with “Average Americans”.
Let me inform you that many of us are aware of George Soros and your ilk financing Obama. It’s because, as with his “finance chair” Penny Pritzker, you mostly likely need an assured pardon for your deceits involving the current Sub-Prime/fiancial crises.
Further, we are familiar with George Soros scorn for the IMF and his intention to eliminate it. There is also documented proof of plans to privitize not only Social Security, but also ALL Federal and State Pension Systems. As history predicts the future, Americans have absolutely no basis to trust that your judgement has improved in such a short time, nor your greed has subsided to less seriouls levels. You have no right to the assets Americans have earned, unlike the manner in which you obtained your wealth.
You need to know, that thanks to Bush Sr, I have had Saudi Princes as University students, who have had at least half your wealth as their “pocket change”. Your position and accured wealth, whether from trust funds or greed, do not intimidate nor impress.
For you to support the thuggish and plain old fashion mobster behaviors, exhibited by Obama and his surrogates, speaks volumes about your own lack of character and worth as a person.
For these reasons I have forwarded much material to Pelosi’s oppenent in the upcoming primaries. It is all factual and thoroughly fact checked. Pelosi’s scorn for those whom she is supposed to represent, and her defying her oath of office, warrant her dismissal, as she is unfit for the honor she was given in 2006.
Nasty “Nellie”:
Suffice it to say, your vitriolic and pejoritive screed speaks for itself. For one to spew such hateful nonsense at ones fellows is a sad affair, but do not despair of it; it is but yet another still-born dark product of your travail into the dark abyss of malignant narcissism.
Here is an update on the previous piece that you enjoyed so much:
http://www.consortiumnews.com/Print/2008/041708a.html
Say hello to Cindy from Scud at the Crawford Peace House.
Oh scud,
As to perjoratives - if the shoe fits….
No, I am not supporting Cindy Sheehan, although her heart is in the right place, she has yet to rise to the professionalism and qualifications I deem necessary for leadership.
Although I stated my opinion, I did not descend to your level of ad hominem attacks. Yes, a common and easily discernable trait among the ObamaZoids - and no I didn’t create the term - it is commonly used all over the net.
You may want to take time to check out Lynn Sweet’s columns from the “The Chicago Sun Times”. Seems Chicago African Americans (AA’s) dubbed your fatal candidate choice as “Bambi” as far back as 2003.
As to narcssism - the French adage applies to you
Qui accuse, S’accuse!
“Nasty Nellie”- Your unsubstantiated assumptions are more than curious, as are your raving and ranting about “gated communities”, teaching “Saudi princes”, and your veiled support of IMF policy. Were you on that little junket with Joe Wilson and William Crystal by any chance? If the screed you contribute herein is an example of your voracity as a university teacher, those “princes” sure aren’t getting their money’s worth.
As Sen. Clinton and Stephanopoulos surely know, that edition went to press on Sept. 10, hours before the 9/11 attacks. In other words, the Ayers comment had no relationship to the 9/11 attacks.
Sir Scud,
Now I really want to know how she feels about Netanyahu.
He did say that 9-11 was good for Israel on the day it happened.
As you can see above, he has said it again. Also notice Hillary smiling at him in the 2007 photo.
CEE HUSSEIN IS ANTI-SEMITIC
As far as Netanyahu’s leadership - I feel he is as radical as Cheney and the Neo-Cons.
Simon Peres is more my type of leader. Do with it as you will!
However, Isreal is not my major conncern at this moment - I am much more concerned with the seriously flawed Manchurian Candiate named Obama - who will bring untold grief to America, and much of the world.
It doesn’t matter WHEN Ayers interview took place - it is the attitude and thoughts he expressed that are abhorrent. The timing just excerbated the situation.
Over a decade ago, I saw a TV special featuring one late 20’s AA. It was a two hour special and in this young man’s opinion, he had no choice but to shoot a big fat white dude in the gut - because the stupid white guy refused to hand him his wallet, when the young man ordered him to do so. They were at a Gas Station in Maryland.
You ObamaZoids are as equally twisted and irresponsible in your own actions and thinking processes. And like William Ayers, you see nothing wrong with it!!
Of course the “interview” of the ObamaZoid with Chris Matthews, after the debate, PROVES positive the fact that Obama is building a cult, not a political campaign!
Ambassador Wilson:
so good to have your words.
Obama is always talking about judgment and that Hillary does
not have good judgment.
How can Obama claim judgment when we have lies about the
gun questionnaire, pals like Rezko Wright and Ayers and
Auchi, and no committee meeting on Afghanistan and Iran.
talk about bad judgment. Hillary is so much better and was
the first one to talk about the need for more troops to do the
work the right way. we know you know, but you are a powerful
voice and you can talk about the best judgement Hillary’s!
thank you!
A. The majority of Obama supporters have nothing but contempt for those who do not support Obama. There may be a few exceptions, but the other 98% give them a bad name.
B. If Obama’s ‘intuitive judgement’ is so good, then why all the W.O.R.M.s?
Because the non-believers don’t understand him. So its up to the Obama priesthood like to translate the words of the great one.
Ambassador Wilson..
Yours are Great and Toughtful words..Thank you for sharing those Comments and opinions with Us..I agree with you on every point…and thank You, and all the other Professionals you make refence too who serve our nation with such dedication and LOYALTY…I too have found all of the Ones I have known and met to be Highly dedicated..and ALL share the same VALUES that you refer too..unlike many of our Politicians..
you cannot replace on the ground experience and contact with those in Our Government who can advise you best about matters in the region, or who you may need advice from in the future..if One really does care about the WELFARE od the United states in the long run..
My Impression of senator Obama’s Contemptious Attitude and remarks is that His dedication and his VALUES appear to me, to be the totally opposite from Yours, or the Foreign service, Intel, CIA, or military Folks you mentioned..
And, Since they appear to be Opposite, they are reflected in his Remarks and Attitude, which reminds me of the attitude and Comments of His “Pastor”…That being an Attitude of “GOD DAMN THE USKKK of A.”…which places Senator Obamas Values Apart for Yours, Ambassador Wilson, and explains why He, as a Politician and Political Activist…wants to seek out “Other” sources and Expierences than a “Typical White Person” in Government Might..
Just an Opinion..
[…] The Obama Campaign: Consent of, or Contempt for, the People (by former Ambassador Joseph Wilson, posted at No Quarter) Senator Obama’s ill-conceived remarks likening small town Americans to embittered guns-and-God bigots have triggered a justifiable furor. Not only are the remarks insulting, but also factually incorrect. As it happens, at the same event in San Francisco, Senator Obama made other remarks, equally startling, insulting our Foreign Service, Intelligence Officers, members of Congress who provide oversight, and friendly governments. Like his comments about small town Americans, Obama demonstrated a cavalier disregard for Americans who every day get up determined to make this a better country, whether running the general store in a small town, or representing our national security interests in a foreign country. […]
You know, I think it’s dismissive and degrading to the countries in question, as well. He says “children do a native dance” which implies that it’s sort of stupid and meaningless, when in reality those types of things are cultural olive branches. What an immature fool.
Mortgage Calculator Currency Conversion Financing
I didn’t agree with you first, but last paragraph makes sense for me
Whitey tape - the truth is out there
THE WHITEY TAPE HAS LANDED!!!!!
…