Comments on: Obama: Carter's Hamas meeting was a 'bad idea'

By: Al Bush

Al Bush — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 23:19:00 +0000

Well it looks like I have arrived at the hater's blog. Obama said that he wld meet with "world leaders" about their bad behaviors and speak to the "world leaders" that we have issues with. He didn't say that he wld meet with the heads of every criminal enterprise. "world leaders" eg Kim jongill of north korea, akmid medejenadad of Iran, Juego Chavez of Venezuela. Leader who are considered in bush's little axis of evil. For the republican can't preach about meeting with leaders b/c we still haven't found bin laden and guess what nobody wants to meet with us to try to locate him. In the mean while spending billion per day in Iraq. Guess what he may not be there. So chopping up the words of a man without seeing the whole picture is not only ignorant but un american. Because like bush we don't need all the fact just little pieces and parts to make a case. We don't need the whole puzzle just a little piece. Stop the hate Obama 08

By: democracy?

democracy? — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 22:43:48 +0000

Who said if Hillary wins the US will be internationally dispised? I came from a foreign country, got my Ph.d. in the US. I have lots of international friends, and we all hold high respect to Clintons. In fact, about 90% of us will vote for her. As to Obama, in our own language, he is a "Huyo" -- a man who only uses words to incite people but lacks any record or ability to deliver. He didn't earn his today's position by any concrete work. Vote Hillary!

By: The truth

The truth — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 22:42:33 +0000

No Obama...

Was it your idea to meet with our enemies... You need to fire your advisor who told you to say this...
We liked you because you challenged the status quo...I donated a lot of money and was excited about you, but if you can change your opinion this quickly then good bye
You may get a few jewish votes for this but you are going to loose millions of people who liked your ideas of improving America's image in the world. The core of this image will be solving the Israeli-Palestenian conflict...

By: INDY PENDENT

INDY PENDENT — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 22:39:17 +0000

Oh... that Jimmy Cater. I thought he was dead.

By: DJ, LA, CA

DJ, LA, CA — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 22:29:22 +0000

He only SPOKE to them and was offered a 10 year truce. It wasn't an official visit.

Yes I'm sure they do have many supporters in the U.S. as there are many many thousands of Palestinians living here.

What do you people expect? They Palestinians lost their country and had it replaced by Israel. Israel must come to grips and finally offer a serious dialogue to offer a reasonable peace offer with the Palestinians.

By: Yes Carter

Yes Carter — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 22:29:12 +0000

Obama please do not play politics on this...Was it your idea we should meet with our friends and our enemies??

I support you and have donated several times to your campaign, but I don't agree with you on this. I understand you want to please the jewish by this talk but you will loose your self and your prinicples...

Carter is right and he is a brave maaaaaaaan

By: INDY PENDENT

INDY PENDENT — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 22:27:21 +0000

Who's Jimmy Carter?

By: CM

CM — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 22:24:20 +0000

In my opinion, Hamas is a rebel group fighting for a cause (whatever that maybe). They do not represent a state/country; as a result, Obama is correct in his analysis. Carter should not have gone there to meet with their representatives. This type of discussion should occur through other channels.

Willing to meet with leaders of enemy states is different than meeting with representatives of a rebel group.

By: Zac

Zac — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 22:21:32 +0000

WHAT?! This is out and out pandering from Obama. So much for meeting "without precondition." I am sorely disappointed. What's the point in talking at all, if you refuse to do it unless they already agree to what you're going to talk about! Obama 08, even though I'm not as thrilled as I once was...

By: Nathan

Nathan — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 22:10:12 +0000

And yet Obama is on the record as saying he will meet with Ahmenijad, as much of a terrorist as the leadership of HAMAS. Carter was humiliated in the mid-east this week and if Obama becomes President, the US will be humiliated for 4 years.

By: Sal in Phoenix

Sal in Phoenix — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 22:08:26 +0000

Obama, you're a day late and a dollar short..why don't you try to come up with an idea of your own once in awhile..I think we're starting to catch on to your underhanded tactics.

By: big_puppy

big_puppy — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 22:07:33 +0000

Everyone wants Obama to answer of every remark made by any and everyone. Give us a break.

By: kd

kd — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 22:03:11 +0000

What Obama said was that he does not have a problem with meeting with "world leaders" of various countries. Palestine is not a a recognize country.

IRAN is a recoginize country with an elected leader.

Chris you said it best – WAKE UP Folks and do your research!!!!!!

By: Grif

Grif — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:55:17 +0000

But Obama... Mr Carter Love's you...

By: Young Rep

Young Rep — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:55:03 +0000

Actually Hamas controls the Gaza Strip while the Fatah control the West Bank. They recently were fighting with each but have decided to have talks about the leadership of the PLO. Hamas has two wings political and military. Obama has flip floped on this issue..plain and simple. No matter what argument you make he has.... By the way Hamas did declare in Nov 2006 that all muslims should attack the U.S. and it is widely known that Hamas may have cells inside the United States...

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:53:49 +0000

Native April 22nd, 2008 3:16 pm ET

Obama says talking to Hamas is bad…. yet Obama has repeatedly said he would talk to Iran's leader Ahmadinejad (who recently called Israel a filthy bacteria, questioned the holocost, and supports a Palestine free of the jews).

What's the difference, Obama?

The difference Native. Is that Hamas is a terror group and Iran is a major nation.

By: Tinac

Tinac — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:52:59 +0000

Aren't there people in office that are taxes pay for who can go and have these meetings? Why Carter and why now?

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:50:38 +0000

Obama is intelligent and insightfull. Carter was a silly old man when he was President and now he is just as silly and much older. About McBush's age?

By: Tea Party

Tea Party — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:49:52 +0000

Comedian Larry Miller said it best: "The Palestinians want their own country. There's just one thing about that: there are no Palestinians. It's a made up word. Israel was called Palestine for two thousand years. Like 'Wiccan,' 'Palestinian' sounds ancient but is really a modern invention." "Instead, let's call them what they are: 'Other Arabs From The Same General Area Who Are In Deep Denial About Never Being Able To Accomplish Anything In Life And Would Rather Wrap Themselves In The Seductive Melodrama Of Eternal Struggle And Death.'" Hamas, the "Palestinians" and Ol' Moss-back Jimmy Carter are a pack of tools, an odd-fitting and functionally-useless pack of tools, at that.

By: Kalifornia

Kalifornia — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:44:45 +0000

In a previous debate Obama said he would meet with our enemies without and preconditions.

Our enemies are licking their chops...

By: Praetorian, Fort Myers

Praetorian, Fort Myers — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:43:28 +0000

If the Palistinian people choose to elect terrorists as their leaders-then they will suffer the consequences. Perhaps next election–they will make wiser choices.

Our nations foreign policy and position on terrorist organizations should not alter..

We can still provide humanitarian services to the Palistinian people–but we should in no way negotiate with a gang of terrorists like Hamas–who have killed, or attempted to kill Americans, Israeli's and others in the name of their Jihad.

By: Ca Native

Ca Native — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:41:18 +0000

HMmmm... didn't congress recently vote to call Iran's elite guard a terrorist organization???

Yeah – let's sit down with Iran but shun Hamas. No hypocrisy when it supports the Obama campaign.

By: Larry, West Covina CA

Larry, West Covina CA — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:39:47 +0000

Did Barack Obama say it was a "bad idea" of President Carter to talk with Hamas? If my memory serves me well, he said that we should talk to our adversaries. This Barack Obama character is just full of hot air!

By: Andre

Andre — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:34:38 +0000

I'm not an Obama supporter, but his position on Hamas has NEVER changed. He is exactly right in criticizing Carter's efforts!

After all, Hamas launched an attack on Israel the DAY AFTER Carter's first meeting with one of their leaders. And perhaps somebody can point out what exactly did Carter "achieve" with his meetings? Besides allowing Hamas murderers to make him look like an even bigger fool?

And a quick note to Diva from Pennsylvania: read some history. It may produce some intelligent opinions for a change.

By: jimmy vekmen

jimmy vekmen — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:33:15 +0000

IT HAS BEEN OBAMA'S IDEA TO TALK DIRECTLY TO OUR ENEMIES
AND HE HAS SAID THAT MANY TIMES. HILLARY TOLD OBAMA, THAT ANY TALKS WITH OUR ENEMIES, SPECIFICALLY iRAN WOULD HAVE TO BE PRECEDED BY LOWER LEVEL DIPLOMATIC AND SECRET TALKS BETWEEN THE PARTIES. OBAMA TAKES THE OPPOSITE VIEW BY DIRECT TALKS WITHOUT PRELIMINARY NEGOTIATIONS. iT IS THE MOST OBVIOUS SIGN OF OBAMA'S INEXPERINCE IN FOREIGN POLICY . THAT AND OTHER SUBJECT OF HIS SPEECHES CAST A LOT OF DOUBT ON OBAMA'S QUESTIONABLE CREDENTIALS FOR PRESIDENT.
I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT ALL THIS IS JUST GIVING THE REPUBLICANS MORE AMMUNITION TO DEFEAT OBAMA IN NOVEVMBER.

By: Charlie, Odenton, MD

Charlie, Odenton, MD — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:33:08 +0000

Barack, I will call him that because he is not worthy enough to be called Mr Obama, or President Obama (god help us), although Hamas is a "government known" terrorist organization, they do impact much of what happens in the Palestinian orgins. President Carter, has done more for bringing together people and organizations from around the world than most can imagine. He is a humanitarian and he is out to get the parties that need to be present there, and talking. Hamas is just another example. Sure its not necessarily the most popular thing, but it needs to be done. As does the American population, needs to realize that with Barack at the helm, expect more corruption in our government, high taexes for everyone, and most importantly a long long time before we ever see our USD (for those who dont know United States Dollar) be worth even considering on the open trade market.

By: jimmy vekmen

jimmy vekmen — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:33:01 +0000

By: Tell It Like It Is

Tell It Like It Is — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:31:38 +0000

Hamas is an organization whose representatives were democratically elected into the government posiions they now hold.

Are they responsible for terrorists acts, "YES, they are"

But they were put in power by the electorate; just like the we elect offiicals in the US

By: thomasr@yahoo.com

thomasr@yahoo.com — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:31:03 +0000

Carter continues to prove himself as a self interested, egotistical maniac. He wasn't successful as a president and he isn't about to become successful now.

By: beyonce pride

beyonce pride — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:29:54 +0000

THE SUPER DELEGATES WILL RALLY BEHIND HILLARY IF SHE WINS BY 10 points, proving Obama can't win Blue COllar workers, the people the democrats need to win the general election with. Obama better be scared, that the race could be over for him if she gets that 10 percent and she gets all the remaining 300 super delegates. He would have no chance but to drop out. So by by Obama…

By: gerard morei

gerard morei — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:27:37 +0000

All Obama supporters are brain washed by him and the Oprah financial machine!!!!

By: LT for Obama

LT for Obama — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:24:46 +0000

Chris, you hit is on the head: For those of you who missed it, here it is again. Chris said:

"People, get a CLUE!!! Think before you post your knee-jerk reactions!!

Hamas is a terrorist organization, NOT A COUNTRY!

Iran is a COUNTRY, Iraq is a COUNTRY, the USA is a COUNTRY!

Obama has said he will meet with leaders of other COUNTRIES that the US does not have a good relationship with, NOT a terrorist organization."

Are we paying attention now?

By: angela

angela — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:24:18 +0000

Hamas is the democraticly elected government of the palestinian territories, according to some of you if Obama only talks to leaders of countries he wouldn't talk to any one in disputed territories.. not everywhere is a country just a few months ago Kosovo became a country so I guess that means Obama wouldn't have talked to the leadership there

By: Khal Houston,Texas

Khal Houston,Texas — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:19:53 +0000

It was always with "conditions" stupid....we sat down with the North Vietnamese....to end the Vietnam War....this is how it is done...everyone has a right to come to the table....and negoiate...including my Israeli brothers......wake up America...we have to began somewhere...right? Obama '08....the only sensible choice...!

By: well if carter is so great

well if carter is so great — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:16:59 +0000

Then why is our own government in the works of banning our taxes on his projects, worth about $20 million dollars.... even the US senate is aware of Carter's actions, and he should be punished for them. Carter made our country look like weak, ignorant fools, and anyone can pick up on that.

America has had a firm saying that we do not negotiate with terrorists.

Hamas (on their website) calls for the destruction of all Jews. Carter met with this group. That's like giving Hitler an open forum. It's unacceptable and insane.

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:09:18 +0000

People, get a CLUE!!! Think before you post your knee-jerk reactions!!

Hamas is a terrorist organization, NOT A COUNTRY!

Iran is a COUNTRY, Iraq is a COUNTRY, the USA is a COUNTRY!

Obama has said he will meet with leaders of other COUNTRIES that the US does not have a good relationship with, NOT a terrorist organization.

By: Young Rep

Young Rep — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:07:00 +0000

Diva do a little research...

The Palestine people have never had their own land or country since a very long time. The land has been in the hands of other countries or kingdoms. Quite frankly the Palestine people have been treated like our Native Americans by people of their own faith. Second of all, it was a mistake to give the Jews the land...

Hamas will only do this if Israel will give back the lands they have gained since the Six Day War in 1967. So pretty much Israel has to give up the Gaza Strip, West Bank and the Golan Heights. That will never happen and quite frankly I wouldn't trust Hamas. SO NO CARTER DIDN'T GET ANYTHING DONE...

It's strange to see people beating Obama up for this cause his Foreign Policy from day one has been horrible. Of course he said it wasn't a good idea. He says whatever is popular at the moment..

By: Roots of Bitterness

Roots of Bitterness — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:04:47 +0000

DIVA in PA – you are right!!!
But, the Native American genocide and African slave trade is too close for comfort in the backyard of American history. That's why no one wants to deal with it or heal the wounds.
It's easier to deal with someone else's drama and sad saga.......

By: W PA

W PA — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:01:08 +0000

"Ca Native April 22nd, 2008 3:16 pm ET

What's the difference, Obama"

Carter isn't Obama, he went on his own...while he is not the President anymore.

By: Euphemia, Dublin, Ireland

Euphemia, Dublin, Ireland — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 20:58:22 +0000

Senator Obama, Iam one of your biggest supporters but beg to differ on this. It behoves you to remember the old saying, "keep your friends close, and your enemies even closer". If President Clinton et al had not sat down with terrorists Adams, McGuinness, paramilitaries, et AL; we would never have had peace in Northern Ireland today. I think President Carter has shown great a great example of, and leadership and Statesmanship – it is only by keeping dialgue open, however, distasteful, can we hope to see peace in the Middle East. The alternative – the continuus bloodbath of the innocents.

By: Bosnian Sniper

Bosnian Sniper — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 20:54:55 +0000

No presidential candidate can support Carter's actions because of domestic politics. Yet they all know that Carter is doign exactly what should be done if anyone wants to address this conflict seriously. it is the right thing to do but it is political suicide – that's why only a former Pres and Nobel Prize winner can do it and even then there are morons saying that the guy doesn't know how to negotiate.

By: Jim, Indiana

Jim, Indiana — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 20:54:30 +0000

Funny you should say that now, after the fact!!!

Obama is anonther Jimmy Carter and I lived through Carter's term and remember the regret that Americans felt!

By: NC Voter

NC Voter — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 20:52:03 +0000

There is a difference between talking to the leader of a "real" country, with physical borders (Iran, Korea), and talking to the leader of a rogue organization that has no physical "home" which can be identified and pointed to on a map (Hamas, Al Quada).

By: Jon

Jon — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 20:50:58 +0000

Shut up, Obama. Sick of his lies. What a hypocrite.

By: Patricia

Patricia — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 20:50:00 +0000

I thought Obama is the "great leader" who is willing to meet with our enemies with no preconditions. Guess he sees that the wind is blowing in another direction today, so it's time to change his story - again.

By: Doug R.

Doug R. — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 20:49:46 +0000

Jimmy Carter did in one trip what Condoleezza Rice has been incapable of doing since she became Secretary of State. As Secretary of State, Rice has accomplished nothing. Zero. She is a tool.

By: Diva in Pennsylvania

Diva in Pennsylvania — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 20:49:23 +0000

Okay.

I will be brief...

I understand that Jewish people have had it hard... So have Black people...

What is not fair is to go into a land of people who have occupied their land for centuries and steal a piece of it for another group. That was wrong. Can someone explain to me why this was okay and why everyone is so angry at the people who got their land stolen?

Isn't this what was done to the Native Americans and the Africans?

Hmmmmm...

By: Mikey

Mikey — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 20:49:04 +0000

Whever you have to interpret what a person says, they are not really saying anything. Obama-bots will threaten to riot if their chosen one does not win the Democratic nomination or the General Election for that matter. Guess what – guess you better start making plans for unrest. Although I have full confidence in our police across the nation to quell such negative displays from sore losers. Nobama,No way.

Hillary or McCain for President.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 20:47:51 +0000

Ok I actually think it is a good idea to talk to everyone. I don't see what's wrong with telling someone to their face, your stated policy towards the country. The worst that can happen is that nothing changes, but the upside is enormous. What I find troubling about this is that Obama is totally flip-flopping.

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 20:42:02 +0000

I guess Obama didn't have the judgement to state his view BEFORE Carter met with a terrorist organzation. Everyone has perfect judgement after the fact.