WASHINGTON (CNN) – Speaker Nancy Pelosi blasted President Bush's comments Thursday suggesting that Democrats believe "we should negotiate with terrorists and radicals" and suggested Senator John McCain denounce them.
But the presumptive Republican nominee himself defended the remarks, said he intended to make Barack Obama’s willingness to consider dialogue with Iran an issue in the fall campaign, calling on the Illinois senator to “explain [that decision] to the American people.”
“It is a serious error on the part of Senator Obama that shows naiveté and inexperience and lack of judgment - to say that he wants to sit down across the table from an individual who leads a country who says that Israel is a stinking corpse, that is dedicated to the extinction of Israel,” said McCain Thursday. “My question is, what does he want to talk about?”
Pelosi, who is leaving later today on a bipartisan congressional trip to Israel, said there is a "protocol" of not criticizing the President when he is abroad, but then declared, "I think what the president did in that regard is beneath the dignity of the office of president and unworthy of our representation at that observance in Israel."
The California Democrat added that she hopes "any serious person would disassociate themselves from the president's remarks, who aspires to leadership in our country."
But McCain told reporters that Bush’s Thursday remarks made an important point. “It does bring up an issue that we are will be discussing with the American people and that is why does Barack Obama, Senator Obama, want to sit down with a state sponsor of terrorism?” said McCain.
“…I will make this an issue with Senator Obama throughout this campaign, I believe in peace through strength, and peace through strength is the way that we have succeeded in the past.”
From CNN Politics
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You should just shut up stupid woman. As if Pelosi has done anything for anyone since she took the office. At this time the Repubs are right, Obama has no experience and should not "open" his arms and hug the bad guys.
This is why us Democrats need to stick together!! Hillary herself said that voting for McCain would be a grave mistake. If you truly support her like you guys like claim you do, trust her fully. A Democrat NEEDS to win this time.
We need to come together. Period.
Well said Nancy!
How could GW do something so irresponsible?? To say something like this about a person who might very well be the next POTUS on a trip to Israel is plain dumb if nothing else!!!
Oh dear. Poor "don't ever threaten me again" Nancy Pelosi is offended by Bush's comments. In the meantime, Nancy, can you please tell me why I shouldn't be offended by Robert Malley, one of BO's campaign advisors, having talks with Hamas (who, by the way, are supporting BO, too)? Not one effin word from you on this subject matter!
“…I will make this an issue with Senator Obama throughout this campaign, I believe in peace through strength, and peace through strength is the way that we have succeeded in the past.”
All great militaristic societies throughout history imploded... Scary talk from this old man. No wonder the entire world views us as bullies.
George Bush needs to shut the f-up and go sit down somewhere. Any and everything that comes out of his mouth is a lie. He has no credibility. PLUS – he stated within the past 2 days or so that his sacrifice regarding his war has been to not play GOLF!!!! Can you believe this guy?
Hey Nancy. Tell Barack not to make any speeches that contain the phrase "Peace In Our Time" while waving a piece of paper.
As if Pelosi has done anything for anyone since she took the office. At this time the Repubs are right, Obama has no experience and should not "open" his arms and hug the bad guys.
I Guess....Mcain and Bush agree on a lot. I guess voting for him makes it another term of Bush....Go John Mcbush...he will save the economy and lead us into a better view on how the world will look at us.
Why should he denounce it when it is what Obama has been using this his whole campaign.
Just because Obama said that It would be good to talk with enemies the same as with friends he now is a terrorist?Oh I forgot we just blow them off the map.
In all my readings about WW II and the run-up to it, I have never run across any reference to the "Senator" who made those comments in 1939. As a matter of fact, from what I remember of my history, most U.S. politicians didn't much care what went on "over there" in Europe - preferring that America remain removed from the European conflicts.
WHO WAS THIS U.S. SENATOR???
Or is this another made up story for political purposes like so many in the last 7 1/2 years?
Obama's racist and antisemitic past and friends will come back to haunt him. Why couldn't the DNC have put up a solid liberal candidate with no hate background? If Obama loses it for us in Nov all DNC top folks should be kicked out for sheer arrogance and stupidity.
Peace through strength? As in, I have a gun, let there be peace?
If this is what the GOP has for us until November, it is going to be an amuzing election.
Who Cares What Pelosi says, she's not wrapped too tight.
If you have ever seen her in an interview all she does is twitch
all over the place and stutter her words.
She has to start barking now that Edwards is looking like the top candidate for Obama's VP.
Just go away Nancy Pelosi your no better then bush. change I dont see any and you have the majority you said there would be change. Im thinking Dems are no better then the GOP. so this year im voting none of the above.
President Bush is no leader.
Protocol? to hell with Protocol! I will talk about Bush I don't care WHERE he is.
McCain and Bush are joined at the hip. Obama made them BOTH look stupid with HIS response to this attack.
So Republicans tell us the TRUTH..Are you all just hell bent on world war or are you just too simple minded to get the fact that Bush and his little appendage called McCain are just stealing all of our nations wealth while pretending it is to " Protect us" ????
See? I told you that John McCain is actually Mini-Bush! ;(
If there is one thing I have learned this primary season it is that my party the democratic party is not interested in what is best for America. You have embarrased me. Obama has shown over and over he is not qualified and yet the democratic elite and the far left radicals dont care. I will vote McCain, blog for him, and donate to his campaign. I ask other embarased dems to do the same. Shame on you.
Pelosi's comments are expected. She is more of an appeasment junkie than Obama.
It is such a shame that US foreign policy has been completely hijacked by political partisanship. The dems, especially the democratic leadership, want to see Bush fail so much that they are more than willing to let US interests suffer.
Disgraceful.
McCain is a fool. And God help this nation if he's elected the President of this nation. So we can only achieve peace by blowing them off the face of the earth? How does that make us any different from them?
I believe if they are brought to understand that the future of their children and that of the children of Israel are at stake they'll come to a resolution that won't require us to constantly be at war with them. War cost money and lives. It is sometimes necessary but should be avoided if possible. The Republicans don't seem to understand this and they continue to lead this country down the path of destruction.
Obama '08
GR8! This is what Obama wants, the general election has begun. Notice Slick Hillie is nowhere mentioned in this story.
Obama/Pilosi 08
McCain just sealed his fate....Obama 08!