August 20, 2008
Posted: 03:45 PM ET

From
Giuliani accused an Obama advisor of being on a freelance 'mission' Wednesday.
Giuliani accused an Obama advisor of being on a freelance 'mission' Wednesday.

(CNN) — On his first campaign conference call as a surrogate for John McCain, Rudy Giuliani accused an unpaid advisor for Barack Obama’s presidential effort of engaging in a freelance diplomatic “mission” when he met with a Syrian official last month in Damascus.

Giuliani said Daniel Kurtzer, a former U.S. ambassador to Israel who also served as the first Jewish U.S. ambassador to Egypt, had met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Kurtzer did not meet with the Syrian president during his trip, which was not connected to Obama’s presidential effort.

He did meet with Syrian foreign minister Walid al-Moallem while in Damascus for a legal conference co-sponsored by the American Bar Association and paid for by donations from a Canadian oil company and Syrian corporations.

Discussions should only take place "when you have confidence that you're not being used," said Giuliani, charging that Kurtzer’s actions might be a result of an Obama policy of “negotiating with dictators without precondition."

Listen: Giuliani takes aim at Obama's advisor

Kurtzer, who advises Obama’s campaign on Middle East affairs, has been an advocate of diplomatic engagement with the government of Syria.

McCain foreign policy advisor Randy Scheunemann, asked about his lobbying work on behalf of the nation of Georgia, responded that his actions were different because they were not “covert.” The reporter who asked the question, Ron Kampeas of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, abruptly dropped off the call. He later alleged that the campaign had cut him off.

(UPDATE with Obama campaign response after the jump)

UPDATE: Obama foreign policy advisor Susan Rice responded to Giuliani’s charges on a Wednesday afternoon conference call with reporters, saying “there is nothing but falsehood and distortion” in the comments.

“[Kurtzer] did not represent the Obama campaign or Senator Obama, he went as a private citizen. And so John McCain who himself sat down one-on-one and had a meeting with the leader of the same country in its most active moment of support for terrorism – to criticize a private citizen for taking a private trip is absolutely outrageous and dishonest,” said Rice. “If John McCain wants to be held accountable for the travel and the conduct of every private citizen who may have at one point or another offered him advice then let’s have that discussion.”

Filed under: Barack Obama • John McCain • Rudy Giuliani


People make no sense   August 20th, 2008 8:47 pm ET

Nova from NV - what did McWar's comments solve? Russia is still in Georgia doing whatever they want. America has no credibility right now because all the slogan rhetoric makes them look like hypocrits. Start watching international news and look at how They perceive america. We have the usual backers but it is just us and that is why Russia is doing whatever they want. The U.S. didn't stop Israel from bombing Lebanon did they, then why should anybody stop Russia from bombing a city that bombed them first. (911 - oh sorry Iraq had nothing to do with that - America just wanted Oil)

McWar spent his military years being beaten, tortured and spilling his guts about America. They pampered him compared to the other soldiers because of who his father was. He has no credibility on war. What is he going to teach everybody how to get captured? What a loser he is? Look Semper fi when they beat you turn to the side like this and it hurts less. That's his idea of winning a war. What a loser! And so many dumb people worship this guy. Usually when you are good at something you excel in that area. How is being a prisoner excelling? If that is the case our prisons have a lot of experts. I'd elect one of them before electing McBush II.

Trevor   August 20th, 2008 8:43 pm ET

"he's a warmongering fool who refuses to negotiate because he's suffering from PTSD, "

Wow, and you're telling Wilfred to not be a jerk?

Clinton Supporter   August 20th, 2008 8:40 pm ET

Obama is such a DUMMY.

NO MORE BUSH STUFF   August 20th, 2008 8:31 pm ET

WHAT DID HE SAY……..I GUESS I WAS LOOKING AT THAT BALD HEAD, DAYUM. SOMETHING ABOUT HIM SAYS "CORRUPTION"
THE ONLY GOOD CHOICE OBAMA '08/12

Caroline   August 20th, 2008 8:21 pm ET

Go ahead you gullible people and vote for McCain……..he apparently has no problem with reinstating a draft. Or maybe that question at today's town hall meeting was too long for him and he "forgot" about that part. Can someone PLEASE follow up on if he would be OK with a draft? Because I will have no part of sending any more American youth to war for oil or whatever else the Halliburton Crew are cooking up this time. I'm so appalled/disgusted/sceptical about /with the current administration that I also can't help but think that bin Laden had nothing to do with 9/11 and thus chasing him to the gates of hell would be looking for the wrong guy(s). Hey, maybe that's why Bush/Cheney didn't bother looking in the first place. Oh what a subversive citizen I am……………….but yet, still PROUD TO BE AMERICAN…….and hoping I can be proud of our next administration, because the current one reeeeeeeeeks.

Obama oh PLEASE '08 !!!

Charlie Black   August 20th, 2008 8:00 pm ET

Hey look it's Mr. A Noun, A Verb and 9/11.

Who would trust the lying, cross-dressing, scumbag Giuliani?

Deb, Allentown, PA   August 20th, 2008 7:40 pm ET

Hey Wilfred, don't be a jerk. My father fought at Normandy and was proud of his service. In the event of a cause like the liberation of the Allies in Europe, I would be honored to have my children serve. But if you think I'm going to let McCain take them for an illegal invasion like Iraq, for made-up reasons, or because he's a warmongering fool who refuses to negotiate because he's suffering from PTSD, there's no way my kids are going without a fight.

If you're so interested in dying for McCain's cause, I'm sure I can locate a recruiting office for you.

Peter E   August 20th, 2008 7:34 pm ET

I would love to have all these pliticians stop pretending to be the president. Bush is still our Commander in Chief, whether you like it or not (I certainly don't) and we shouldn't undermine our own government. That's called treason.

John   August 20th, 2008 7:34 pm ET

Look, the McCain camp is lying about an easily proven fact again. What a surprise. (End sarcasm)

Say What!!!!   August 20th, 2008 7:34 pm ET

To -Nova from Nv ……McCain and NATO were very quick to criticized Russia from the beginning—the President of Georgia critize McCain
for Pandering ..he made 2 phone calls to president of Georgia- Mccain Let it be known to the public and of course he said they were friends of course he pronounced his name Wrong The President of Georgia blast McCain on cnn via satelite …lets give Coni her dues

Rob - WA   August 20th, 2008 7:29 pm ET

People voting for McCain: I do hope you can look your teenage children and grandchildren with a straight face when they wind up being shipped to war that "you made the right choice." Typical Baby Boomers (the majority and likely McCain supporters) will sink this nation for sure!! Your just rewards WILL come though when the younger generation is left to care for your PATHETIC old age retirements and you get no sympathy from the youth left to pick up the pieces of the wrecked world you left to us.

China Nolan   August 20th, 2008 7:16 pm ET

Here in the body of the comments, we get the "if this was a job interview" bullcrap. Hey, people, this is the CODE. I'm sure given many of the Republicans, if this was a "job interview" Mr. Obama wouldn't get the job because he was "over qualified" or he might get bored with the position. Or he was the first to be interviewed and they will get back to him after everyone has been seen or one of the many CODE words racists use not to hire black men and women. Well it's not a job interview; it is an election. An we must elect someone who is calm, cool and collected. Not someone who is one surprise from death.

Helen, NY   August 20th, 2008 7:14 pm ET

Obama also need to send someone to Kenya or even to Somalia.
What a tragedy for Obama Campaign. They are desperate. They do not know what to do. American people have now realized what is barack. He is a fraud. He came into politics because of Tony Rezko. Otherwise he would not be in politics.

Obama cousins   August 20th, 2008 7:10 pm ET

Obama has his fifth and sixth cousins living all over there,
he needs to have that lost link re-established thru such channels.

Rich in Seattle   August 20th, 2008 7:03 pm ET

And yet, somehow Republicans believe this stuff. They will say anything, do anything to win no matter the cost to the country. It's sick to see how low they will take this country. How can they live with themselves?

McCain has no original thought in his head.   August 20th, 2008 6:58 pm ET

looks like a toad to me

rachel   August 20th, 2008 6:55 pm ET

funny, and people saying cnn competing with the national enquirer turns out cnn and the media made them more creditable by overlooking johns affair.

Ovitshio Branco   August 20th, 2008 6:55 pm ET

Much to do about nothing. Everyone knows OBAMA will win with 53% of the popular vote and 350 electoral college vote. The Media is pushing ratings, yet even this spin will motivated DEMOCRATS to go VOTE and not take anything for granted. The polls will favor McCain because that is what the MSM want us to believe, but NOT THIS TIME!

anonmouys   August 20th, 2008 6:54 pm ET

puma dont vote mccain

SSGT USAF   August 20th, 2008 6:50 pm ET

Ok, so an UNPAID volunteer met with someone with whom he has more than likely met with before during one of his official roles? Are there any meeting transcripts for us to look over or critique? For all I know they could have been swapping recipes. If he was a paid lobbyist like the McCain's advisor I would expect this type of argument from the Repubs. Seems like more of the McCain clean campaign tactics.

Farrell, Houston, Tx   August 20th, 2008 6:48 pm ET

Giuliani will be McCain's VP pick, that's what's floating.

Phil Newton Murphy, Oregon   August 20th, 2008 6:44 pm ET

Yaaaawwwwwnnnnnnn…..

Indiana Bob   August 20th, 2008 6:44 pm ET

Careful Rudy, you might offend Obama, the Messiah, and his hate-filled followers. The last false Messiah with hate-filled followers that the world had goose-stepped their way to power in Germany. That didn't work out so well for those that opposed them. But I guess opposing a cult leader is a risk some are willing to take.

PUMA — Vote McCain

wilfred   August 20th, 2008 6:41 pm ET

Deb in Allentown , freedom ain't free , move out if you want to ride for
free , what have you done for our country beside whine ?

Kitten for Obama   August 20th, 2008 6:41 pm ET

They are really trying to distract the voters with all of this no nonsense.
We better WATCH McCain he is trying to slip the draft back into play. A Vote for McCain is a vote for the draft and Bush policies. THINK!!!!!

kerry   August 20th, 2008 6:39 pm ET

Mccain is more of the same. Go Obama!

ron   August 20th, 2008 6:39 pm ET

seeing as how Tony Rezko was born and raised in Syria and as connections to the higher echelon of that country(evident when they tried to smuggle million into this country for his trial) I'm sure he will be given preferential treatment. what was that comment obama made about McCain's supporter having connections to Georgia lol

PUMA-Jessie   August 20th, 2008 6:39 pm ET

My goodness. Obama is in a free fall in the polls, fubs the Rev. Warren debate, talks about abortion like he is in some kind of fog and is a serial flip flopper .Now he is fishing in the troubled waters of the mid east.

the dude   August 20th, 2008 6:36 pm ET

Remember kids, talking to people bad, bombing people good. Here's a pudding SnackPack, now go outside and play soldiers.

Brendan H., San Antonio, TX   August 20th, 2008 6:34 pm ET

Giuliani = Glory Hound!

Dan   August 20th, 2008 6:34 pm ET

Good! He would have a better chance of running for President there.

bob   August 20th, 2008 6:32 pm ET

Mitt Romney will increase the visitors and tourists in Denver. Why don't you join him Guili?

Bill Nash   August 20th, 2008 6:31 pm ET

FOR ALL THOSE WHO SUPPORT MCCAIN/NEOCONS/REPUBS IN THE WAR THAT MCCAIN IS TRYING TO START WITH RUSSIA AND IRAN:

HOW MANY OF YOUR SON'S AND DAUGHTER'S ARE YOU PREPARED TO SACRIFICE SO THAT JOHN MCCAIN CAN WIN THE VIET NAM WAR BY STARTING WWIII?

HOW UTTERLY STUPID CAN AMERICAN'S BE. IF MCCAIN IS ELECTED IT WILL BE THE BEGINNING OF THE END OF AMERICA AS WE KNOW IT.

WE WILL BE AT WAR FOR A GENERATION, IF WE'RE LUCKY AND WIN. WE WILL LOSE AND BECOME THE SUBJECT OF ANOTHER NATION IF WE'RE NOT.

TonyinKentucky   August 20th, 2008 6:27 pm ET

There are people that still listen to and respect the neocon fascists?

Are you all braindead, on the board of an oil company, hate democracy, or do you just despise the citizens of the United States?

Who Speaks For McCain?   August 20th, 2008 6:27 pm ET

Rudy … I have ZERO Credibility …. Guiliani …. speaking for you?

Mc Cain you are seriously out of touch give him this role.

Beside, I thought on you spoke for you? Isn't that what you said when Phil Gramm called folks whiners? in a MENTAL recession?

non black nonwhite   August 20th, 2008 6:25 pm ET

McCain's adviser took money from Georgia! How is this ok???

Enlightened Voter   August 20th, 2008 6:25 pm ET

Hey John = I AM NOT GEORGIAN okay buddy? Just because your advisor received 200000 from Georgia and you want to fight the Russians doesn't make me Georgian so don't speak for me you moron.
And Nick - get a real life and some therapy while your at it.

Unshrub   August 20th, 2008 6:24 pm ET

How can you trust someone who has been married three times and lived with his girl friend while he was still married? IF the self righteous right was so righteous they would have kicked the Rudy Giuliani out a long time ago. Why listen to his lies.. If his wife can‘t trust a man, who can trust him?

non black nonwhite   August 20th, 2008 6:24 pm ET

anything that comes out of a GOP's mouth will never be the truth!

You people are sick!

What?   August 20th, 2008 6:20 pm ET

THANK YOU………………….Louis August 20th, 2008 5:46 pm ET
WHEN IS GIULIANI going to reimburse the taxpayers of New York City the $400,000 of extra security he spent to go visit and screw his mistress while his wife was at home with his children? What a scumbag.

Greg FL.   August 20th, 2008 6:20 pm ET

The Cross in the Dirt issue is complex.

McCain told a story in 1999 about how when he was in capitivity in Vietnam on Christmas day, a soldier loosened his restraining ropes and drew a cross on the dirt floor of his cell with his boot, then erased it. McCain said this was a defining moment in his faith, as it showed him that two Christians could connect no matter their circumstances.

This is near identical to a story accredited to a Russian author named Solzhenitsyn in which he's serving in a gulag in Siberia I think. He decides life isn't worth living, so he leaves his labor line and walks over to a beach and sits down in the sand. He knows a guard will come over and shoot him in a head, and he's fine with it. He hears the footsteps and braces himself. But its another prisoner, who draws a cross in the sand and walks away without saying a word. This renewed his faith in God and he found the willpower to survive through the rest of his imprisonment.

McCain is a huge fan of Solzhenitsyn:

"In McCain's 2007 book Hard Call: Great Decisions and the Extraordinary People Who Made Them McCain devotes an entire chapter to Solzhenitsyn and his experiences as recounted in The Gulag Archipelago."

Remember where I said McCain hadn't talked about it until 1999? This is important, because he gave detailed accounts of his capitivity in both 1973 and 1995. In fact, the 1995 interview was about being a POW during Christmas. So it's a little weird that he would leave such an important detail out. Especially one that would mirror an experience had by an author he admired.

Alan Boyer   August 20th, 2008 6:18 pm ET

the arrogance is disgusting. McCain sends his boys to Georgia and it's leadership. Obama sends a person to Syria…it's free lance. They have some guts.

Pepo   August 20th, 2008 6:17 pm ET

Giuliani is a total idiot who should mind his own business. McCrook;'s financial adviser taking $$ from Georgia is no problem ? Please !!

Lourdes   August 20th, 2008 6:15 pm ET

CNN ARE YOU COMPETING WITH THE NATIONAL ENQUIRER?! This is rubbish, not journalism.

What?   August 20th, 2008 6:12 pm ET

Who is this fellow?…………Used to be in New York, first wife - public affair…Used 09/11 to take affair off newspapers, news media and HIMSELF………………..WHO is he again?

Obama 08

Pat Riot   August 20th, 2008 6:11 pm ET

Logan Act, put him in jail.

KATHLEEN   August 20th, 2008 6:09 pm ET

To Janel, St. Paul, MN.

NO, As long as he does not get another chance in his lifetime to spend our taxpayer money on frivolous love trysts, I mean, trips.

California Gold   August 20th, 2008 6:08 pm ET

Guiliani is a freaking drama queen. How in the heck does he know what 2 diplomats talked about during a conference halfway around the freaking world, when he wasn't present. Someone please take the microphone from this moron.

Carl from MI   August 20th, 2008 6:08 pm ET

Let's talk about McCain foreign policy advisor Randy Scheunemann, being paid $200,000 for being a lobbyist for Georgia. This guy is advising McLameBrain on what to do for Georgia??? Talk about having a vested interest in foriegn governments!! Georgia was the aggressor… Georgia started it…. Georgians are the bad guys here!!! Do your homework, people!!

Haven't you people had enough of Dubya's stupid foriegn policy blunders for the past 8 years? Are you that dumb that you want to sign up for 4 more years of it under McCain? How stupid are you people?? WAKE UP, AMERICA!!!!

Jake   August 20th, 2008 6:07 pm ET

So wait… Giuliani blatantly lied… and CNN finds a way to make this story sound negative for Obama?

EDW   August 20th, 2008 6:07 pm ET

I LOVED CAFFERTY'S COMMENTARY BLASTING MCCAIN.

anonmouys   August 20th, 2008 6:06 pm ET

iowa polls of polls have come out

KenB, MI   August 20th, 2008 6:05 pm ET

Isolation politics is bogus…this stuff coming out of the mouths of politicians that really have no idea what a foreign policy really is and worst of make attempts to lead the American people down knucklehead lane…while these so called dictators milk our country for billions ,Musharaff is a good example and there have been many others…we need to have a good look at the activities of these threats…we need to measure these individuals, their politics and the people around them…nuff said here

Ross in MD   August 20th, 2008 6:05 pm ET

The first sentence Giuliani makes in years without saying '9-11′ is false. Oh well.

Try again next 9-11 Giuliani.

Janel, St. Paul, MN   August 20th, 2008 5:59 pm ET

Does anyone out there give a twit about what Guiliani says?

Justin in CA   August 20th, 2008 5:57 pm ET

If it is true, it still doesn't sound worse than what McCain was doing with the Russia/ Georgian conflict. Not to mention he handled it terribly. If he was the president, we would be at war with Russia right now as well. All because the head of his campaign was a lobbyist for Georgia and was paid $200,000 for his services 4 months ago. Sound like good foreign policy to me.

Last Honest Man   August 20th, 2008 5:57 pm ET

When did CNN Cafferty become a Jerk. Now he's an Obama strategist.
So much for unbiased reporting

kathleen   August 20th, 2008 5:56 pm ET

What did he do in New York that made him a hero? Oh, I forgot, he
did HIS JOB and GOT PAID WELL FOR IT. ENOUGH ALREADY. AMERICANS MAKE HEROS OUT OF EVERYBODY AND WE END
UP THE BIGGEST FOOLS OF ALL AND THE POLITICIANS KNOW IT
MC CAIN IS TRYING TO FOOL US ALL RIGHT NOW. He will fool only
the Catholics and the Evangelicals. Not me, and I am a Catholic but
NOBODY tells me how to vote. Not Limbaugh, Rove, Bush, Hannity,
McCain. They are all opportunists that want power and money.

Chris   August 20th, 2008 5:55 pm ET

And this onetime I saw a picture of Osama Bin Laden… OMG, I must be a terrorist!??!

a drama queen grasping…

Dave in NYC   August 20th, 2008 5:55 pm ET

So wait a minute, either Rudy "misspoke" when he said the Obama advisor met with the president of Syria, or he LIED? Which one was it? Now THAT looks like a story to me… would love to see CNN follow up on that.

Next up, I'd love to see a story on the Ticker reporting on how the McCain campaign hung up on a reporter who asked a tough question.

kathleen   August 20th, 2008 5:52 pm ET

Rudy is a total idiot. That is the capacity of our government run by
people like him. He belongs on a boat with his new wife minus the
taxpayer paid vacations he used to woo his girlfriend. The homeless
people have heart and soul better that Guiliani ever will possess!

TheTruthHurts   August 20th, 2008 5:51 pm ET

I think Giuliani is a great attack dog. Who cares if he speaks the truth or not. What is sad is that Americans by conspiracy theories that a Black man seeks the undermining of the nation. This whole idea that global security will be destablized because one man meets with another is absolutely ludicrous. What's sad is that the Republicans are selling it because they believe enough Americans are ignorant and uneducated to believe them. The question is who will be proven correct?

Pat Riot   August 20th, 2008 5:51 pm ET

How about Ron Paul? I'd love to see him slap up Gulianni again on foreign policy.

John McShame, Obama Is Going to Tax You & Cindy, but Not Me & 95% Americans Making < $250,000/Yr   August 20th, 2008 5:49 pm ET

THIS IS THE PART OF THE "NEWS" CNN, WHO IS IN THE TANK FOR McSHAME IS CENSORING:

Kampeas also asked about Giuliani’s illegal dealings with Citgo, the Chavez government and the Saudis — all of which Giuliani was “speechless”

A few minutes later the McSame campaign cut Kampeas off the conference call.

Guess, the smearing republican bigots could'nt take the heat when they started getting hammered!

but seriously, when is CNN going to be fair in their gutter one-sided reporting? S$HAME ON YOU CNN!!!!!!!!!!

Enlightened Voter   August 20th, 2008 5:49 pm ET

I also heard that mccain agrees the draft should be reinstated today. Go ahead repugs and christian right, sacrifice your children for this warmonger because you can't bring yourself to vote for the black guy even though you know in your heart he is the best choice and the best man. Mccain is a true patriot when it comes to sacrificing other peoples lives.

Marc PDX   August 20th, 2008 5:48 pm ET

Looks like Hillary will be getting that 3am call after all. But it will be from the Marquis d'Obama. (Now we know the rest of the story… LOL!)
:)

R.I.F.   August 20th, 2008 5:47 pm ET

I would advise everyone to go outside of CNN and read about this conference call. Again, the news here was that theis call opened up way more questions about McCain's surrrogates. Bad move for McCain. By trying to attack Obama on this one he's opened up a whole can worms for himself and the main principals on this call. Props to the reporter on the call who finally decided that the media needs to start pushing back on the lies, inuendos, and baseless attacks of the McCain campiagn. The reason why they keep doing it is because the media won't call them on it, and when they try to, ie Andrea Mitchell, the McCain camp gets upset and starts complaining about the media.

Jean, CANADA   August 20th, 2008 5:46 pm ET

Besides Rudy being a complete clown and CNN posting this crap, I actually want to respond to the CLOSED article (I love how CNN does that when THEIR point of view isn't getting positive responses) on Barack's lead evaporating…..do you actually think AMERICA IS THAT STUPID??

Why CNN…WHY!!!! WHY ARE YOU CREATING NEWS STORIES THAT ARE EVIDENTLY ALWAYS NEGATIVE TOWARDS BARACK OBAMA???? THE GUY IS TRYING TO SAVE AMERICA FROM ITSELF!!!!

No wonder your country is in the state it is….if you elect McCain….good luck and you deserve the consequences….

hillybilly   August 20th, 2008 5:46 pm ET

thank you for posting my first comment.i was testing you with truth.

Lesley   August 20th, 2008 5:46 pm ET

To Roberta - How about McCain hobnobbing with his good friend Misha by telephone every day and who knows what he is saying on behalf of the American people, except that we are all Georgians. He doesn't have the authority to speak on behalf of the American people. But the press let him get away with it. And his foreign policy adviser, a completely unofficial anything except lobbyist, has a clear conflict of interest advising McCain while he has spent years lobbying for Georgia. That's not in the best interests of this country. McCain's clear penchant for military action should be a warning sign for people that he will fight first.

Louis   August 20th, 2008 5:46 pm ET

WHEN IS GIULIANI going to reimburse the taxpayers of New York City the $400,000 of extra security he spent to go visit and screw his mistress while his wife was at home with his children? What a scumbag.

Cindy   August 20th, 2008 5:45 pm ET

I'm actually more apalled that McCain turned us all into Georgians… who was he to do that? Is he golf buddies with the Georgian president or something? His whole display of "action" seemed too much like he had been bought.

It's not like Obama's calling us all "Syrians…" ^_^

Chut Pata   August 20th, 2008 5:45 pm ET

Guilliani: "Kurtzer’s actions might be a result of an Obama policy of “negotiating with dictators without precondition."

That is hillarious. Pubs are notorious in creating and sustaining dictators like Marcos, Pinochet, Noriega, Saddam etc etc. The monarchs of Middle East are personal friends of the Bush family. The latest was Musharraf of Pakistan whereas Obama constantly opposed dealing with dictators and stressed on dealing with elected officials.

hillybilly   August 20th, 2008 5:44 pm ET

sweetie.your just another part of republican fear attacks.your comment dosent even come off as serious.get a life,loser.

Susan   August 20th, 2008 5:44 pm ET

This has already been disproved - once again, another lie from the McCain camp!

Marc PDX   August 20th, 2008 5:43 pm ET

Interesting. A big oil company paying for the trip. Wonder what the nature of the meeting was and why it was kept two degrees away from Obama himself. Chicago backroom politics again. I suppose we'll hear Obama say he didn't know anything about it (Rev. Wrightism) once again. Well, a commander in chief who doesn't know anything about what his own people are doing is called a "Jimmy Carter". But I suspect old Barack knew all about this…

PG   August 20th, 2008 5:43 pm ET

GO RUDY, A PERFECT PICTURE OF SOUND MORALITY! Yea, right.

Sweetie its the other way around…Panamanian McCain is the dangerous one. Get your facts straight!

Que Quedas   August 20th, 2008 5:41 pm ET

911 was your clain to fame……key word……was

Hamas   August 20th, 2008 5:40 pm ET

We endorse Obama's advisor to Syria.
Let's keep it in the family.

Voter   August 20th, 2008 5:40 pm ET

Mac should stop whining with all his millions he could buy himself a whitehouse and a country.

Seattle Sue   August 20th, 2008 5:39 pm ET

Why would I believe a man that cross dresses?

Lawrence   August 20th, 2008 5:39 pm ET

Rudy who? What a looser. No change that. Anyone that would pay to listen to this security expert that did nothing for security deserves what happens to them.

I will give him credit on one thing. He talked a lot of you bone heads into paying him for his worthless advise.

hillybilly   August 20th, 2008 5:38 pm ET

might? what are you trying to imply ,rudy the terrorist expert?he's NOT over there negotiating for obama or the us,so shut up!why do you print this crap ,cnn?it's ridiculous.you are clearly being biased for mccain when you print these slanderous accusations.what about georgia?mccain and scheuneman MIGHT have prodded georgia into attacking ossetia,in an attempt to influence the election here ,and got more than they bargained for.scheunemans firm is still being bought off by georgia. who knows what they've been talking about ,in private?[psssst! start some trouble ,now,americans will become afraid ,and vote for mccain ,then we'll make sure you get full protection in the future through nato.good plan?psssst!]now,cnn.you posted giuliani's comment ,with all its inferences.let's see if you post mine.it's no different ,so be careful!

Denise Groves   August 20th, 2008 5:38 pm ET

So what? Did McCain not send Lindsay to Georgia? Syria not an allie of ours? Old man whining. I am glad he will loose in Nov. We do not need babies in the WH

Daki   August 20th, 2008 5:37 pm ET

For all the rhetoric from McCain about the Russia and Georgian Situation,what did it do,what is all this ignorant tough trash talking done to show his so called experience.America needs to wake up and realize this man is dangerous to our safety and foreign relations.

gotcha   August 20th, 2008 5:36 pm ET

You can always tell when the Obamanites are scared, because the ugly blogs against Senator McCain increase. I love that they will lose.

Pedro   August 20th, 2008 5:35 pm ET

Kurtzer is guilty just like Wigton and Tabor were guilty of insider trading, right Rudy?

ChicagoJosh   August 20th, 2008 5:34 pm ET

Come on CNN, where's the details. What about how McCain's people were accused of lobbying for Citgo (Venezuela national company), yet McCain camp claimed Citgo was an American company.

What about how McCain's advisor is also a paid lobbyist for the Georgia govt. Who is McCain representing???

Tell the whole story. Everyone else should just read politico.com.

Phil, Ashburn, VA   August 20th, 2008 5:33 pm ET

If it was not for 9-11, Rudy and the rest of the war mongers wont exist. People, wake up and don't get fooled by these people. If McCain wins, he will reinstate the draft to fight more wars. Your kids will be fighting unwanted wars.

Mary   August 20th, 2008 5:33 pm ET

The stench of wag the dog is overwhelming. No wonder McCain had to pound home that he had been talking to the Georgian president, Saakashvili, even as he risked looking like he was interfering in the foreign policy of this country. They're hiding the wag the dog operation in plain sight, as it were.

Sean   August 20th, 2008 5:32 pm ET

Nova from NV: Actually, he did it perfectly. Always lead out with diplomacy, and if that fails then escalate it. We shouldn't go to war every time something goes down, nor should we keep things purely diplomatic.

Eleanor   August 20th, 2008 5:31 pm ET

who cares what Guiliano thinks…He was irrelevant a long ago
his opinion has no influence on anyone
Has he left his fifth wife yet-;)

Sweetie   August 20th, 2008 5:28 pm ET

Another reason not to vote for a VERY dangerous man who isn't qualified.

He is a puppet and the Masters have their own agenda which should scare the hell out of any American Voter!

McCain 08

Mark Ferbet, Grain Valley, Missouri   August 20th, 2008 5:27 pm ET

Wow… they really are desperate.

Whether or not this man has anything to do with Obama's Campaign… with regards to this trip… isn't the real issue. The Republicans are trying to scare the average American into believing that Obama's so inexperienced regarding foreign policy that he's willing to sit down with his enemies.

REALITY CHECK! How has threatening our enemies worked as far as diplomatic missions have gone? Axis of Evil… remember those comments? That set us back with North Korea for the past 6 plus years… How about the simple fact that the current foreign policy has made the United States appear so weak that Russia is now openly challenging us… first with Georgia, and now with Poland…

Bush hasn't done anything of substance with regards to Russia. I guess this has to do with what he saw in Putin's eyes. It's sad really… they are a real threat to our allies… yet, we're so wrapped up in Bush's war, that we are unable to move militarily against Russia to protect Georgia… or Poland for that matter.

McCain is all bluster and hot air… At least Obama thinks things through, before making statements.

Kelby from Houston, TX   August 20th, 2008 5:27 pm ET

Mr. 9-11 says what?

DocReal   August 20th, 2008 5:26 pm ET

Lookie here. McCain sends "droopy dogs" Graham and Lie-berman to Georgia pretend he's President, and then has his pathetic attack dog Guliani attack Obama for nothing. If the press were doing their job, they would spend a bit more time investigating McCain's treasonous actions.

Fly Boy   August 20th, 2008 5:25 pm ET

Yeah Rudy is such a great source.

I still remember his great strategy to wait in Florida for all the Republicans during the Primaries. That was REAL smart.

Rudy GO home. Your OLD News, just like McShame.

Vigla   August 20th, 2008 5:23 pm ET

Guliani, GO AWAY!!! You're irrelevant. Please, why don't you marry your 4th wife and begone!

KC   August 20th, 2008 5:23 pm ET

Fear mongering!

bruce   August 20th, 2008 5:22 pm ET

Guiliani should be having conference calls with the families of the NYC Firefighters and NYC Police Officers that died because of his failure to properly equip them………and BEGGING FOR THEIR FORGIVENESS, instead of making a fortune off of 9/11.

gm   August 20th, 2008 5:21 pm ET

Giluiani had his change and blew it Thought he had it in the bag just like all the other Bush, McCain and Republican blowhards.

Roberta   August 20th, 2008 5:19 pm ET

Goodness. 220+ "comments" about the poll-related item detailing a slip in Obama's alleged "lead" in the race, and nary a comment here. Alas, how typical of Obama supporters — reach for that low-hanging fruit every time. Meanwhile, we have this renegade Kurtzer, who is a completely unofficial anything, hobnobbing with Syria and acting as if he has the right to represent Americans. He doesn't and he ought to be sanctioned. He represents the epitome of Obama's total lack of foreign policy experience.

Nova from NV   August 20th, 2008 5:19 pm ET

When the Georgia invasion first broke, Obama advocated patients and diplomatic talks. He was quick to change his position once things turned bad. This diplomatic doctrine of appeasement did not work during WWII with Hitler and will not work now. I hope people who are blindly supporting this naive inexperience man know what they are getting into.
McCain and NATO were very quick to criticized Russia from the beginning. If this was a job interview, who would you rather have?

jon hennek   August 20th, 2008 5:18 pm ET

Wait…so Rudy says he met with this guy but he actually didn't….? Why are you even reporting this?

Felice Judkins   August 20th, 2008 5:17 pm ET

SHUT UP "9-11 RUDY". The way you ran your campaign showed us just how inept you are.

Lacy   August 20th, 2008 5:17 pm ET

Grasping at straws….

R.I.F.   August 20th, 2008 5:17 pm ET

CNN, Your headline is funny because I"ve read this story on other major news sites and the headline was the fact that Giuliani and Scheunemann were hammered by reporters on the call for their ties. You got what you wanted in that the polls are now tight. Why don't you start treating McCain like he's running for President and not like he's your beloved grandfather.

Obama '08

Lee   August 20th, 2008 5:15 pm ET

Rudy who? I thought this CLOWN dropped out fo the primary because nobody wanted to listen to his LIES. He needs to get his own house in order before critizing and trying to tie every negative issue to OBAMA.

Ex-Republican for Obama   August 20th, 2008 5:15 pm ET

Randy Scheunemann, asked about his lobbying work on behalf of the nation of Georgia, responded that his actions were different because they were not “covert.”
That's right they were different, they were spurred by greed and anti american sentiments. Atleast Obama advisors are working for peace, rather then war.

Is it any wonder that where McCain's advisors go (Georgia, Iraq), we see a war break out, and where Obama advisors go, there is peace?
Go figure!

Obama '08

Minnesota against Johnny McSame   August 20th, 2008 5:14 pm ET

Rudy "noun, verb and 9-11″ Giuliani speaks!!

Keep talking Rudy so that Biden can wipe the floor with you once again.

ANGEL   August 20th, 2008 5:12 pm ET

I GOT ONE QUESTION: IS YOUR HOUSE ORGANIZED? IF YOU ANSWER YES THEN YOU KNOW OBAMA IS TRYING TO GET THINGS IN ORDER. IF THE ANSWER IS NO, THEN BY ALL MEANS KEEP THE CHAOS, AND DYSFUNCTIONS OF YOUR HOUSE TO YOUR SELF.

STOP BEING HATEFUL, RACIST, AND UNWILLING TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT IN YA LIFE!!!

Deb, Allentown, PA   August 20th, 2008 5:12 pm ET

I know this isn't relevant to this ticker story, but it's important.

Is everyone aware that McCain said today that he didn't disagree that we might need to reinstate the draft?

Do you want your children to die for this warmonger??

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