McCain camp says Hamas wants Obama
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/04/18/art.mccainemail.cnn.jpg caption="The McCain campaign says he would be tougher on Hamas."] (CNN) - John McCain’s campaign sent supporters a fundraising e-mail Friday that claims Hamas approves of Democrat Barack Obama’s foreign policy vision, and is hoping for his victory this fall.
“Barack Obama's foreign policy plans have even won him praise from Hamas leaders,” writes McCain deputy campaign manager Christian Ferry. “Ahmed Yousef, chief political adviser to the Hamas Prime Minister said, ‘We like Mr. Obama and we hope he will win the election. He has a vision to change America.’”
The McCain fundraising e-mail says Obama’s stands have earned him “kind words” from Hamas. “John McCain's foreign policy provides a stark contrast to the policies of Barack Obama,” writes Ferry. “While Senator Obama would surrender in Iraq and hold talks with the Iranian regime, John McCain will never surrender in the struggle with Islamic extremists. Please join our campaign today by making a generous donation of $50, $100, $250, $500, $1,000 or $2,300.”
In response to earlier comments by McCain over Obama’s position on former President Jimmy Carter’s meeting with Hamas – when the Arizona senator said that “Senator Obama does not have the experience to make the right judgment as to how to deal with terrorist organizations, obviously” and that he approved of the dialogue – the Obama campaign said that the Democratic presidential hopeful did not condone the former president’s decision.
“Proving once again that the Straight Talk Express has lost its wheels, John McCain is repeating tired and divisive attacks about Barack Obama that he knows are flat out untrue,” said Obama spokesman Bill Burton. “Barack Obama disagreed with President Carter's meeting with Hamas and has said so repeatedly, and we look forward to John McCain's clarification and apology for his latest false political attack.”
UPDATE: Obama supporter Rep. Robert Wexler responded to the McCain fundraising e-mail. "John McCain likes to talk about the civil campaign he plans to run, and yet today he has engaged in a shameful, divisive, and cynical kind of politics that he pretends to reject - all in reckless pursuit of campaign dollars," said Wexler, calling the message "empty tough talk and divisive fear mongering."
"We call on Senator McCain to reject this embarrassing and outrageous tone, and to join with Barack Obama in calling for an America that is united in its determination to isolate Hamas and support our ally Israel," he said.
(Updated 5 p.m. with Obama response; EDITED to reflect that the World Net Daily/WABC interview has since been widely distributed through other news outlets.)
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Uhmm why is this a bad thing? Wouldn't it be good that an extremist group that disagrees with all that America does takes a liking to one of our canadites! Would that not be the first step in diplomacy, to establish a common ground. Refusing to talk with people that perform terrorists acts is the stupidist thing I have ever heard!! It really doesn't make any sense at all to further divide us with our enemies. The only way that we will ever come to have peace is if we can all see ourselves in our enemies. How do we expect to convince anyone that terrorism is wrong if we refuse to even speak with them? Dumb, Dumb, Dumb!!!
Umm McCain is endorsed by Bush Cheney and Rove... he REALLY should not be speaking
America looks like a bunch of crazy bullies to the world; of course they hope we'll elect someone smart instead of McCain.
Are we certain McCain knows who Hamas is? He can't tell Sunni from Shiia, has no distinction between insurgent, terrorist, extremist, al Quaeda and enemy combatants...and now he's using TABLOIDS to scare up money?
God help us all if the stupid amongst us fall for yet another big bill of Presidential candidate lies.
This is going to be about WAR, WAR, WAR – LIES, LIES, LIES,
What a shame McCain!!!!!!!!
Thats new political tactis to cover what McBush said about economy is booming to cover his mis-statement McBush has come up with a new attack Hamas supporting LOL....
McBush trying to divert interest from his mis-statements so that people will forget it what McBush said.....good job
Obama'08
OLD MAN RIVER YOU DON'T HAVE A CHANCE. IS IT TIME FOR YOUR NAP?
DON'T HATE APPRECIATE!!!!!!!!!!
GO OBAMA
To all you people out there who will vote for McCain because Hillary can't and will not get the nomination.
Go right ahead. Remember you can't stop DESTINY.
Obama 08
I have an idea we can just blow them all up that will work!! Wait that isn't working!?
Here we go again! It's true an old dog never learn a new trick. The Republicans have old tricks along with an old candidate.
Geez McCain arent you reaching there? I pray you dont hurt yourself reaching that far..... Fear mongering tactics 101.. Been there heard that from Bush.... Be a little more creative next time will ya...
Obama 08
Hillary and Bill Clinton frequently praise John McCain (maybe because they know that Hillary won't be running againt McCain in the fall).
And now McCain is getting his facts from a hateful gay-bashing web site like World Net Daily.
Do you still admire McCain now, Hillary? Are you going to speak out against this Hillary? Didn't think so.
OBAMA–
THERE GOES THE JEWISH VOTE!!!!!!
Wow!, this is one of the most shameful fearmongering of all time, but it will backfire right in his face!.
NEWSFLASH! Hitler drank water! ARE YOU A NAZI?!
Pathetic.
I see, so Hamas can effectively control the US government by selectively agreeing and disagreeing with whatever policy is on the table? Sounds to me like John McCain is more controlled by Hamas than Obama. Obama doesn't give a crap what Hamas things – he wants to do the right thing.
Oh, and Obama doesn't even consider Hamas worthy enough to meet, despite his desire to meet with enemies.
IN THE WORDS OF THE MOST "OVER-RATED" PRESIDENT IN HISTORY... (Ronald Reagan)...
THERE......THEY.........GO...........AGAIN...........
OK!!!! Feed Obama the "Fatted Calf", CNN..... Then feed you're Kid's on Gruel...
I would hope that Hamas wants Obama. This wouldn't be a negative thing. That would give him a shot at being the first president to usher in peace in the middle east, and prosperity for our nation. (As opposed to the peace failures of Bush, Clinton, and Bush.) Of course if you support a military response, you would think that Hamas support is a bad thing. These are the mistakes that Clinton and Ditto made by voting for war with George the Reckless.
Now you're making me like Obama even more. An intelligent, trustworthy, energetic visionary.
Obama/Richardson 2008
Good Judgment on Day One
I knew McCain would get nasty, but I didn't think even HE would stoop this low. Even if it's true, did Obama solicit the support of Hamas? Is he taking money from them? I doubt it. People, countries and yes, terrorists, are free to voice their opinions. If somebody I've never met says something bad about me on the internet, am I responsible for that? Nor is Obama responsible for what Hamas says and does.
Americans aren't the only ones who want to see a change - our foreign policy has been a disaster and is only likely to continue under McCain. What's so wrong with the rest of the world having hope that America will once again be an element of strength and peace in the world?
Eugene, OR
This is the lowest form of fearmongering. I used to like John McCain. I used to respect him. Now he's pulling the same stuff Bush pulled on him in 2000. This is disgusting, and I hope we're done falling for this kind of thing.
I think it's time for a very very smart woman to step in and take over....
Wow! how many right wing fundamentalists are supporting McCain?
America would have less terror threat from if the whole world good and and bad loved us.
So Mr Macsame, If Bush was admired by even our enemies, they would not have attacked us.