Obama: "Anything but their failed cowboy diplomacy that produced no results is called appeasement"

[jefferson_dem]

Obama counters McCain on 'appeasment'

...

Speaking in Billings, Mont., Obama told an audience that there is still work to be done to "secure the nomination." But he also said he is already getting a taste for the summer and fall campaign, after being criticized in recent days by Republicans for his willingness to talk to Iran without preconditions.

"Anything but their failed cowboy diplomacy that has produced no results is called appeasement," Obama countered. "Here's the truth: the Soviet Union had thousands of nuclear weapons and Iran doesn't have a single one. But when the world was on the brink of nuclear Holocaust, Kennedy talked to Khrushchev and he got those missiles out of Cuba. Why shouldn't we have the same courage and confidence to talk to our enemies? That's what strong countries do. That's what strong presidents do."

Obama said he fully realizes the danger posed by Iran, but that it is nothing compared to those presented by the former Soviet Union.

"The Soviet Union had the ability to destroy the world several times over, had satellites spanning the globe, had huge masses of conventional military power, all directed at destroying us," he said. "So, I've made it clear for years that the threat from Iran is grave, but what I've said is that we should not just talk to our friends, we should be willing to engage our enemies as well. That's what diplomacy is all about."

Still, Obama repeatedly stressed the risk posed by Iran, as he suggested that danger has grown because of policies supported by McCain.

"Iran is a grave threat. It has an illicit nuclear program, it supports terrorism across the region and militias in Iraq, it threatens Israel's existence, it denies the Holocaust," he said. "The reason Iran is so much more powerful than it was a few years ago is because of the Bush-McCain policy of fighting in Iraq and refusing to pursue direct diplomacy with Iran. They're the ones who have not dealt with Iran wisely."

Obama also called Iran the "single biggest beneficiary" of Iraq war and pledged to secure all lose nuclear materials during first term, if he is elected president.

<SNIP>

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/politics/blog/2008/05/obama_counters_mccain_on_appea.html

[anonymous171]

1. YES! They failed and it's time we called them out on it!

GOBAMA!

[Ishoutandscream2]

2. Just what I was thinking. A great talking point

We talked to the Soviets and reached treaty agreements. Those talks quite possibly saved the world from a nuclear holocaust. This needs to be said over and over again. Good for Obama!!

[livetohike]

3. One of the best things coming out of the primary campaign is

the history lessons we are getting from Obama. He really is a teacher at heart. People are listening :-).

[TexasObserver]

4. failed cowboy diplomacy

probably not the best term to use in Montana, where being a cowboy is a respectable profession

but yeah, he's right

[jefferson_dem]

5. Whoa...

Good point.

I'm thinking Montanans appreciate *real* cowboys...not phony ones.

[TexasObserver]

6. true, and up there, being a cowboy is not about acting like Bush

I understand the term has currency in the political world, but in the West, a cowboy is widely respected for all the things that you can't find in Bush: strength, a lack of bragging, a commitment to getting a job done right, a respect but not fear of animals.

In New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana, the term "cowboy" is very positive. Those are cowboy states.

[texastoast]

8. Those cowboys know that Bush is a Rexall

I doubt they took offense. Never in a million years could he measure up to a real cowboy.

[msallied]

9. They failed at being cowboys. That's one way to look at it. lol

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

19. That's how I got it too. ((Failed cowboy) diplomacy), not (Failed (cowboy diplomacy)).

Sorry, the mathematician in me took over briefly. I'll go now.

[uponit7771]

7. GO BUSH GO!! Keep helping Obama! The more Bush fights Obama the more we can tie Bush to McSame

[Occam Bandage]

10. Great. Each time Bush and McCain gang up on Obama, Obama makes sure

that the public knows that McCain would be a third term for Mr. Popularity.

[L0oniX]

11. Obviously some people don't know what the meaning of "appeasment" is.

[Chulanowa]

12. I found the perfect picture to capture Obama's statement...

[Imagevision]

13. produced no results? - defense contractors, Halliburton & Cheney did well...

[Toucano]

14. Dead on!

But I'm not sure "cowboy diplomacy" plays well with an American audience who happen to like cowboys.

Maybe "gun boat diplomacy" or "bully diplomacy". Nobody likes bullies.

[texastoast]

16. I think you have a better frame

Perhaps a "damn the torpedos" diplomacy.

[Cali_Democrat]

15. LOL!!!

Like taking candy from a baby. This is just too damn easy.

:rofl:

[texastoast]

17. I wouldn't be so confident

It's a long time until November and God knows that both the rabid Obama and Clinton "supporters" have freeped each other here on DU and really helped the other side to a bunch of stuff that we shouldn't have served them on a platter.

[Chulanowa]

18. It's out now, and better yet, it's old

The Republicans can hammer Wright or NAFTA or whatever they want, but it's all lost its impact. Old news, y'know? Everyone's heard it already.

Trust me, it's better than the stuff being hidden until October. It would have been better if it'd all come out earlier, of course, but still