George Bush took the occasion of his speech before Israel’s Knesset today to end the longstanding tradition of U.S. presidents leaving domestic politics behind “at the water’s edge” when they travel. Addressing lawmakers as part of the observance of Israel’s 60th anniversary, Bush deliberately misstated Barack Obama’s position on negotiating with U.S. adversaries, without naming him directly, of course:
“It is sad that President Bush would use a speech to the Knesset on the 60th anniversary of Israel’s independence to launch a false political attack.”
–Obama campaign
“Some seem to believe we should negotiate with terrorists and radicals, as if some ingenious argument will persuade them they have been wrong all along,” Bush said…
“We have heard this foolish delusion before … As Nazi tanks crossed into Poland in 1939, an American senator declared: ‘Lord, if only I could have talked to Hitler, all of this might have been avoided.’ We have an obligation to call this what it is — the false comfort of appeasement, which has been repeatedly discredited by history.”
Predictably, the White House then lied about lying — purporting that Bush was also referring to recent discussions held by former Pres. Jimmy Carter with leaders of Hammas:
…White House press secretary Dana Perino flatly rejected the idea that the Knesset remark was aimed in any way at Obama, and [White House spokesman Gordon] Johndroe said Bush was referring to “a wide range of people who have talked to or suggested we talk to Hamas, Hezbollah or their state sponsors.”
The Obama campaign responded in a statement:
“It is sad that President Bush would use a speech to the Knesset on the 60th anniversary of Israel’s independence to launch a false political attack,” Obama said in a statement released to CNN by his campaign. “It is time to turn the page on eight years of policies that have strengthened Iran and failed to secure America or our ally Israel….”
“George Bush knows that I have never supported engagement with terrorists, and the president’s extraordinary politicization of foreign policy and the politics of fear do nothing to secure the American people or our stalwart ally Israel,” Obama’s statement said.
Obama favors “tough, direct presidential diplomacy with Iran without preconditions,” according to his Web site, “and is willing to meet with the leaders of all nations, friend and foe.” He does not favor talks with Hamas, which he has called a terrorist organization.
Bush’s motivation in lying about Obama’s position is to assist John McCain in trying to put a wedge between Obama and Jewish voters. Last week, McCain falsely claimed that Obama was the favored candidate of Hamas, the Palestinian political organization with ties to terrorism.
