Syrian Ambassador: Lieberman Assured Me McCain Would Talk With Syria
Syrian Ambassador: Lieberman Assured Me McCain Would Talk With Syria
In a new interview with Foreign Policy magazine, Syrian ambassador Imad Moustapha said that Syria is “doing everything possible within our means” to stop insurgents from crossing into Iraq, and decried the recent U.S. strike into Syria as a “terrorist, criminal act.” Most interestingly, Moustapha said that Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) personally assured him that a McCain presidency would open up a dialogue with Syria:
FP: U.S. presidential hopeful Barack Obama says that he would be willing to sit down with states that are now considered enemies of the United States. Is that encouraging to you?
IM: I have reason to believe that even if [Senator John] McCain becomes president of the United States, he will also be inclined to sit and talk with Syria. I can tell you this on the record: Senator Joe Lieberman, who is supposed to be very close to McCain, has said this explicitly and very clearly to me personally.
This is a startling revelation, considering McCain and Lieberman have attacked politicians who have sought to engage Syria diplomatically:
— McCain adviser Max Boot denounced the Israeli government for engaging Syria, casting it as a betrayal of Lebanon. “John McCain is not going to betray the lawfully elected government of Lebanon,” Boot said.
— The McCain campaign attacked Daniel Kurtzer, an Obama adviser, for attending a legal summit in Damascus. McCain aide Randy Scheunemann accused Obama of favoring “unconditional summit meetings with state sponsors of terrorism.”
— Lieberman joined the conservative attack machine in slamming Speaker Nancy Pelosi for visiting Syria in 2007. “I believe her visit to Syria was a mistake, that it was bad for the United States of America,” Lieberman said. “And I say this because we’re in a war. We’re in a war against the Islamic terrorists who attacked us on 9-11-01. Syria is a state sponsor of terrorism.”
Just last week, ABC News reported that McCain’s hero Gen. David Petraeus sought to visit Syria diplomatically, but “the idea was swiftly rejected by Bush administration officials at the White House, State Department and the Pentagon.” (HT: Cernig)
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63 Responses to “Syrian Ambassador: Lieberman Assured Me McCain Would Talk With Syria”
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Heh. It's the total clusterf uck campaign!
November 2nd, 2008 at 12:03 pmStick a fork in Lieberman he's done.
November 2nd, 2008 at 12:06 pmMcGrampa, you "socialist, Marxist, communist, teh gay lover, terrorist sympathizer!!!!!!!"
November 2nd, 2008 at 12:06 pmSyrian Ambassador: Lieberman Assured Me McCain Would Talk With Syria»
- - Oh look, a November surprise.
November 2nd, 2008 at 12:08 pmBush has such a pathetic weak ego that he can't face talking to someone who, might, gasp, actually disagree with the Royal Boy King. Like the Wicked Witch of the West, our Royal Boy King will simply melt away if he is doused with a bucket of cold water. Man the buckets!
O/T: Leave it on Daylight Savings Time all year round. It's what the French people do and they are rarely wrong about major issues these days... Alternatively, just leave your clocks and watches on Daylight Savings Time and go your merry way. Not to worry, for in a few short months, the rest of the country will come to their collective sense and rejoin you...
November 2nd, 2008 at 12:09 pmWho do you believe it's not like McCain/Palin haven't lied before. The one I like the best is McCain saying how great the Economy is doing as we went deeper in recession and the Stock Maket dropped over 900 pts in one day. Now Sarah is all over the place, the wink allowed viewers to know everything she said was a lie.
November 2nd, 2008 at 12:13 pmUnless the Dims do NOT need him for a (nominal) 60th cloture vote (and he'd be unreliable in that at best), he's done...
But, as with the tentative, tenuous, nearly useless "majority" they bought by shamelessly (and too often enthusiastically) fellating him since 2006, Wholey Joe may be an 'offer' the feckless hockeypucks like Reid cannot refuse...
November 2nd, 2008 at 12:15 pmMcCumstain LIES about Obama, the man.
He's knows what is the objective 'truth,' and he either denies it or intentionally mmis-represents it. This is the very essence of the behavior forbidden by the various lists of "Commandments": Bearing false witness against one's neighbor. It is a provision forbidding slander.
McCumstain/Quaylin mounted a campaign of shameless, blatant slanders about Obama, his character, his associations, his life...
But it cannot be said they 'lied' about the economy. It is not a 'someone' against whom may bear false witness.
November 2nd, 2008 at 12:22 pmPaging Senator Graham! You're supposed to run interference on these untimely revelations.
It was in last month's memo.
November 2nd, 2008 at 12:26 pmSomeone needs to inform the Syrian Ambassador that even we don't trust Joe LIEberman.
¶ AIO
November 2nd, 2008 at 12:30 pmFirst it was Victoria Jackson, but now it's Blackie Lawless. The D-list reich-wingers are flocking to McGRampa!!!
November 2nd, 2008 at 12:33 pmHey guys, have you seen this clip where a lady refuses to give the kiddies any candy if they are Obama supports?
Truly pitiful
November 2nd, 2008 at 12:38 pmDr. Hussein Matt Says:
First it was Victoria Jackson.. The D-list reich-wingers are flocking to McGRampa!!!
- - I used to think Jackson acted the part of a great dumb blonde. Now we know acting never entered into it.
November 2nd, 2008 at 12:39 pmIf this was the other way around, Faux would be giving this 24/7 coverage bashing all Obama supporters. I wonder if McGramp and O'Sarah bin Palin will be bringing this lady on the campaign trail with them?
November 2nd, 2008 at 12:41 pmI think it's really sad that the McCain campaign has sunk to the level it has when ordinary (if you can call this woman ordinary) people resort to the type of stunts she did Dr. Hussein Matt.
November 2nd, 2008 at 12:49 pmLOL! Hey syria, we dont even listen to joe over here!
November 2nd, 2008 at 12:54 pmHere's the clip of the batshit insane woman making kids cry on Halloween. Somebody tell her kids can't vote...
November 2nd, 2008 at 12:55 pmI have reason to believe that even if [Senator John] McCain becomes president of the United States, he will also be inclined to sit and talk with Syria.
Well sure, but... there would be "preconditions", right?
I mean... you can't just talk to these dictators and evildoers without "preconditions". That would be waving the white flag of surrender. Sarah Palin said so.
November 2nd, 2008 at 1:03 pmHeh, I was talking to my daughter's father-in-law yesterday while we were helping her move. He has been a life long Republican, but he said he is voting for Obama, because of McCain choosing a "fcking airheaded bimbo" ( his words ) for a running mate and for running the most disjointed idiotic campaign of his lifetime.
Another quote from him, "I cannot vote for McCain this time, what if he dies and Palin becomes President? So I will have to vote for Obama and b@tch about it for the next 4 years".
It was a very ammusing discussion. =)
November 2nd, 2008 at 1:07 pmThe way I see it, if the french can claim champagne and the Greeks Feta, and the Syrians getting their name attached to the bread, the Lebaonese ought to be able to copyright Hoummus (or Hummus if you prefer)
November 2nd, 2008 at 1:17 pmYes, but the buzz of the diplomatic world is the Palin/Sarkozy phone summit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwzgF0s3Dzg
November 2nd, 2008 at 1:19 pmSomeone needs to tell LIEberman that Syria does not have any electoral votes.
November 2nd, 2008 at 1:33 pmbush does business with terrorists every day. He is such a liar and Americans believe him.
U.N. says Colombian military executing civilians
November 2nd, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Caption Contest:
McCain & Lieberman: Aboard the Double Talk Express.
November 2nd, 2008 at 1:52 pm# 21
superid:
Yes, but the buzz of the diplomatic world is the Palin/Sarkozy phone summit.
great youtube link, needs to be spread widely....
November 2nd, 2008 at 2:31 pmLieberman said. “And I say this because we’re in a war. We’re in a war against the Islamic terrorists who attacked us on 9-11-01."
Does this mean that Traitor Joe supports a nuclear attack on Israel...the terrorists who attacked us on 9/11?
November 2nd, 2008 at 2:43 pmWant to see the November surprise?
Check out the 60-second parody of the anti-Obama attack ad that has caused the right-wing to flood me with hate e-mail.
Feel free to share it with friends.
"The anti-Obama attack ad that even the networks will not run"
http://scootmandubious.blogspot.com/2008/11/anti-obama-ad-networks-will-not-run.html
November 2nd, 2008 at 2:49 pm“The anti-Obama attack ad that even the networks will not run”
Obama has links to a kidney theft ring?
That is hilarious. I really wish the ad were aired; maybe the McCain supporters would realise how ridiculous their attacks are.
Funnier still is the fact that this parody is not far removed from the ads the McCain campaign actually did run.
November 2nd, 2008 at 3:05 pmGregor Samsa wrote:
“The anti-Obama attack ad that even the networks will not run”
Obama has links to a kidney theft ring?
That is hilarious. I really wish the ad were aired; maybe the McCain supporters would realise how ridiculous their attacks are.
Funnier still is the fact that this parody is not far removed from the ads the McCain campaign actually did run."
------------------------------------------
Thanks for checking it out. You have no idea the level of some of hate e-mail I have gotten from the extremist right about this.
I actually had to identify it as a parody in the comments section, because the attacks from the right-wing loonies made it appear that they thought people would really believe a McCain supporter would send it out.
These people are stupid beyond belief.
And scary nasty.
November 2nd, 2008 at 3:20 pmI, too, did a BIG laugh watching it - and did send it on to others. However, I did STRONGLY imply that it was all tongue-in-cheek (just in case!)
November 2nd, 2008 at 3:49 pmThanks for running it!
Just remember as you enter the election booth on Tuesday that the McCain/Palin message is: "The Republicans are coming to save you from the Republicans."
November 2nd, 2008 at 3:59 pmJoe Pelosi?
[Remember when the WH criticised Pelosi talking to Syria]
November 2nd, 2008 at 4:01 pmHi John Kerry. I've got some nice sausage and lentil stuffed peppers. Wanna hit the bold key, pull up a seat and talk like a man?
November 2nd, 2008 at 4:56 pmhttp://www.fivethirtyeight.com/
http://www.electoral-vote.com/
http://www.pollster.com/
November 2nd, 2008 at 5:14 pmHA!!
Hey, JK, next time you cut and paste from a right wing loon site, try adding the link, otherwise people will start thinking you are a lame a$$ troll.
November 2nd, 2008 at 5:17 pmHA!!
Electoral-vote.com was actually one of the most accurate electoral vote predictors from 2004:
On Nov 4th they predicted, Kerry 252 Bush 279 and the actual results were Kerry 251 Bush 286.
Today, they have it: Obama 353 McCain 185
HA!!
HA!!
HA!!
November 2nd, 2008 at 5:23 pmdbadass, once again we can count on you to make our trolls -- er, guests feel at home.
Your culinary largesse and considerate nature must surely put them at ease as well as tempting their palate.
I can't understand why Troll JK refuses to stick around and share a laugh or two.
November 2nd, 2008 at 5:28 pmDr. Hussein Matt
I go to:
first thing in the morning, every morning... even before my morning coffee. Did the same in '04.
November 2nd, 2008 at 5:35 pmhad enough, add this one to your daily reading:
November 2nd, 2008 at 5:35 pmhttp://www.fivethirtyeight.com/
Oh Imad, you innocent little scamp. I feel like I'm stomping on puppies here, but I've got to tell you something: you got hosed, dude.
November 2nd, 2008 at 5:48 pmdear thinkprogress.org user community,
may i ask how many of you read the article?
*crickets*
is that all TP is? is that the point of this site... to simply catch the other guy in a lie? does anyone actually care about the issues?
ya know, obama has the same hard-line rhetoric on "terrah" as GW and mccain. you guys do realize that, right?
ya think that's just his k-street swagger to get him into the white house and then it's gonna be peace, love, and understanding for the next 8 years?
i think some of you will be sorely disappointed when you see just how much change ya get on the dollar these days... inflation, dig?
November 2nd, 2008 at 5:52 pmNo, I don't get that at all. He is the one getting heat for even discussing talking with the nations condemned by the bush admin.....sorry, not my read on Obama.
I think Obama has made as clear a cut with k-street as is possible in the current enviornment and still be a contender. Most of his money has come from individual contributions, a distinction that has gone unchallenged.
You must have him confused with mccain who has in excess of 35 lobbiest's on his campaign staff.
As for your article, he has already started doing that at rallies, due to the late developing financial crisis. This is not a conspiracy as you seem to imply.
November 2nd, 2008 at 6:13 pmComon wearechange, you can't possibly believe that Obama can or will do worse than what we have now or what mccain would do. Do you? Seriously?
November 2nd, 2008 at 6:15 pmHey JK: We will all let you have your fantasy for another couple of days. WTF, your head is going to explode on November 5 anyway, so you might as well enjoy what's left of your world for another couple of days.
RIP GOP!
November 2nd, 2008 at 6:15 pmGood eye, wearechange. You nailed it. That's all TP is. Now since your suspicion has been confirmed, I assume you'll have no further reason to hang around here, hm?
November 2nd, 2008 at 6:19 pmralph the wonder llama Says:
I can’t understand why Troll JK refuses to stick around and share a laugh or two.
Because it is one of the 25% who are people with low ego strength and without the courage of their convictions. Therefore it runs by, drops a turd and splits. It is incapable of debating it's points without going back to that authority figure to tell it what to do next.
November 2nd, 2008 at 6:19 pmAll you libs are so stupid and are being fooled by Obama. There is no difference between the two. They both are men, they both breath, and both have morning bowel movements. They are identical!! You libs are going to be sorely disappointed!!! Arrrrrrggggggg arrrrrgggggggggg
November 2nd, 2008 at 6:30 pmno sir. i certainly don't think he'll do worse... no worse than bush/cheney have managed to do, and certainly not nearly as scary mcpalin.
however, he still maintains the "hard line" on current/future enemies of US and our "allies"... here is what obama said to the AIPC:
(yes, obama is a card-carrying cfr member)
my point is that these are significant news stories. let's not get swept away in all partisan BS. i know it's uplifting to recognize what looks to be a democratic victory in the polls, but please don't forget what the real issues are. the reason obama's been so successful is because we really do need change.
November 2nd, 2008 at 6:35 pmBilbo, with all due respect, i think you're giving troll JK too much credit when you compare his droppings to turds. That implies more solidity than they warrant.
I find it a more satisfying an-alogy to describe them as stinky wet burrito farts. He opens the door, sticks his butt in, lets one rip and then races back to his cubicle at Troll Central where he immediately stuffs his face with Cheetos in order to control his giggling fit.
November 2nd, 2008 at 6:35 pmjust askin', ralph the wonder llama... just askin'!
November 2nd, 2008 at 6:39 pmwearechange, from the article that you linked to:
Doesn't remind me of bush or make me think Obama is planning any wars at all. Quite the contrary.
November 2nd, 2008 at 7:15 pmhow about this:
do you know what he's saying here? he's condemning iran's right to enrich uranium for legitimate energy production, as iran is allowed to do under international treaty. why are we saying iran cannot have nuclear energy facilities? because we want to build up a case for going to war with iran. because most people won't investigate this story... they'll just follow blindly into another war... just like we did in iraq. just like we did in afghanistan... just like we've in every other war we've either provoked or outright started.
http://www.democracynow.org/2008/9/3/fmr_un_weapons_inspector_scott_ritter
November 2nd, 2008 at 7:26 pmwearechange, why don't you read your articles before you decide what is being said? From the other article you linked to, doesn't sound like the bind is near as tight as you would have me believe:
he also said:
Let me remind you of your first statement, this is what you said wearechange:
So I guess my answer is, no I don't realize that at all.
November 2nd, 2008 at 7:27 pmmy linking/quoting skills are waning. here's a better presentation of the argument.
November 2nd, 2008 at 7:31 pmThe sad part is that Lieberman was probably right. McCain probably would have opened up a dialogue with Syria, and it would have been a good thing. Now he'll just criticize Obama for doing what he would have done himself if elected. http://straighttalkonmccain.blogspot.com/
November 2nd, 2008 at 7:32 pmAh, I give up on you. You have made up your mind and so have I.
You take one sentence and use it to imply that Obama has no intentions of working peacefully with Iran. In other words, the objective is to keep nuclear weapons out of their hands.
All other peaceful uses can be negotiated, just as with other nations that you list such as Germany, Japan, etc.
The quote you used actually says "increase pressure". How do you get to the use of force as being an inevitable consequense of an Obama presidency?
Loosen your tin foil hat man...
November 2nd, 2008 at 7:36 pmScott Ritter has good reason to fear American actions historically and is just keeping the air clear on the facts. I'm sure Obama is well informed, much better informed than bush ever was or mccain ever will be. The republicans wanted war.....Obama does not and in reality cannot. Where's the beef?
November 2nd, 2008 at 7:44 pmfred, don't forget what a hawk biden is on iran. that's our foreign policy "muscle" right there, and he's been rabidly anti-iran.
i gotta say though: the whole thing seems like smoke and mirrors to me in context to the argument of resource war. they're gonna dig up whatever excuses they can to secure these territories... even if they have to engage in diplomatic talks first, then bomb after.
of course, i could be wrong...
November 2nd, 2008 at 7:46 pmand i sincerely hope that i am. :)
fred he says more than increase pressure. he says "The world must work to stop Iran’s uranium enrichment program and prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons."
look fred, we all hope we avoid unnecessary conflict, i am just pointing out that there is a clear pattern in these speeches on foreign policy, and it's very dangerous. i agree that everything that obama's said is very promising, but don't rule out the opportunity for war when you have a politician espousing these ideas. see the forest for the trees is all i am suggesting, and of course i offer this with due respect.
November 2nd, 2008 at 8:04 pmYou know, I was just thinking that our problem was that we just don't have enough enemies in the Middle East, much less the rest of the world. Glad to see the current administration is still working on that.
November 2nd, 2008 at 11:47 pm#12--I am ashamed to admit that was in a town about 45 minutes from where I live (Halloween Grinch B*tch). She made LITTLE kids cry. Ugly old toad.
November 3rd, 2008 at 7:39 amWho gives a sh*t what Lieb says--he'll be wishing he's kept his big mouth shut come tomorrow.
November 3rd, 2008 at 7:40 amMcPutz would talk with Syria.
Would that be before or after the bombing campaign?
November 3rd, 2008 at 11:47 am