This makes his recent comments seem sorta strange, like political posturing when he said something different two years ago. Just more Republican poplitical tactics.
I asked: "Do you think that American diplomats should be operating the way they have in the past, working with the Palestinian government if Hamas is now in charge?"
McCain answered: "They're the government; sooner or later we are going to have to deal with them, one way or another, and I understand why this administration and previous administrations had such antipathy towards Hamas because of their dedication to violence and the things that they not only espouse but practice, so . . . but it's a new reality in the Middle East. I think the lesson is people want security and a decent life and decent future, that they want democracy. Fatah was not giving them that."
Does he spell out exactly what "Dealing" with them means? We are certainly "Dealing" with Iran today by applying sanctions. Bush is certainly "Dealing" with Hamas by with holding any support until they reconize Isreal and stop calling for their distruction.
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John Adams “The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence.”
Ronald Reagan: 'Everybody that is for abortion has already been born'
"I never said I was worth it. I only said I wouldn't do it for less " William F. Buckley Jr.
McCain answered: "They're the government; sooner or later we are going to have to deal with them, one way or another...
He left all his options open, and let people hear whatever they want to hear from it. If he gets accused of flip-flopping, he can refer back to this statement and throw it right back as them not paying attention to what he said. A shrewd political move. Slimy, but shrewd politically speaking.
How long 'til November? This is going to be a long painful race to watch.
If McCain were the first Republican to speak soambivalently about these kinds of foreign policy issues, he would be toast right now. But he's not the first, northe only one in the current administration who is willing to communicate openly with our enemies.
I agree with his statement. Yes, sooner or later, we'll have to deal with them. If talking and negotiating leadto fewer Americans dead and less money spent on military operations, so be it. Having said that, talk sometimes only goes so far.
Either way, as moderate as Fatah is next to Hamas, they just aren't running the Palestinians Territories very well. Many in Gaza are tired of Hamas' ****, but then again, these people aren't getting any food, water, electricity, or medicine from the elected government. Hamas is all some people feel they have left, and as long as that's the case, they will mantain their political and military influence.
I guess you could say that Bush dealt with Saddam. Saddam was the government in Iraq at the time and we dealt with him "one way or the other". Saddam chose the "other." Hamas might want to have "one way or the other" defined. I think they have a good idea with BHO.
C. Davis
__________________ Am I greedy because I don't want to give you what is mine?
or
Are you greedy because you want to take what is not yours?
McCain on Hamas
