Edwards Chides Clinton and Obama

[jsamuel]

Source: ABC News

Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards on Friday chided rivals Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama for feuding over whether or not to meet with leaders of rogue nations, saying the spat was distracting Democrats from tackling real problems.

...

Sens. Clinton and Obama have engaged in a weeklong feud precipitated by Monday's debate exchange over whether a president should meet with leaders of rogue nations without preconditions.

"If you're looking for what's wrong in Washington, why the system is broken, why the system doesn't work, one perfect example is what's been happening just over the course of the last four days," said Edwards, who spoke before Clinton and Obama.

"We've had two good people Democratic candidates for president who spent their time attacking each other instead of attacking the problems that this country is facing," Edwards said to a mixture of groans and applause.

"I got your attention with that one," he added.

Read more: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&ct=us/0-0&fp=46aae96881b8b4d2&ei=VleqRsWPMqL2pQKc4OXRBA&url=http%3A//www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory%3Fid%3D3422038&cid=1118636628&sig2=odqjfSduuOGWSIkkuiODXg

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John Edwards is right.

Both Clinton and Obama are exaggerating each other's position on this issue. Obama calls Clinton's position "Bush-Cheney lite" making it look like she doesn't want to start diplomatic ties at all. Clinton calls Obama's position "naive" making it look like he is open to anything.

These mischaracterizations of each other's policies does the debate on foreign policy injustice. I am glad John Edwards pointed out that the debate should be on policy, not on personality.

[ronnykmarshall]

1. Good for John.

I'd be proud to have him as the nominee.

[MethuenProgressive]

2. "the spat is distracting" so he adds the spat to his stump speech?

"the spat is distracting people from noticing me!" - John Edwards
:eyes:

[frogcycle]

4. love and kisses to you too

[texastoast]

3. Luuuuuuuuv him!

Just keep sayin' the truth, my man!

It's about the freaking people!

:applause:

[matcom]

5. seems to me it is a fundamental POLICY difference between the two

and VITALLY important to a future foreign policy mentality that could affect how we and the world deal with each other.

but that is just me :eyes:

[matcom]

6. One more thing

the "problems" in Washington (to me) are fucking POLITICIANS telling US what THEY think is IMPORTANT by spewing rhetoric and getting face time INSTEAD OF TALKING ABOUT THE ISSUES AND APPROACHES TO HOW TO DEAL WITH WORLD PROBLEMS.

:banghead:

night

[iamjoy]

9. But, It Isn't Really A Difference

Hillary never said she wouldn't meet with these "rogue" leaders. Indeed, Senator Clinton went to Syria. she took flack for it, but it was the right thing to do.

Obama, well, he is right that diplomacy is important and we need a change in Washington (from the way the current administration does things).

And so what if Obama "doesn't understand" how things are done in diplomatic circles, that's why presidents have secretaries of state and protocol officers and the like. He was speaking from a postion of hope and optimism, which is very compelling. But, in a cold practical way, Hillary's probably right.

At it's core, I think they feel very much the same on this and everyone is making a mountain out of a molehill on the differences. What's the key difference in their policies - that Hillary would have preconditions and Obama wouldn't? That's BS.

[Malva Zebrina]

7. The little "spat" between Obama and Clinton

comes off as Hill and Bill being plain and simple, vengeance bitches.

It, this spat, was the result of Obama sticking it to Clinton on her war vote, soemthing she and her advisors apparenely WANT the voters of America to FORTGET.

Horrors --someone brought it up and what a brave thing to do. Horrors, Hillary responded with guile--oh please

American voters hold your nose and vote for me. Ignore the stories coming from Iraq and ignore the tens of thousands I have allowed to be killed, due to my vote. I was "duped"

Today, Clinton is trying hard to prove she wants to end this--err, she ain't succeeding. She is looking like a mellowed rendition of the spin factory of George Bush. She does not look "tough"
She looks, well, spinning and calculating , playing some game with us all sheep.

Hold your nose---vote for her, in spite of this hapless calculated vote. Dont' ever confront her with her vote.

It is wrong, imo, due to the slaughterhouse we are experiencing in Iraq, the tragedy we caused, to hold your nose and vote for a candidate who allowed it. We are supposed to "fogedda bout it"? She wishes and calculated we would.

From the many comments I have read on progressive blogs, it appears that those who vigorously opposed this invasion, are just plain and sinmply willing to have a president WHO VOTED FOR THE DAMN THING

[femmocrat]

8. It remains to be seen if he will be the beneficiary of their "spat."

So many times, when the two top rivals start picking at each other, the third place candidate can gain some points by rising above the fray. Maybe Edwards should just keep out of this one.

[InvisibleTouch]

10. He's right.

When our candidates attack each other, they're just giving the other side ammunition.