Obama plays follow the leader (joins Sen. Clinton in urging Bush to boycott Beijing)

[journalist3072]

Looks like Obama's playing follow the leader...

Obama urges Bush to boycott Beijing

37 minutes ago

LEVITTOWN, Pa. - Barack Obama joined Democratic presidential rival Hillary Rodham Clinton on Wednesday in calling for President Bush to boycott the opening ceremonies for the Olympic Games in Beijing.

Clinton had commended British Prime Minister Gordon Brown for announcing that he will skip the August ceremonies in China's capital, and called on Obama and likely Republican presidential nominee John McCain to join her in urging Bush to do the same.

Obama did later in the day; his campaign issued a statement in which, for the first time, he urged Bush to boycott the festivities.

-snip-

Obama previously had said he was conflicted about U.S. participation, but that "there should be consequences" for China if it does not take steps to respect rights and freedoms in Tibet.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080410/ap_on_el_pr/candidates_olympics

[Freida5]

1. he is definitely not a leader

[JimGinPA]

2. Not Only That...

He's going to be the next President.

[journalist3072]

5. Keep pipe dreaming...

[democracy1st]

34. You're saying he's not going to win this nomination ?

You guys need the help of the repubs just to stay in the race.

[IndianaGreen]

3. Unlike Hillary, Obama did mention China's complicity in the Darfur genocide.

As to Hillary, her husband lambasted China for the Tienanmen Square massacre when he was first running for President. Once Bill got his butt in the Oval Office, he proceeded to indulge the Chinese regime.

[FrenchieCat]

10. you mean, like the Chinese Trade Deal?

Oh yeah! That's right! He led us right over a cliff.

But she was sitting on what board then? Walmart?

[SaveOurDemocracy]

25. Hillary most certainly mentioned Darfur ... the parrot, parroted

Hillary ... 4/7/08

The violent clashes in Tibet and the failure of the Chinese government to use its full leverage with Sudan to stop the genocide in Darfur are opportunities for Presidential leadership. These events underscore why I believe the Bush administration has been wrong to downplay human rights in its policy towards China. At this time, and in light of recent events, I believe President Bush should not plan on attending the opening ceremonies in Beijing, absent major changes by the Chinese government.

I encourage the Chinese to take advantage of this moment as an opportunity to live up to universal human aspirations of respect for human rights and unity, ideals that the Olympic games have come to represent.

Americans will stand strong in support of freedom of religious and political expression and human rights. Americans will also stand strong and root for the success of American athletes who have worked hard and earned the right to compete in the Olympic Games of 2008.

http://blog.hillaryclinton.com/blog/main/2008/04/07/174152


:hi:

[DUyellow]

4. Why not just say, Obama is supporting a good cause?

[BlueIdaho]

7. No political milage in that simple yet elegant statement. nt.

[MadBadger]

6. Your headline and the headline itself are wrong and misleading

He has said that a boycott should be on the table but decided on later if China does not do certain things with regards to Tibet and Darfur.

[SaveOurDemocracy]

26. HRC suggested the boycott be provisional on ...

China's future actions. Then the parrot parroted:


Hillary ... 4/7/08

The violent clashes in Tibet and the failure of the Chinese government to use its full leverage with Sudan to stop the genocide in Darfur are opportunities for Presidential leadership. These events underscore why I believe the Bush administration has been wrong to downplay human rights in its policy towards China. At this time, and in light of recent events, I believe President Bush should not plan on attending the opening ceremonies in Beijing, absent major changes by the Chinese government.

I encourage the Chinese to take advantage of this moment as an opportunity to live up to universal human aspirations of respect for human rights and unity, ideals that the Olympic games have come to represent.

Americans will stand strong in support of freedom of religious and political expression and human rights. Americans will also stand strong and root for the success of American athletes who have worked hard and earned the right to compete in the Olympic Games of 2008.


http://blog.hillaryclinton.com/blog/main/2008/04/07/174152

[mmonk]

8. And she followed his lead

when signing the American Freedom Campaign pledge to protect the constitution. Too bad he wasn't in the Senate at the time of the Iraq War vote so she could have followed his lead in being against it.

[BenDavid]

9. hey, he's got two minds and one mind is conflicting with the other

and this sound like obama is fighting mental health daily. No way this man should be in teh running. He should be under heavy medication..

[tabatha]

12. your sole point in life

seems to be twist/spin anything you can against Obama whether it is logical or not - I think people's eyes just glaze over at the sheer and utter negative nonsense

[EmperorHasNoClothes]

15. Takes one to know one.

[EmperorHasNoClothes]

11. Clinton plays follow the leader (joins Rep. Pelosi in urging Bush to boycott Beijing)

Looks like Clinton's playing follow the leader...

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/04/01/pelosi.olympics/index.html

Dated April FIRST.

[Evergreen Emerald]

13. Obama waited for the reaction to Clinton's request to boycott.

And then, when it looked as if it was the right thing, he sided with her. He is simply not presidential material, and shows it again and again.

"present"

[AX10]

14. It seems Obama likes to play games.

[riverwalker]

16. try again

OBAMA AND TIBET...


Barack Obama on MARCH 15th .......about 3 weeks ago


http://www.thenation.com/blogs/campaignmatters?pid=299232

"I am deeply disturbed by reports of a crackdown and arrests ordered by Chinese authorities in the wake of peaceful protests by Tibetan Buddhist monks. I condemn the use of violence to put down peaceful protests, and call on the Chinese government to respect the basic human rights of the people of Tibet, and to account for the whereabouts of detained Buddhist monks," declared the Illinois senator.

"These events come on the 49th anniversary of the exile of the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists, the Dalai Lama. They demonstrate the continuing frustration of the Tibetan people at the way in which Beijing has ruled Tibet. There has been an informal dialogue between Chinese leaders and the Dalai Lama's representatives over the past six years. It is good that they have been talking, but China has thus far shown no flexibility on the substance of those discussions. Indeed, it has delayed in scheduling the latest round, despite the willingness of the Tibetans to continue dialogue.

"If Tibetans are to live in harmony with the rest of China's people, their religion and culture must be respected and protected. Tibet should enjoy genuine and meaningful autonomy. The Dalai Lama should be invited to visit China, as part of a process leading to his return.

"This is the year of the Beijing Olympics. It represents an opportunity for China to show the world what it has accomplished in the last several decades. Those accomplishments have been extraordinary and China's people have a right to be proud of them, but the events in Tibet these last few days unfortunately show a different face of China. Now is the time for Beijing to take steps that would change the image people have of China later this year by changing the reality of how they treat Tibet and Tibetans. Now is the time to respect the human rights and religious freedom of the people of Tibet."

[SaveOurDemocracy]

27. ok ... HILLARY AND TIBET...

Hillary Clinton on MARCH 15th .......about 3 weeks ago


http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/release/view/?id=6558


3/15/2008

Statement From Hillary Clinton:


"I am deeply concerned about the violent clashes that have erupted in Lhasa, Tibet. Based on the limited information available, there is an urgent need for all parties, and in particular the Chinese security forces, to exercise restraint, to demonstrate respect for human rights and to protect civilians from danger. I call on the Chinese government to prevent further escalation of this conflict and to urgently pursue resolution through peaceful means.


"I co-sponsored the Fourteenth Dalai Lama Congressional Gold Medal Act and co-sponsored the Tibetan Policy Act of 2001, supporting a dialogue between the People’s Republic of China and the Dalai Lama. I have personally met with the Dalai Lama. I asked President Jiang Zemin to explain China’s repression of the Tibetans and their religion during his 1997 state visit to the United States. More than 10 years later, Chinese repression in Tibet continues. This week, Tibetan monks have sent a message to the world that their aspirations for religious liberty remain as strong as ever.


"Upholding freedom and human rights in Tibet will happen through negotiation, and with a commitment on all sides to seeking constructive solutions for the benefit, above all, of the Tibetan people."

[bhikkhu]

31. Kudos to both.

And kudos to two posters for providing dates, quotes, and excellent information in an otherwise fairly useless snarkfest. It rarely happens, thanks.

[bigtree]

17. this is a good thing

kudos to Sen. Obama

[Tom Rinaldo]

18. Hillary wins a few more points on this by getting there first but Obama gets points too

I think that's the fairest way to frame this. A slam on Obama isn't necessary. I like it when both candidates come down on the right side of an issue, and it isn't always going to be the same one getting there first.

[anonymous171]

19. Whoah, he thinks before acting.

[demasiado]

20. the order doesn't matter

I don't think the order in which Obama and Clinton rejected Chinese abuses of human rights should matter. That is childish, IMO.

[Up2Late]

21. He's been playing "follow the leader" on every issue in this campaign for the last 2 years...

...maybe longer, but definitely for the last 2 years. He won't take the lead on anything, because it's so much easier to react to what Senator Clinton says and then criticize it and say what she didn't get exactly right.

HELL, his campaign can't even come up with their own campaign speaking location, they just go wherever the Clinton campaign goes and does the same thing.

And did you catch the (as The Daily Show is now calling it) "Dickish Move" the other day at Indiana University? They gave away free ticket to a Free Dave Mathews Band concert at the same time as President Bill Clinton was speaking at Indiana University!

It's a great strategy, unless you want a President who can get us out of the mess we are currently in.

[Oregone]

22. If you aint first, youre last!

Shake and bake, baby.

[AtomicKitten]

23. He stole her eraser in homeroom too.

[bluestateguy]

24. And if he had disagreed with Hillary or said nothing, you'd bitch about that too

He's agreeing with Hillary. Her supporters should welcome that, rather than trying to pick a fight where there is no fight.

Geez.

[LulaMay]

28. He's like the kid who always tried to copy your test paper.

[Occam Bandage]

29. It's good to know that Clinton was the first person to condemn China.

[Beacool]

30. This is another "I agree with Hillary" moment.

:rofl:

[Why Syzygy]

32. Your editorializing is embarrassing. nt

[pointsoflight]

33. Geez, does everything have to be about Clinton vs. Obama?

Can't dems be happy that BOTH are speaking out about an important issue. I'm sick of this shit. We are all dems, we are on the same fucking team. Wake up people.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

35. This whole thing is so fucking stupid.

I don't even know where to begin.