Sen. Specter: I would meet with Ahmadinejad

[AnnInLa]

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1164882000785&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Senator Arlen Specter, a Republican from Pennsylvania who broke ranks with the Bush Administration and met Syrian President Bashar Assad earlier this week, said Thursday in Jerusalem that he would now like to sit down and talk with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

snip

"I disagree with the policy of not dealing with Iran," he said.

Specter brushed aside the criticism of his trip to Damascus that was voiced by some in the Bush Administration who argued that his visit, as well as recent visits by three democratic senators, granted legitimacy to the Syrian government. Specter said that as a member of the powerful Senate appropriations committee that sends billions of dollars each year to the Middle East, he was duty-bound to see first hand what was happening in the region.

Specter said that while he acquiesced to the Bush Administration's request not to visit Damascus on previous tours to the region last December and August, "this year in coming it seemed to me that the Administration's program is not working."

snip

Specter, who has served in the senate for 26 years, said that the situation in the Middle East is more problematic now than at any time since he was first elected.

more of his interview with the Jerusalem Post at link above

[BOSSHOG]

1. I think talks, negotiations are essential

However, since no one in the bush administration knows how to negotiate or be rational with the damnable fureners, I believe we are better off without them attempting. That dumbass kindasleezy knucklehead would no doubt start WWIII if she attempted to negotiate the way the bush administration would negotiate. and thanks to bush and his enablers like limbaugh and faux, the U.S. ain't in a position of strength to negotiate now. Its us against the world. Awesome bush, just fucking awesome.

[madokie]

5. and the bush* crews refusual to talk should be enough to run his and his damned crew's asses off

its a shame the world has to put up with him and his sorry lot

[BushOut06]

2. Finally, a repug who gets it

What is so alien about the concept of talking to those who you disagree with? Those are EXACTLY the people we need to be talking to the most!

[Skidmore]

4. The only thing he got was a shift in the direction of the wind and

the severe slap the nation dealt the Republican party during the last election. All of a sudden Spectre has learned how to stand up to his political bosses and developed a conscience? I don't think so.

[BushOut06]

6. I didn't say he was a good person

Even if he is taking advantage of the current political situation and jumping off *'s bandwagon, it's a good thing. I'm more concerned with the end result than anything else. If a couple of Repugs jumping ship helps to avert a disastrous war with Iran, then I'm all for it.

[leftchick]

3. yeah right

until he gets a threatening call from cheney. :eyes: