Obama Seeks to Clarify His Disputed Comments on Diplomacy

[DeepModem Mom]

Source: New York Times

By JIM RUTENBERG and JEFF ZELENY
Published: May 29, 2008

WASHINGTON — With his experience and leadership credentials under sharp criticism, Senator Barack Obama and his advisers are trying to clarify what has emerged as a central tenet of his proposed foreign policy: a willingness to meet leaders of enemy nations.

In an interview on Wednesday, Mr. Obama, of Illinois, sought to emphasize, as he and his aides have done continually over the last few days, the difference between avoiding preconditions for talks with nations like Iran and Syria, and granting them automatic discussions at the presidential level.

While Mr. Obama has said he would depart from the Bush administration policy of refusing to meet with certain nations unless they meet preconditions, he has also said he would reserve the right to choose which leaders he would meet, should he choose to meet with them at all.

The issue presents one of Mr. Obama’s biggest political and policy tests yet as he appears headed toward a general-election contest against Senator John McCain of Arizona: How to continue to add nuance to a policy argument that he views as a winning one, without playing into a fierce round of accusations that he is either shifting positions or appeasing the enemy.

Already the McCain campaign was accusing Mr. Obama of “backtracking,” particularly in the case of whether he would talk with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran....

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/29/us/politics/29obama.html?_r=1&oref=slogin&pagewanted=all

[Sam Ervin jret]

1. When you are right and the people are with you. Don't clarify.

[elocs]

2. Or, how about trying to be as clear as possible in the first place (in any situation)?

That cuts down on the need to clarify. Even the people that are with Obama might want a clearer idea of what he means (about other things too). Obama has to know that every word and statement that he utters will be scrutinized so he needs to watch what he says (words can be potent, so they should be used thoughtfully and not casually) and to say it correctly and clearly the first time.

[judy]

3. I hate this kind of backtracking...

He said, and he says in his blueprint, that he will talk with anyone without preconditions. I happen to think that this is the only approach that will work, especially with the pressing need to undo the damage done in 8 years of Smirk and Co.
Talking doesn't mean giving in.
Negotiating doesn't mean making backroom deals.
Terrorism thrives on war and threats, talking is a more effective weapon against terrorism than whack-a-mole.
Anyone is worth talking to.
Jon Stewart talks to everyone, and most of the time he doesn't pander to anyone either.
I wish Obama wouldn't do that.
As for Hillary, she doesn't have to backtrack, she's Bush2 as far as foreign policy is concerned.
Grrrrr....

[MethuenProgressive]

4. The polling came in between statements. Axlerod instructed him to flipflop.

Obama continues "to add nuance to a policy argument that he views as a winning one, without playing into a fierce round of accusations that he is either shifting positions or appeasing the enemy."

Pick a story and stick with it, Barack.