By: The Grey Havens Published On: 5/15/2008 11:55:18 AM
John McCain's mentor, leader, and spiritual adviser, President George W. Bush today failed the final leadership test when he invoked the Nazis as a political gimmick against Barack Obama.
Quoth the most hated and failed president in US History:
"As Nazi tanks crossed into Poland in 1939, an American Senator declared: 'Lord, if only I could have talked to Hitler, all of this might have been avoided.' We have an obligation to call this what it is -- the false comfort of appeasement, which has been repeatedly discredited by history."
It takes an astonishing lack of common decency to try to draw this kind of parallel, especially when the original Bush fortune was apparently made in collusion with the Nazis and Bush's own Grandfather may have worked with Nazi's to overthrow FDR. But a coward like W must project his own guilt upon the world outside of him, else face the gnawing pain of the reality he has created.
Obama dispenses with the fading, failed president's desperate cowardice with aplomb and well-practiced skill:
"It is sad that President Bush would use a speech to the Knesset on the 6Oth anniversary of Israel's independence to launch a false political attack. It is time to turn the page on eight years of policies that have strengthened Iran and failed to secure America or our ally Israel."
"Instead of tough talk and no action, we need to do what Kennedy, Nixon and Reagan did and use all elements of American power -- including tough, principled, and direct diplomacy -- to pressure countries like Iran and Syria. George Bush knows that I have never supported engagement with terrorists, and the President's extraordinary politicization of foreign policy and the politics of fear do nothing to secure the American people or our stalwart ally Israel."
John McCain's addle-brained "Hamas" smear against Obama is further proof that regardless of how much he tries to distance himself from his spiritual brother, George W. Bush, a McCain presidency would be more of the same; a third term for America's worst president.
UPDATE: J. Sidney McSame parrots his master's idiocy, but with gutless, paranoid flair:
below the fold...
Mr. McCain sidestepped and said, "I think that Barack Obama needs to explain why he wants to sit down and talk with a man who is the head of a government that is a state sponsor of terrorism, that is responsible for the killing of brave young Americans, that wants to wipe Israel off the map, who denies the Holocaust. That's what I think Senator Obama ought to explain to the American people.''
And Benedict Lieberman throws in his 2 bits:
President Bush got it exactly right today when he warned about the threat of Iran and its terrorist proxies like Hamas and Hezbollah. It is imperative that we reject the flawed and na+»ve thinking that denies or dismisses the words of extremists and terrorists when they shout "Death to America" and "Death to Israel," and that holds that - if only we were to sit down and negotiate with these killers - they would cease to threaten us. It is critical to our national security that our commander-in-chief is able to distinguish between America's friends and America's enemies, and not confuse the two.
Overall this is despicable and one of the most embarassing episodes of the entire Bush presidency. For a US president to stand in the Knesset and decry a rising political opponent as a Nazi is beyond the pale. This president deserves censure.
Comments
Disgusting. (RFKdem - 5/15/2008 12:17:01 PM)
I feel another Olbermann Special Comment coming. Less than a year left...I have to keep thinking about that...less than a year.
They have nothing to run on (The Grey Havens - 5/15/2008 12:23:36 PM)
Republican's can't govern and they have nothing to report.
Thus the only game in town is identity politics. Translation: convince racist, homophobic, white voters that Obama is UnAmerican.
Harold Myerson has a great piece on this in yesterday's WaPo
. In more recent elections, Republicans have depicted Democratic presidential candidates as un-American cultural elitists heading up a dangerously diverse party.
This year, we can expect to see almost nothing but these kinds of assaults as the campaign progresses. The Republican attack against Obama all but ignores the issue differences between the candidates to go after what is presumably his inadequately American identity. He is, writes one leading conservative columnist, "out of touch with everyday America." His reluctance to wear a flag pin, writes another, shows that he "has declared himself superior to an almost universal form of popular patriotism."
There are good reasons Republicans are focusing on identity rather than issues this year: In poll after poll, there's not a single major issue on which the public agrees with them or their presumptive nominee. Not Iraq, certainly. Not the economy. Should the election turn on the question of "What are you going to do for America?" rather than "Are you a real American?" Republicans are doomed. They offer no solutions for the stagnation (or decline) of American living standards, or for the weakening of America's economic power. They offer no resolution to America's war of choice in Iraq. Their party leader, the incumbent president, let a great American city drown. They are the American party, and McCain the American nominee, that hasn't a clue about how to help America in its (prolonged, I fear) moment of need.
What remains for the GOP is a campaign premised more on issues of national identity, aimed largely at that portion of our population for which "American" is synonymous with "white" and "Christian," than any national campaign has been since the American Party (also known as the Know Nothings) based its 1856 campaign chiefly on Protestant bigotry against Irish and German Catholic immigrants. In Appalachian America (the heart of which went to the polls yesterday in West Virginia), as Mark Schmitt notes in the forthcoming issue of the American Prospect (which I edit), a disproportionate number of people write "American" when answering the census question on ethnic origin. For some, "American" is a race -- white -- no less than a nationality, and it's on this equation that Republican prospects depend.
The desperate republicans only hope is hate. Has there ever been anything more pitiful than today's Republican party?
This will backfire on Bush and McCain in a big way (aznew - 5/15/2008 12:31:29 PM)
But as part of a larger pattern of attacking Obama on the issue of Israel, each of these attacks leaves a little seed someplace. As I detailed yesterday, there was Eric Cantor's lie that Obama had called Israel an "open wound." Cantor backpeddled quick enough when even the usual media supporters, like Jake Tapper, called him on it (Tapper apparently learned something from his debacle erroneously reporting that Bill Clinton proposed we slow the economy to battle climate change), but the point was to plant a seed.
To the extent that this stuff is aimed at a Jewish audience, I can only think the GOP is concerned about Florida, and is trying to frighten the Jewish seniors concentrated down there in Dade and Broward.
As far as I'm concerned, (Lowell - 5/15/2008 12:36:18 PM)
George W. Bush has been the WORST president from the perspective of someone who supports Israel. Why? Here are two big reasons:
1. Because he's done nothing to ensure Israel's long-term survival in the region by vigorously pursuing the peace process.
2. Because he's empowered Iran through his ineptitude and misguided policies.
All in all, if you're pro-Israel (as I am, strongly, from a Shimon Peres/Yitzhak Rabin/Ehud Barack progressive perspective), you should not be pleased with George W. Bush at all.
By the way, I've been meaning to say (Lowell - 5/15/2008 12:37:56 PM)
"Happy 60th birthday" to Israel. As far as I'm concerned, this is the most beautiful song related to Israel, by one of the most incredible singers I've ever heard. Enjoy!
No One Ever Mentions Saudi Arabia's Blatent Anti-Semitism (Matt H - 5/15/2008 1:15:03 PM)
And that it's a government that Bush has been appeasing since day one, where the children are taught to hate others.
China also is permitted by Bush to do whatever it wants to do to Catholics, Hindus, etc. with no reprecussions.
Anti-Semitism is pervasive (Lowell - 5/15/2008 1:16:24 PM)
throughout the Middle East, unfortunately.
That's different (relawson - 5/15/2008 1:52:24 PM)
It's OK for trading partners to discriminate, murder, oppress, and do whatever they want. We buy sneakers and cheap electronics from them.
Capitalism and the markets are just more important than those pesky human rights. I mean really, how is another Chinese kid working in a hot factory any of our business?
These people are commodities. We can trade their labor freely and without consequence, just as we trade away over commodities such as cattle.
Welcome to the new economy.
That's Correct. (Matt H - 5/15/2008 2:00:43 PM)
There is indeed a Republican campaign (Teddy - 5/15/2008 1:53:00 PM)
going on quietly to turn Jewish American voters against Obama. I have received desperate questions from Jewish friends and acquaintances over the Internet, forwarding to me (although I am not Jewish, just have a reputation for being politically hip) attacks of one kind or another against Obama. The thrust of the attacks are that Obama is a secret Muslim, that he threatens the very existence of Israel, and so on.
While it is impossible to be sure of the origin of most of these scurrilous messages, I think some come from the hard right evangelicals who, based on their interpretation of the Bible, believe we are approaching "end times," and that one of the prerequisites for the Second Coming of Christ is to bring about the establishment of a Greater Israel. Of course, once they have achieved that and the Second Coming is supposedly imminent, the evangelicals' interest in Israel will evaporate and they will turn against Jews who do not convert at once to Christianity. In the mean time, however, this idea has created the curious political bedfellows of hard right Christian evangelicals (and their Congressional minions) with the Israeli hard right of Netanyahu and other bellicose leaders here and in Israel. And, it has engendered these frantic attacks on Obama, some of which, unfortunately, are creating uncertainty among Jewish voters about the Democratic Party in general and its probable nominee, Obama... another Rovian attempt to wedge off a portion of the Democratic base and either supress their vote or convert them to vote for McCain.
On to something here (Alter of Freedom - 5/15/2008 2:45:34 PM)
While I am sure that the move was and is purely political there is a movement going on however under the radar. I have had countless folks ivolved in our organizing that are Jewish and while on the local level support Deemocrats have continued to support Eric Cantor (R-07) and other Republicans at the National level.
It is perfectly fine to stand in complete opposition to someone as Grey Havens and other have toward George Bush but often it is the manner in which that opposition is perceived that draws more condemantion by people on the street that the actual original acts of the one opposed. I learned this fact this morning in line getting coffee where about three or four in front were discussing comments made by Kieth O on Countdown last night. I was not tuning in so these folks were the source and while they all were certainly not Bush supporters given the comments all basically were agreeing that Kieth O went over the top on his ending comments with regard to the President. One even ventured to say "vicious".
Interesting enough I asked if they felt that any of what was said was directed at John McCain and all agreed it was not and one even remarked and I quote "McCain hates Bush as much as we do, there is no denying that".
Here Grey Havens states that Bush is McCain's "mentor, leader and spiritual advisor" which can't help but remind me of the rather distancing people are making , even still by the way, of Obama and Rev. Wright. After 2000 anyone who thinks McCain sees Bush from anything but an advesarial one is misguided. We can all sit and stretch votes and play linkage games with votes and Not Voting on legislation but the view that Bush is anyones spiritual advisor or mentor is simply misplaced.
Whether or not John McCain wins the Presidency and it appears likely he will not we should all have enough respect and integrity in the process to cease with the personal linkage mode of attack that are precarious at best. Most here are proud Democrats who have a long tradtional of not playing Roveian politics like Republicans and we should not start now in this election.
If we want to prevent the continuation of alienating Independents as many have been by the long drawn out primary and help them on their way to the McCain camp then we have to make a stand on issues and policies in the now facing the country and stop with running every chance we get to the well of lameduck George Bush.
McCain can't distance himself from Bush (The Grey Havens - 5/15/2008 3:20:19 PM)
In this primary season he has fully embraced Bush's economic policies, his war stance, and a full swath of issues in order to gain the allegiance of the far-right. From choice, to torture, to immigration, McCain has abandoned principle in favor of political expediency.
Longer-term, the next president stands to appoint as many as 4 supreme court justices. Just last week, McCain promised to follow Bush's lead in appointing radical right-wing zealots just as George W. Bush did.
mc=w3
'nuf said
"embraced policies" (Alter of Freedom - 5/15/2008 4:38:07 PM)
This is exactly what is confusing people generally right now. There is a message being dissimilated painting McCain in this manner moving through the media right now that has many scratching heads, all be it that may be the point, but those in 2000 who supported McCain in the primary, alot of Independents and old Reagan Dems aren't buying it.
I attended a meeting Tuesday night with about thirty folks down here, about a dozen of which worked tirelessly here with myself to elect Jim Webb elected ans saw a Democrat for the first time reach the levels of votes like no other in this jurisdiction, including Warner, Wilder, and Kaine runs for Governor. Much of the discussion centered around this very topic with McCain vs. Obama and where people wanted to be moving out in the community. ONLY a John McCain could stimulate such a discussion. No other Republican in my view would create the pause that exists now. The other main topic was why Eric Cantor (R-07) in this jurisdiction manages to continually to go un challenged by strong, legitimate Democrat leadership?
In the straw poll amongst these activists, mostly Democrat and Independents mind you, the results were striking. Over half of those in attendance are "undecided" and the remainder had a majority (slim one) for Mccain, followed by Obama and Clinton each getting the same number of straw votes. The undecided number is telling of just how close I think this one will be. We had made May 21 the deciding date to determine which way we were to move in the community activism but voted to extend it to June 4 since it is apparent that Clinton will be staying in at least until then.
By the way, many of us who worked on the Webb campaign here wondered if there was some reason why he as yet endorsed Obama. I think that is waying heavy on people in this group. I cannot guarantee that an endorsements would swing this group in large part because many had supported McCain in 2000. We can make the case for Obama, but it must be on substance and not mc=w3. Its a perfect rally cry for diehard Dems and an easy ploy, but to moderates whether Dem leaning or fiscal conservative Reps (notice I am excluding social conservatives here)and Indpendents who have liked Mccain over the years appear not to be buying it.I found it very interesting that though many spoke negatively of Bush, even those supporting Obama or Clinton were not overly critical of McCain. Many of these folks outright hammered George Allen door to door and even they say John Mccain is no George Allen. This race is shaping up to be very interesting. Afterall many diehard liberals out there seem to be discounting all the times McCain was the one Rep working with people like Kennedy on immigration and other Democrat Senators on policies directly at odds with Bush and other Reps. As one supporter said...it takes political courage to align with some of the people he has aligned with over the years in the Senate and has risked his own right wing of the Party by putting the country before Party. This is something I myself have been mulling over for weeks. Obama needs to step up in KY and not redo WV in my book and give us some real reasons to get enthusiastically behind him here in the community or I fear that the middle ground will be for not.
Even Pat Buchanan thinks George W. Bush is nuts (Lowell - 5/15/2008 3:16:42 PM)
It's pretty bad when even Pat Buchanan thinks George W. Bush is nuts.
Historical irony (spotter - 5/15/2008 8:18:58 PM)
"Lord, if only I could have talked to Hitler, all of this might have been avoided." The grandson of Prescott Bush is asking Barack Obama to answer for the words of Sen. William Borah, uttered 22 years before Obama was born. Research these two Republicans, and you will see just how much chutzpah Bush has.
I doubt that George W. Bush (Lowell - 5/15/2008 8:23:10 PM)
has any sense of irony, knows what irony is, or cares.
He probably thinks (aznew - 5/15/2008 9:04:47 PM)
it is something Hillary does to shirts. :)
Good sources for refutation? (Kindler - 5/15/2008 10:01:21 PM)
BTW, I Googled for comprehensive refutations of all the lies circulated against Obama aimed at the Jewish community and found the campaign's Factcheck page, which is pretty good.
Has anyone found any other good sources to refute all this tripe? (I want to be armed for the moment when one of my more conservative relatives sends me a slimy email...)
Bush and the Nazi appeasing Senator . . . (JPTERP - 5/15/2008 10:53:25 PM)
Ironic that Bush would raise this issue given his grandfather's business connections with the Nazi regime. Sen. George Prescott Bush didn't just talk about dealing with the Nazis -- he literally DID business with the Nazis, even after the U.S. had declared war against the Axis Powers.
George Bush's grandfather, the late US senator Prescott Bush, was a director and shareholder of companies that profited from their involvement with the financial backers of Nazi Germany.
The Guardian has obtained confirmation from newly discovered files in the US National Archives that a firm of which Prescott Bush was a director was involved with the financial architects of Nazism.
His business dealings, which continued until his company's assets were seized in 1942 under the Trading with the Enemy Act, has led more than 60 years later to a civil action for damages being brought in Germany against the Bush family by two former slave labourers at Auschwitz and to a hum of pre-election controversy.
The evidence has also prompted one former US Nazi war crimes prosecutor to argue that the late senator's action should have been grounds for prosecution for giving aid and comfort to the enemy.
Good use of that History Degree (Alter of Freedom - 5/16/2008 12:33:25 AM)
Something you will not be taught much anymore in school today was Ambassador Joeseph Kennedy Sr. yeah thats right Kennedy as Ambassador to England stating "Democracy is dead in England"- and not only supported Neville Chamberlain "appeasement" measures to the Nazis but without State Department approval sought a meeting with Adolf Hitler....this whole episode all but killed any future political career for Kennedy.
History is a dangergous thing when you start bringing folks grandfathers into it. I doubt will catch that tidbit on Chris Mathews.
yeah... (The Grey Havens - 5/16/2008 11:13:39 AM)
because Bush's policies have nothing in common with the Nazis... nothing whatsoever.
John McCain's mentor, leader, and spiritual adviser, President George W. Bush today failed the final leadership test when he invoked the Nazis as a political gimmick against Barack Obama.