MAFPAC ad hits Obama on Iraq interference
posted at 7:17 am on September 17, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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Move America Forward recently formed a political-action committee to hit Barack Obama on military issues, and had an explosive charge handed to it by Amir Taheri’s New York Post column on Monday. Taheri quoted Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari in accusing Obama of attempting to block the negotiations between the US and Iraq on a status-of-forces agreement (SOFA), which Obama’s campaign verified in its response yesterday. MAFPAC has its first issue, and its first ad will hit the airwaves this week:
I think this takes the wrong tack, and does harm to MAF’s overall message. With the success of the surge, Iraq has become a lot less dangerous, a point that Obama had refused to acknowledge until after the conventions, when even Obama realized it made him sound like an idiot. Nor would a delay in the SOFA mean a delay in pulling troops out of Iraq; the US can decide to withdraw them with or without a SOFA. This was Taheri’s overreach, and MAF should have avoided it.
The problem with what Obama did is twofold. First, Senator Obama has no authority to negotiate on behalf of the executive branch, which has sole authority to conduct foreign policy. Second and most important, Obama attempted to interfere against the interests of the United States. He can ask all the questions he wants, but when Obama started pressing Iraqi officials to stop negotiations with the executive branch — in other words, break one level of diplomatic contact and freeze a military alliance in time of war — that crossed a line and clearly violated the Logan Act. It also makes clear that Obama would do anything to get elected, even harm diplomatic relations between the US and an ally.
Even with the less-effective approach, though, the ad will at least put the issue in front of the American people. So far, the mainstream media seems more interested in Sarah Palin’s tanning bed than in a presidential candidate who tried to undermine US interests in a war zone for the sake of his own political career.
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Tomorrow:
New Obama truth: Obama campaigned for Marxist Odinga in Kenya with strong-arm anti-American tactics.
Media’s Newsest Story: Sarah Palin may or may not be a morlock! Details at 5!
BKennedy on September 17, 2008 at 7:21 AM
So certain are you? I wouldn’t underestimate the capacity of the MSM to make this sound like a smear from the McCain campaign.
Browncoatone on September 17, 2008 at 7:21 AM
Thank you, Move America Forward!
NightmareOnKStreet on September 17, 2008 at 7:22 AM
I dunno Ed…it’s close….suborn the denial of US policy or own a tanning bed…
Chavato Gibson has me pretty convinced Sarah Palin is the greater of the two evils here.
//Ralphie
sven10077 on September 17, 2008 at 7:24 AM
McCain needs to take this up.
lodge on September 17, 2008 at 7:26 AM
And the Bush administration Justice Department will announce an investigation when?
If they don’t, then Bush might as well step down now, and let someone else run the government.
Right_of_Attila on September 17, 2008 at 7:28 AM
If a white man did this, it would be ok. I think it is just a little bit racist to ascribe this to the O.
Fuquay Steve on September 17, 2008 at 7:30 AM
And who are they asking about being inexperienced? Of course if I was to believe what he believes he is already president.
Arrogance and ignornance is so much on display.
DVPTexFla on September 17, 2008 at 7:31 AM
I agree, but the media will try to spin it into some kind of “violation of Barry’s rights”….
The problem is the last prosecution formally under it to be set in motion was in 1803. Je$$e Jack$on, and Carmichael have both been considered for prosecution and frankly had Bush any balls he’d have had SanFranNan met at the airport by USFM Agents.
sven10077 on September 17, 2008 at 7:31 AM
Exactly, Maximum Mulatto will turn this into a race issue…
“dem honkies be picking on me um because um….”
My wife is over there right now and things the way they have been will make a return engagement in 2010. If Barry interferes with stopping that merry-go-round for personal political expediency he has just made even more of a broken glass anti-Barry voter of me…..
I guess it MUST be racism on my part not a lack of honor on his though eh?
sven10077 on September 17, 2008 at 7:34 AM
Hussein=EuroTrash candidate
saved on September 17, 2008 at 7:35 AM
McCain and/or Palin have to bring this up in speech when they have MSM coverage, otherwise it’s going down the memory hole with Ayers, Rezko and everything else. And bring it up in the debates.
They also need to talk about the Obama campaign’s attempts to silence Stanley Kurtz and David Freddoso.
Take the media bias out of this campaign and it would be 70-30 for McCain, if not 80-20
EnglishMike on September 17, 2008 at 7:38 AM
Do you think it’s possible that this tack still allows them to go harder at him later after he has tried to defend himself with some BS excuse? The ad didn’t mention the Logan Act, but it could still be brought up later.
csdeven on September 17, 2008 at 7:38 AM
I agree that the ad is weak, but at least it’s a start. If it’s successful in getting talk going about this issue, MSM spin or not, it’s a good thing. The talking heads will have to at least put one person on who supports this in order to do the usual “gang up on them” session.
It’s inexcusable that formal action has not been taken. Where is that attorney that filed the birth certificate suit? Maybe he’d be willing to file on a more legitimate charge?
Damiano on September 17, 2008 at 7:39 AM
If the NTY and Wapo are’t going to splash BHO’s undermining of a sitting US President on the front pages, then I’m more than OK with any means this infromation get’s to the population at large. People should be aware of this. I learned of it here, and when I inform people around me about it, the reaction is the same, shock and anger towards Duh 1.
Hog Wild on September 17, 2008 at 7:39 AM
We know the ad is correct. His intent was to keep troops there longer. “Our side” needs to hit him hard on this. “[B]reak[ing] one level of diplomatic contact and freez[ing] a military alliance in time of war” frankly doesn’t have the same effect as, “wanted to keep our troops in danger,” to the mother or wife or girlfriend of a deployed warrior. This is one of those great times when the boiled-down simple truth is totally accurate and most effective. Your suggestion opens too much weasel-room, as well a few rhetorical approaches his campaign could use.
Distributing this far and wide seems like a good idea.
Tommygun on September 17, 2008 at 7:41 AM
Btw, would it be fair for Americans to question Obama’s patriotism now?
No? Okay, just checking.
EnglishMike on September 17, 2008 at 7:41 AM
The very fact that this is not an automatic disqualifer for Obama, the fact that Obama is not disgraced and can still run for high office is indicative of the parlous times we are living in. Let’s not quibble about taking the high ground here. There are at least a few people who are questioning his actions. Let’s commend them and not throw a spanner in their works.
promachus on September 17, 2008 at 7:45 AM
It’s consistent.
We also have compelling evidence that Pelosi tried to interfere with the release of the captives held by FARC in Columbia – her goal being to make certain the proper One received credit for that.
Someone needs to very publicly ask the One a simple question: “By what authority did you undertake to pressure the Iraqi government?”
Steve_Roberts on September 17, 2008 at 7:48 AM
Well, to paraphrase General Santa Ana, the troops are really nothing more but so many chickens. No….maybe it was Longshanks who said to send in the Irish. That’s it, they are Irish Chickens and apparently expendable in order to further the career of BO.
bloggless on September 17, 2008 at 7:49 AM
Obama is the most anti-American candidate to ever run for the presidency. His arrogance and sense of entitlement will destroy this nation. The millions of uneducated kids forced out of our public educational system will have enough hate instilled in them before they leave to resent any persion who is self sustaining and in turn bring this nation to its knees. The uneducated masses will be the tools of the elite to eliminate the middle class. Is the downfall of our nation this easy to recognize?
volsense on September 17, 2008 at 7:49 AM
So,Obama has no official Foreign policy,or experience.
Yet,hopey and Changey has been prancing around the globe,
stopping off in Germany,then on to iraq,where Obama was
conducting his own Foreign policy!
Since there also a Law on the books,Obama is doing Chicago
thug style backroom deals and he has no offical capacity to
be accounted for!!
And,you would think that during a Presidential election,
and especially if your only the nominee,you wouldn’t go
around breaking the Law,and free-lansing on your own,
making decisions for the American people when you don’t
have that authority!
And to top it off,Obama must think he’s already the President!
canopfor on September 17, 2008 at 7:50 AM
The MSM is not neutral in this election and pretty much has given up all semblance of being so and are just providing their normal cover for their candidate of choice. Is the ad on the wrong tack or is it just playing by the same rules as the opposition? The biggest problem I have always seen is that conservatives seldom if ever fight back and when they do they have created the perception of having to have a perfect counter point. The liberals on the other hand don’t give a rat’s furry little behind about truth or accuracy because they go for the headline. They know headlines and bumper sticker slogans stick with people far better then a long winded intellectual analysis of the truth does. That is why they can be wildly successful with tanning bed stories and conservatives can’t get a rise out of what may be a crime. Just remember tapping you foot in a stall is far more heinous a crime then having a prostitution ring run out of your apartment and as long as we don’t play by the same rules it always will be.
jmarcure on September 17, 2008 at 7:52 AM
Our job is to get the smart, principled Democrats to admit there’s a problem, and explain it to the dumb, unprincipled Democrats.
jeff_from_mpls on September 17, 2008 at 7:52 AM
This is the story, and no others compare. Also, impeach Obama from the Senate. Everyone knows he’s capable of betraying the American people for his fringe comrades, but this is treasonous against the military and the current chain of command. This is a clear and concise picture of who this impostor truly is and why he needs to be driven out of federal politics.
I believe that he figured his Muslim credentials gave him a special “in” with Iraqi leadership, and he made a huge blunder.
Hening on September 17, 2008 at 7:53 AM
Today’s Headlines:
Whether Obama appreciates it or not, whether we want it or not, the Middle East raises its woeful complexities up front and personal.
maverick muse on September 17, 2008 at 7:54 AM
As if the Logan Act would EVER be used… keep dreaming.
Xolom on September 17, 2008 at 7:55 AM
I hope Move America Forward has the resources to put out more ads on this issue. Patriotism is now on the table. So ia Obama’s disregard for Constitutional authority of both the Senate and the President of the United States.
You’re absolutely right. This is extremely disturbing and further evidence of how far things have declined. We can talk all we want about how wrestling pigs in mud only make you dirty and the pig likes it, but the fact remains that we need to go into the mud and drag the pig kicking and squealing out to our ground before we butcher him for dinner.
Move America Forward has taken a first step. Time to seize the momentum they have started and continue to push forward.
Damiano on September 17, 2008 at 7:55 AM
Barack is too busy being a citizen of the world to worry about U,S, troops or even the impact on the United States.
TooTall on September 17, 2008 at 7:55 AM
When did the first SwiftBoad Vet ad air?
MarkTheGreat on September 17, 2008 at 7:55 AM
Do you also believe in the tooth fairy? ;*)
MarkTheGreat on September 17, 2008 at 7:57 AM
Make no mistake, by this action Obama has actually interfered with and has already harmed the interests of the United States.
Steve_Roberts on September 17, 2008 at 7:57 AM
No, but I believe in Joementum. Sure, he’s got no “street cred” left with the nuts in his party, but when Joe talks real people listen.
Joe would be an ideal surrogate on this issue. He IS foreign policy.
Damiano on September 17, 2008 at 8:00 AM
Yeah. Wouldn’t Pelosi have violated it when she went to Syria?
lodge on September 17, 2008 at 8:00 AM
Obama will just claim that he was working on his non-existent
foreign policycommunity organizer experience.Rovin on September 17, 2008 at 8:01 AM
I like the ad, it needs to get more play.
From what I read Obama supported the Muslim not the Christian…how does this not get out in the media?
ctmom on September 17, 2008 at 8:01 AM
I guess the bad news is that The Bush administration is what would ultimately have to pursue this? .Sigh.
I don’t see George wanting to get involved. Maybe it’s a wrong impression on my part, but he seems already checked out.
anniekc on September 17, 2008 at 8:01 AM
I know it was a dumb movie, but there was a time when people in the US thought this way.
In the “Rocketeer”, near the end. The federal agents were shooting it out with the Nazis. In drive a bunch of mafioso. Guys the feds had been fighting for most of the movie. The mafioso pull out there guns and start firing on … the Nazis.
The head fed looks at the head mob guy with a quizical look. The mob guy replies. I may be a mobster, put I’m an American first.
The fed gives a “that’s so obvious, why didn’t I think of it” look.
Obviously such feelings are rare in the US today.
MarkTheGreat on September 17, 2008 at 8:01 AM
If SOMEONE influential just had the gonads to call Obama an outright traitor “Now IS the time to question his partriotism” – plain and simple – THAT would attract headlines.
Who is that someone?
Marybeth on September 17, 2008 at 8:02 AM
http://texasdarlin.wordpress.com/2008/09/15/obama-tried-to-stall-us-troop-withdrawal-logan-act-felony/
For those who missed what texasdarlin posted by JUDAH BENJAMIN, below are excerpts.
Potent.
maverick muse on September 17, 2008 at 8:03 AM
B
Unless you’re a DUmmie or a KOSsack.
NoFanofLibs on September 17, 2008 at 8:03 AM
Wait a minute,Obamas trip to Iraq must be the un-offocial
plank of the Democratic party,I submit evidence A and B!
A, Jimmy Carter went out on his own and was asked not to
meet with Hamas,he went anyhow!!
B, Nancy “It just Might take a Women to Clean the House”
Pelosi,went on her own and visited Syria!!
So,I think Obama is not too concerned what people think of
him going to Iraq,acting on his own!!
canopfor on September 17, 2008 at 8:06 AM
This could be pursued in a couple ways:
1. Straight from the White House (not likely, or it would have already happened)
2. Congressional Hearing. Congress has the authority to order hearings and take action against it’s own members, up to and including expulsion. Yeah, the Dems will block it… but so what? They’d have to block it and would not be able to justify their actions in doing so.
3. Department of Justice
4. Civil filing in a federal court
Damiano on September 17, 2008 at 8:06 AM
Let Mirriam-Webster opine:
Treason; 1) the betrayal of a trust (see also TREACHERY)
Steve_Roberts on September 17, 2008 at 8:08 AM
Agreed. The ad has to make the truth as simple and hard-hitting as possible, in order for the tanning bed-fed public to recognize what is going on here.
The Logan Act, etc. can be discussed after the fact has sunk into the public consciousness.
Priscilla on September 17, 2008 at 8:09 AM
Tony Rezko or Rev Wright would do………
Rovin on September 17, 2008 at 8:11 AM
Oh ya,forgot!
If the Looney Moonbats such as Code Pinko’s
want to impeach President Bush,then Pelosi
should launch a investigation into Obama’s
one man band government and acting alone!!!
canopfor on September 17, 2008 at 8:18 AM
Obama has crossed the line that he will not be considered a legitimate US President by at least 25% of the US population, even if his Democrat Party manages to steal enough votes and the US media lies enough to the American people, to put him over the top in November.
This man is nothing to me, nothing. I will not care what title he steals, he’s nothing. He’ll be the modern day Jefferson Davis and the sooner we destroy his administration and impeach him, the better.
Hopefully, it doesn’t come to that but if it does, we will fight.
NoDonkey on September 17, 2008 at 8:21 AM
I bet the view will play this add!..Mom always said “If your gonna dream,make it big”
christene on September 17, 2008 at 8:24 AM
Correction: Moonbat Pelosi with the assistance of Moonbat-in-Chief Kucinich DID hold their little executive authority/ mock impeachment hearing. You remember, they wasted 2 weeks on this no-hearing while banning oil voting and discussion.
So, I propose a Senate Authority hearing so all the sane people can explore how Obama feels that he’s above the Constitution.
Damiano on September 17, 2008 at 8:24 AM
I wouldn’t be surprised if John McCain brings this up in the first debate next week. Force Obama to answer the charge directly in front of the people.
By not making a big deal about it before then, Obama and the media won’t have time to try spin it.
Remember when Obama was blind-sided by the Ayers question in the last debate with Hillary? After that, he didn’t want any more debates.
I think this could be the uppercut that knocks Obama out.
Kiliman on September 17, 2008 at 8:33 AM
I like this ad a lot. Michelle, please get rid of this moderate and make this a real Conservative site again.
bill30097 on September 17, 2008 at 8:36 AM
There is no mainstream media in this country. The are political hacks of the democratic smear machine. I wonder why Obama getting the second most contributions (only 2 years in the senate) from Freddie and Fannie, a democratic scam costing the taxpayers 5,000,000,000,000 dollars is not getting any ink? Without hate and class envy, the democrats could not exist.
volsense on September 17, 2008 at 8:38 AM
I know George Bush likes to pick his battles carefully and maximize the effect of his offense, but really now… the battles you avoid say at least as much about you as the battles you engage. I would love to see him show some spine on this, but I won’t hold my breath.
SKYFOX on September 17, 2008 at 8:45 AM
I disagree with Ed that this is “the wrong tack.”
This is very serious business, what Obama did, and the fact that it is so serious does not make it inappropriate for an ad in a political campaign. Ads should not be confined to fluffy stuff about lipstick on pigs and the like. This is ‘need to know’ information that has to get out there. Will everyone understand the issue? Probably not, but many will, and its important.
I’m glad someone, if not McCain himself, made an ad of this. It is important not just for the campaign, but for the country. The ’shadow diplomacy’ stuff that the Dems have been conducting as the party out of power is very dangerous for the country and has to stop. Calling them on it is the first step in putting an end to the practice.
Obama will have to respond, and all replies to Obama will quote his statement on the subject, that essentially confirms the story. I don’t think this issue and story is going away any time soon.
james23 on September 17, 2008 at 8:45 AM
Wrong! The approach is just perfect for the message to have an impact with the average voter. Democrats in Congress have been meddling in our foreign affairs and violating the Logan Act for several years recently, but these arguments have no credibility due to the lack of legal action taken against all these violations the Democrats have been committing.
jay12 on September 17, 2008 at 8:48 AM
You are correct, Ed, but after closer examination it seems that the Logan Act was written with a clause to let Democrat politicians do whatever they want. I think that was established back when Jesse Jackson decided that the role of primary candidate was to go to Cuba, take over US foreign policy, and bring a bunch of criminals back with him. Once Jesse Jackson was allowed to do this, all bets were off.
We are beginning to see, these days, that the US is no longer ruled by law, but by emotion. Very sad and very dangerous.
progressoverpeace on September 17, 2008 at 8:50 AM
I didn’t really get my head around this nuance the first time, but I am actually thinking that this ad is more clever than we’re giving credit for.
By the way they’ve phrased things, they will appeal to Liberals. Essentially, the core charge to the unwashed and uninformed from this ad is “Obama promised to bring the troops home, then he negotiated the opposite with Iraq”.
It could get some play with the anti-war crowd. We’d watch anything that said Obama’s and idiot, but this blows a hole in the liberal fantasy that he’s based his campaign on.
Damiano on September 17, 2008 at 8:54 AM
Whaddya gotta do to get arrested around here?!
Akzed on September 17, 2008 at 8:58 AM
Time for an Obama Perp-Walk!
Sporty1946 on September 17, 2008 at 8:58 AM
I seriously don’t get how this isn’t treason.
sarahk on September 17, 2008 at 9:00 AM
I think this is a GREAT ad because the Obama campaign is guaranteed to overreact to it and cause more attention to the issue. Obama has an unbelievably thin skin and this ad is going to piss him off. Good.
rockmom on September 17, 2008 at 9:01 AM
And the Bush administration Justice Department will announce an investigation when? If they don’t, then Bush might as well step down now, and let someone else run the government.
Right_of_Attila on September 17, 2008 at 7:28 AM
How true this is… This is my main beef with Bush, the man has been playing defense for much of this past term, rather than taking these crimes and attacking them like a leader. The NYT should have been investigated to the fullest extent of the law when they decided to expose a top secret program that was effective with tracing the money trail directly to terrorist networks. Murtha should have been forced to resign when caught on tape making back room deals. The list is long.
The MSM will not even ask Obama one hard question, let alone expose his criminal acts. It’s going to be up to people such as yourself (ED) to get the Obama news out to the citizens. I don’t care what form or shape it’s packaged in, getting the news out on this self centered thug is brave, bold, and patriotic.
Keemo on September 17, 2008 at 9:05 AM
This ad is stupid. If Obama wants to put troops in harm’s way by merely keeping them there until after the election, then what the heck has Bush and McCain been doing for the past five years?!?
And if Obama truly violated the Logan Act, isn’t it up to the State Dept. to bring up charges?
barry norris on September 17, 2008 at 9:06 AM
Fuquay Steve @ 7:30.
You need to take your racist garbage to the Daily Kos where it belongs.
volsense on September 17, 2008 at 9:07 AM
So when is someone going to issue warrants/subpoenas?
If this happened in Australia someone would lose political office.
Is Obama off limits for the next six weeks?
Crux Australis on September 17, 2008 at 9:08 AM
Steve_Roberts at 7:48AM
Do you happen to have any links handy for the information on Pelosi? I could Google, but if you have it handy it could save some time.
WE’ve got Medvedev, Bashar Assad, and Hugo Chavez all saying they won’t do business with the Bush Administration and now we’ve got Obama “visiting the troops in Iraq” telling the Iraqis not to do business with the USA right now. Sounds like Obama is the head of a world rebellion against the USA (until it’s the USA under Obama, when Michelle and folks like her can finally be proud of America).
I hope the USA realizes this guy has flipped off the whole nation, not just Hillary. I hope America realizes that Obama is spitting on the men and women willing to die for himall of us. And I hope America gives him what he deserves. This is even worse than making war decisions while having oral sex.
justincase on September 17, 2008 at 9:09 AM
I like this ad.
If you want Obama to lose, centrist Democrats & undecided voters need to be disenchanted from the MSM’s glorification of Obama. If you characterize Obama’s actions in Iraq as treason or a violations of the Logan Act, that raises questions about what those terms legally mean in relation to freedom of speech. Such an approach may only speak to those of us who are already committed to vote for McCain/Palin.
Instead, this ad contrasts what Obama said about troop withdrawals & what he did to interfere with negotiations for troop withdrawals. This is very powerful. “Playing politics” and “disgraceful” are apt descriptions that seem much more likely to easily resonate with voters than claims of treason or violations of the Logan Act.
Loxodonta on September 17, 2008 at 9:12 AM
I think many conservative pundits are taking this incident too lightly, at least from the election horse-race perspective. This kind of foreign policy scandal has the power to completely derail Obama as it plays into all the worst stereotypes about liberal foreign policy – self-serving, party before country, weak-willed, and borderline treacherous – at a time when the left is harping on Sarah Palin’s foreign policy credentials.
If this story gets play, it could be the McCain campaign coupe de grace.
Lehosh on September 17, 2008 at 9:13 AM
MAF has good intentions, but it is a muddled message about how are troops are dispersed and who disperses them. Better just slam him on being a knucklehead nobody, whispering in the ears of people he should not be talking to.
frizzbee on September 17, 2008 at 9:15 AM
in the first debate, on Foreign Policy, McCain better hit Obama hard on this. hard and repeatedly.
jp on September 17, 2008 at 9:19 AM
If this were a Republican candidate who had gone to a foreign country and tried to jerry-rig the SOFA for personal gain, there would be Hell to pay, and rightly so.
I agree, the message misses the mark b/c we are winning the war and Iraq is a safer place. Rather, the ad should slam Obama for inappropriatness and dangerous meddling at a time of war. This is a very big deal. Rice and former Secretary of States should come out swinging on this one.
Obviously someone is suffering from PROPS (Premature Obama Presidency Syndrome) as evidenced by the Obama presidential seal, O-Force One, speeches in foreign countries, now negotiationing with foreign governments.
moxie_neanderthal on September 17, 2008 at 9:22 AM
but, but, but…the McCain camp claimed he invented the Blackberr and Sarah Palin has a tanning bed….!!!! These are the real issues facing America.
LEAVE BARACK OBAMA ALONE!
/msm
jp on September 17, 2008 at 9:24 AM
this could also be used by mccain to tie into his “Country First’ theme of the campaign
jp on September 17, 2008 at 9:25 AM
I agree. What on earth are they thinking?
Buy Danish on September 17, 2008 at 9:34 AM
Dear God, man! A Supertramp reference?
Dan Collins on September 17, 2008 at 9:38 AM
There should be an ad that specifically handles the Logan Act and Obama’s apparent violation (in conjunction with the hypocracy of appearing to put his own interests ahead of his publically stated principles). McCain should hammer home the notion that Obama says one thing in public but another thing behind closed doors (clinging to guns and religion and now delaying adjustments to SOFA until he’s elected).
_________________
Text of the Logan Act
§ 953. Private correspondence with foreign governments.
Any citizen of the United States, wherever he may be, who, without authority of the United States, directly or indirectly commences or carries on any correspondence or intercourse with any foreign government or any officer or agent thereof, with intent to influence the measures or conduct of any foreign government or of any officer or agent thereof, in relation to any disputes or controversies with the United States, or to defeat the measures of the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.
This section shall not abridge the right of a citizen to apply himself, or his agent, to any foreign government, or the agents thereof, for redress of any injury which he may have sustained from such government or any of its agents or subjects.
1 Stat. 613, January 30, 1799, codified at 18 U.S.C. § 953 (2004).
4 Part Test
1. citizen of the United States
2. without authority
3.engage in any correspondence or intercourse with any foreign government or any officer or agent
4. intent to influence the measures or conduct of any foreign government or officer or agent in relation to any disputes or controversies with the United States, or to defeat the measures of the United States
Obama clearly meets all four parts of the test. The statements of Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari clearly shows intent and subsequent statements by Obama seem to confirm the foreign minister’s version of events.
moxie_neanderthal on September 17, 2008 at 9:45 AM
I am sure that The One see’s nothing wrong with his actions. Which is why he must never take power in this country. My mother considers him “a dangerous subversive”; like usual, Moms right.
Lunkinator on September 17, 2008 at 9:57 AM
Good issue.
Bad ad.
Criticizing Obama for trying to “keep the troops in harm’s way” has obvious problems.
I understand what they were saying, you understand what they were saying, the
can’t do long division and can’t name the Secretary of State .. you must make it simple for dullards.
cgoode777 on September 17, 2008 at 10:02 AM
wow .. mauled that
try again:
Good issue.
Bad ad.
Criticizing Obama for trying to “keep the troops in harm’s way” has obvious problems.
I understand what they were saying, you understand what they were saying, the general public can’t do long division and can’t name the Secretary of State .. you must make it simple for dullards.
cgoode777 on September 17, 2008 at 10:02 AM
cgoode777 on September 17, 2008 at 10:07 AM
It’s a good start that somebody is addressing this issue, before the Taheri article gets lost in distractions about “important” issues like Sarah Palin’s tanning bed (/sarc).
Right now, most voters are focused on the banks’ problems and bailouts and which candidate can clean up this mess, so McCain could leave this issue alone and come back to it if national security/terrorism/military issues come back to the forefront, as they might after today’s terrorist attack on the US Embassy in Yemen. Hmmm…nobody did anything when US Embassies were attacked in Kenya and Sudan, and our warship was attacked in Yemen, and look what happened (9/11)! The debate next week might be a good time to bring it up…
Steve Z on September 17, 2008 at 10:28 AM
Amir Taheri is up with another article, where he says that Obama’s rebuttal is based on a technicality, and extensively quotes Iraqi Foreign Minister Zebari.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/09172008/postopinion/opedcolumnists/obama_objects_129453.htm
Taheri makes a very detailed case about Obama’s efforts to delay the two agreements between the Bush Administration and Iraq, and I encourage everyone to read his article.
But the kicker comes at the end (H/T Taheri):
Battalions of Obama sympathizers threatening Taheri with death? Obama and his supporters must be really running scared about this information! Which would be a good reason for the McCain campaign to make an ad about it!
Steve Z on September 17, 2008 at 11:33 AM
Ed, you make a great point with the comparison of how the Dems are in an uproar about a used tanning bed, The One is circumventing our current Executive and CinC. Perhaps he doesn’t realize that if he gets elected, he’s creating a precedent for other Presidential candidates to undermine his administration?
BTW, did anyone else make mention of the tanning bed controversy how the article says that tanning beds can cost up to $35,000? Well, isn’t that a beautiful piece of useless information? That’s like me saying, “Obama bought a new car and cars can cost upwards of $250,000!”
Geministorm on September 17, 2008 at 11:40 AM
Well, Rush came close to it . . . he said what Obama did “borders on treason,” that McCain has to hammer this home, and that there needs to be an investigation.
Rush, just say it – it IS treason. THAT will make the news.
Marybeth on September 17, 2008 at 12:38 PM
It is amazing how this story will fail to stick to 0bama.
mad saint jack on September 17, 2008 at 12:39 PM
I don’t think it is a function of being scared. I think it is simply a demonstrable fact that supporters are willing to go to extraordinary lengths to attack critics and shut down civil discourse by demonizing the opposition. They use the mythology of “swifboating” as a pretext to attack others.
That’s why you have people attacking radio shows for interviews, Democrat thugs sending threatening letters to “out” people who contribute to conservative causes or PACS, and vile personal attacks which only receive passing attention in the main stream media.
These folks are so personally invested in electing Obama that for some, nothing is beyond the pale or cannot be justified.
moxie_neanderthal on September 17, 2008 at 12:47 PM
I think the ad is great…….it starts the ball rolling.
Obama and his Chicago thug machine ARE a disgrace.
ex-Democrat on September 17, 2008 at 12:49 PM
Yup, I saw that too….do journalists take classes on how to slant the news? It really is propaganda. Goebbels would be proud.
ex-Democrat on September 17, 2008 at 12:52 PM
I’m sort of at a loss here. The ad claims that Obama wanted to “keep our troops in danger’s way” until after the election. Won’t our troops be in danger’s way regardless of their levels in Iraq — after all, isn’t that why they are there — to be in danger’s way so that all us clueless civilians aren’t? Isn’t that where we actually want our troops to be while we are fighting this war?
The ad just doesn’t fly, in my honest opinion.
The better point to make would have been that Barack has engaged in private diplomacy designed to obstruct negotiations and initiatives being put forth by the United States Government to aid in the safety and security of those forces. We have here everything the left was livid about with respect to Reagan vs. Carter, with the difference that there was no smoking gun in Reagan’s case, yet there is now a very visible one in Obama’s hand.
unclesmrgol on September 17, 2008 at 1:04 PM
Limbaugh is on the job over this very topic. I hope he continues to hammer Obama over the Logan Act.
moxie_neanderthal on September 17, 2008 at 1:39 PM
If McCain did what Obama did, the media would crucify him.
SoulGlo on September 17, 2008 at 1:53 PM
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