Three sources tell Guardian Obama plans to talk to Hamas
posted at 7:30 pm on January 8, 2009 by Allahpundit
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Barack Obama, April 2008:
“We must not negotiate with a terrorist group intent on Israel’s destruction. We should only sit down with Hamas if they renounce terrorism, recognize Israel’s right to exist and abide by past agreements.”
“Hamas is not a state. Hamas is a terrorist organization,” he said.
The Guardian, tonight:
The Guardian has spoken to three people with knowledge of the discussions in the Obama camp.
There is no talk of Obama approving direct diplomatic negotiations with Hamas early on in his administration, but he is being urged by advisers to initiate low-level or clandestine approaches, and there is growing recognition in Washington that the policy of ostracising Hamas is counter-productive.
Richard Haass, a diplomat under both presidents Bush who was named by a number of news organisations this week as Obama’s choice for Middle East envoy, supports low level contacts with Hamas provided there is a ceasefire in place and a Hamas-Fatah reconciliation emerges…
Bruce Hoffman, a counterterrorism expert at the Georgetown school of foreign service, said it was unlikely Obama would move to initiate contacts with Hamas unless the radical faction in Damascus was crippled by the conflict in Gaza. “This would really be dependent on Hamas’s military wing having suffered a real, almost decisive, drubbing.”
I bet they feel silly now for unendorsing him.
What’s changed in nine months? For one thing, the ceasefire’s come and gone per Hamas’s choosing, reminding the world yet again that they can’t be ignored. Terrorism works, as Alan Dershowitz likes to say, and never more so than here if the crisis they provoked succeeds in landing them a seat at The One’s table. Beyond that, with the election over, Obama no longer needs Hamas as a fig leaf for his policy of dialogue with Iran. I wrote about this endlessly during the campaign: The three reasons he gave in April for not chatting with them — terrorism, rejectionism, and dealbreaking — apply equally well to Iran, but meeting with Iran is the cornerstone of the foreign policy Change he promised. How then to prove his Zionist credentials to pro-Israel voters? Simple — draw a meaningless artificial distinction between Iran and Hamas based on the fact that one’s a sovereign state and the other isn’t. He’ll talk to terrorist states threatening Israel with nuclear weapons, but terrorist groups threatening them with Qassam rockets? Why, he’s far too much of a Likudnik for that. Except of course he’s not, which is why that meaningless artificial distinction is now reportedly — and quietly — being discarded.
Exit question one: Anyone heard recently from our new Secretary of State? She seemed quite troubled during the campaign by the thought of listening to Hamas. Exit question two: Second look at this report from November? Exit question three: He’s not going to try to spin this as okay because it wouldn’t involve “direct presidential diplomacy,” is he? I.e., “When I said I wouldn’t talk to Hamas, I meant *I* wouldn’t talk to Hamas. Hillary, on the other hand…”
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If he does, it’ll be time to begin impeachment proceedings.
Oh, wait. I forgot about Damascus Nan…. Forget it. Wave goodbye to Israel.
MrScribbler on January 8, 2009 at 7:33 PM
It’s a sad time for this once great Republic.
rplat on January 8, 2009 at 7:33 PM
Let’s see the Obama donor list up close and personal. Bet we never will!
Keemo on January 8, 2009 at 7:34 PM
Of course he is going to talk t them. Got a dressing down form them this week for not denouncing Israel. He has to apologize.
Tommy_G on January 8, 2009 at 7:34 PM
Don’t. Do. It.
flipflop on January 8, 2009 at 7:34 PM
Of course that’s what he’ll say, and the media will eat it up.
It's Vintage, Duh on January 8, 2009 at 7:34 PM
When ya got nothin’…ya tend to want to talk. When you are willing and able to go to the mat to pin your opponent into submission, you do it. No talk necessary.
Obama’s “hope and change” foreign policy in a nutshell…the talk part, of course.
coldwarrior on January 8, 2009 at 7:35 PM
The man has no clue.
backwoods conservative on January 8, 2009 at 7:35 PM
growing recognition by leftists who want Israel destroyed that is.
rob verdi on January 8, 2009 at 7:36 PM
Hamas may not be around to push around much longer
/
faraway on January 8, 2009 at 7:36 PM
Remember in his own words about the shifting winds and he would side with the muslims! The world is splitting apart and this guy is going to have a wedge to drive in it.
wepeople on January 8, 2009 at 7:36 PM
Israel has 12 days to destroy Hamas.
rob verdi on January 8, 2009 at 7:36 PM
Wait, what? He’s contradicting himself??? They say his administration is going to talk to the Hamas psychotics??? Shocker!!!!
He really is the Neville Chamberlain of the 21st century.
mjk on January 8, 2009 at 7:37 PM
I don’t believe it.
I’ll hate Obama as readily as anyone, but this just seems farfetched, and like The Guardian is trying to capitalize on Obama’s silence by just putting something out there.
If they were going to leak to somebody, why The Guardian?
jimmy the notable on January 8, 2009 at 7:37 PM
Throw them a lifeline when their down in the hopes they won’t rebuild? Utter madness!
rob verdi on January 8, 2009 at 7:38 PM
Jimmy the Notable,
Your right, this is the Guardian.
rob verdi on January 8, 2009 at 7:38 PM
What happened to…………..
Seven Percent Solution on January 8, 2009 at 7:43 PM
Obama is the only one who can fix this mess.
Few things are more useful in these situations than a messiah complex.
SheofTwoMinds on January 8, 2009 at 7:44 PM
And he’ll still get 75% of the Jewish vote. Go figure.
JammieWearingFool on January 8, 2009 at 7:44 PM
Obama wanted to engage with direct presidential-level talks with a state sponsor of terror whose weapons were killing our troops in Iraq. How is low-level talks with a group Iran sponsors farfetched in that scenario?
amerpundit on January 8, 2009 at 7:44 PM
He doesn’t have to spin it because he doesn’t have to admit and won’t admit that there are talks. It will be done clandestinely so when Hamas continues to operate in their routine manner Obama won’t look like a fool, at least to those who don’t follow these things closely, which includes a large percentage of his voters.
Mark1971 on January 8, 2009 at 7:44 PM
“I” won’t talk to Hamas. But my uncle, who is a muslim extremist, who is from Kenya but is doing undercover operations out of Chechnya, with orders from Ahmadhinejad from Iran, will surrender America to the Iranians in my name. With my fake birth certificate. On my behalf. Good bye, America.
/World Net Daily’s next headline.
I did not vote for -O-
Key West Reader on January 8, 2009 at 7:46 PM
Fun quote from the article:
amerpundit on January 8, 2009 at 7:47 PM
On what grounds?
Big S on January 8, 2009 at 7:48 PM
Heck, let’s invite them to a state dinner.
Maybe the Medal of Freedom for Sheikh Hassan Yousef. How about a stint in the Lincoln bedroom?
drjohn on January 8, 2009 at 7:50 PM
Maybe he can bore them to death, we can only hope.
Although Hillary would have a better chance at that, she’s about as interesting as Obama is qualified.
NoDonkey on January 8, 2009 at 7:50 PM
It seems farfetched to me because he’s seemingly abandoned every other promise he made to the far left, so I just assume this goes along with that.
And it seems like there’s a difference between sitting down with a hostile leader of a country like Ahmedinejad (who funds terrorists who have killed American troops), like Nixon did with China, who funded a war against Americans in Vietnam, like other presidents actually met with Russia…there’s seemingly a difference between all of that and talking to a terrorist organization that has no pretenses about their objectives.
jimmy the notable on January 8, 2009 at 7:50 PM
Some republican patsy will do it.
tomas on January 8, 2009 at 7:52 PM
Quote from the article:
Secret envoys, multilateral sex-party talk-like approaches. With Goats. The total inclusion of Hamas that we promulgated under Pelosi is going to begin,” said Steve Clemons, the director of the French Strategy Programme at the New French America Foundation. “You could try to screw through the Europeans. You could invent a screw machine that is multilateral with us lib’s. It is going to be hard for us to blow goats,” he said. “But I think it is going to happen.
Key West Reader on January 8, 2009 at 7:53 PM
Hubris
is going to be a problem for the new administration.
Skandia Recluse on January 8, 2009 at 7:53 PM
And he’ll still get 75% of the Jewish vote. Go figure.
JammieWearingFool on January 8, 2009 at 7:44 PM
Big difference between the American Jew & the Israeli Jew. Also a big difference between the Israeli Jew and every other Jew around the world.
Republicans fought and died to end slavery in America, but yet 90% of blacks vote for the party that fought and died to maintain the right to own slaves.
Black America and American Jews mind boggle the term “common sense”… Of coarse, the fact that Democrats have for years, created government handout programs specifically targeting blacks, doesn’t bode well for black America. Quite frankly, blacks appear to hold a “pay to play” deal with Democrats. American Jews have been on the receiving end of some pretty accurate jokes my entire life time, and for good reason…
Keemo on January 8, 2009 at 7:54 PM
Why should this surprise anyone? He launched his career in the living room of a terrorist…
Rogue on January 8, 2009 at 7:54 PM
I’m seriously considering flying my American flag (which has been on display without fail since the aftermath of 9/11/01) upside down on January 20th.
highhopes on January 8, 2009 at 7:55 PM
amerpundit on January 8, 2009 at 7:56 PM
Barack Obama AKA Jimmy Carter 2.0
Sarah Palin, start working on your political team for the presidency in 2012.
jencab on January 8, 2009 at 8:01 PM
I definitely wouldn’t rule it out. I’m not necessarily confident, its just that the picture I have of Obama isn’t really of a brainless ideologue. He’s self-obsessed. Every step of the way, he has done and said whatever he’s had to be popular. Its dangerous, to be sure, but unless there’s some unknown political advantage to be had by abandoning America’s closest ally, I don’t think he would jeopardize that.
If anything, I think he might throw a curveball and get really tough with Europe, just because he can.
jimmy the notable on January 8, 2009 at 8:01 PM
Must go watch the Oklahoma – Florida national championship game… This could be the last one of these games I get to watch without paying a special messiah tax fee for the special right to view…
Pay to Play…
Keemo on January 8, 2009 at 8:02 PM
This is crazy. BHO doesn’t know what he is doing. Israel has to wipe Gaza out as much as they can. Then maybe hit some of Iran’s nuke sites. This isn’t good though.
sheebe on January 8, 2009 at 8:04 PM
I already plan to do so, its more than appropriate under the circumstance, what happens afterwords is still up for debate.
Viper1 on January 8, 2009 at 8:04 PM
Well, to be fair, he has a lot of positions to fill in his administration. At least he’d be interviewing outside of Clinton’s inner circle.
Laura in Maryland on January 8, 2009 at 8:05 PM
I certainly pray that you’re right and that he’ll just do what’s popular. No the best scenario, but much better than a liberal hardcore ideologue crafting the foreign policy or running the war on terror.
amerpundit on January 8, 2009 at 8:05 PM
His silence has spoken volumes since he’s refused to say anything.
SouthernGent on January 8, 2009 at 8:05 PM
Don’t do it. Just don’t. You can hoist the jolly roger, you can fly an upside down Obama-creepy-yeswecan flag, but the Stars and Stripes will take enough of a beating/burning over the next four years. Have mercy.
Laura in Maryland on January 8, 2009 at 8:08 PM
Hell, if we talk to them, we might as well talk to al qaeda.
Maybe we should talk to ms 13 while we are at it.
This is insanity.
redshirt on January 8, 2009 at 8:10 PM
It is according to what your definition of the word talk is.
Johan Klaus on January 8, 2009 at 8:10 PM
He’s thrown every one he ever once said was close and meaningful to him under the bus; now he’s going to do the same to Israel. Shame on the 53 million who voted for this disgrace of a president.
redfoxbluestate on January 8, 2009 at 8:10 PM
Yep, no bones about it.
MadisonConservative on January 8, 2009 at 8:12 PM
“Israel has 12 days to destroy Hamas”
If the one talks to Hamas (nazis) then Israel should ratchet up the attacks.
Then I would say they have 4 years to destroy Hamas. It should only take 4 weeks. On Jan 20th Israel needs to launch 47 attacks in honor of the one.
izoneguy on January 8, 2009 at 8:12 PM
Finally!
After 40 years, Hamas will finally be persuaded by the golden tongue of The One that it should give up terror and co-exist peacefully with Israel.
Obama is like a walking miracle, and he hasn’t even taken office yet.
Cicero43 on January 8, 2009 at 8:13 PM
Why do y’all think Israel slipped the leash completely after the end of the ceasefire? If you can’t count on your allies, at least cream your enemies while your friend still has your back.
Sekhmet on January 8, 2009 at 8:14 PM
This is something which Robert Malley – a key Obama advisor – has long advocated, and which the Obama Team poo-poohed during the campaign.
Jews who believed Obama were DUPED.
Malley is the son of a Syrian born in Cairo – Simon Malley – who was a close friend and advocate of both Nasser and Arafat.
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
WHAT TREE DID OBAMA FALL FROM?
reliapundit on January 8, 2009 at 8:14 PM
Shouldn’t that be 53 attacks for each state Obama campaigned in?
Rovin on January 8, 2009 at 8:15 PM
It’s too bad Arafat isn’t still alive. Obama would fellate him. After Carter got finished.
Cicero43 on January 8, 2009 at 8:15 PM
I tried like hell to warn them…all I got was a branding of the black sheep of the synagogue…
I hope my deepest fears are just paranoia, but if they aren’t…Oy Vey!
beththebaker on January 8, 2009 at 8:20 PM
yeah, that’s kinda bad. But I have good news, I just saved a bunch of money by switching my car insurance ….. and it could have been …. MUCH WORSE!!!!!
(thank GOD we dodged that bullet, eh? AMIRITRE??)
wise_man on January 8, 2009 at 8:21 PM
What a crappy birthday I am going to have …. ) :
beththebaker on January 8, 2009 at 8:21 PM
The idiot messiah is living up to his label. He is the savior of morons around the world. Unfortunately, decent people are going to suffer.
Well … the eligibility cases are still floating around the SCOTUS and the issue of natural-born citizenship, the idiot messiah’s birth certificate, and the idea of Presidents holding/having held multiple citizenships will have to be reviewed, eventually.
The damage that this retard is going to do to the world will be very long-lasting, though.
progressoverpeace on January 8, 2009 at 8:22 PM
Shouldn’t that be 53 attacks for each state Obama campaigned in?
I was counting how old the ONE is…
so everyone could be reminded.
Too bad he didn’t stay in Chicago working for
ACORN so he could sue more banks.
izoneguy on January 8, 2009 at 8:24 PM
Barry’s actions don’t surprise me a bit! That’s why I didn’t vote for the Kenyan bag of lies!!
christene on January 8, 2009 at 8:24 PM
They’ve been duped for 30+ years! My cousin still loves Hot Lips Carter to this day…insanity!
beththebaker on January 8, 2009 at 8:25 PM
Hopefully it’s only because he wants to join. All the other possibilities are worse.
Chuck Schick on January 8, 2009 at 8:25 PM
Same with Blago “We…I mean I never….”
“Hon, this gah outfoxes us every time, damn, ah thought ah was the smartest president, ever” ~ ~ Bill Clinton
“Roslyn, we live, we live. Mah ideahs are alave. Prais our lord” ~ ~ Jumah Carter
Entelechy on January 8, 2009 at 8:28 PM
Well, I think it’s likely he will, at some level… but really, the Guardian just says that some advisers are recommending it.
Citing unnamed sources “with knowledge”, of course.
malclave on January 8, 2009 at 8:30 PM
Asking Hamas to give up terror and killing Jews is like asking Tiger Woods to give up golf.
Urban Infidel on January 8, 2009 at 8:32 PM
It was the reverse in Israel.
Entelechy on January 8, 2009 at 8:34 PM
Tiger will eventually give up golf, Hamas will never stop their evil ways.
thomasaur on January 8, 2009 at 8:34 PM
Some terrorists are more terroristic than others?
Some terrorists aren’t more terroristic than others?
ericdijon on January 8, 2009 at 8:36 PM
We sent our most able diplomat — Jimmy Carter — to Hamas, and he gave them a gift of great value.
It should be noted that the only time Lincoln engaged in diplomacy with the Confederacy was after we started beating the crap out of them.
If that’s the kind of diplomacy Obama envisions (since he is such an admirer of Lincoln) — it’s time to bring it on.
unclesmrgol on January 8, 2009 at 8:39 PM
Speaking of Hillary, why has a new Senator from New York not been appointed? Has Hillary not resigned?
I’m wondering if she’s hanging on to her seat just in case some scandal derails her SecState confimation. Insurance?
Jim62sch on January 8, 2009 at 8:42 PM
Yes, absentee ballots from Israel showed 74% for McCain… they knew their A$$ was on the line while cushy American Jews like my cousin drives his Beemer with an Obama-Biden sticker on it… but hey, he supports Israel…he donates money to them to plant trees!
beththebaker on January 8, 2009 at 8:47 PM
Seems like we had this conversation just this morning, Beth.
Jaibones on January 8, 2009 at 8:48 PM
I think that Obama will end up talking to Hamas (unless Israel physically dismantles them and locks up their political hierarchy – we can all reconvene a week from now to see how it’s going). But I think that the Guardian made up *this* particular story DEBKA-style: you know what the conventional wisdom *about* unconventional wisdom is so you run with that. If you’re wrong it’s just like the dozen times you said that Bush was *this close* to attacking Iran. If you’re right you hit the journalistic jackpot.
They’re not wrong. They’re just not right.
omriceren on January 8, 2009 at 8:50 PM
Hey, birthday buddy! January 20th is my birthday too!
Everyone else gets presents for their birthday. We get presidents for ours. (Wish I had the receipt for this one so I could send him back.)
SheofTwoMinds on January 8, 2009 at 8:50 PM
beththebaker on January 8, 2009 at 8:51 PM
Well, I’m torn. On the one hand, the source is the Guardian, and therefore lacks a shred of credibility.
On the other hand, even a blind pig finds a cob now and then, and it’s so believeable – no, so predictable – that you almost have to ignore the source and trust your instinct and this lying POS’s very troubled history with the truth.
The Exit Questions:
1. No
2. Heh
3. Well, of course he is. He’s Bill Clinton without all the brains and stuff.
Jaibones on January 8, 2009 at 8:53 PM
Yes, but I refuse to have a “Pity Party”! I will celebrate by making a 6 foot tall. 9 tier “Hail to the Cheif” cake…no lie!
Sorry Jailbones..I must’ve hit the strike button over my comments.. I hope you can read through the lines..it’s late.
beththebaker on January 8, 2009 at 8:54 PM
Beth,
Same here. I was lamenting just the other day that I am so sick of being right all the time. I was actually holding out meager *hope* that Obama was actually going to be The One and make me look like a fool. I was ok with that, really.
Alas…
Jaibones on January 8, 2009 at 8:55 PM
Bedtime story for your grandchildren many years from now
Once upon a time there was a republic
and in this nation under God which was indivisble
came hope & change…
thats all I have for now feel free to add and or finsh it everyone
Kevin43 on January 8, 2009 at 8:55 PM
C’mon, guys…let me in on the joke. Why does everyone call me “jail bones”? That means something, right?
Jaibones on January 8, 2009 at 8:56 PM
By stuff….you mean..? Bill’s stuff was/is crooked.
But the Guardian is unreliable, but my instinct has said Obama will indeed go the naive, hippie coexist route.
beththebaker on January 8, 2009 at 8:59 PM
Crap! I just realized the trick of the eye! When I read Jaibones fast..I assumed it was jailbones..I have done this to you for months! My apologies to you!
beththebaker on January 8, 2009 at 9:02 PM
Beththebaker,
All the best birthday wishes and mazal tov!
SheofTwoMinds on January 8, 2009 at 9:03 PM
Heh. I always laugh because it always happens. I was thinking about changing my moniker to Jailbones, just to see if anyone noticed.
Jaibones on January 8, 2009 at 9:04 PM
happy birthday to you ..may you have many more!
beththebaker on January 8, 2009 at 9:05 PM
I was leaving that to the imagination, and look where you went! Nice.
Jaibones on January 8, 2009 at 9:06 PM
If nothing else, the Guardian bringing this up will give and Republican senator (with enough huevos) on the Foreign Relations Committee a chance to quiz Hillary about talking to Hamas during her Sec. of St. confirmation hearing. Pass the popcorn and the Rasinettes.
jon1979 on January 8, 2009 at 9:07 PM
If this is true, it is the most disgusting thing I have heard yet. I am just sick to my stomach!!!
He’s not only going to destroy this (once) great country from the inside out but from the outside in.
We put a damn America hating, commie, terrorist sympathizer in our beloved White House.
I am so disgusted with the thought of this liar living in the same honorable home that the likes of Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan lived in. I will not/cannot watch the inauguration
katy on January 8, 2009 at 9:08 PM
Apparently, they won’t
That’s why my husband loves me..(:
Night all!
beththebaker on January 8, 2009 at 9:09 PM
with any luck at all, Isreal will wipe them off the face of the earth before they have a chance to talk to b.hussain O.
UNREPENTANT CONSERVATIVE CAPITOLIST on January 8, 2009 at 9:17 PM
Carter II.
’nuff said.
Mew
(unless you’re in Israel – in which case stock up and hunker down)
acat on January 8, 2009 at 9:18 PM
Here it is,the liberal “soft power”in action.
Look at how well negotiating with Hamas turned out for the king of appeasement,the liberal hero Jimmy Carter:
PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH:
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER:
CARTER:
True genius this Jimmy Carter.
Yep,nothing to see here.The “smart ones” will fix all this with their incredible negotiating power:
BLITZER:
CARTER:
BLITZER:
…
CARTER:
BLITZER: …
CARTER:
BLITZER: …
CARTER:
I know this is long,but it goes right to the heart of the failed ideology and policies of liberals thinking they can “talk and appease terrorist and dictators” into peace.
Obama is repeating the failed policies that have led to the deaths of thousands of innocent people and strengthened our enemies.
Carter,Clinton,and the UN have failed miserably in dealing with the evil and power hungry terrorist and the dictators that support them.
Obama apparently wants to join them.
Baxter Greene on January 8, 2009 at 9:18 PM
I’m not sure about this, considering the source. The Guardian has pretty much shed any shred of objectivity has been very pro-Hamas during this conflict; maybe this is meant as an inspiration to them to hold out while the bombs fall. And they ran so many questionable stories about Bush that an unsourced piece is hard to swallow.
If it is true, then I’ve got to both laugh and cry. It’s funny because I know so many liberal Jews who are gobsmackingly in love with Obama, and would get pissed at the mere mention that he wasn’t pro-Israel (because then you’re a racist by bringing up his Muslim roots and that middle name, get it?). On the other hand, it’s terribly sad that even before he’s elected he’s throwing one of our closest allies under the bus like grandma, and it will only increase the allure of terrorism, which obviously works.
blue13326 on January 8, 2009 at 9:20 PM
As is typical with Obama,this is not his stance when he was running for office:
Obama criticizes ex-President Carter’s Hamas meeting
Wed Apr 16, 2008 1:40pm EDT
http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN1636948020080416
By Ellen Wulfhorst
PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) –
“
“Hamas is not a state. Hamas is a terrorist organization,” he said.
Lets see if Obama was lying then,or is lying now.
Baxter Greene on January 8, 2009 at 9:25 PM
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