RNC: Obama v. Advisor

WASHINGTON, May. 15 /PRNewswire/ --

Why Is Obama's Foreign Policy Advisor Attempting To Shift Her Candidate's Weak Position On Meeting With Hostile Foreign Leaders?

WASHINGTON, May 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is being issued by the Republican National Committee:

Click Here To View Obama Versus His Advisor: >

Today, Obama Foreign Policy Advisor Susan Rice Claimed That Obama Has Only Committed To Meeting With The "Appropriate Leaders" Of Hostile Nations, Including Iran, At The "Appropriate Time":

Rice Said That Obama Will Only Sit Down With The "Appropriate Leadership" At The "Appropriate Time." Rice: "Senator Obama said he would sit down with the Iranian leadership. It may well be different. It is the Supreme Leader who has the bulk of the power in Iran. He will sit down with the appropriate Iranian leadership at the appropriate time with due preparation in order to advance our national security interests." (Fox News' "America's Election HQ," 5/15/08)

Rice Has Also Claimed That Obama Would Not Meet "Unconditionally" With Hostile Foreign Leaders. "Susan E. Rice, a former State Department and National Security Council official who is a foreign policy adviser to the Democratic candidate, said that 'for political purposes, Senator Obama's opponents on the right have distorted and reframed' his views. Mr. McCain and his surrogates have repeatedly stated that Mr. Obama would be willing to meet 'unconditionally' with Mr. Ahmadinejad. But Dr. Rice said that this was not the case for Iran or any other so-called 'rogue' state. Mr. Obama believes 'that engagement at the presidential level, at the appropriate time and with the appropriate preparation, can be used to leverage the change we need,' Dr. Rice said. 'But nobody said he would initiate contacts at the presidential lev el; that requires due preparation and advance work.'" (Larry Rohter, "On McCain, Obama And A Hamas Link," The New York Times, 5/10/08)

But Obama Has Repeatedly Said He Would Be Willing To Meet With Hostile Leaders, Without Preconditions, During His First Year In Office:

At A July 2007 Debate, Obama Didn't Hesitate To Announce He Would Personally Meet With The Leaders Of Iran, North Korea, Syria And Others. Question: "[W]ould you be willing to meet separately, without precondition, during the first year of your administration, in Washington or anywhere else, with the leaders of Iran, Syria, Venezuela, Cuba and North Korea, in order to bridge the gap that divides our countries?"... Obama: "I would. And t he reason is this, that the notion that somehow not talking to countries is punishment to them -- which has been the guiding diplomatic principle of this administration - is ridiculous." (Sen. Barack Obama, CNN/YouTube Democrat Presidential Candidate Debate, Charleston, SC, 7/23/07)

On CNN's "The Situation Room," Obama Emphasized That He Would Meet With Hostile Leaders Without Preconditions. Obama: "There has been no confusion. I have been absolutely clear on this. I will meet not just with our friends but with our enemies. I will meet without preconditions. That does not mean I will meet without preparation. It is very important before any meeting to make sure that there is a list of agenda items that we are going to be talking about. But the difference is with me, for example, meeting with Iran, I would not expect that they would give in on critical issues like nuclear weapons before the meeting. The objective of the meeting would be to ensure that they stand down and that we've offered them carrots and sticks." (CNN's "The Situation Room," 2/4/08)

According To Obama's Website, "Obama Is The Only Major Candidate Who Supports Tough, Direct Presidential Diplomacy With Iran Without Preconditions." "Obama is the only major candidate who supports tough, direct presidential diplomacy with Iran without preconditions." (Obama For America Website, >, Accessed 5/12/08)

Paid for by the Republican National Committee.

Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.