William Edgar Borah (June 29, 1865 near Fairfield, Illinois – January 19, 1940 Washington, D.C.) was a prominent Republican attorney and longtime United States Senator from Idaho noted for his oratorical skills and isolationist views. One of his nicknames later in life was "The Lion of Idaho."
Hitler quote
Borah may be best known today for having allegedly said, in September 1939, after Germany invaded Poland, "Lord, if only I could have talked to Hitler, all of this might have been avoided."[9] The quote has been repeatedly cited as evidence of the alleged naivete of attempts to negotiate with one's enemies. Conservative commentator Charles Krauthammer has referred to the quote in at least three of his columns, making an analogy to negotiating with China in 1989, with North Korea in 1994 and with Iran in 2006.[10] In August 2006, the United States Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld referred to the quote when decrying those who want to "negotiate a separate peace with terrorists".[11]
On May 15, 2008, President George W. Bush referred to the quote in a speech in Israel commemorating that nation's 60th anniversary.[12] Some, including Barack Obama himself, interpreted Bush's comment to be a criticism of Obama for his stated willingness to negotiate with the leaders of Iran. CNN reported that White House staff had confirmed this off the record, although Bush's official spokeswoman denied it to the New York Times.[13] Some White House staff stated the reference was meant more as a criticism of former president Jimmy Carter, who has argued that the U.S. should be willing to meet with Hamas.[12]
Ironically, Bush, not Obama or Carter, belonged to the same party as Borah. The United States did not formally enter World War II until after Japan bombed Pearl Harbour and invaded the Phillipines in December 1941, more than two years after Borah's statement. During those two years, the antiwar faction in the United States Congress was led by conservative Republicans such as Borah.
en.wikipedia.org
* * * |
