Re: This, from the man who was willing to sit down and talk with Ahmedenijad with no preconditions?
That was Obama's answer to a CNN/YouTube submitted question (asked live by the submitter) for a summer 2007 debate, where all the candidates were potentially asked the same question.
The debate over Barack Obama's position on meeting with foreign leaders without preconditions became a central component of the 2008 elections during a CNN/YouTube debate, on July 24th, 2007. He was asked, "Would 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 responded, "I would. And the 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."
debatepedia.idebate.org
Obama was asked first, and gained a lot of support after his answer. Clinton went second and lost a lot of support after her cautious answer about preparations by the State Department, etc.
Reality is that as President the answer in September 2012 is close to Hillary Clinton's answer. With the first debate less than a week after that UN meeting, Obama's priority is winning reelection, and winning the first debate, way before meeting with Netanyahu. |
