Obama Slams Bush's "Appeasement" Comments

In an intense day of innuendos, criticism, and accusations, likely Democratic nominee Sen. Barack Obama accused President Bush and Sen. John McCain of "fear-mongering" in Watertown, South Dakota on Friday.

He made these accusations the day after Bush criticized Democrats in front of the Israeli Parliament for wanting to openly negotiate with terrorists, calling it "appeasement," reminiscent of the Nazi era.

"Some seem to believe we should negotiate with the terrorists and radicals, as if some ingenious argument will persuade them they have been wrong all along," said Bush. This was clearly a swipe at Obama, who has said that he will talk to leaders of countries who are not exactly best buds with the US, like Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

The White House denied that the president was referring to Obama.

For better or for worse, McCain quickly backed up Bush's comments with criticisms of his own, but his were more direct. "Sen. Obama would meet unconditionally with some of the world's worst dictators and state sponsors of terrorists."

Obama responded by saying, "Now that's exactly the kind of appalling attack that's divided our country and that alienates us from the world."

Democratic Sens. Jim Webb of Virginia, Joe Biden of Delaware, and Chris Dodd of Connecticut quickly defended Obama on the Sunday morning talk shows like they would a nominee.

Obama reiterated his stance that he would meet, without preconditions, with leaders of countries "hostile" to the US. He then cited that the Bush administration negotiated with Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi--"a known terrorist" as Sen. Joe Biden put it--to end their nuclear program.

Obama then accused Bush and McCain for strengthening America's enemies in the Middle East with their aggressive foreign policy. “If George Bush and John McCain want to have a debate about protecting the United States of America,” Obama said, “that is a debate I am happy to have any time, any place.”

I've noticed that Obama has consistently referred to Bush and McCain as if they were an inseparable duo, obviously trying to make voters associate the two names together. McCain stood by Bush's side this time, but has tried to distance himself from him on issues like Katrina and global warming. He's going to be walking on a tightrope--balancing his support and condemnation of Bush's policies. And Obama will be right there waiting for him to fall.

Welcome to the 2008 general election.