Exclusive Video: McCain Was For Talking To Hamas Before He Was Against It...

Two years ago, in an interview with James Rubin for Sky News, Sen. John McCain expressed a willingness to negotiate with the terrorist group Hamas -- the very group that McCain has been relentlessly using to smear Sen. Barack Obama over the last several weeks.

Rubin has written an op-ed in Friday's Washington Post about his exchange with McCain, and The Huffington Post has obtained exclusive video. Here's the key excerpt:

RUBIN: "Do you think that American diplomats should be operating the way they have in the past, working with the Palestinian government if Hamas is now in charge?"

McCAIN: "They're the government; sooner or later we are going to have to deal with them, one way or another, and I understand why this administration and previous administrations had such antipathy towards Hamas because of their dedication to violence and the things that they not only espouse but practice, so . . . but it's a new reality in the Middle East. I think the lesson is people want security and a decent life and decent future, that they want democracy. Fatah was not giving them that."

Watch the video:

Sky News clip of McCain discussing why he would talk with Hamas.

Video courtesy of Sky News

As Rubin adds:

Given that exchange, the new John McCain might say that Hamas should be rooting for the old John McCain to win the presidential election. The old John McCain, it appears, was ready to do business with a Hamas-led government, while both Clinton and Obama have said that Hamas must change its policies toward Israel and terrorism before it can have diplomatic relations with the United States.

Even if McCain had not favored doing business with Hamas two years ago, he had no business smearing Barack Obama. But given his stated position then, it is either the height of hypocrisy or a case of political amnesia for McCain to inject Hamas into the American election.

UPDATE: The McCain camp has released the following response:

"There should be no confusion, John McCain has always believed that serious engagement would require mandatory conditions and Hamas must change itself fundamentally - renounce violence, abandon its goal of eradicating Israel and accept a two state solution. John McCain's position is clear and has always been clear, the President of the United States should not unconditionally meet with leaders of Iran, Hamas or Hezbollah. Barack Obama has made his position equally clear, and has pledged to meet unconditionally with Iran's leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the leaders of other rogue regimes, which shows incredibly dangerous and weak judgment."

UPDATE II: Blogging on HuffPost, National Security Network's Max Bergmann digs up quotes from McCain saying he was in favor of conducting talks with Syria, despite acknowledging that Syria's government was "sponsoring and harboring terrorists." Click here for details.

Comments

[RoboA2008]

Flash its the Appeaser vs. the Geezer!!! Chris Matthews destroyed this right wing radio host over the appeasement issue. Diplomacy is the cornerstone to a safer world. Only warlocks resist talking to enemies. You know the old saying. Keep you friends close and your enemies closer. The Neo Conservative doesn't want to talk because their goal is world domination under the guise of spreading democracy. It is Imperialism. They have hijacked America for 8 years. It is time we got our country back.

[asemaany]

I have made a short clip about your presidential race from the perspective of an Iranian. Take a look and promote:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuVYlGZmtYg

[ohnoyoudidnot!]

Nice job. We are all in this together and we need elected officials that represent what the people, not corporations, want for our world.

[olivia]

I like your tape but you know what the robots will say about it: that we are appeasers if we reach out to the Iranian people.

No matter, their kind is going down. A new wind is blowing.

[RoboA2008]

Flip flop flip flop flip flop flip flop... Liar liar pants on fire. I have a theme for him...VOTE MCCAIN I'LL LIE IN YOUR FACE. This guys whole staff is lobbyist.

[JackLivigni]

McCain doesn't want to talk to Iran, he wants to bomb it. He doesn't want to get out of Iraq... that would spoil the oil revenues. Remember last weak or so when he said that going to Iraq was about securing our energy independence... ooops slip up....

He is a lying, flip flopping, two faced old politician, just like Bush, who will do anything to have power.

We will show the Republicans what building a bottom up grassroots victory and government looks like.

[forpeace]

*

Less Jobs. More Wars.

What is this 'Iraq war' charge on my bill?

http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/28073-less-jobs-more-wars

*

[SaulGoode]

Actually, this is a lie. It's all part of the $40 million Soros-financed smear campaign against McCain

http://hotair.com/archives/2008/05/16/video-shows-jamie-rubin-lied/

It's HuffPo...consider the source

[BlueOnBlue]

Smear campaign?

Payback's a bitch, isn't it?

[KQuarksSuperKollider]

Yawn

[RoboA2008]

Smear McCain? I doubt it.

[pmag88]

John McCains response - I think the lesson is people want security and a decent life and decent future, then they want democracy. Fatah was not giving them that.’ - is rather ironic considering that the current administration did less than nothing to support Fatah until after Hamas was elected.
Of course this seems to be the republican approach to every issue these days. Wait until it’s a disaster and then over-react, ignore it, or, if possible, turn it to political or monetary advantage.

[yathink]

Today McCain said Obama's speech was an "hysterical diatribe."

Read this:
http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/05/mccain_responds_americans_have.php

[jadez]

crazy mccain has never takin a position that he wouldnt change.
the fact is if the media was doing its job this nut wouldnt even be takin seriously.

why do you think this man has support?

because he has sworn an oath to bomb Iran and that alone is why the media treats him with kid gloves.

you want to see oil hit 400 dollars a barrel overnight?

elect this crazy man and you will see this country revert to something out of the stone ages.

[fayted]

you're so right, lets not leave this idiots to swiftboat Obama and by default swiftboat us the people, this warmongers will not be content up and until they start a ww3, with all the middle east, my personal opinion is that after listening to one of the preachers that McWAr sought endorsmant from, I'm not sure what his name is (maybe parsley?) but hes looks young, anywho, he rants about the destruction of Islam, that there the evildoers of the world, and that America was built with the sole purpose to destroy Islam, I don't now but where are these wars coming from? with what intensions? are there more wars in the making? do they have anything to do with the rants of the preacher and the deep belief in "cristianity of G.Bush"? is this more than American policies? I'm very confused and scared of the path my country is going on, maybe someone can expand a little on this please? SCARED IN MASSACHUSSETS

[KQuarksSuperKollider]

McCain is just not consistent. You never know what he's going to say or do on any issue. That's the last thing we need in a president. It's OK not to be tied strictly to ideology like Bush but it's not OK to have no guiding principles at all. He has been consistent only about one thing when it comes to REALLY supporting the troops with veterans benefits and the new GI Bill he votes against the troops every time.

[Beast711]

WE Want A President Who Will Lead Our Country , Not Change It !!!!!
America Has A Constitution !!!! .

HILLARY , OR JOHN McCAIN 2008

Obama , BEFORE you Go Playing " GOTCHA GAMES " With JOHN McCain , You Better Get Your FACTS STRAIGHT !!!! . LIAR!!!!!

If Hillary Doesn't Get The Nominaton !!!!! It's " ALL ABOARD THE McCAIN TRAIN " For This DEMOCRAT !!!!!!

[yathink]

You are truly deluded and no Democrat. Find a copy of the constitution and a good history book and read. Go away now.

[Bluejay00234]

Democrat my a** you can have McCain my dear, when your out of a home and being offered no help, wondering why your paying paying 6 bucks a gallon for gas, and why your leader has failed you yet again, you remember you stuck it to Obama real good! I'm sure you and the others fakedems can have a chuckle together.

[forpeace]

*

Beast711
WE Want A President Who Will Lead Our Country , Not Change It !!!!!
HILLARY , OR JOHN McCAIN 2008
================

Who are "WE"?

The majority of Americans (Real WE) want change, we do not want another Warmonger like Hillary or McBom.

*

[KQuarksSuperKollider]

It sad that you think Hillary and McCain are equal. Obviously you are making your judgment personal prejudices not policy positions. Have fun with four more years of Bush.

[vinny]

this guy must be from conneticutt...

[RoboA2008]

America has a constitution that has been under seige for 8 years!!1 Where have you been? Hillary just told her backers that voting for McCain over any democrat is not acceptable. Listen to your leader. We don't want to change the constitution we want it to be obeyed. We need to change the way Washington does business. God bless you and God bless America.

[UsofA]

I've never been so deeply appalled by the comments of any politician as I was by former Governor Mike Huckabee's today in a speech before the NRA (after McCain): http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/05/16/huckabee-talks-about-some_n_102178.html
It merits immediate condemnation by all Americans. In a healthier world, it would spell the end to his nascent media career. In all sincerity, God help us all.

[KQuarksSuperKollider]

There are two real signs that Hillary's chances are over. First when she won in WV no one really cared. Second nobody is even mentioning her in the media. She has every right to stay in the campaign until the primaries are over.

On thing one poster said and I forget who they were but they had a great point after Edwards' endorsement. Not only does Obama have a good chance to get the 19 pledge delegates he earned but more importantly Edwards' endorsement now gives Obama huge leverage to seat the FL's pledge delegates since if you add up Obama's and Edwards' voter percentages Clinton would only win FL 50% to 47% which Obviously would be a favorable split for Obama.

[clint111]

Hillary Giving Up?

http://mrpredictor.wordpress.com/

[NoLove4HillaryAnymore]

Boy...I thought I would have to vote for McCain if Hillary became the nominee for the Dems. I will take that back. I disliked Hillary's tricks, divisiveness and campaign strategy in general but please give her to me any day over McCain. The guy is such a flip flopper, you can't trust what he says or if he is really courting to get vote at whatever cost. Well, he ain't getting my vote for sure!

Here is a link if you really want to know how real John McCain is or if he really has a stand:

http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/archives/9111.html

[KQuarksSuperKollider]

I have to give Hillary credit for the way she is winding down the campaign. I was very proud of her when she defended Obama against Bush's outrageous remarks. She has run a very tough campaign and said some unforgivable things but in the long run I think if made Obama stronger for the general. Today Obama looked the toughest and most presidential he has looked in the entire campaign an Hillary had part in toughening him up.

[cindy4america]

HUMM...
The great pander bear bites again.
Glad it was on tape so he couldn't lie and tell us he never said it.
Really, someone needs to explain to republicans how to keep it real and tell the truth.
I would like to see them become truth mongers.
What a change that would be.....
I want Huffington or someone to ask McSame this question. If we were lied to in order to get us to send our sons and husbands and then it was released to the public that we were lied to, what could be the rationale for staying? What is the rationale for our families staying in Iraq when they have nothing there? If Bush had taken the time to gather information and speak to the elected officials from other countries, maybe we wouldn't be in this situation. Maybe we could have saved a trillion or so dollars. Maybe 4,000 + soldiers wouldn't be dead. I would say talking to other people, good or bad is a good thing if it saves lives, money and the earth. Let's talk. Talking sounds like a good thing to me.
Thanks for giving me reason number 1001 for why I would never vote for this man.

[preemptivelove]

not only is mcsame a total hypocrite. he's a liar as well.

he supported bush's statements in israel by saying that it wasn't negotiating with terrorists or coddling that got the hostages returned to the u.s. in the 80's, rather it was reagan's tough stance. actually, reagan wasn't even president yet, i might remind mcsame. and it was reagan and bush sr. going behind carter's back while he was still in office to make secret arms deals with the iranians. the iranians, in return, delayed the release of the hostages until reagan's inauguration day. and on top of everything, the funds from those arms deals funded another illegal bush co. war--the aid to the contras in central america.

so.....there you have it. mccain can't get history right, or he intentionally lies. you decide. in my opinion, these people, meaning all republicans, are the lowest of the lowest and the embodiment of evil on this earth.