McCain's Diplomacy: I'd Tell Shiites And Sunnis To Stop The Bullsh*t

President Bush's inane likening of international diplomacy with appeasing Hitler drew excoriation from all quarters today. If you're looking for the sort of reaction that reminds one of being hit upside the head with a ball peen hammer, you can't do better than Senator Joe Biden's "This is bullshit." For a bit more nuance, however, look to Matt Yglesias:

Meanwhile, Bush continues to fundamentally misunderstand the purpose and nature of diplomacy. The idea of talks isn't that you marshal convincing arguments and beat your enemies back with force of words. The idea is that it's sometimes possible to achieve a reconciliation of partially divergent interests.

Interestingly enough, if we take Senator McCain at his word as to how he would bridge the sectarian divide that threatens to lead to a total unraveling in Iraq, it's clear that McCain offers little more than words - and not even forceful or convincing ones. Flashback to May of 2006:

In a small, mirror-paneled room guarded by a Secret Service agent and packed with some of the city's wealthiest and most influential political donors, Mr. McCain got right to the point.

"One of the things I would do if I were President would be to sit the Shiites and the Sunnis down and say, 'Stop the bullshit,'" said Mr. McCain, according to Shirley Cloyes DioGuardi, an invitee, and two other guests.

One thing's for sure: McCain's brand of "Kindergarten Cop" diplomacy is just the sort of thing that could have one yearning nostalgically for Bush's "Cowboy" diplomacy.

Comments

[hippybaby1970]

stopping the bullshit starts at home.

[fair1234]

Democrats we have the power now so let's not give it up because feelings are hurt. I was not happy with the Tone of the Clinton camp but I still respect her now and will not allow anyone to call her out her name and I am black. But I am ready to stand behind Obama and be a part of this great change that is coming. It will all be over soon everyone so just relax like Hillary said people and breathe. Hillary already said she will do everything in her power to make sure the Democratic nominee wins. I actually want to Thank Hillary now for running a hard campaine againts Obama because she has prepared him for the hell that the Republicans will bring and now he is ready to complete his destiny!

BEWARE OF REPUBLICANS IN ALL BLOGS POSING AS DEMS TO DIVIDE THE PARTY!!! LET EVERYBODY KNOW ABOUT THIS!!!

[drzoon]

my god! THIS GUY IS FREAKING OLD!!

[NU81]

Oh sure, that will work just great. What a joke.

[jkpcguru]

Oh yea that sounds diplomatic and presidential.

[jalapeno]

Yea, we sold you those guns now use them on each other, damn it!!!

[Trittydi]

The idea of this man running our foreign policy is absolutely terrifying.

Is he so irretrievably stupid that he thinks treating them like third graders would actually work??!!??
*

[Bobrobert]

Yep.

That's McDoodoo

He is like many from that generation. They think the louder they are the more people agree with them.

Make sure to vote folks.

[filo]

If they don't stop the BS he's going to keep them after school.

[Bobrobert]

Pardon me McDoodoo

That cannot be considered diplomatic.

McDoodoo that sounds like a childish thing to propose.

Please note, if you did that the individuals would probably kill you then fight each other to the death.

McDoodoo please claim family problems and try to get some sleep for a few days.

You will now not only have to explain why you voted to go to war in Iraq for oil but also why you said you would negotiate with Hamas 2 years ago --- in front of a camera no less.

McDoodoo don't forget to vote in November.

Don't forget to vote folks.

[suekzoo]

Wow. I am totally underwhelmed with McCain's version of "diplomacy."

[iPolitics]

Yeah Johnny Boy McBush. That will stop the conflict dating back to 632

[gevan]

A politician telling two religion to "Stop the Bullsh*t"? Why do I get the impression that the religions won't listen. Faith and fantasy are the cornerstones of religious belief. What can McCain offer to ground the faithful in reality when he seems so losely grounded in it himself?

[JessWonderin]

Is that what the British told the Irish?????


Maybe the McSame approach would stop the U.S. Fundies attacks on human rights here in America???

[unity08]

Yeah that works. I used to use that on my kids when they were little. Then when they forgot and started up again I sat them in the corner on their time out bench.

Huh??

[Boringat]

If only Sheik Mahatma Khote had told them in1512 to quit this camel dung, we surely would not be in the current pickle.

[William1950]

I'm going to get a bumper sticker made... " STOP THE BULLSHIT ! VOTE DEMOCRAT "

[oafishcad]

Yeah, that'l work. And finally after 700 years, someone who can make them stop fighting. What do republicans use to think with?