James Baker: Talking To An Enemy Is Not Appeasement

A clip of former Secretary of State James Baker has been making the rounds recently, as a result of the current 'appeasement' debate between John McCain and Barack Obama. Unfortunately for McCain, Baker agrees with Obama. And even though the interview is from this past October, Baker addresses head-on the issue of appeasement, saying:

"Diplomacy involves talking to your enemies. You don't reward your enemies necessarily by talking to them if you are tough and you know what you are doing. You don't appease them. Talking to an enemy is not in my view appeasement."

[WATCH]

Comments

[MrHHusseinMA]

Obama wins! Talks make a difference! Lebanon Signs Peace Deal! Israel & Syria Working On Peace!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8tMKJwBUMs

[jwander1]

When John McCain gets that 3 a.m. phone call, I guess he's just going to hang up.

[rollingdivision]

No one is suggesting not talking to the enemies of the USA, in fact it is to be expected and considered normal for regular discussions to occur at the appropriate diplomatic levels. The USA talks with every country on a regular basis, so nothing will change in this respect. The problem is Obama's policy commitment to conduct 5 separate meetings, without any preconditions, all within the first year of an Obama administration, between Obama and each leader of Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria and Venezuela that is the issue. Specifically what will Obama discuss in each of these five separate meetings? How will Obama prepare for five top level meetings in his first year? When will these Obama Cuban, Iranian, North Korean, Syrian and Venezuelan meetings start? Specifically what concessions does Obama believe he will get during each meeting? No one has a problem with diplomacy, it is normal and should continue.

[Abroad]

Although I totally agree with the position fmr Secretary Baker expresses in this clip, which is indeed the position defended by Senator Obama, I must however object to the misleading of the HuffPo titles.

On the politics page the title reads: "James Baker Contradicts McCain: Talking To An Enemy Is Not Appeasement"

The entry's title however is: "James Baker: Talking To An Enemy Is Not Appeasement"

The second is accurate in the sense in simply states James Baker's position. The first however falsely suggests James Backer had spoken out to contradict McCain in the current Obama/McCain riff.

As I said before I share Obama and Baker's opinion, but just taking up a clip and posting it with a misleading title is kid stuff.

How about doing some journalism: get a hold of James Backer and ask him were he stands on the Bush/McCain attitude in light of his past declarations shown in this clip.

[fourex]

Poor John, first Gates, then Baker, and today Israel. Walking in the bloody footprints of the illiterate GW Bush is foolhardy, sir.

[BethStuart]

I noticed in today's news that Israel is conducting negotiations with Syria through Turkish mediators. Does this mean that Bush and McCain will accuse Israel of appeasement?

[kissmygrits]

Right, like Nazi appeasers? They don't have the balls.

[devanate]

That's right, just take Bush out of the negotiating loop. He's too incompetent to be of any value in that regard anyway.

[Rog49Thomas]

Well who are we going to believe some loony leftist like James Baker - a guy with no practical experience in world affairs? Or fine patriots like Brother McCain or President Pan?

Pretty clear what the answer is.

I suppose next you'll be quoting Chuck Hagel to support some far out idea.

BTW look closely at the picture with this article. Brother James isn't wearing a flag lapel pin - which just goes to prove he's not only a leftist but anti-American to boot!

[realtalk]

YOU ARE HILARIOUS!!

[Rog49Thomas]

Next time could you please sit squarely in front of your monitor when posting?

I couldn't tell if you're wearing a flag lapel pin or not..

It's very disconcerting. Not to mention a bit scary.

Luckily I still have my plastic wrap and duct tape.

[helonias]

But Jesus said "Love thine enemies"

Are you against him too?

[Pyrrhus]

Dude, didn't you hear?

According to Fox News- McCain campaign- All mighty Grand Dragon Minister Hagee- "love" was a typo.

It's meant to say "loathe your enemies. And crush them with a 'nukular' weapon."

[Rog49Thomas]

I'd point out that in every picture I've seen Jesus was definitely not wearing an American flag lapel pin.

How can you trust this guy then?

He's probably a liberal and highly likely a foreigner. Maybe even an illegal alien!

[Vantunow]

Doesn't your heart feel good when people from the opposite side speak truth and act in a descent way?

Thank you James Baker.

Wish more people on the other side had your courage, honesty and descency.

[circusfifthfloor]

I believe scripture reads peacemaker, not peacelover. OK? How can these guys and their stooges at fox get it wrong on everything all the time? Amazing....CFF.

[helonias]

It was "Blessed are the cheese makers"

Didn't you ever see Life Of Brian

[don]

what's it to ya, big nose?

[FlowerGirl]

It seems that Baker wants to make up for the help he gave the Bush-Cheney criminals in getting into the White House.

[ajax2]

Poor John McCain all his friends are either talking to the enemy (see Bush in Saudi Arabia) or saying it's OK (Baker). Even the younger McCain disagrees with him.

[RoseBlue]

Look at the pictures! These old white farts need to move aside. They're dangerous. They're out of touch. Disclosure: I am a white woman, late 40s, highly educated, who happens to feel Obama speaks to the times. HOWEVER... I must say, I find it ridiculous that there is so much hand-wringing in the current democratic contest. We have TWO amazing nominees who are energizing this party & country in ways that were unimaginable two years ago.

[clint111]

Read this excellent analysis on Hillary's speech:

http://mrpredictor.wordpress.com/

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

Read it. Feh.

[qdog112]

In Republican Fantasy Land Diplomacy, America holds 100% of the chips 100% of the time. Therefore it follows that ANY discussion would NECESSARILY mean giving away a part of the chips.

In their minds the opposition never has anything of value to offer, so there's no reason to talk. Ever notice the game they play in terms of who "BLINKS FIRST" in negotiations.

COMPLETE and UTTER JUVENILE BS.