Obama Hits McCain's Spain Gaffe -- "Cheney Policies"

Talking Points Memo:

In an interview with the same Miami radio station that elicited the now-notorious McCain Zapatero flub, Obama hits McCain for refusing to say whether he'd meet with the Spanish prime minister.

The key moment comes around two-thirds of the way in. Asked if he'd meet with Zapatero, Obama said:

"Of course. Spain is a NATO ally, and the fact that Senator McCain indicated that he might not meet with Zapatero I think indicates that he wants to continue the Cheney policies of trying to dictate American foreign policy instead of trying to build cooperation. I think that's a mistake."

Read the whole story: Talking Points Memo

Comments

[Beachrunner]

I love that picture of Obama . . . is he telling the sea level to back down? Or healing the earth? Maybe both.

[mscriblerus]

O.K. It's time to stop calling these gaffes. The McCain camp won't admit that he is making mistakes and neither does McCain. So, since he is intentionally saying that "the fundamentals of the economy are strong", and Spain needs to be reevaluated as an ally, let's call him what he is...Wrong. Wrong on every issue. Intentionally wrong on every issue.

[DoTheMath]

I love Obama's comments. His interpretation of McCain's muddled response to the same question is perfect. He's giving McCain more respect than he deserves, ignoring the all-too-obvious indications that McCain might have forgotten who Zapatero was or where Spain was, and going straight for the only logical message left if you assume McCain knew what he was talking about. Unfortunately for McCain, that message is really stupid. So what's McCain going to do now, rail against Obama for accusing him of knowing what he was talking about?

IMHO, the way McCain dealt with the situation was the worst part. Forgetting a name or getting confused CAN be forgivable, but being so stubborn you risk alienating an ally instead of somehow recovering from your mistake after having it made clear to you, is beyond reckless. Even if you assume he doesn't want to meet with Zapatero, his responses didn't make any sense. He was talking about Latin America.

[PioneerKing]

Not to worry Super Diplomat Palin will take care of foreign policy -
Palin can see Russia from her house, although the Bring Straight is 700 miles away from her home and she has never been up there,
she has eaten canadian bacon on her egg mcmuffin,
had pasta just last week and she once had spanish rice so Super Sarah's ready to deal with any foreign policy issue
yeah Sarah to the rescue

[biglover]

Poll Tracker | Pres '08

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Pres '08
Sep 22 CNN
Obama (D) 51%, McCain (R) 47%
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Pres '08
Sep 22 Hotline/Diageo
Obama (D) 47%, McCain (R) 42%
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Pres '08
Sep 22 Gallup
Obama (D) 48%, McCain (R) 44%
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Pres '08
Sep 22 Rasmussen
Obama (D) 48%, McCain (R) 47%
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Pres '08
Sep 22 Res. 2000
Obama (D) 49%, McCain (R) 43%
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Pres '08
Sep 21 Gallup
Obama (D) 49%, McCain (R) 45%
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*
Pres '08
Sep 21 Hotline/Diageo
Obama (D) 45%, McCain (R) 44%
*

*
Pres '08
Sep 21 Res. 2000
Obama (D) 49%, McCain (R) 42%
*

*
Pres '08
Sep 21 Rasmussen
Obama (D) 48%, McCain (R) 47%
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Pres '08
Sep 20 Gallup
Obama (D) 50%, McCain (R) 44%

[PioneerKing]

biglover

cool your jets the republicans are about to play their winning card

yes they are about to pull the fear of terrorisim card out of the deck

http://www.nysun.com/foreign/spies-warn-that-al-qaeda-aims-for-october-surprise/86326/

[Bitsko]

Sorry, but the NY Sun is not exactly a reputable paper.

[Bitsko]

Great, but you might cut down on how much space you use.

[victoriajubilee]

To all the supporters of Senator Obama : check for your respective states early voting. Many states will start early voting as early as this week. I urge you to go out and vote early for Senator Obama and Senator Joe Biden. Dont wait until November when the polls will be crowded and anything can happen,bad weather etc. Also encourage others to do so,write them ,email them call them up .Lets do it now. Finally , volunteer at least one day to canvass or register new voters. Lets go now. Thank you.

[RobinSeattle]

How McCain would handle the NAFTA question from a Bush Administration U.S.-Canada expert:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TklzYZ6Toy8

[TrooAmerican]

McCain Declares he Will Follow Zapatero to the Gates of Hell to get him.

McCain wants bombs to fall in Spain but Mainly in the Plains.

McCain will deal with those "spanics" while he rides his Llamas around his condo. "me llamas name es Juan McCain"
heheheeeee

[QueenOfViolets]

Does McCain miss Franco? Maybe that's the problem. Perhaps McCain wishes Franco was back in power.

[RobinSeattle]

The problem is with how Americans choose their presidential candidates:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBtBQoYiPho

[RobinSeattle]

How dare Obama seek cooperation!

Now take the example of our great ambassador to Canada, David Wilkins. He has Canada apologizing to us. I am not kidding! Here is proof!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuY3oLmzkjE

[jorge4u]

I can hear Palin say, "I can see Spain from my house."

[PioneerKing]

No Palin will say "I' know Spain I had a spanish olive in my martini the other day and I once had a bottle of wine that had a cork in it I know Spain"

[jorge4u]

or my maid was from Spain

[JamieJay]

John McCain wants to mention Rezko, however wants to hush up his past and ongoing scandals. John McCain forgets about his illegal Arizona land deal with Stephen Betts (SunCor Development). Also, Judicial Watch has filed a lawsuit through the FEC, against John McCain and his illegal fundraiser that was held in London, on March 20, 2008. Also, McCain wants everyone to forget all about these shady dealings: "John McCain: Are His Backers Out of Prison?"

http://www.larouchepub.com/other/2002/2932mccain.html

[PioneerKing]

Don't forget Reznik and Abramhoff.

[StandUpAmerica08]

This is GREAT News for McGimmick and his skunk meat campaign that stinks to high heaven!

[atila]

When you have no idea about who is who around the planet you cannot lead any Country,non even Zaire or Tunisia(with all due respect)...

[Rog49Thomas]

El camino a Teherán corre por Madrid!

This is geopolitical thinking on a whole new level.

Just the sort of thing a irascible lovable maverick would come up with. And did I mention former POW?
I sure hope I did.

("Maverick" is a registered trademark of JSMcC, III. All rights reserved).