Obama Offers Condolences To Mumbai Victims

Barack Obama's statement on the situation in Mumbai from Friday, November 28th.

Michelle and I send our deepest condolences to the loved ones of the American citizens who lost their lives in the outrageous terrorist attacks in Mumbai. Our thoughts and prayers are with them, and with all who have been touched by this terrible tragedy.

These terrorists who targeted innocent civilians will not defeat India's great democracy, nor shake the will of a global coalition to defeat them. The United States must stand with India and all nations and people who are committed to destroying terrorist networks, and defeating their hate-filled ideology.

There is one president at a time. I will continue to closely monitor the situation on the ground in Mumbai, and am grateful for the cooperation of the Bush Administration in keeping me and my staff updated. We fully support the Bush Administration's efforts to protect American citizens and assist the government of India during this tragic time.

Comments

[jjoycerules]

President Elect Obama should have specifically mentioned the ignominious and unprecedented attack on the habad center in Mumbai. This is a country with a tiny Jewish community and has has little if any anti-semetic acts in the past. In light of the fact that an overwhelming number of Jews voted for him, despite his association with Reverend Wright and the fact that the Israeli Jewish population was/is not very pro-Obama, I am dumbfounded that a shrewd politician would not address the importance of the ideological nature of this criminal act. There is every right to be concerned as a Jew or non-Jew for this man's total lack of experience, his checkered past with blatant anti-semites, and the fact that Iran could have nuclear capabilities in due time. There is no other population on the globe that has been targeted repeatedly for the sole reason that they are of a specific religious persuasion, and Israel and the entire Jewish community needs to be reassured that Obama and his cabinet will do everything they can to protect the existence of the Jewish race.

[wezcoz]

Obama's Inauguration Day Poem, (click or copy/paste address) Go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57ZRYgX_F6Y



(You may have to hit refresh-if you get an unavailable message)

[nick53]

Obama's doing what he can.. and look at bush, where is he even?? T_Pol you're right, Bush may well be worn out.. it's been 8 harsh years, lets be fair. Obama's gonna have to build a strong foreign affairs team to be fair, there's so much damage to undo.. i hope he can equate the genius he's assembled in his economics team, check em out at www.spinwhip.com/obama. For foreign affairs, any one know who's appointed?

[Caroline1]

I agree with Jeremy18 and was profoundly disappointed by Obama's second statement. Sure, he issued a first statement, but in issuing the second why could he not simply say American AND all other victims from around the world. Anyway, 90% were Indian. I am an Obama supporter who donated money and time to the campaign, and I am very happy that he is my president, but I was shocked by this insensitivity, which is, I have to say peculiarly American, and I did not expect it from him. (I heard one commentator on MSNBC say that we would not be talking about this if there were no Americans involved!!) Anyway, I am an American, but my husband is Indian, and a permanent resident in the U.S. We go to Delhi in seven days for three weeks, as we do every year in December to see family, and I wish I did not have to feel ashamed about what the president elect said. I had hoped that I would not have to feel ashamed anymore once Bush left office.

[ClassyT]

Obama was not diminishing the death of other people; he was attempting to reassure the American people (his base).

He goes on to say "The United States must stand with India and all nations and people who are committed to destroying terrorist networks, and defeating their hate-filled ideology."

He acknowledges that other countries and people are victims of terror.

Since the MSM and the Nay sayers painted him as "inexperience" his primary goal is to reassure his base at this time and to let them know he is with them.

We will always find something negative if we slice and dice words. The only reader of hearts is GOD..

[canucklivinginUSA]

Hmmm... you seriously need to reread the statement, my friend.

Goddammit you people need to freaking grow up. NAG, NAG, NAG, NAG. Its getting REALLY annoying

[stanjz]

Bush is getting off the hook early. I guess the corporate media has to look out for the corporate president.

[janice1227]

Obama is in limbo, with people wanting him to take charge even before taking office - while Bush fiddles and diddles; what's up with our fearless leader W. ?

[Bitsko]

With a 23% approval rating, I don't blame him for not leaving the confines of Versailles, I mean the White House.

[canucklivinginUSA]

Guillotine time?

[ClassyT]

Actually, we should be thankful that "W" isn't creating GREATER problems for the President - Elect.

[canucklivinginUSA]

Seriously, I will like to keep the small gains I made on the stock market during the last four days. Don't need BOOSH to mess this up

[Jeremy18]

I wish Obama started off by giving his condolences to ALL the lives lost. It's about time our "us and them" attitude changes and isn't now the perfect time for that after the election, it's still November!!. Obama is multiracial and he should know better really. Afterall, its 95% of Indians that died due to Bush's irresponsibility.

So MEDIA give all lives lost a sentence atleast to honor their lives.

[matteodean]

why doesnt he mind his own business..........he doesnt seem to care about the 3 million de ad in iraq does he???? hypo crite ...this is all for show.....obama is nothing but a sock puppet for the new wordl order............soemone should have asked him what change before blindly chanting it

[janice1227]

you need two things, Matteo: Spellcheck and a good argument. You stink at both.

[canucklivinginUSA]

Crystal meth got you down?

[chevyval]

He knows this but as future leader of the U.S. he mentions American's first. That is how it is done
and should be.

[moedawg]

I agree, what about the Indians, Canadians, Brits, Israelis, Australians, and Germans - just to name a few? That is bullshit Obama.

[oscartucker]

MOEDAWG---"This is bullshit Obama"? Why are you so filled with anger and hatred over the statement that does offer solace to all? President Elect Barack Obama is a caring man; your lashing out here is over done.

[ckfan]

He did in his first statement. He then issued this statement, a 2nd statement ,when told that Americans died. So he specifically addressed the second statement to the American lives lost.

This is our problem - we're always looking for an opening to criticize even when we don't know what we're talking about. Even when we don't have all the information. Even when we don't know the facts.

Even when we're ignorant. Guess what - that Ignorant person would be YOU.

[ClassyT]

As you said, "to name a few". He said "ALL" How much clearer can that be? Do you expect the President Elect to name off EVERY country involved, just to offend someone that may have been omitted?

All means ALL.

[canucklivinginUSA]

FFS, this is pathetic

[Hawka]

Well, he is the American President. There is a certain sense of limits and responsibility in terms of where his priorities need to lie at this point and what exactly he can do at this point. And he has offered his support to India in this case as well.

[harriscrl3]

Actually if you paid attention to his first statement he did. He made this statement specifically after Americans have lost their lives and I dont see whats wrong with that.

He is the President Elect of America afterall so why dont they get a specific condolence.

Carol

[loveobamas]

WE LUV YOU BARACK AND MICHELLE;0

[otispfudpucker]

Yes Jan. 20th is way too far away, I really wish the lame duck occupant in the WH would just step down so that a real responsible person could take the helm for our country and it's many problems.

[harriscrl3]

You can tell its difficult for Obama to remind himself that he is not the President cause its almost like he spoke as the President 3/4 of the way and then remember he is not.

He is not the only one who wish he was President. January 20th is much too far away.

Carol

[starfire426]

You're correct...it's almost like he feels as if he doesn't do it, it won't get done (correctly) and in the end he will get the blame for it...I really feel for the quagmire he's in presently, a sort of limbo.

[T Pol]

No, I don't think it's so much about correct vs. incorrect. I think he feels just as hand-tied as we do about the timing of this. He is fresh and ready for the fight and the diplomacy (while Bush is, well, Bush, only more ragged, worn-out and paralyzed than ever.

I think everyone, however, needs to stay focused on the tragedy and not examine every word of Obama's under a microscope.

To all who died, may your spirits find their places in the afterlife of your faith. To the families of all who died, may G-d bring you strength and comfort in the wake of this horrible tragedy. To the survivors, may G-d bring you swift and complete recovery. To the people affect by this terror on your soil, Americans, like so many others in the world, know your pain, so may G-d give you courage and the mindset to overcome in a path that will bring you and us all peace.

Oh, G-d, hear my prayer.

[matteodean]

why whats he gonna do differently jan 20th??????????

[harriscrl3]

Is this a joke?

Where have you been? Unless you have been somewhere that doesnt get news after January 20th he assumes power which means he gets to decide what to do about the economy and or Foreign Policy. Dont be fooled on January 20th Obama is going to get going and he is going to be working hard from that day onward.

Carol

[hortonhearsawho]

release your dad from prison...