Bush Bans State Department Officials From Obama Rally

In a flagrant political act, the State Department has barred its employees from attending Sen. Barack Obama's speech in Berlin tonight. Under the pretense that he is maintaining political neutrality, the Washington Post reported today, State Department Undersecretary for Management Patrick F. Kennedy has interpreted the Foreign Affairs Manual in the most restrictive way, claiming that he is ensuring that foreign service officials will remain untainted by a "partisan political act." (Spouse and family members, however, have generously been excluded from this ruling.) The U.S. embassy, which is headed by ambassador Robert Timken, a businessman and crony of George W. Bush's from Ohio, who is widely reviled in Germany for his ignorance of foreign affairs, has instructed officials not to attend the rally. The American Foreign Service Association has complained about the edict but there's not enough time to dispute it. Funny that.

The truth is that there would probably be few better opportunities for embassy officials to get a feel for the views of the Germans by mixing with them during the rally. Of course, the sentiments expressed by Germans, who worship Obama as much as they loathe George W. Bush, might not be ones that the administration is eager to hear.

Indeed, the administration has a long and tawdry record of trying to browbeat government agencies into submission, whether it's the CIA or the Centers for Disease Control. The State Department is perhaps highest on the list of conservatives and neocons who see it as the center of disloyalty and treachery. But this latest action represents a new low. If it's going to these lengths, the Bush administration must be really worried about Sen. John McCain's prospects.

Comments

[shel3364]

November just can't get here soon enough for me.

[Helzapoppin]

Well, I'm no Obama fan anymore, but honestly, would anyone really expect anything other than gross, pathetic pettiness from the Bush administration on anything?

[lynettema]

I really don't care if you are an Obama fan. Just vote for him or you will end up with more of what you see. The NeoCons will be writing McC's speeches and setting policy. This you can depend upon. The transition between the Bush administration and a McCain administration would be seamless. It is going to take a generation of Democrats to undo what the Bushes and NeoCons have done to our country.

[CharlesJ]

This was one of the worst things they could have done. It only shows how fearful the RNC, the Republicans, and the president are of the Democratic name brand at the moment. When I was in the Army stationed in Germany, we were allowed to attend events such as these as long as we were not in uniform and as long as we did not talk to reporters. There is a basic right of people regardless of employment or job to be informed as to who they wish to vote for and this is being taken away from those that are overseas.

[BrighterStar]

First, the headline appears to be untrue. There is no evidence anywhere that bush had anything to do with this decision. Secondly, it seems obvious that the Foreign Service would not want it officials to be attending a political speech in a foreign country.

[lobear00]

Lets not forget, whatever takes place on a "So-called Commander-­in-Chief's "watch is his business and he alone is a part of that act, and owns that act. Every act done by this Administration "George Bushes name is on that piece of paper.

[itmaybetoolate]

It happened on georgie boy's watch - it is georgie boy's responsibility. He could easily reverse the ruling if he so desired, which he doesn't. And why is it obvious that the FS wouldn't want its officials (who are american I presume) attending a speech by the man who might be their next president.­? Seems to me that it might be important for them to hear - in person -what is said, rather than reading the reports of others. And, of course, attendance does not mean approval.

[DasBoot]

Why not? As Mr. Heilbrunn points out, this is a great occasion to get a sense of political attitudes among Germans. Isn't that what embassy personnel is supposed to do, gauge the political climate in their host country? Why is listening to Obama interpreted as a partisan political act? That excuse does not pass the laugh test.

[johnie2xs]

To your first point; This is exactly how Mafia king pins defended themselves-- Plausible deniability.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plausible_deniability
To your Second point; A political speech by a foreign dignitary might be one thing, but a politician whose possible election could impact their lives directly is quite something else. You can't be saying, that because they are working for their country overseas, they have given up their right to be informed, can you? Should they then only be allowed to attend an event of the administrations choosing? Show us your RNC tattoo.

[Galt907]

"Commander in chief" means all decisions made by his administration are approved by him, explicitly or tacitly . . . go peddle your apologies elsewhere.

[Truthfighter1]

Wow, why why why are Bush and his cronies so scared of Obama.

America I want to thank you for picking a candidate so above the fray that the GOP, the media, McCain, Fox News and others cannot pin Obama down, he is so intelligent that they can't catch up, he has them responding and playing defense instead of attacking, well they are attacking but the attacks or so weak that have no legs.

[JohnShank]

They aren't scared. Believe me if Bush were running against Obama, Obama would lose in a walk. Not because Bush is better, but because his people knew how to work the media. Obama is getting a pass by the MSM and I fear he is being shoved down our throats. If Obama had made ANY of the gaffes that McCain has, the media would lap it up, under report it, and help make excuses for him. Presidential elections are shams anyhow.

[lynettema]

You are serious? Obama may get more coverage, but it's a watch to see if and when he screws up the least bit so they can jump all over him. McC gets pass after pass from the MSM for his MANY gaffes. For a guy who has been to Iraq 8 times, McC should know much more than he does. He says he knows how to win wars. If that is the case, why are we still in Iraq? Why didn't we win the Vietnam War? McC was there in person with all the answers and nothing to do.

[Iam4thiscountry]

And you don't think Obama knows how to work the Media? Then why are all the Anchors with him? Not because they love him like McCain wants you to believe. But, because HE IS NEWS. What is more exciting and better news. McCain talking to a town hall meeting (he can't do a bigger venue because there would be to many empty seats), McCain riding around in a golf cart with Bush 1 (who i like) or Obama In Israel, Jordon, Germany, etc, ect. ect.? I think people are smarter this time around. They know that McCain and the Republicans twist the true or tell out right lies. We are smarter this time. (or we should be)

[adl]

Interesting, because many would say that the media has basically ignored McCain's gaffes.

[emcslead]

Obama is getting a pass? How is it then that every possible shadow of a flip-flop is construed as bad if it comes from Obama, whereas McCain's are heralded as an adaptation to new information? How is it that McCain can tell tasteless and crude jokes in succession and barely get a blip on the radar where Obama's every comment is sliced and diced seven ways to Sunday?

The "gaffes" you refer to aren't little things either - the man is running as the guy who gets what's going on in Iraq and he can't even get his timelines on the surge and Anbar Awakening correct, doesn't even know which country borders which, and doesn't know the difference among the various ethnic groups. "Well he's old, he's going to make mistakes." Isn't that an "excuse" that we hear from the media every day for McCain?

[nomorebombs]

diebold shams

[middlevillage]

Truthfigher, you are soooooooo right. This man is way above the tray. Just watched the sppech in Berlin....­he knocked it outta the park once again.

[radical1]

This administration does not know the difference between truth & fiction, and in fact, the truth frightens them.

[Bitsko]

The American ambassador to Germany is a fellow named William Robert Timken, Jr. According to Wikpedia, "[h]e has served at The Timken Company as Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and CEO. Timken has been chairman of Securities Investor Protection Corporation, National Association of Manufacturers, The Manufacturing Institute and the Ohio Business Roundtable. He also served on the Advisory Council of the Stanford University School of Business and the U.S.-Japan Business Council."

Sounds like a classic political hack. Funny how the National Association of Manufacturers, as well as Stanford, keeps showing up in the bios of the Bushies.

[faust2001]

One thing that definitely comes to mind when thinking about the Bush administration is political neutrality.

[kroses98]

Whose mind???

[musselmanm]

Ok, banned from Obama speeches! Lets see who I will tend to vote for in November.
George B, our listening protector in Chief would have to say in Berlin, "Ich Bin Ein War Criminal".

[Bitsko]

I wouldn't be surprised if after the election we find out that quite a few of the American embassy and State Department employees attended the speech. Bucking the system is a time-honored past-time, and we Americans are nothing if not clever rascals. Besides, why should the good hard partying people of Germany have all the fun?

[scouserinlondon]

They can party!!!!.­...but have you been to England, especially the North? And don't get me started On Scotland and Ireland!!!!!! Cheers.

[Bitsko]

I am Irish-American and my step-family are Cockneys. All I need now are some Barcelonan relatives and I would never be sober again.

[lobear00]

The Americans working in Germany should stand up and tell the Administration to "GO TO HELL"

[Parducci]

What probably happened is that the State Dept employees didn't want to go but thought "I'd better 'cause if this guy's elected he'll post me to Timbuktu if I don't" so the higher ups came in and helped out their employees by giving them cover to go home and kick back with a beer after work like they wanted to in the first place.

[Kahni]

The idea of State "higher-ups" helping out their employees is hilarious. Excellent satire, Pard.

[Parducci]

Good catch. The clue is.... State Dept employees don't drink beer! Hah!

[Economike]

Hmmmm... yea.......­sure...

[Laserbeam]

That was probably a pig I saw flying today, too....

[deecee22]

"I don't know about you but I am proud of my country" cindy mccain

[VOTER]

John McSame's campaign has issued a press release in which they disagree with the Bush Administration's ruling.

"We have never FORBADE Americans from attending our events.

PLEASE LET THEM KNOW! PLEASE!"

[Bitsko]

"Mr. Bush, tear down this wall!"

[itmaybetoolate]

Very good!!!

[scouserinlondon]

Comical!!!

[white mende man]

I'll bet you dollars to donuts that if John McCain were to go to Germany and do a rally, there will be no such bans. In fact State Department Officials may be all there will be in attendance.

[Bitsko]

And I'll bet you Euros to berliners that you are correct.

[scouserinlondon]

Attendance would be compulsory.

[mollysgran]

Didn't McCain go to England a while back to do some fund-raising? Only the Americans were allowed to give money, but (I believe) that Brits were invited to the dinner.


If I am wrong about this will someone enlighten me?

[ez14livin]

and i'll bet he couldn't fill a VW van with attendees either

[adl]

I don't think McCain is capable of attracting enough people to call it a rally.

[white mende man]

Hey State Department Officials, they've got less than 6 months left so go to the Obama rally and show the Bush Administration your best side possible; a Moon-Shot captured on world television.

[VOTER]

Wear disguises and go and have a ball, "CHEERING, OBAMA!"