The current political buzzword is "naive." That's of course what Hillary called Obama, and he has responded in kind. But when it comes to being an ingenue, Obama has a long way to go to top Sally Quinn, grande dame of the DC set and wife of former WaPo editor Ben Bradlee. Here's what she said on this afternoon's "Hardball."
SALLY QUINN: The fact is that the new word these days is 'dialogue.' [Ed.: New? Well shut Socrates mouth!] And so many of these dictators, quote, dictators [Ed.: we wouldn't want to offend Assad or Kim Jong Il] are really sort of shallow people who are looking for respect, and if you talk to them, you can immediately sort of get them down and get them on your side.
View video here.
Someone give Mahmoud a hug. And as for you, Kim Jong, you're good enough, you're smart enough, and doggone it, people like you!
Earlier in the show, host Chris Matthews suggested that if anyone was naive, it was Hillary herself. Here's how he put it to senior Hillary advisor Howard Wolfson.
"HARDBALL" HOST CHRIS MATTHEWS: Hillary Clinton, in that debate, and I want to get the word right, didn't she say Obama was naive on foreign policy?
HILLARY ADVISOR HOWARD WOLFSON: She didn't say that in the debate, she said that after the debate.
MATTHEWS: How would you describe her position in voting to authorize the war in Iraq, believing that we weren't going to war, that Bush really didn't intend to go to war? Was that naive? . . . Wouldn't you call that naive to believe that we weren't going to war when everybody thought we were going to war? I thought we were going to war . . . Anybody that didn't think we were going to war in the months leading up to the war in Iraq wasn't paying attention.
Contact Mark at mark@gunhill.net
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
















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Deeper throat?
July 26, 2007 - 18:56 ET by Mica the MagnificentI guess Neville Chamberlain didn't stick his tongue down Hitler's throat deep enough to change Adolph's mind?
Oh, the humanity!
Bullseye!
July 26, 2007 - 19:14 ET by rob6677Yeah if we had relied on that thinking the US and most of europe would now be speaking in German. Although it's hard to say, Sally might be speaking Japanese, who knows!
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana!" Groucho
Gee, these Washington, DC
July 26, 2007 - 19:01 ET by Chris NormanGee, these Washington, DC socialites are so much smarter than everyone else. Maybe Sally can throw a party and invite some of these nice thugs...
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
Hillary...fence rider
July 26, 2007 - 19:03 ET by LionKing"Wouldn't you call that naive to believe that we weren't going to war when everybody thought we were going to war?"
Hillary's vote was not of conviction, but a vote of convenience. The polls indicated that the American people were ready to topple Saddam, so she voted for it. Now that the media has painted Iraq as a failure and the polls indicate that Americans want out, Hillary wants to cut-N-run. This should not be news...this is liberal-leadership in action; follow the polls, not your convictions.
Lion, I wonder how
July 26, 2007 - 19:22 ET by BlondeLion,
I wonder how "cut-and-run" is going to play once it becomes apparent (and the truth WILL come out) that "The Surge" is working.
I just posted an article over on the Forums that a friend of mine (who did a tour in Iraq) just sent me. I trust my friend's opinion about Iraq...if he thinks this piece is spot-on, I've got to believe it. BTW, it was a piece published in the American Thinker.
blonde...
July 26, 2007 - 19:29 ET by LionKingIt will not matter. Again, the poll of public opinion is what drives liberals. Kerry just got exposed as a flip-flopper because he never stood his ground. [If liberals had a backbone, it would be made of rubber.]
Once the primaries start, I trust that Hillary will be fully exposed as a hypocrite, liar, and flip-flopper.
Lionking
July 26, 2007 - 19:42 ET by Mica the MagnificentLiberals DO have a backbone.
However, it is adjusted and maintained by the MSM.
"Damn it, John! If you became the President I'd be known as the First Lady of the United States of America. But noooo! You screwed up and I'll forever be known as that f***ing catsup bitch!"---Teresa screaming at John during a mood swing
Mica,
July 26, 2007 - 21:56 ET by Dave RLOL-I thought Teresa was the pickle wench.
Help Fred defeat everybody.
Mica - Queen for sure.
July 26, 2007 - 22:02 ET by acaiguanaCan you imagine this woman as 2nd place?
I'd have to go and buy a fishing license.
Or, leave town?
Or...
Well, they deserve each other.
ACA
...
Quoted from: 'Acaiguana Notes from the Bomb Shelter' (soon to be a movie at theaters near you)
Hillary's vote was not of
July 27, 2007 - 06:12 ET by Tom1969caObligatory daily Simpsons reference (Mayor Quimby from the episode where Bart gets trapped in a well): "Ever since I called for the rescue of that Simpson lad, I have taken a lot of heat. Therefore, I am flip-flopping! I say, let him stay down there!"
~~~
"We can stand here like the French, or we can do something about it."-- Marge Simpson
Oh Please!
July 26, 2007 - 19:06 ET by rob6677Silly Americans, here we have been believing that all these ruthless dictators are evil, when they are really just sweethearts that need a hug!
Sorry Sally, let the grownups talk now, and don't forget to tie your shoes....wait they are on the wrong feet!
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana!" Groucho
Geez!
July 26, 2007 - 19:18 ET by Mica the MagnificentThank God I was born an American and not a liberal!
Yes, I meant that!!
"I support the troops . . . but not their mission or their Commander in Chief or their treatment of the prisoners-of-war-terrorists who want to kill my kids". . . . . . . A liberal mind-set and a true epedemic
these tinhorns are looking
July 27, 2007 - 11:23 ET by PKthese tinhorns are looking for crumbs from our table.
nothing more.
C
Financial solutions
July 26, 2007 - 19:12 ET by saw the lightWell, if all we need to do is hug these dictators, we certainly do not need the military. Removing this unnecessary aspect of our government will free up so much in the government's money that universal health care will finally be in reach!
I nominate Bill Clinton to go to Waziristan (sp?) to lay one on Osama himself. If we can just get Bin Laden to understand that we really want to be friends, I'm sure he will stop trying to kill Americans.
Let's just hope Bill doesn't mistake the robe Bin Laden wears for a dress. That could be an international incident!
"There is a tendency for the world to say to America, 'the big problems of the world are yours, you go and sort them out,' and then to worry when America wants to sort them out." - Prime Minister
And make DAMN sure he
July 27, 2007 - 16:00 ET by BeowulfAnd make DAMN sure he leaves all his cigars at home...
The Closed Mind Erects Strong Barriers
Quick Question: Is there
July 27, 2007 - 16:07 ET by LeonQuick Question:
Is there a statute of limitations on joke subjects?
Are you guys still going to be making these lame clinton jokes 10, 20 years from now?
If I can still joke about
July 27, 2007 - 16:09 ET by balboaIf I can still joke about Cheney shooting people in the face, "strategery," and the myriad other stuff, for the next 10, 20 years, I'd say it's an even trade.
But Bal, I doubt you'd be
July 27, 2007 - 16:11 ET by LeonBut Bal,
I doubt you'd be that uncreative and lame.
You'd certainly have fresh material by then.
FOS
July 27, 2007 - 16:11 ET by LionKingFreedom of Speech...knock yourself out.
When I no longer hear the
July 30, 2007 - 14:47 ET by BeowulfWhen I no longer hear the name Clinton in the news, when Slick Willy isn't being promoted as a roving ambassador, when Shrillary isn't spouting off about how proud she is of him and all the good he did while in office, then maybe I'll forget the cigars and dress stains.
Oh, and when liberal morons quit with the "Bush stole the election(s)" and Globull Alarming BS, I might stop calling them Slick Willy and Shrillary.
Until the same standards for jokes are applied evenly to both sides, I'll keep the Clinton jokes alive.
The Closed Mind Erects Strong Barriers
Chris Matthews says:
July 26, 2007 - 19:17 ET by ThisnThat"Anybody that didn't think we were going to war in the months leading up to the war in Iraq wasn't paying attention". Well, doesn't that include Saddam? So Chris, how long did Saddam have to move his WMD to Syria? Did you say "months" Chris?
Now, you need to put 2 + 2 together. Think about it, Chris....
"Anybody that didn't think
July 26, 2007 - 19:45 ET by SMGalbraith"Anybody that didn't think we were going to war in the months leading up to the war in Iraq wasn't paying attention".
Well, Saddam Hussein didn't think so.
He was convinced - even up to the very last days - that France and Russian would save his regime.
Not exactly
July 26, 2007 - 21:14 ET by ThisnThatGal - I read your linked article. Here's a quote from it: "Ibrahim Ahmad Abd al-Sattar, the Iraqi army and armed forces chief of staff, claimed that Saddam believed that even if his international supporters failed him and the United States did launch a ground invasion, Washington would rapidly bow to international pressure to halt the war". This show's Saddam knew it was possible an invasion would occur. Of course he didn't believe he would lose. But that's a lot different than knowing he could be invaded; hearing the U.S. advertise this; and protecting his WMDs from potential discover.
And so the lambs were led
July 26, 2007 - 19:14 ET by stratmanAnd so the lambs were led to slaughter.
I'm surprised Zippie The Pinhead isn't running for the Dems. Must be busy promoting AWG.
I'd vote for Fat Freddie's Cat over any of these geniuses on the Donkey Ticket.
Killing them with kindness isn't working. Time to get scrappy with the Donkeys.
talking...
July 26, 2007 - 19:15 ET by LionKingIf we could talk to the animals, just imagine it
Chatting to a chump in North Korean
Imagine talking to a tyrant, chatting to a cheater
What a neat achievement that would have been.
.
.
.
<Sung to the tune of If I Could Talk to the Animals from Dr. Dolittle.>
Why Can't We Be Friends?
July 30, 2007 - 15:10 ET by LionKingWhy Can't We Be Friends?
So, Mark, Bush is too stupid to pull off the 'talk 'em over' plo
July 26, 2007 - 19:16 ET by acaiguanaSo, Mark, Bush is too stupid to pull off the 'talk 'em over' ploy?
The Liberals are so smarrrt that if they just sit down with these 'dictators' (read 'idiots ') that it is clear they would just roll over to get their tummys rubbed, right?
And obviously, Bush is too stupid to do that as he falls under the category of 'dictator' who is "...really sort of shallow people who are looking for respect, ..."
And that boys and girls is why we need smart people, like the Democrats, to lead us to a world of posies and peace.
Kumbaya...
Mmmm Kumbaya.
Sheesh.
BTW the boyz asked when 'Speak Like a Pirate Day is due?'
ACA
...
Quoted from: 'Acaiguana Notes from the Bomb Shelter' (soon to be a movie at theaters near you)
Sally Quinn
July 26, 2007 - 19:34 ET by pocomocoShallow is as shallow speaks!
quinn, valley girl
July 26, 2007 - 19:40 ET by Pragmatic-ManSally: "...dictators are really sort of shallow people who are looking for respect, and if you talk to them, you can immediately sort of get them down and get them on your side."
'Sort of'? Like, you know, what-ev-er! Why is this valley girl getting air time?
Quinn, what if Chamberlain had not been ousted from heavy petting Hitler? What if Reagan had not ceased the Carter madness? Jimmy was flatbacking for the mideast, central america, and the soviets. And where would we be if Clinton had ignored the rising tide of islamic terrorism? Oh, that's right, he did, and 3000 of his NY neighbors were murdered for it.
Luckily, the conservo leaders stand up to these socialist oppressive dictators and accept nothing short of total victory.
A good question Prag-man, why is she even on?
July 26, 2007 - 20:54 ET by exLibA good question Prag-man.
Why is this lady even on "Hardball"?
It kills me about the left, nothing but roses and good things to say about "dictators" - don't want to slander those dictators - but they'll call the POTUS worse and believe the worst from their own!!
Well, it's only common
July 26, 2007 - 19:45 ET by Roger the ShrubberWell, it's only common sense. All these poor, misunderstood benevolent dictators are simply very, very, ronery.
Well Sally
July 26, 2007 - 20:11 ET by botgthere's your solution, simply talk to George Bush </sarc off>
Support our Troops
if W is an imperialist dictator...
July 26, 2007 - 23:11 ET by Pragmatic-ManWhy are we not hearing the media pitching softball questions to W if he is the imperialist dictator they portray him to be? Sawyer asks Achmapiddlepacket what makes him cry, and swoons over thoughts of Castro back at the reins, but put 60 minutes inside Camp David, and they thrash against the President -- telling him how he is not very popular and his war is failing.
I would love to see someone take transcripts from some of these dichotomous interviews and switch the interviewees. Tell Achmadiddlejammet that his policies are failing and let Chavez know that the free world considers him a paranoid maniacal dictator -- then trade Texas barbecue recipes with W beside a crackling hearth while wearing a cowboy hat.
You can always tell how demonic a ruler is by how much the lib media pets them.
Foreign Policy
July 26, 2007 - 20:52 ET by BarkerThe Democrats foreign policy: Footsies and Circle Jerks.
You're right, Sally,
July 26, 2007 - 23:22 ET by zfYou're right, Sally, fighting dictators isn't a job for the armed services, it's a job for the Care Bears!
Whos side are we talking about here?
July 26, 2007 - 23:31 ET by CT"...if you talk to them, you can immediately sort of get them down and get them on your side..."
Of course it works best when you start out on their side to begin with.
Depends on the Dictator
July 26, 2007 - 23:44 ET by Lame CherryDear Mr. Finkelstein,
I would respectfully like to make the point that all dictators are not the same. I do not mean to state the obvious nor include you, but liberals continuously talk about these thugs like they all go to Thug University in Thugistan and get a degree in Thuggery so they are all alike.
I personally tried to explain to the White House about the rather bizarre Kim of Korea that he indeed could have been reached as he is a unique individual. Most people do not know Kim's family was actually associated with Protestants and that Kim allowed a number of Churches to be built in North Korea.
Kim is ill now with no pun intended, but I advocated that he could have been convinced to Christianize to replace communism in seeing that the Apostles were communal in direction with the fact that Christians are the most peaceful and loyal of citizens any nation can have.
Added to this the South would have invested in mini China free trade zones to employ North Koreans, empowering them, creating a spending class and exposing them to western ideals. The military of course would have been included in this payoff and they would have protected this new direction for Korea in trading partners and religious morality.
I do not advocate dealing with Kim, but dealing him a deal he could not say no to as it would be in his interest and it would not cost the US one cent.
There are thugs though as you noted in Assad of Syria. Assad though is one of the most polished like Putin in the world. He is a very adept individual in conversation and planning. He can smile discussing issues like a gentleman and order assassinations the next. He though with little leverage from linking like in Iran the same "people's sovereignty" rules as they try with the neo Syrian Philistines in the Israeli state could be brought to his knees if oil was shut off in 6 months. More overt use of power than Kim, but Assad too can be dealt with.
What I will write next will probably astonish people, but here am I one of the few people who actually took the time to study bin Laden instead of read what others were saying........I read bin Laden. bin Laden is nothing like Zawahiri in Zawahiri is a backstreet thug pretending to be a gentleman doctor. They are dichotomies opposing each other and frankly I believe there is a greater chance that Zawahiri is only keeping bin Laden alive like the Russian and Chinese are for someone to blame for their Islamocommunist war against the west.
bin Laden could indeed be reached even now, but I have concluded he would be assassinated by the communists if he ever took a step toward peace. bin Laden is not the same man he was on Sept. 11 and he could be convinced.....not by a President personally but by advocates of America he could trust.
All people respond to a set of emotional rules. Dictators are the same. What I wrote of is the fact though is these politicians from Obama to whoever Quinn do not understand the process. What should have been said is this:
The United States of America is always in contact with all concerns of this world whether directly, through our allies or even in unique channels. One does not require a red phone to Moscow to make the policy known with Assad nor bin Laden or any party who wills to progress in a mutual understanding with America.
end quote
Diplomacy sometimes is a fully loaded B 1 with jdams unfired.....and sometimes it is a fully loaded nuclear warhead fired. It is not about words, but about feeding the self centered interests of the dictator allowing the creature to live, if not promote but not hinder US interests and everyone keeps quiet about it.....so liberals are not screaming Iran Contra and the dictator not harming America is not blown up by his own thugs.
President Bush done a remarkable job. Vice President Cheney is providing very sound support. Considering what is occurring no one could have done any better. I do know where this is going, but I also believe it needs to be explained better to the American public and not framed in Obama's inexperience of "got to talk to them fellas" as JFK loused up big time in being green.
America though does not have the supporting cast right now that Reagan has nor Bush 41 had on foreign policy out of the box solutions.
This is too long and I apologize, but Americans must be made to understand the process without revealing the process as that is what is causing a great deal of the problems in the enemy knows the game America is attempting.........and no one is saying it, but it is Chinese PLA and Russian FSB intel in spying on America and being fed to terrorists and thugs which is trumping our card.
*HIC IACET ARTORIVS REX QVONDAM REXQVE FVTVRVS
Some people want to kill because you're free...period.
July 27, 2007 - 02:34 ET by Army BratIf you'll just give up your freedom we can have peace with bin Laden and his kind. Until then we will have war. That's the long and short of it.
I tried to reason with this young Bull Moose what kept tryin' t' kill me on my way from the car to the front door. I showed him how loud a 12 gauge can be and he just stood there lookin' at me from 20 feet away. Bottle rockets had zero effect. Rescued a giant dog from a bad situation and he ended up doing some negotiating for me and I've had no trouble since. Nothing succeeds like brute force. There are times,(consult history) where force is appropriate. Honest. Happy Trails...
And so many of these
July 27, 2007 - 05:50 ET by Jack BauerFred Thompson took apart this inane argument on Hannity & Colmes last night.
Just a word of advice on Fred, there's a concerted campaign at the moment to undermine him with "conservatives."
Just listen to what he says when he's asked direct questions. He gives strong, common-sense direct answers.
She isn't that stupid but
July 27, 2007 - 07:24 ET by buddycShe isn't that stupid but she knows the public is. They will believe it.
I thought this was one of
July 27, 2007 - 08:21 ET by Free ThinkerI thought this was one of those Daily Show skits from the comedy channel. I am not surprised it was on MSNBC. Where do they find such stupid people like this Sally chick?
Schools of Journalism
July 27, 2007 - 10:27 ET by iveseenitall"Where do they find such stupid people?"
Good question, FT. Many ( maybe most) of them are found in the American educational system. Schools of "journalism" produce them in droves. Sad.
NEVER,NEVER trust a liberal
Okay, Mahmoud, Kim-Jong,
July 27, 2007 - 12:05 ET by BeowulfOkay, Mahmoud, Kim-Jong, Hugo, Bashar Assad, Sheik Hassan, all together, "EVERY DAY, IN EVERY WAY, WE ARE GETTING BETTER AND BETTER". Alright, GROUP HUG!!!
The Closed Mind Erects Strong Barriers
Talking with the enemies
July 27, 2007 - 14:05 ET by merlin61All these talking heads keep saying is that all we
need to do is "talk" to these dictators and they
will just melt with sweet talk. Why do they
assume we haven't been talking to them. I'm
sure this president and Condeleeza talk with
these countries, they just don't want to cooperate.
The only thing the President won't do is
compromise our country by agreeing with
their agendas. Obama is very, very naive if
he believes that all we have to do is sweet talk
all these evil empires and they will concede.
Did we learn nothing from
July 27, 2007 - 14:34 ET by Some GuyDid we learn nothing from the movie Mars Attacks? All dialogue got us was lots of dead people and really cute aliens going Ack Ack Ack ... good thing some old fashioned music saved the day!
honestly it was a good movie. Maybe Obama needs to brush up on his movies.
I say we have em all over
July 27, 2007 - 14:26 ET by Airforce_5_OI say we have em all over and go to Outback. we can talk and everybody will love us because we talked.
Got news for ya stupid.
They don't want to talk; they want money or weapons to make them legitimate leaders on the world stage.
SHUT UP!!!!!!!!!
The only thing you should feel when shooting insurgents is the rifle recoil.
She's already on their side.
July 27, 2007 - 21:49 ET by fitzfongShe's already on their side.
democrat "dialogue" = 444
July 30, 2007 - 15:11 ET by vrwc13democrat "dialogue" =
The Iran hostage crisis was a diplomatic crisis between Iran and the United States that was triggered by a group of militant university students who took over the American diplomatic mission in Tehran on November 4, 1979. The students were supported by Iran's post-revolutionary regime that was in the midst of solidifying power. The students objected to U.S. influence in Iran and its support of the recently fallen Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. They held 63 U.S. diplomats and three other U.S. citizens hostage until January 20, 1981. Of those captured, 52 were held hostage until the conclusion of the crisis 444 days later. Wiki
Republican "Peace through strength" =
On January 20, 1981 while Reagan was delivering his inaugural address, just 30 minutes into his term, 52 American hostages, held by Iran for 444 days were set free. Wiki
Men stumble over the truth from time to time, but most pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing happened. -Winston Churchill.