McCain suggests Bill Clinton or other "high-ranking" official to lead Mideast talks

(CBS News) As aerial fighting continues between Israel and Hamas-led Gaza, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., sharply criticized President Obama's handling of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and called for a "high-ranking" American to lead negotiations.

"I would find someone even as high-ranking, frankly, as former president Bill Clinton to go and be the negotiator," McCain said on "Face the Nation" Sunday. "[W]e need a person of enormous prestige and influence to have these parties sit down together as an honest broker."

McCain offered his suggestion as he harshly criticized President Obama for failing to advance talks between Israel and the Palestinians during his first term. He said the president has mishandled the negotiations by laying "preconditions" on the table, including that Israel halt settlement building.

"[W]e have a lot of work to do to regain some credibility because we're crumbling all over the Middle East," McCain said. "I'm not sure how much influence that this administration has."

Five days of airstrikes between Hamas-led Gaza and Israel has escalated the crisis between the two governments, harming the chances that extended peace talks could resume.

During a news conference in Bangkok while on an international trip, President Obama said talks could not continue until Hamas commits to halting all rocket launches into Israel.

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"[T]hose who champion the cause of the Palestinians should recognize that if we see a further escalation of the situation in Gaza, then the likelihood of us getting back on any sort of peace track that leads to a two-state solution is, is going to be pushed off way into the future," Mr. Obama said.

"[T]he United States, obviously, should be as heavily involved as they possibly can," McCain said.

[WhereisOT]

This blowhard have a real job or just spend time spewing bs on ANY network willing to pollute We The Peoples airwaves...
This do nothing is like the fricken guy from long ago with the battery on his shoulder...double dog daring anyone to knock it off...
Only thing is...The ***k is this do nothing trying to sell...

A chip on his shoulder and then some...

"God" sure works in mysterious ways...After he brung the Dinosaurs and the Peoples together...to live in harmony, Just like on the Flintstones...
Well, in a rather short time....The almighty gave the People a little something called a remote control...
With the click of a button, sanity lost becomes sanity found....

[becker33]

Yep, need a lying Rapist who committed treason...and is the Go to Guy from the Democrat Party of Godless anti-semites....Yeah...that's the ticket.....

[sjc_1]

That post is such an insane lie, it does not deserve response. You need help.

[inbethlehem]

Gee, I don't recall this pathetic little simpleton raising this issue during the Bush era (when the Palestinian issue was largely ignored) or during his own failed campaign.

Tell this geriatric backbencher to sit down and shut up.

[pgfamily]

McCain wants to take us to war. Why am I not surprised. His ideas have become more radical of late and his persecution of the Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice is bizarre. His idealism is fraught with inconsistencie and his allegiance circle in the Senate is dwindling. He wanted Romney to win the election yes; but moreso, he wanted at least a Republican win. Losing felt like he lost again. Too sad!

[TeaPartyWarrior]

Obama and his minions (including Susan Rice) have said the tragedy was about another Cairo demonstration over a video. They lied for political reasons because it didn't fit Obama's narrative for Libya during a presidential campaign. Then came the coverup. Nixon was foeced to resign for lying and covering up, yet no one died. IMPEACH OBAMA!!!!

[abbe91]

I guess McCain wants to send Clinton near the Iraq/Pakistan border ...

[NinthSt78]

I think that sounds like a good idea. On the few talks shows that he has appeared on, we see a more academic, yet firm side of our former President that might be the right tone to set there. He also has a good track record in terms of results.

Something many people may not know is that President Reagan majored in Economics. A leading name there I tend to agree with in most cases is John Kenneth Galbraith, but many folks often see things from a different perspective.

[nearl451]

Note to CBS, NBC,ABC.......and others.

It is well past time to start changing up your Hill participants. They have been giving you and the American public bad intel and predicable spin for WAY too long.

Durbin, McCain, Graham, Schumer.......dumb them all. Get some new blood who can THINK FOR THEMSELVES, RATIONALLY.

[nearl451]

Ok I meant to state "dump" them all....but dumbing them works too.

[Wingsfan1983]

It is still very sad that again this conflict has raised its head again. We now have another generation that will be emotionally and physically lost in the bloody tyranny.

[Freakrx]

This McCain is still pissed about 2008 and he needs to get over it. With his short little hands this man hasn't grown up yet.

Repubs need to get rid of Linbaugh and Hannity as a talking point. When they do they might win a election.

[Wingsfan1983]

Wasadem is off his rocker if he thinks Obama caused this. LOL

McCain also needs to keep a lower profile. AZ is not the Mecca of political purity.

[nearl451]

Was....Look.

Clinton tried and failed at this before in better times...largely because Bibi was involved. ANd whodo you negotiate with again for the Palesitnians? They continue to be fractured.

As long as Bibi is in charge there is nochance.

[TeaPartyWarrior]

No... we just need to develope more workers and less takers.

[westerly1]

Well big mouth, why don't you just go solve the dispute between the Palestinians and Israeli's.