Clinton: Bush Should Skip Olympic Ceremony

(CBS/AP)  Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton on Monday called on President Bush to stay away from the Olympics opening ceremonies in Beijing, a fresh sign that politics, not sports, may take center stage at the summer games.

The Democratic presidential candidate said a boycott of the opening ceremonies by Bush would underscore U.S. concerns about the recent unrest in Tibet and questions about China's relationship with Sudan.

"I think that President Bush should decide not to attend the opening ceremonies unless and until the Chinese do what the world is calling for them to do, which is to end the oppression in Tibet and give back religious and cultural freedom to the Tibetans and do more to help the world end the genocide in Sudan," Clinton told CBS News' The Early Show. "We need to put that pressure on the government of China, and I thing that President Bush should do that, and I hope that he will."

Her rival for the Democratic presidential nomination, Barack Obama, said recently that he was conflicted about whether the U.S. should fully participate.

President Bush has said he will attend the Olympics because it is a sporting event, not a political event.

White House spokesman Tony Fratto told reporters Monday that his position had not changed, nor had the administration's concerns about China's human rights record.

"We have never been afraid to express those views either directly by the president or the president's senior advisers when they travel to China and publicly," Fratto said.

The political debate over China's hosting role is rapidly overtaking the sports-themed torch ceremonies around the globe.

As CBS News' Fernando Suarez, who is traveling with the Clinton campaign, notes in the "From The Road" blog, Clinton voiced her concern over the current political situation in Tibet two weeks ago. At a press conference in Greensburg, Pa., Clinton called the current political situation in Tibet "deeply troubling," but stopped short of calling for a boycott, saying, "Let's wait on that, I don't have an opinion about that."

In Paris on Monday, organizers canceled the final leg of the traditional torch run through the city. In the face of chaotic protests and repeated attempts to douse the torch, organizers snuffed out the torch and put it aboard a bus in a humiliating concession to protesters decrying China's human rights record.

Worried officials extinguished the torch and placed it on the bus five times throughout the day as protesters tried to grab the torch and block the relay. At least two activists got almost an arm's length away before they were seized by police.

Another protester threw water at the torch but failed to put it out before being taken away.

The disturbances in Paris follow similar efforts in London Sunday, where the torch was run through another gauntlet of protesters.

Clinton's announcement comes as her campaign tries to recover from jettisoning its chief campaign strategist this weekend over his involvement with a Colombia free trade deal she opposes.

Rival Obama said in a TV interview earlier this month that he was "of two minds" when it came to full U.S. participation in the Olympics.

"On the one hand, I think that what has happened in Tibet, China's support for the Sudanese government in Darfur, is a real problem," he said, before adding: "I am hesitant to make the Olympics a site of political protest because I think it's partly about bringing the world together."

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, among other U.S. lawmakers, has suggested Bush should consider staying away from the opening ceremony following China's crackdown on protesters in Tibet.

[myshiba]

I agree with Hillary . . .Bush should stay home. The only thing we should be supporting are the athletes. Until the athletes start competing for medals, ignore the rest of it . . .all it does is help the Communist Chinese.

[fjinnw]

" until the Chinese do what the world is calling for them to do."
And what the world say about the war in Iraq? The Chinese just want to keep their country unite, you american are tearing others country apart, killing the innocent and children, create chaos. so you think you have the right to say that. Who should do what?

[jon2012-2009]

Trust me, people. The Nanny State knows what is best for you.

Posted by JT_Lancer at 07:59 PM : Apr 08, 2008

The Bill Clinton presidency of two terms was nowhere near what any reasonable person would call a nanny state and that''s the only pertinent comparison we can use to evaluate a possible Hillary presidency or role in the next administration. The GWB presidency however is without any doubt corrupt, disastrous and devoid of any shred of decency. In the matter of controling information, and deciding what the people should know, GWB is in a league by himself throwing in the toilet Democratic traditions of openness in government.

Conducting illegal and quiet surveillance of emails and phone conversations of citizens, the practice of censorship in tax-payer funded websites, using government agencies and officials to deny global warming, refusal to release information in response to Congressional requests, putting out lies, lies and more lies before and after start of Iraq war, are just a few examples that come to mind.

[leftyintexas]

I respect the President for supporting our athletes sent to represent the people of the US. Hilary would turn it into a political event, what a goober. I think the US Prez belongs there as evidence of our countrys pride in our team. Can you imagine how the US team would feel if he didn''''t attend?

Posted by nottellin1 at 11:47 PM : Apr 08, 2008

Set an olympic record for jumping for joy?

[nottellin1]

I respect the President for supporting our athletes sent to represent the people of the US. Hilary would turn it into a political event, what a goober. I think the US Prez belongs there as evidence of our countrys pride in our team. Can you imagine how the US team would feel if he didn''t attend?

[jonesforch]

Ok guess I have to relog in..Oh well stuff happens!

[jonesforch]

CBS wow love the double post or triple post to get ratings ..lord your making me gag..newcomers!!! beware they post from story.. to story to get reaction. oh boy new story. your all nuts that is why your reporters.. and people believe you. I''am truely laughing out loud.

[jonesforch]

This is about sports NOT Politics....wow I amazed how many people work for the Olympics are not going to be present because of polticis.

[jt_lancer]

We must STOP free trade NOW!

We CANNOT allow peaceful Americans to voluntarily exchange goods and services for mutual benefit!

Americans should only be allowed to buy the goods and services that the politicians allow them to buy.

At government approved prices.

Of course, if its not good for you, Americans should not be allowed to buy it at all.

Trans fats? No way.

Cigarettes and alcohol? Not a chance.

Obesity-inducing fast food? Forget it.

Trust me, people. The Nanny State knows what is best for you.

Let us take away the heavy burden of decision-making in your life.

Let us decide what is best for you.

I''m Hillary Clinton and I approve this message.

[vmcneal2]

If we **** off China they may not loan the United States any more money. How sad is that!!!!