McCain Giving Utmost Attention To Georgia

Washington Post: Republican Candidate Has Been Dwelling On Crisis As A President Might

(Washingtonpost.com)  This story was written by Dan Eggen and Robert Barnes.

---

Standing behind a lectern in Michigan this week, with two trusted senators ready to do his bidding, John McCain seemed to forget for a moment that he was only running for president.

Asked about his tough rhetoric on the ongoing conflict in Georgia, McCain began: "If I may be so bold, there was another president . . ."

He caught himself and started again: "At one time, there was a president named Ronald Reagan who spoke very strongly about America's advocacy for democracy and freedom."

With his Democratic opponent on vacation in Hawaii, the senator from Arizona has been doing all he can in recent days to look like President McCain, particularly when it comes to the ongoing international crisis in Georgia.

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili says he talks to McCain, a personal friend, several times a day. McCain's top foreign policy adviser, Randy Scheunemann, was until recently a paid lobbyist for Georgia's government. McCain also announced this week that two of his closest allies, Sens. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) and Joseph I. Lieberman (I-Conn.), would travel to Georgia's capital of Tbilisi on his behalf, after a similar journey by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

The extent of McCain's involvement in the military conflict in Georgia appears remarkable among presidential candidates, who traditionally have kept some distance from unfolding crises out of deference to whoever is occupying the White House. The episode also follows months of sustained GOP criticism of Democratic Sen. Barack Obama, who was accused of acting too presidential for, among other things, briefly adopting a campaign seal and taking a trip abroad that included a huge rally in Berlin.

"We talk about how there's only one president at a time, so the idea that you would send your own emissaries and really interfere with the process is remarkable," said Lawrence Korb, a Reagan Defense Department official who now acts as an informal adviser to the Obama campaign. "It's very risky and can send mixed messages to foreign governments. . . . They accused Obama of being presumptuous, but he didn't do anything close to this."

But McCain and his aides say his tough rhetoric on the Georgia crisis, along with his personal familiarity with the region, underscores the foreign policy expertise he would bring to the White House.

His focus on the dispute has also allowed McCain to distance himself somewhat from President Bush, who has been sharply criticized by many conservatives for moving too slowly to respond to Russia's military incursion into Georgia and South Ossetia, the breakaway province at the heart of the dispute. McCain's first statement on the conflict last Friday came before the White House itself had responded.

In often-lengthy remarks about Georgia this week on the campaign trail, McCain repeatedly talked of how many times he had been to the region, let it be known that he had talked daily with Saakashvili since the crisis began and made it clear that there had been times he thought Bush's response could have been stronger.

He provided a primer for why Americans should care about the "tiny little democracy" and tried to tie the foreign crisis with a domestic one: oil. Georgia is "part of a strategic energy corridor affecting individual lives far beyond" the region, he said.

"His statements have been very presidential," said John R. Bolton, a former U.N. ambassador under Bush who has since become one of the sharpest critics of the administration's recent foreign policy. "These are the kinds of things that the president should have been saying from the beginning."

At the same time, McCain also appears sensitive to going too far. In remarks both Wednesday and yesterday, for example, McCain explicitly ruled out direct military action against Russia, a step advocated by some hard-line conservatives.

"We want to avoid any armed conflict, and we will not have armed conflict," McCain said at a fundraiser yesterday in Edwards, Colo. "That's not the solution to this problem. But we have to stand up for freedom and democracy as we did in the darkest days."
McCain's ties to Saakashvili go back to the 1990s, when the future leader of the "Rose Revolution" was a student at George Washington University. In an interview this week on CNN, Saakashvili said he was "talking to Senator McCain several times a day."

"You know, I think he spends less time on his presidential campaign these days and lots of time on Georgia," Saakashvili said. "And I really appreciate that, because Senator McCain has been fighting for freedom of Georgia for many, many years."

He added a moment later: "And the same for Senator Obama."

The Obama campaign has been generally cautious in its remarks about the Georgia conflict, and the campaign yesterday declined to comment on the appropriateness of McCain's role. But earlier this week, Obama adviser Susan Rice said McCain "may have complicated the situation" with his early tough rhetoric on the dispute.

"John McCain shot from the hip," Rice said on MSNBC, calling his initial statement "very aggressive, very belligerent."

Lieberman, one of McCain's most ardent and vocal supporters, responded by criticizing Obama's more cautious first statement on the Georgia situation an example of "moral neutrality" that showed his "inexperience."

By Wednesday, however, both McCain and Obama had come together to praise the Bush administration's announcement of humanitarian aid and the secretary of state's diplomatic journey. McCain also told reporters that "this isn't the time for partisanship, sniping between campaigns," and declined to comment on Rice's or Lieberman's remarks.

Barnes reported from the campaign trail in Michigan and Colorado.

[misha128-2009]

McCain''s Katrina moment --

See http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/08/17/politics/fromtheroad/entry4356637.shtml

McCain''s appointed representatives to Georgia stayed in the US to campaign with him. Heck of a job Joe and Lindsay.

[misha128-2009]

Senator McCain now endorses having lobbyists for foreign governments advising him. Selling influence to US Citizens is a crime. Is the selling of influence to foreigners an instance of the only crime defined in the constitution -- treason? A lobbyist whose firm received around $800,000 is permitted to participate in forming John McCain''s the US response to foreign incidents. Furthermore, that is not an issue to Senator McCain. Senator McCain''s slogan should not be "Country First" -- it should be "Money First" before preferential treatment is granted.

[germany76]

Hey, psy_war --

You mean to tell me that B. Hussein Obama, the cretin who thought there were 57 American states, knows where in tarnation the nation of Georgia can be found? No, Obama thinks Georgia is where the Falcons play, right?

[actornaught]

"I''m in charge now"!

Funny stuff...

[terrorislamx]

ask HUSSEIN to sing the call to prayer and then the american national anthem,,,

HUSSEIN SAYS MUSLIM CALL TO PRAYER IS ONE OF THE PRETTIEST SOUNDS ON EARTH AT SUNSET

%u201CI was a little Jakarta street kid,%u201D Obama said in a wide-ranging interview in his office (excerpts are on Nicholas D. Kristofs''''''''s blog, http://www.nytimes.com/ontheground). He once got in trouble for making faces during Koran study classes in his elementary school, but a president is less likely to stereotype Muslims as fanatics %u2014 and more likely to be aware of their nationalism %u2014 if he once studied the Koran with them.

Mr. Obama recalled the opening lines of the Arabic call to prayer, reciting them with a first-rate accent. In a remark that seemed delightfully uncalculated (it%u2019ll give Alabama voters heart attacks), Mr. Obama described the call to prayer as %u201Cone of the prettiest sounds on Earth at sunset.%u201D
http://select.nytimes.com/2007/03/06/opinion/06kristof.html?_r=2&scp=5&sq=nicholas+kristof%20obama&st=nyt&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

[tryhonesty]

McSAME OLD Warmonger...

[misha128-2009]

If there are any questions whether Senator M Cain believes in an Imperial Presidency where the president is above the law and the Constitution -- that question has clearly been answered. As a Senator he is willing to usurp Executive Branch powers to conduct foreign policy. Furthermore in the best case that legislators were welcomed by the President to participate Senator McCain usurped the authority of the leaders (majority and minority) of the US Senate for what national security -- no to further his own personal political career in order to get elected President. This is a clearly disqualifying action for any candidate in my opinion. Senator John McCain like President Nixon seems to believe this his elected office with absolutely no constitutional or legal authority can take any action he has with in the Georgian situation with full legal and moral immunity him from consequences for those actions. However Senator McCain I hope many in this government will be willing to inform you that your actions have consequences both to yourself as well as to civilians in the country of Georgia you have recklessly endangered through aggressive actions you should not have made and could by no legal means support with the resources of the US Government for the sole purpose of furthering your own personal political career / goals.

[misha128-2009]

According to the Constitution, the President negotiates foreign policy and the Senate ratifies the results (treaties)? Is Senator McCain the current President or is his intense involvement in Georgia where he has yet to acknowledge that we only have one president and it is not Senator McCain a problem? Likewise even if legislative co-ordination was invited by the administration why would Senator McCain and not the Senate and/or House leadership (majority and minority appoint the members to participate instead of Senator McCain delegating Senator Lieberman and Senator Graham? It sounds to me like three senators, McCain, Lieberman and Graham, should have their conduct reviewed because it may not reflect appropriately on the US Senate.

[terrorislamx]

HEY GEORGIA,,, stop targeting and killing civilians

keep you hands off south osetia and abkhazia

American citizen telling the truth about Georgian invade in South Osetia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCwTo9AdT2c&feature=related

The first day war of Georgia against Ossetia.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2DncU5FdCU&feature=related

Georgian attack on capital of Ossetia is beaten off.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQ4NSNtV8Jk&feature=related

Georgian terrorist armies kill inhabitants of South Ossetia.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnob0TQDeN8&feature=related

[starleo146]

cCain also announced this week that two of his closest allies, Sens. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) and Joseph I. Lieberman (I-Conn.), would travel to Georgia''s capital of Tbilisi on his behalf, after a similar journey by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Mc Bush had a nerve to say something about Obama and his European trip and acting like he is president go ahead Mc Bush dig your own grave

[starleo146]

But McCain and his aides say his tough rhetoric on the Georgia crisis, along with his personal familiarity with the region, underscores the foreign policy expertise he would bring to the White House.

There you go folks out of Mc Bush''s mouth another bully that is all we need, do the republicans no anything about diplomacy then after all is tried you talk tough

[kazoodan]

I wonder why CBS news has no report on the racist remark of dnc leader dean about republicans as other news org. have?

Posted by tothestars2 at 01:00 PM : Aug 16, 2008

Must be they''re waiting to hear from you.

According to McCain this is the first international crisis since the Cold War. I guess Kosovo War, Iraq''s invasion of Kuwait, 9/11, Afghanistan and Iraq war mean nothing. Because of course, according to McCain this is the 21st century and nations don''t invade other nations. This guy has no business being President. He has neither the intelligence nor the temperment to lead our country.

[trrrorislamx]

Flew in from Miami Beach BOAC
Didn''t get to bed last night
Oh, the way the paper bag was on my knee
Man, I had a dreadful flight
I''m back in the USSR
You don''t know how lucky you are, boy
Back in the USSR, yeah

Been away so long I early knew the place
Gee, it''s goo to be back home
Leave it till tomorrow to unpack my case
Honey disconnect the phone
I''m back in the USSR
You don''t know how lucky you are, boy
Back in the US
Back in the US
Back in the USSR

Well the Ukraine girls really knock me out
They leave the west behind
And Moscow girls make me sing and shout
That Georgia''s always on my my my
my my my my my my mind
Oh, come on
Hu Hey Hu, hey, ah, yeah
yeah, yeah, yeah
I''m back in the USSR
You don''t know how lucky you are, boys
Back in the USSR

Well the Ukraine girls really knock me out
They leave the west behind
And Moscow girls make me sing and shout
That Georgia''s always on my my my
my my my my my my mind

Oh, show me round your snow peaked
mountain way down south
Take me to your daddy''s farm
Let me hear your balalaika''s ringing out
Come and keep your comrade warm
I''m back in the USSR
Hey, You don''t know how lucky you are, boy
Back in the USSR
Oh, let me tell you honey

[james77773]

Russia has not attacked a nation in decades, while the US, UK and Zionist Israel have attacked MANY - Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, IRAN, and the BALKANS, and most of the Caspian Basin nations to try to get the oil and natural gas. And now, it is SOUTH OSSETIA''S time.

[trrrorislamx]

hmmmm is this a 3AM PHONE CALL MOMENT???

who do you really want answering the phone???

Hillary Clinton 3 am Ad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-VFA7L2RcE&feature=related

DEMONIC-RATS LEAD THE CHORUS OF USEFUL IDIOTS,,,

Skit featuring albright, Kim J Ill, and Osama bin laden

The David Zucker Madeleine Albright ad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hzH6X8g34Y

HUSSEIN CANNOT EVEN HANDLE HILLARY,,, lol

hahaha

Barack Obama blinks in Hillary face-off
http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2008/08/14/2008-08-14_barack_obama_blinks_in_hillary_faceoff.html

Russi

a rolls over Georgia, Hillary Clinton does the same to Barack Obama. Now we know who''s boss.
Obama blinked and stands guilty of appeasing Clinton by agreeing to a roll call vote for her nomination.

"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing." Albert Einstein

[trrrorislamx]

DIDN''T HUSSEIN,,, THE GREAT ANOINTED ONE RESOLVE THIS ALREADY???

did not tim kaine tell the world that HUSSEIN has ended the war between georgia and russia,,,

Video - Tim Kaine: Obama Ended The War Between Georgia and Russia
http://beltwayblips.com/video/tim_kaine_obama_ended_the_war_between_georgia_and/

Tim Kaine: Barack Obama Solved The Crisis In Georgia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w43m6vQrEYw

He ventured forth to bring light to the world

The anointed one''s pilgrimage to the Holy Land is a miracle in action - and a blessing to all his faithful followers
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/gerard_baker/article4392846.ece

The One
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mopkn0lPzM8

[trrrorislamx]

WHY RUSSIA WENT INTO GEORGIA,,, to kill muslims,,,

Tensions between Georgia and Russia were strained over the Pankisi Gorge, a lawless region of Georgia that Russia said had become a haven for Islamic militants and Chechen rebels.
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107564.html

GET SOME RUSKIES,,, GET SOME,,,

NEVER FORGET THE RAPES OF BESLAN GIRLS!

Terror at Beslan
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1316935651894423094

RAPES IN BESLAN: IN MUHAMMAD%u2019S FOOTSTEPS
http://www.chroniclesmagazine.org/News/Trifkovic04/NewsST091304.html

Forget Not the Children of Beslan
http://kenlydell.typepad.com/isl
amic_evil/forget_not_the_children_of_beslan/index.html

Religion of Peace??? More like a cult of death.
http://www.terrorists-suck.org/why_suck/beslan.html

Radical Islamists must be stopped:

comments on the Beslan child slaughter.
http://www.sullivan-county.com/immigration/list.htm

Rapes in Beslan: in Muhammed''''s Footsteps
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1214617/posts

[trrrorislamx]

American citizen telling the truth about Georgian invade in South Osetia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCwTo9AdT2c&feature=related

The first day war of Georgia against Ossetia.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2DncU5FdCU&feature=related

Georgian attack on capital of Ossetia is beaten off.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQ4NSNtV8Jk&feature=related

Georgian terrorist armies kill inhabitants of South Ossetia.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnob0TQDeN8&feature=related

[smurfcrusher]

Grandstanding empty suit.

At least Obama has the cahones to get in front of more than a hundred people at a time.