In Hawaii, Obama Monitoring Gaza Conflict

President-Elect Has Received Intelligence Briefings, But Stresses "One President At A Time"

(CBS)  As the events unfold on the Gaza Strip, with Israeli planes attacking Hamas-controlled security compounds and Hamas vowing revenge, vacationing President-elect Barack Obama is keeping his own counsel.

“President-elect Obama is closely monitoring global events, including the situation in Gaza, but there is one president at a time," said Brooke Anderson, Mr. Obama’s chief national security spokesperson.

According to an Obama transition aide, the president-elect discussed the Mideast situation today with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. “They discussed the situations in Gaza and in South Asia. The president-elect appreciated the call and the information from Secretary Rice. He will continue to closely monitor these and other global events. The call lasted approximately eight minutes and was initiated by the president-elect," the aide said.

Obama will be receiving an intelligence briefing today and the White House will stay in touch with the transition team, according to White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe.

"Hamas must stop launching rockets into Israel. The United States holds Hamas responsible for breaking the ceasefire," Johndroe said in a statement today about the Mideast situation. "Now the ceasefire should be restored immediately.”

He also urged Israel to avoid civilian casualties. “We want the ceasefire to be restored, but we understand that Israel is reacting to the hundreds of rockets that have been fired upon the innocent people of Israel over the last few days,” he said

In July 2008 Obama gave an indication of his views on the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Asked by the New York Times whether Israel should negotiate with Hamas in Gaza, he replied, “I don't think any country would find it acceptable to have missiles raining down on the heads of their citizens.”

“The first job of any nation state is to protect its citizens. And so I can assure you that if -- I don't even care if I was a politician. If somebody was sending rockets into my house where my two daughters sleep at night, I'm going to do everything in my power to stop that. And I would expect Israelis to do the same thing.”

“In terms of negotiations with Hamas, it is very hard to negotiate with a group that is not representative of a nation state, does not recognize your right to exist, has consistently used terror as a weapon, and is deeply influenced by other countries. I think that Hamas leadership will have to make a decision at some point as to whether it is a serious political party seeking to represent the aspirations of the Palestinian people. And, as a consequence, willing to recognize Israel's right to exist and renounce violence as a tool to achieve its aims. Or whether it wants to continue to operate as a terrorist organization. Until that point, it's hard for Israel, I think, to negotiate with a country that -- or with a group that doesn't recognize Israel's right to exist."

[jsd330]

I would do the same thing, kick back on the beach with a cold brew watch the chicks, and listen to the news on the radio, that would keep me up on current events,and enjoy myself for 22 more days. Hell it only took the israeli''s 7 days to beat the Egyptians, hamas should only take half of that.

[themajority1]

Little comfort in knowing that "still ''''tarded" Bush is still legally in charge though.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------osted by Ace_Face1

Poor comment a(s)s face.

[likeitis5050]

The job at hand, whether it falls to Bush or Obama, is dicey and not one that should be taken lightly. Whether you voted for Obama or not, he''s it and his success or failure is tied to all of us. Bush has to consider any decision(s) he makes now fall to Obama to have to live with initially and I''m sure he''s no more elated being in the lame duck phase as we are having him there. I didn''t vote for Obama but find myself hoping he''s up to this task more and more every day. I have to admire any one who would willingly take on this job for 4 years...he deserves a shot at the job and can''t s.c.rew things any worse than any number of presidents who precede him.

[likeitis5050]

The job at hand, whether it falls to Bush or Obama, is dicey and not one that should be taken lightly. Whether you voted for Obama or not, he''s it and his success or failure is tied to all of us. Bush has to consider any decision(s) he makes now fall to Obama to have to live with initially and I''m sure he''s no more elated being in the lame duck phase as we are having him there. I didn''t vote for Obama but find myself hoping he''s up to this task more and more every day. I have to admire any one who would willingly take on this job for 4 years...he deserves a shot at the job and can''t s.c.rew things any worse than any number of presidents who precede him.

[gladiator__]

Sprinkle Magic Obama fairy dust on the problem!
Posted by didnt_inhale at 10:23 AM : Dec 28, 2008

It wouldn''t hurt!

[ace_face1]

n Hawaii, Obama only Monitoring Gaza Conflict?

Why does he not help this crises?
Is his vacation more important than his job?
Maybe he is vacationing with Bush down there throwing a Christmas party!

Posted by LOOK-------- at 10:08 AM : Dec 28, 2008

-----------------

Whatever ding dong.

[ace_face1]

Little comfort in knowing that "still ''tarded" Bush is still legally in charge though.

[xlib]

He should just walk across the ocean and tell them to stop fighting. Geez, weren''t we told he would fix everything, that he is everything and everyone to all??
As for the Bush administration, try going to other sites. See, your media only covers certain "stories", like this puff piece. Of course, being the leemings that you are you only believe what is fed to you.
Now, everyone, hold hants, chant, and encourage your chosen one to go over there and fix this mess. GEEZ!

[lewiston14]

Having a cool one, kicked back relaxing.

Posted by HETUP

Hetup lets get that right. "having a COLD one" lol

[lewiston14]

Should I be worried that the current administration has simply given up and gone home altogether?!

Posted by pakaal

No No worries. I think they did give up. How much can you do in 20 days when most of the world has no respect for him of his administration.

[tawpdawg111]

Let Barack lead us NOW! W is down on the ol howdy-dudey ranch in ol crawdaddy an waitin fer the next football game to start and bring him another Jim Beam and lettin Condiz frantic calls dump into v-mail.

[pakaal]

I''ve never been able to find Cheney ''cause he was always holed up in that bunker plannin'' the next invasion, but usually Bush has been around to at least say SOMETHING. What, has Rice assumed the reins now? Should I be worried that the current administration has simply given up and gone home altogether?!

[hetup-2009]

I am monitoring the situation as well. Having a cool one, kicked back relaxing. Read a little, feed the fish, etc.

[irmcvet971]

Actually, they''''ve probably heard that "Send In the Clowns" is coming to the small screens on that day.

Posted by lopezf11 at 06:06 PM : Dec 27, 2008


Now SPARKY, we as a NATION FIRMLY believe we have just lived the Administration of "Clown''s"!! Maybe you freaks don''t understand but when a Leader and YOUR ENEMY tells you he intends to bankrupt the nation, then proceeds to do so, I just don''t know how much worse ANYONE can make THAT!! IF I was a supporter of Bush, I''d crawl off under a rock about right now!!

[irmcvet971]

Let''''s not ignore Hamas. Let''''s ignore Jimmy Carter. The Israeli''''s have also decided to forgo ignoring Hamas.

Posted by lopezf11 at 06:18 PM : Dec 27, 2008

Let''s play this out under the Leadership of President Obama and see if he can follow Clinton''s Lead. We can NOT impose Democracy on people with a gun. We also can not afford to play peace keeper for these people either. We''ve just about Nation Built ourselves into Poverty already!

[lopezf11]

Jimmy Carter visited Hamas in 2007. He brought word back that Hamas was willing to negotiate with Israel. I hope Obama does not make the same tragic mistake that Bush did when Bush chose to ignore Hamas.

Posted by ramos937

Let''s not ignore Hamas. Let''s ignore Jimmy Carter. The Israeli''s have also decided to forgo ignoring Hamas.

[ramos937]

%u201CIn terms of negotiations with Hamas, it is very hard to negotiate with a group that is not representative of a nation state, does not recognize your right to exist, has consistently used terror as a weapon, and is deeply influenced by other countries. I think that Hamas leadership will have to make a decision at some point as to whether it is a serious political party seeking to represent the aspirations of the Palestinian people. And, as a consequence, willing to recognize Israel''s right to exist and renounce violence as a tool to achieve its aims. Or whether it wants to continue to operate as a terrorist organization. Until that point, it''s hard for Israel, I think, to negotiate with a country that -- or with a group that doesn''t recognize Israel''s right to exist."
-------------------------------------------

Jimmy Carter visited Hamas in 2007. He brought word back that Hamas was willing to negotiate with Israel. I hope Obama does not make the same tragic mistake that Bush did when Bush chose to ignore Hamas.

[lopezf11]

...because the Israelis know the show is over come January 20th.

Posted by Ace_Face1

Actually, they''ve probably heard that "Send In the Clowns" is coming to the small screens on that day.

[spinproof]

President-elect Barack Obama is up to date and ready to lead right now and will hit the ground running on January 20th, 2009. President-elect Barack Obama to the shock of many will automate the U.S. Government and bring it "completely" online which all by itself will save millions, maybe even billions in Taxpayer money. Good luck President-elect Barack Obama, you will need it!

[ace_face1]

...because the Israelis know the show is over come January 20th.