RNC Response to Daschle Statement on Obama's Pledge to Negotiate Without Preconditions

WASHINGTON, May 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ - RNC Press Secretary Alex Conant released the following statement today:

"Today, former Senator Tom Daschle joined a growing list of experienced Democrats dismissing Obama's proposal to negotiate withIran without preconditions. Daschle's hedging of his candidates' pledge shows how truly naive it would be to negotiate withIran without preconditions. Obama's promise to negotiate withIran betrays his inexperience and weak judgment on foreign affairs."

Today, Former Senator Tom Daschle Misstated Sen. Obama's Position On Meeting With Hostile Leaders:

Tom Daschle: "I don't know that Barack is willing to say without equivocation that there are no conditions whatsoever. I think I've heard him say that obviously there are certain conditions that would have to be addressed." (MSNBC, 5/19/08, 3:17 pm ET)

But Earlier Today, Obama's Campaign Confirmed Obama Would Meet Hostile Foreign Leaders Without Precondition:

Obama Spokesman Bill Burton Today: "While John McCain wants to continue the Bush diplomacy of talking tough inWashington and hoping for the best, Barack Obama has been clear and consistent in calling for tough and principled diplomacy without preconditions." (Joseph Curl, "Cohorts Disavow Obama Stance," The Washington Times, 5/19/08)

Yesterday, Sen. Joe Biden Said Obama Gave "Wrong Answer" On Negotiating Unconditionally With Hostile Foreign Leaders, But Then Falsely Claims Obama Has Changed His Position:

Biden: "[Obama has] learned a hell of a lot. I think he has. What we're talking about here is that he has repeatedly since then said he would not negotiate unconditionally, meaning him sitting down, alone, right off the bat with these leaders. He's talked about his Secretary of State, his Secretary of Defense. Matter of a fact, the statements he use mirrors the statement the rest of us have been talking about. This is a fellow who I think shorthanded an answer that in fact was the wrong answer, in my view, saying I would within my first year, it implied he'd personally sit down with anybody who wanted to sit down with him. That's not what he meant. That's not what he has said since then for the last year or thereabout. And so I think he's fully capable of understanding of what's going." (ABC's "This Week," 5/18/08)

Yesterday, DLC Chairman Harold Ford Conceded That You Cannot Meet Without Some Conditions:

DLC Chairman Harold Ford On NBC's "Meet the Press": "I'll concede you cannot meet with foreign leaders - with terrorists rather - and those that lead rogue nations without some conditions." (NBC's "Meet The Press," 5/18/08)

Yesterday, Former Senator Gary Hart On CNN's "Late Edition" Said Unconditionally Meeting With Leaders Of Rogue Nations "Doesn't Lead To Anything," Went On To Misstate Obama's Stated Position:

CNN's Wolf Blitzer: "But the question he was specifically asked at one of the Presidential debates is, would you personally as President, be willing to sit down with these leaders, whether leaders ofNorth Korea orVenezuela orCuba orIran without pre-conditions, in your first year as President, that was the specific question, he said yes. He later expanded. He said that there would be preparations that would have to be done by lower-level officials. But he was saying without pre-conditions, he personally would be willing to do so." Gary Hart: "Well, depends on how you define pre-conditions. I've been in those debates, and everything gets compressed. I don't think Barack Obama or any other President is going to meet with a head of state without lower-level discussions preceding that. It doesn't lead to anything. What you do is send diplomats and negotiators to explore areas of mutual interest. And if it does seem profitable, then you go to the heads of state. We did this with the Soviets throughout the Cold War. Richard Nixon did it with the Chinese. And the preparations led up to those discussions." (CNN's "Late Edition," 5/18/08)

FACT: Obama And His Campaign Has Continuously Stated He Would Meet Hostile Foreign Leaders Without Precondition:

At A July 2007 Debate, Obama Announced He Would Personally Meet With Leaders Of Iran,North Korea, Syria And Other Hostile Nations "Without Precondition." QUESTION: "[W]ould you be willing to meet separately, without precondition, during the first year of your administration, inWashington or anywhere else, with the leaders ofIran,Syria,Venezuela,Cuba andNorth Korea, in order to bridge the gap that divides our countries?"... OBAMA: "I would. And the reason is this, that the notion that somehow not talking to countries is punishment to them -- which has been the guiding diplomatic principle of this administration - is ridiculous." (CNN/YouTube Democrat Presidential Candidate Debate,Charleston, SC, 7/23/07)

Watch Obama Say "I Would" Meet Unconditionally With Leaders Of Iran,North Korea,Syria, And Other Nations. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3Oj7Jn9rv4)

In October Of 2007, Obama Told CBS' Harry Smith He Would Talk With Hugo Chavez Among Others "Without Preconditions." CBS' Harry Smith: "You said, 'I will talk to so and so and Hugo Chavez and etc., etc.'" Obama: "Exactly, and without preconditions." (CBS' "The Early Show," 10/15/07)

In February 2008, On CNN's "The Situation Room," Obama Emphasized That He Would Meet With Hostile Leaders Without Preconditions, But Not Without Preparation. Obama: "There has been no confusion. I have been absolutely clear on this. I will meet not just with our friends but with our enemies. I will meet without preconditions. That does not mean I will meet without preparation. It is very important before any meeting to make sure that there is a list of agenda items that we are going to be talking about. But the difference is with me, for example, meeting withIran, I would not expect that they would give in on critical issues like nuclear weapons before the meeting. The objective of the meeting would be to ensure that they stand down and that we've offered them carrots and sticks." (CNN's "The Situation Room," 2/4/08)

Obama Campaign Website: "Obama Is The Only Major Candidate Who Supports Tough, Direct Presidential Diplomacy With Iran Without Preconditions." "Diplomacy: Obama is the only major candidate who supports tough, direct presidential diplomacy withIran without preconditions. Now is the time to pressureIran directly to change their troubling behavior. Obama would offer the Iranian regime a choice. IfIran abandons its nuclear program and support for terrorism, we will offer incentives like membership in the World Trade Organization, economic investments, and a move toward normal diplomatic relations. IfIran continues its troubling behavior, we will step up our economic pressure and political isolation. Seeking this kind of comprehensive settlement withIran is our best way to make progress." (Obama Campaign Website, http://www.barackobama.com/issues/foreignpolicy/, Accessed 5/15/08)

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SOURCE Republican National Committee

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