The Kissinger Debate. Who Was Right; McCain Or Obama?

// September 27th, 2008 // POLITICAL ARENA

There was a debate within the debate tonight about Henry Kissinger. Obama insinuated that Kissinger said that the President should meet without preconditions. McCain denied the accusation. Here is the exchange. This has been restricted to comments about Kissinger only.

OBAMA: Senator McCain mentioned Henry Kissinger, who’s one of his advisers, who, along with five recent secretaries of state, just said that we should meet with Iran — guess what — without precondition

MCCAIN: Look, Dr. Kissinger did not say that he would approve of face-to- face meetings between the president of the United States and the president — and Ahmadinejad. He did not say that.

OBAMA: When we talk about preconditions — and Henry Kissinger did say we should have contacts without preconditions — the idea is that we do not expect to solve every problem before we initiate talks.

MCCAIN: By the way, my friend, Dr. Kissinger, who’s been my friend for 35 years, would be interested to hear this conversation and Senator Obama’s depiction of his — of his positions on the issue. I’ve known him for 35 years.

OBAMA: We will take a look.

MCCAIN: And I guarantee you he would not — he would not say that presidential top level.

So who was right? Obviously McCain. Kissinger made the following statement on 9/20/08

From CNN, (9/20):
Kissinger: “Well, I am in favor of negotiating with Iran. And one utility of negotiation is to put before Iran our vision of a Middle East, of a stable Middle East, and our notion on nuclear proliferation at a high enough level so that they have to study it. And, therefore, I actually have preferred doing it at the secretary of state level…”

After the Debate Kissinger released the following statement:

“Senator McCain is right. I would not recommend the next President of the United States engage in talks with Iran at the Presidential level. My views on this issue are entirely compatible with the views of my friend Senator John McCain. We do not agree on everything, but we do agree that any negotiations with Iran must be geared to reality. “

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7 Responses to “The Kissinger Debate. Who Was Right; McCain Or Obama?”

  1. jprkzoo says:
    September 27, 2008 at

    Obama did NOT qualify his remark. It was meant to be a jab at McCain, and McCain clarified it in relation to “top level” officials, such as the President. Obama is not going to admit McCain is correct in his qualification. It only works for Obama because the general public is not aware of Kissengers comments or stance regarding Iran, and Obama knows this. Good politicians are great at being obscure, so they can call themselves “correct.” Obama has arrived, as a good, classic politician, and is not naive.

  2. Sue Esopo says:
    September 27, 2008 at

    I forgot to add that Obama has stated many times in the past that he,himself,as President of the United States, would sit down unconditionally with any head of state.So its a mote point as to the exact wording in last nights debate.

  3. Sue Esopo says:
    September 27, 2008 at

    Senator Obama kept insisting during last nights debate that Henry Kissinger said that the President of the United States should meet with the leader of Iran.Senator Mccain insisted Kissinger would never say that.Who was telling the truth? After the Debate Kissinger released the following statement:

    “Senator McCain is right. I would not recommend the next President of the United States engage in talks with Iran at the Presidential level. My views on this issue are entirely compatible with the views of my friend Senator John McCain. We do not agree on everything, but we do agree that any negotiations with Iran must be geared to reality. “

  4. ChuckL says:
    September 27, 2008 at

    What is WRONG with you, Bryan?? Read the words spoken by BOTH men in the debate. Obama NEVER SAID anything about a face-to-face meeting between leaders, …he said “we”, clearly meaning GOVERNMENT officials, and not the President himself. Everything McCain said after that, and everything that Kissinger eventually said, are totally meaningless, since those comments are addressing McCain misrepresentation of Obama’s words.

  5. K Hannes says:
    September 27, 2008 at

    Something I notice about McPain is that he does NOT listen to what people say and then comments on what he THINKS he heard. This is a big mistake if he is EVER expected to negotiate with anyone for anything. Obama’s intellect and poise shines through every time the man speaks. He listens. And it is obvious to anyone with a brain in their head to see this important difference between the two men. McPain’s solution is to jump to action, pepper most of his responses with emotions and history, reassuring himself along the way, via what he says. He does listen to himself. He is very repetitive and totally predictable. This man is damaged goods and is probably too old to lead. it is very sad to me that he did this publicly to himself, running for an office he could never handle. His thought processes are flawed for running a country. Or for running anything, for that matter. If he expects to be elected, his competencies must outweigh his deviances. He should have prepared for that better somehow. Sarah Pain is not the answer, either. No way, no how.

  6. B.H. says:
    September 27, 2008 at

    This presentation is completely irresponsible (and incorrect). Obama did not say that the President should have these meetings. His position is entirely congruent with Kissinger’s. McCain misrepresented Obama, and so are you.

    As a Conservative and Republican voter, I’d like to win this election based on the facts, not obfuscations.

  7. donald vance says:
    September 27, 2008 at

    the answer is both yes and no, as it was not kissinger who mentioned preconditions directly, but bryziensky(sp.?)

    http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:o2dkKKtHPXcJ:www.csis.org/media/csis/events/070615_nyc_rose.pdf

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