Obama Vs. McCain On Georgia Vs. Russia

Ben Smith at Politico lays it out.  Obama, like most democratically elected world leaders, called on both sides to negotiate.  McCain put the entire blame on Russia, even though Georgia started the conflict (even if it did so with some justification).

Obama:

“I strongly condemn the outbreak of violence in Georgia, and urge an immediate end to armed conflict,” Obama said in a written statement. “Now is the time for Georgia and Russia to show restraint and to avoid an escalation to full-scale war. Georgia’s territorial integrity must be respected.”

McCain:

“[T]he news reports indicate that Russian military forces crossed an internationally recognized border into the sovereign territory of Georgia. Russia should immediately and unconditionally cease its military operations and withdraw all forces from sovereign Georgian territory.

Important to note is that McCain’s top foreign policy adviser, Randy Scheunemann was a registered lobbyist for the government of Georgia until earlier this  year.

“John McCain’s top foreign policy adviser lobbied for, and has a vested interest in, the Republic of Georgia and McCain has mirrored the position advocated by the government,” said Obama spokesman Hari Sevugan, noting that the “appearance of a conflict of interest” was a consequence of McCain’s too-close ties to lobbyists.

Oh, you mean the “maverick” who is against “business as usual” in Washington? The one who decries lobbyists?

By: Alan

Alan Colmes is the publisher of Liberaland.