There has been a recent war of words between Senator Barack Obama and the most unlikely of people the Australian Prime Minister John Howard. Mr. Howard recently said that is he were in al Qaeda he would welcome Obama's victory in the upcoming 2008 elections. Obama fired back saying Howard's words were "empty rhetoric." He countered Howards statements by saying if Howard was really tough on terrorism he would 20,000 more troops to Iraq. Currently there are about 1,000 Australian troops in Iraq mostly in non-combat roles. Congressmen from both parties have expressed views in opposition to the Australian Prime Minister's remark.
Obama's has finally formally announced his presidency and I personally find it odd that he is drawing criticism from a foreign head of state so soon after having declared his candidacy. Obama has had little experience in the field of combatting terrorism as a congressman but it does not make him a godsend for al Qaeda as Howard would put it. I personally feel that it really is no other country's business who we as American's nominate and elect for any public office. The Prime Minister is criticizing some one he does not even know and even if Obama is elected I do not see how his election would be detrimental to the United States or Australia.
What is your opinion on the Prime Minister's criticism of Sen. Barack Obama? Do you think a foreign head of state should attack a presidential candidate in an American election?
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/02/12/obama.comment/index.html
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4 comments:
This post is from John Canale.
These comments made by Australian Prime Minister John Howard come off to the American public as arrogant and obsurd. His comments should have 0 value among the American people, let alone our presidential race. The only reason, he found the need to make such idotic remarks is because of his relationship with George W. Bush. He felt the need to defend his good friend and ally on foreign affairs, at the expense of Barack Obama. Perhaps what was more important in this media fueled fued is Obama's response. Obama suggested that he and Austrailia send more troops to Iraq if that how he feels, so that they can fight in the middle of a civil war between two violent religous groups. That response turned this publicized argument into one that is extremely positive for Obama among American voters and anaylists. This type of turn around is precisely what presidential candidates must do in order to impress the public. Obama's sociablity is one aspect of his charactor that will help him with his campaign.
I think your absolutely right. I don't think that it is fair of the Australian Prime Minister to attack Obama. Personally I think you have to be concerned with what is taking place on your own soil before you start critizing others.
~Charmaine Steele
I think it is ridiculous that Prime Minister John Howard said what he did. He has no right to be invloved in America's Presidency race. He doesn't even know Obama and Obama doesn't have much experience that he can judge in the first place. What Howard says should have no effect on what American decides to do. If someone from America was to ever do something similar, we would be looked down upon and ripped apart in the media.
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