John McCain looked--and sounded--very presidential as he gave a statement in Michigan about Russia's invasion of Georgia, a nation the senator called a "brave democratic ally."
If YouTube is blocked at work, here is what McCain said:
The situation in Georgia remains perilous. I am pleased by President Bush's statement this morning, and I support the various steps he outlined including the dispatch of Secretary Rice to Georgia and Europe, the delivery of humanitarian supplies to Georgia by sea and air, and U.S. insistence on Russian compliance with the terms of the ceasefire, which includes the withdrawal of all of its military forces from Georgia. The President's statement of support for Georgia at this time is of critical importance, not only to the Georgian people but to all countries that are closely monitoring Russian activities and actions.
I welcome President Sarkozy's mediation and that of the European Union. I am concerned that the ceasefire agreement omitted any reference to Georgia's territorial integrity. And, it's clear that Russia is continuing military operations against Georgian targets despite the agreement, including in areas far from South Ossetia. I am deeply disturbed by reports of looting, burning villages, and killings of civilians that are in areas under Russian control. Anyone committing human rights abuses or acts in violation of the laws of war should be held accountable.
At a time of high energy prices and instability in global markets, it's important to understand that events in Georgia -- part of a strategic energy corridor -- affects individual lives far beyond the Caucasus. Because of the fighting, the Baku-Supsa oil pipeline has been shut down at a time when the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline is also closed. Those pipelines are critical for transporting oil from sources in the Caspian to points west.
The United States has canceled a planned joint military operation with Russia, but we will now need to review the full range of our relations. With our NATO allies, we must address the future of the alliance's relationship with Russia and with our G7 partners. We should discuss whether it makes sense for Russia to continue its participation in the G8. We'll also need to review Russia's aspiration for membership in the World Trade Organization.
In addition, I urge discussions about an international peacekeeping operation, including canvassing nations for possible contributions to such a force. NATO should also begin anew, the discussions about a membership track for both Georgia and Ukraine. After the events of the past six days, no one should wonder why countries on Russia's periphery so ardently seek the security guarantees that alliance membership represents.
The situation in Georgia remains fluid and dangerous. As soon as possible, my colleagues Senator Lieberman and Senator Graham will be traveling to Georgia. They're both members of the Senate Armed Services Committee. I hope that other members of the Armed Services Committee in the Senate and they will go together and receive an assessment of the situation and what we need to do in the future to avoid further escalation and also to protect the independence and freedom of the people of this brave democratic ally, the country of Georgia. Thank you.
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Did his campaign staff take in another 6-figure payola today?
ReplyDeleteI'll make sure that guy starts lobbying for Russia.
ReplyDeleteMcCains chief foreign policy advisor Randy Scheunemann is a lobbyist for Georgia.
ReplyDeleteHis chief economic advisor Phil Gramm created the enron loophole that led to a tripling of electricity rates, propane costs and now gas prices as well as the mortgage banking meltdown. Phil Gramm is a lobbyist for UBS, while his wife is a former executive at Enron at the time the scandal was set in motion.
Dozens of lobbyists working in banking, telecom, oil, energy and foreign interests hold important advisory positions in his campaign.
How is it possible that anybody thinks that any decision he makes is in the best interest of America? His track record shows his votes and issues are always in line with the interest of his lobbyists clients... not the American people.
Have you ever heard of Tony Rezko?
ReplyDeleteWhat does Rezko have to do with McCain's top foreign affairs advisor accepting a $200,000 check from Georgia on the day that same adviser was lifting text from Wikipedia to provide Mac with a speech that swept Georgia's own provocation in the crisis under the rug.
ReplyDeleteSchuenemann owns the firm lobbying for Georgia. Schuenemann is Mac's top adviser on ... Georgia.
How can you possibly not be concerned about that in the least given the major concern you profess to have over a single fundraiser, Rezko, whose contributions Obama either returned or donated to charity and whose criminal activity had nothing to do with Obama? (Rezko also, by the way, donated hundreds of thousands to Bush-Cheney 04.)
Maybe you need to take those McCain-colored sunglasses off. They're blinding you.