Democrats cry foul over Bush’s ‘appeasement’ remark

Democratic presidential frontrunner Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) is accusing President Bush of launching a political attack against him from Israel, a charge the White House denies.

{mosads}“Some seem to believe that we should negotiate with the terrorists and radicals, as if some ingenious argument will persuade them they have been wrong all along,” Bush said during a speech in Israel’s Knesset. “We have heard this foolish delusion before. As Nazi tanks crossed into Poland in 1939, an American senator declared: ‘Lord, if I could only have talked to Hitler, all this might have been avoided.’ We have an obligation to call this what it is — the false comfort of appeasement, which has been repeatedly discredited by history.”

Obama, who has said he would engage in diplomacy with Iran if elected, indicated that he believes the remarks were aimed at him and he reacted strongly.

“It is sad that President Bush would use a speech to the Knesset on the 60th anniversary of Israel’s independence to launch a false political attack,” he said in a statement. “George Bush knows that I have never supported engagement with terrorists, and the president's extraordinary politicization of foreign policy and the politics of fear do nothing to secure the American people or our stalwart ally Israel.”

Obama also stated that Bush’s policies “have strengthened Iran,” and noted that presidents Kennedy, Nixon and Reagan also used tough diplomacy to pressure U.S. adversaries.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) took up the defense of Obama and also called on presumptive Republican nominee Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) to “disassociate” himself from Bush’s words.

Pelosi noted that it is tradition for U.S. politicians to refrain from criticizing the president while he’s overseas.

“One would think that would also apply to the president when he’s abroad,” Pelosi said. “His comments were beneath the dignity of the office of the president.”

Sen. Joseph Biden (D-Del.) was more outspoken in his criticism.

“This is bulls–t. This is malarkey,” Biden said. “This is outrageous. Outrageous for the president of the United States to go to a foreign country … and make this kind of ridiculous statement.”

Biden blasted Bush, saying “he’s the guy that has weakened us.”

The senator also pointed out that administration officials are also advocating the use of diplomacy.

“Is he going to fire [Secretary of State Condoleezza] Rice?” Biden said. “Condi Rice is talking about the need to sit down.”

The White House said the remarks were not directed at Obama.

“I understand when you’re running for office you sometimes think the world revolves around you — that is not always true and it is not true in this case,” White House spokeswoman Dana Perino told reporters in Israel.

Separately, Pelosi announced that she will lead a bipartisan congressional delegation that leaves for Israel tonight. 

The 13 member trip will also include House Republican Conference Chairman Adam Putnam (R-Fla.) and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.). House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) was to go on the trip but reportedly withdrew due to back problems.

Manu Raju contributed to this report