Reply #12: Obama: Bush policies strengthened Iran, Hamas [View All]

Harsh attack: Presidential hopeful Obama claims rival McCain wants to 'double down' on Bush's failed policies, says current administration must explain 'why Hamas now controls Gaza' after US insisted on Palestinian elections

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3544244,00.html

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"Democratic presidential front-runner Barack Obama said on Friday President George W. Bush's "failed policies" had strengthened US enemies like Iran and Hamas.

Responding to Bush's comment on Thursday that those who want to talk to Iran were like Nazi appeasers before the Second World War, Obama accused Bush of "exactly the kind of appalling attack that's divided the country and that alienates us from the world."

Obama also challenged Bush and Republican presidential rival John McCain to a debate on foreign policy issues, a day after Bush caused outrage among Democrats with his remarks on appeasement before the Israeli parliament.

McCain, who has clinched his party's presidential nomination, did not repeat the word "appeasement" On Thursday. But he did criticize Obama's pledge to speak directly to US foes, particularly Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. He said Obama needs to explain why he would talk to him.

"If George Bush and John McCain want to have a debate about protecting the United States of America, that is a debate that I'm happy to have any time, any place, and that is a debate that I will win because George Bush and John McCain have a lot to answer for," Obama said in a campaign speech in South Dakota.

"They've got to answer for the fact that Iran is the greatest strategic beneficiary of our invasion of Iraq. It made Iran stronger, George Bush's policies," He said."