Fun exercise: compare and contrast statements.

[ProSense]

01/26/2006

John Kerry on Palestinian Elections

Below is a statement from Senator John Kerry on the Palestinian elections:

“The victory by Hamas in the Palestinian elections has forced a critical moment of truth for Hamas and the Palestinian Authority. Make no mistake, Hamas is a terrorist organization that has committed horrific acts of violence against Israelis. Hamas as we know it must end if Hamas is ever going to become a legitimate partner for peace with Israel. To begin with, Hamas must recognize Israel's right to exist, disarm, and renounce violence in all forms. Words are not enough. Real and decisive action is necessary if Hamas is serious about transforming itself.

“As important as elections are, the defeat of the ruling Fatah party further illustrates that creating a peaceful democracy requires more than elections. The challenge requires building transparent, accountable and functioning democratic institutions that will enable democratically elected governments to provide basic goods and services to their people.”

# # #

http://kerry.senate.gov/v3/cfm/record.cfm?id=250826

Comment: I know this is a prepared statement, but well said Senator Kerry.

Press Conference of the President


Q Mr. President, is Mideast peacemaking dead with Hamas' big election victory? And do you rule out dealing with the Palestinians if Hamas is the majority party?

THE PRESIDENT: Peace is never dead, because people want peace. I believe -- and that's why I articulated a two-state solution early in my administration, so that -- as a vision for people to work toward, a solution that recognized that democracy yields peace. And the best hope for peace in the Middle East is two democracies living side-by-side.

So the Palestinians had an election yesterday, and the results of which remind me about the power of democracy. You see, when you give people the vote, you give people a chance to express themselves at the polls -- and if they're unhappy with the status quo, they'll let you know. That's the great thing about democracy, it provides a look into society.

And yesterday the turnout was significant, as I understand it. And there was a peaceful process as people went to the polls, and that's positive. But what was also positive is, is that it's a wake-up call to the leadership. Obviously, people were not happy with the status quo. The people are demanding honest government. The people want services. They want to be able to raise their children in an environment in which they can get a decent education and they can find health care.

And so the elections should open the eyes of the old guard there in the Palestinian territories. I like the competition of ideas. I like people who have to go out and say, vote for me, and here's what I'm going to do. There's something healthy about a system that does that. And so the elections yesterday were very interesting.

On the other hand, I don't see how you can be a partner in peace if you advocate the destruction of a country as part of your platform. And I know you can't be a partner in peace if you have a -- if your party has got an armed wing. The elections just took place. We will watch very carefully about the formation of the government. But I will continue to remind people about what I just said, that if your platform is the destruction of Israel, it means you're not a partner in peace. And we're interested in peace.

I talked to Condi twice this morning. She called President Abbas. She also is going to have a conference call today about the Quartet -- with the Quartet, about how to keep the process on the road to peace.

Q If I can follow up, sir.

THE PRESIDENT: Yes.

Q Are you cautioning Prime Minister Abbas not to resign? And --

THE PRESIDENT: We'd like him to stay in power. I mean, we'd like to stay in office. He is in power, we'd like him to stay in office. Sorry to interrupt. I knew this was a two-part question, so I tried to head it off.

Q Will this affect aid to the Palestinians? Will you be able to work with Hamas if they're -- assuming they take on a large share of the government?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, I made it very clear that the United States does not support political parties that want to destroy our ally, Israel, and that people must renounce that part of their platform. But the government hasn't formed yet. They're beginning to talk about how to form the government. And your question on Abbas was a good one. And our message to him was, we would hope he would stay in office and work to move the process forward.

Again, I remind people, the elections -- democracy is -- can open up the world's eyes to reality by listening to people. And the elections -- the election process is healthy for society, in my judgment. In other words, it's -- one way to figure out how to address the needs of the people is to let them express themselves at the ballot box. And that's exactly what happened yesterday. And you'll hear a lot of people saying, well, aren't we surprised at the outcome, or this, that, or the other.

If there is corruption, I'm not surprised that people say, let's get rid of corruption. If government hadn't been responsive, I'm not the least bit surprised that people said, I want government to be responsive.

And so that was an interesting day yesterday in the -- as we're watching liberty begin to spread across the Middle East.

Let's see here. Yes, David.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/01/20060126.html

:wtf:

[Island Blue]

1. * has absolutely no friggin' idear what the hell he's talking about.

Ever. Attempting to listen to him gives me an eye headache. And what's with the need to always slump over the podium? I think that shows his total disregard for the office - he should at least try to muster up enough dignity to stand up straight in public. He makes me want to :puke: .

[karynnj]

2. What a contrast and you know if asked Kerry would have

sounded as good as his prepared statement - because he wouldn't, after such an event, have gone to a press conference without having thought out the issue. (His answer to Blitzer from Israel on the issue of Hamas getting some seats in the government was articulate and well thought out.

I saw part of Bush's - the transcript is kind - it leaves out his nervous little heh heh heh laugh.