Ari Fleischer: "It's better to have Ronald Reagan's strong foreign policy of make them come to us"

[sabra]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,264563,00.html

<snip>

GIBSON: Well, the speaker said she brought a message from Israel to Syria that it was ready to engage in peace talks, as you just heard, and Syria was game too, but Israel says it didn't give her that message and its position on Syria has not changed. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said, "Although Israel is interested in peace with Syria, that country continues to be part of the axis of evil and a force that encourages terror in the entire Middle East. What was communicated to the U.S. House speaker does not contain any change in the policies of Israel as was communicated to other foreign leaders."

Let's get reaction now former White House press secretary, Ari Fleischer. So Ari, when Nancy Pelosi trots off on amateur diplomatic mission, it may be an embarrassment for her. How much does it actually hurt the United States?

ARI FLEISCHER, FMR WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN: Well, it complicates things, John, and that's the problem in a very complicated region. When I was in my old job at the White House, and particularly the Middle East, I always had to pick my words with great care because of the sensitivities in the region. And I think this is where she made a double blunder.

No. 1, she said she was conveying a message from Israel and she misconceived that message, which is difficult to put Israel in that spot, and she did. And secondly, she said the road to peace goes through Damascus and I think from a point of view of how to bring peace to the region, you don't want to send any signals in Syria that they can determine the pace and timing of peace. She sounded much like a supplicant. It's better to have Ronald Reagan's strong foreign policy of make them come to us, we don't need to go to them. And I think that's the problem what she's saying.

[Bandit]

1. LIAR Fleischer is not really worth commenting on

There is no credibility left on the GOP side so why bother?

[rpannier]

2. ari...

a criminal and/or criminal enabler.

Just remember Ari (as my Grandfather said), "When they raid the brothel, they arrest the piano player along with everyone else."

See you in jail (God willing).

[gatorboy]

3. It's because of Reagan's strong middle east policy that were in the shit we are in now.

Funding Iraq, selling arms to Iran probably wasn't the best of ideas. Plus didn't that administration train the Taliban against the Soviets.

Yes Reagen did a top notch job of training one enemy for a more vicious one.

[jmowreader]

10. Reagan armed and equipped al-Qaeda, not the Taliban

Osama was actually on our side for many years, until the 1991 Gulf War left American soldiers in his country.

[wtmusic]

4. Are these people all five years old?

Playing little f*cking power games? Please Ari...get out of the way and let adults drive the car.

[Mr. Ected]

5. EARTH TO ARI: They DID Come To Us

Iran and Syria.

Our Feckless Leader turned them away.

Idiot.

[rodeodance]

6. seems to me it was the STATE dept that gave her the message to carry!

[RedStateShame]

7. Put a mirror under Ari's nostrils to make sure he's still lying.

[rodeodance]

8. Pelosi Challenges White House: If I Gave Syria The Wrong Message, Prove It

Forum Name General Discussion: Politics
Topic subject Pelosi Challenges White House: If I Gave Syria The Wrong Message, Prove It
Topic URL http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3200210#3200210
3200210, Pelosi Challenges White House: If I Gave Syria The Wrong Message, Prove It
Posted by babylonsister on Thu Apr-05-07 01:37 PM

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/05/pelosi-syria-prove-it /

Pelosi Challenges White House: If I Gave Syria The Wrong Message, Prove It

Conservatives and media figures continue to claim, without evidence, that Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) delivered an incorrect message from Israel to Syria during her meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Pelosi insists that Israel’s message was communicated accurately, and has suggested a good way to prove it:

Daly pointed out that Pelosi was briefed by State Department officials before her meetings with the foreign leaders and that State Department officials also attended her meetings.

So if Pelosi really committed foreign policy flubs of the first order, the State Department is in a position to confirm as much.

The White House certainly received a read-out of what exactly Pelosi and the foreign leaders said in their meetings. Significantly, the White House has not openly accused Pelosi of the foreign-policy missteps the Post had accused her of.

In an e-mail follow-up, Daly wrote: “WH has not said that because in fact the Speaker did not get the message wrong — she included the necessary caveats and did not say or imply that this was a change in Israel’s position.”

Indeed, despite President Bush’s claim that Pelosi’s trip sent “mixed signals,” State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said during his briefing today, “I don’t think necessarily complicates anything that we’re doing.”

[radfringe]

9. Sorry ARI

Smirk-boy is not RAY-GUN

[UTUSN]

11. So, Ari!!1 Your Big House scare is over now, eh? n/t

[TwilightGardener]

12. Hmmm, Ari Fleischer--that name sounds familiar. Wasn't he

somebody important at one time?