State Department to candidates: Shut up.

[babylonsister]

State Department to candidates: Be careful talking of global issues
By MATTHEW LEE
The Associated Press
Tancredo
Tancredo

WASHINGTON -- The State Department has a message for White House candidates wanting to expound on sensitive diplomatic issues: Shut up.

Traditionally silent during presidential campaigns filled with divisive foreign policy debates, the department on Friday delivered a rebuke to would-be nominees of both parties whose recent comments have complicated U.S. efforts to overcome deep suspicion about the war on terrorism in the Muslim world.

"Those who wish to hold office can speak for themselves and whoever is elected in 2008 and comes into office in 2009 will then be in a position to talk about what they intend or plan to do," said deputy spokesman Tom Casey, a career foreign service officer.

First it was Barack Obama's talk of dialogue with dictators and invading Pakistan to kill Islamist militants, then it was Hillary Clinton refusing to rule out the use of nuclear weapons to that end. Now, the Democratic front-runners have been joined by Republican Rep. Tom Tancredo, who threatened to bomb Muslim holy sites to stop terror attacks.

The State Department had hoped to steer clear of controversy, complaints and public protests sparked by Obama and Clinton, but Tancredo's comments hit the limit of diplomatic patience.

Tancredo's suggestion to bomb Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia came as Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Robert Gates were on a sensitive mission to the Middle East that included a stop in the kingdom.

more...

http://www.star-telegram.com/national_news/story/191125.html

[Warren DeMontague]

1. Well, I suppose that gives them something to do.

Seeing as what used to be the "State Department" has been thoroughly neutered by the Bush Administration. Have they done anything in the past 4 years?

It must get old being sent out for Cheney's coffee all the time.

[Rex]

2. They still have a States Department?

Funny, I thought it was disbanded years ago. Did they fart or something?

[truebrit71]

3. Nice. And then when the Dem candidate gets into the WH they can hunt down whomever said this..

...and fire their asses on the spot...

[peacetalksforall]

4. Yep! Police State here in River City - Cities. The 27-37% ers won.

The think tankers, the barons, the ceos, the accounting firms that showed the way, the war mongers, The war toy makers, the exxons, the abortion haters, the Mexican and Muslim haters, Commandments in the Court House 'ers - they won.

[TechBear_Seattle]

5. Is it fascism yet?

Today: Prior restraint on candidates running for public office.

Tomorrow: ?

[Rosa Luxemburg]

6. who the hell does the state department think it is?

I'm tired of non politicians determining policy