Obama, with Biden on ticket, beats White House in condemning Russia

When the war between Georgia and Russia first broke out, Democrat Barack Obama was in Hawaii, on vacation. He interrupted his holiday to issue a statement of support for Georgia. But his words were more measured -- and came later -- than either the White House response or Republican John McCain's.

But this week, Obama beat the White House by more than an hour, and McCain by two. Could it be that Senate Foreign Relations Committee Joe Biden, newly added to the Obama team as his running mate, has added some muscle?

The speeded-up Obama response came after Russia recognized two breakaway regions -- Abkhazia and South Ossetia -- as independent countries.

In his statement, issued around 2 p.m.  EDT Tuesday, Obama said the White House should call for a U.N. Security Council meeting to condemn Russia's action. About 45 minutes later, the White House issued a statement from President Bush, vacationing at his ranch in Crawford. He too condemned the Russian ploy, saying, "We expect Russia to live up to its international commitments."

McCain weighed in around 4 p.m. EDT, nearly two hours after Obama and more than an hour after the White House. In some ways it was the most tempered of the three statements, saying Moscow's action "deserves condemnation from the entire international community."

And, in an unexpected twist, McCain added that his wife Cindy is currently in Georgia on a humanitarian mission. "I am proud that she has traveled to that war-torn country at this time," he said.

-- Johanna Neuman

Photo: Alex Brandon / Associated Press

Comments

[simone]

Quick draw, right on the target without the "We are all Georgians" JFK wannabe.

[Annie Partridget]

Ever wonder why the North is mostly Democrat and the South is Repbulican. Read up on it. If Obama and MCcain switched places (not issues) it would be a landslide.

[Suki]

I am very dissapointed in the way the U.S. is reacting to Russia's actions. The media has shown nothing but bias and lack of thorough investigation into Russia's actions. For one, Georgia is getting special U.S. treatment because a certain oil pipeline through their country, when in fact the government should not be so quick to pass judgements. Unfortunately, the Georgian government is getting no condemnation from the international community for bombing the capial of South Ossetia, Tskhinvali. Yes people, the Georgian government bombed this city first because the folks living there WANT to be a part of Russia. These folks live in poverty, with the government not providing any social services. The separatists called upon Russia to help them against Georgian bombardment, this is why Russia sent armies and is keeping them there. Why isn't the U.S. more simpathetic? Look a pictures from the official South Ossetia web site to see the extent of Georgia's damage. People! this government is biased, the have shown this over and over again. I didn't trust the U.S quick condemnation. Why would Russia just invades a country for no reason? It made no sense. So I researched other foreign papers as well that the history of the conflict to find more information. Do the same, I feel better knowing that at least I am better informed than the government wants me to be.

[THE COLD WAR WINDS FREEZE THE MINDS OF THE U.S.]

OK PEOPLE LETS TAKE A LOOK AT THIS ISSUE.

GEORGA MASICURED LARGE NUMBERS OF RUSSIAN PEOPLE IN A REGION THAT HAD CLAIMED INDEPENDENCE IN 92!

RUSSIA RESPONDED WITH A HEAVY HAND.

BECAUSE GEORGA OFFERS A ROUTE FOR OIL AROUND RUSSIA, PERHAPS THE ONLY REASEN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY GETS UPSET!

RUSSIA IS AN ALLIE WE SHOULD BE WORKING WITH THE GREAT NATION TO RESOLVE THIS! PUTIN LIFTED RUSSIA OUT OF TOTAL ECCONOMIC DEVISTATION AND TURNED INTO A POWER HOUSE!

MABY OUR LEADERS SHOULD START THINKING ABOUT OUR 11 TRILLION DEBT KEEP KIRKUK!

PERHAPS OUR LEADERS SHOULD BE RERUOTING OIL AROUND DICTATERS LIKE BUSH BUDDYS THE SAUDIES!

OBAMA AND MCCAIN POLICY LACKS LOGIC AND REAKS OF COLD WAR MOLD!

NADAR 08

[SlimShady]

Who Cares? Is it important that Obama beat the White House or McCain by 2 or 4 hours in condemning Russia's aggression? Is this the type of issue that will decide the fate of the presidential campaign? Who becomes "Leader of the Free World?"

Johanna Neuman find something better to do. Maybe something more substantial. Maybe a synopis of the latest "The Hills" episode, for example.

Sheeesh!!!!

[ms.moralez]

hEySZ oBamA we juST wAnT 2 TEll U tHAt It WAS bETTer THaT thEy ChooSE U waT wIll It ChAnGe NOw