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Washington Post Slaps Down Pelosi's Attempted Foreign Policy Coup

Nancy Pelosi has jumped the shark with her trip to Syria. Even the Washington Post is slamming her:

HOUSE SPEAKER Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) offered an excellent demonstration yesterday of why members of Congress should not attempt to supplant the secretary of state when traveling abroad. After a meeting with Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad in Damascus, Ms. Pelosi announced that she had delivered a message from Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert that "Israel was ready to engage in peace talks" with Syria. What's more, she added, Mr. Assad was ready to "resume the peace process" as well. Having announced this seeming diplomatic breakthrough, Ms. Pelosi suggested that her Kissingerian shuttle diplomacy was just getting started. "We expressed our interest in using our good offices in promoting peace between Israel and Syria," she said.


Only one problem: The Israeli prime minister entrusted Ms. Pelosi with no such message. "What was communicated to the U.S. House Speaker does not contain any change in the policies of Israel," said a statement quickly issued by the prime minister's office. In fact, Mr. Olmert told Ms. Pelosi that "a number of Senate and House members who recently visited Damascus received the impression that despite the declarations of Bashar Assad, there is no change in the position of his country regarding a possible peace process with Israel." In other words, Ms. Pelosi not only misrepresented Israel's position but was virtually alone in failing to discern that Mr. Assad's words were mere propaganda.

Ms. Pelosi was criticized by President Bush for visiting Damascus at a time when the administration -- rightly or wrongly -- has frozen high-level contacts with Syria. Mr. Bush said that thanks to the speaker's freelancing Mr. Assad was getting mixed messages from the United States. Ms. Pelosi responded by pointing out that Republican congressmen had visited Syria without drawing presidential censure. That's true enough -- but those other congressmen didn't try to introduce a new U.S. diplomatic initiative in the Middle East. "We came in friendship, hope, and determined that the road to Damascus is a road to peace," Ms. Pelosi grandly declared.

Never mind that that statement is ludicrous: As any diplomat with knowledge of the region could have told Ms. Pelosi, Mr. Assad is a corrupt thug whose overriding priority at the moment is not peace with Israel but heading off U.N. charges that he orchestrated the murder of former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq al-Hariri. The really striking development here is the attempt by a Democratic congressional leader to substitute her own foreign policy for that of a sitting Republican president. Two weeks ago Ms. Pelosi rammed legislation through the House of Representatives that would strip Mr. Bush of his authority as commander in chief to manage troop movements in Iraq. Now she is attempting to introduce a new Middle East policy that directly conflicts with that of the president. We have found much to criticize in Mr. Bush's military strategy and regional diplomacy. But Ms. Pelosi's attempt to establish a shadow presidency is not only counterproductive, it is foolish.

And unconstitutional. The United States only has one president at a time, and only that president has the authority to set our country's foreign policy.

This trip did accomplish something though: it showed that the foreign policy of talking to our enemies that the left hails as being superior to President Bush's is hopelessly naive and completely unsatisfactory for dealing with our enemies. Bashar al-Assad manipulated Speaker Pelosi and made her look completely ridiculous. What's the lesson here? The Democrats need to leave dealing with our enemies to the adults.

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Comments (70)

But the unfortunate thing h... (Below threshold)
Dave:

But the unfortunate thing here is that Pelosi as well as the rest of the left think this trip was a stunning success because it tweaked Bush and they don't think of any of the other consequences. This is very typical of the democrats and the left in everything they do. Look at how it will affect domestic politics and ignore any of the other consequences.

Bashar al-Assad ma... (Below threshold)
Heralder:
Bashar al-Assad manipulated Speaker Pelosi and made her look completely ridiculous.

Which is to say, made the United States look completely ridiculous.

Quite honestly, something needs to be done about her. This soft, sly verion of a coup should not go unnoticed.

"The most powerful woman in... (Below threshold)
Mnemosyne:

"The most powerful woman in the world."

Can you imagine the cat fight that will ensue if Hillary is elected president?

Pelosi already thinks she's more powerful than President Bush.

Her lust for power will be very damaging to this country.

I would think despite the S... (Below threshold)
marc:

I would think despite the Speakers inflated ego that has led her to proclaim she's the "The Most Powerful Women in the World", or some such tripe, she has abdicated that "crown" herself.

Considering she can't match the century (plus) old traditions of the Pony Express of delivering a message as it was written her new title should be Accidental Diplomat.

That aside, next time she claims she made this trip because of a recommendation by the Iraq survey group at least one of the lilly-livered press corp should ask her to quote the portion of ISG report that specifically says the Speaker of the House should be the one opening a "dialog" with Syria.

Fat chance I know, but it sure would be funny watching her squirm like the worm she is trying to spin an answer.

With an attorney general th... (Below threshold)
Scrapiron:

With an attorney general that has only done one thing right (firing worthless attorneys) since he's been in office, there is little hope that United States Law will be applied to Peeeeloshi. She will simply rejoin the other clowns and traitors in congress with a hero welcome.

And BTW, the over under bet... (Below threshold)
marc:

And BTW, the over under bet is 10 comments on when one of the resident conspiracy theorists here claim this is a plot hatched by Bush and Olmert to make Pelosi look like a fool.

Like she needs the help.

The fatuous harpy Pelosi,<b... (Below threshold)
kim:

The fatuous harpy Pelosi,
Flew hatefully off to Damosci.
It raises the cry,
Exactly just why,
Would Assad aid this mafiosi?

H/T ip727
========

What was the purpose of th... (Below threshold)
MyPetGloat:

What was the purpose of the trip taken to Syria by representatives Wolf (R-Va), Aderholt (R-AL) and Pitts (R-PA)?

Why were they not excoriated by the White House?
Why no reply by White House spokesperson Dana Perino about this trip?

Why no mention of it here? Sophistry?

Hello?
Anyone?

Hello?

MyPetGloat,You nee... (Below threshold)
Heralder:

MyPetGloat,

You need to give someone the chance to answer before you post your little "Hello? Anyone?" routine.

My answer is simply to quote a portion of the article that opened this thread:

Ms. Pelosi responded by pointing out that Republican congressmen had visited Syria without drawing presidential censure. That's true enough -- but those other congressmen didn't try to introduce a new U.S. diplomatic initiative in the Middle East.
Hello? Anyone?... (Below threshold)
Heralder:

Hello?
Anyone?

Hello?

MyPetGloat, perhaps you mis... (Below threshold)
Gizmo:

MyPetGloat, perhaps you miseed this in the OpEd: "That's true enough -- but those other congressmen didn't try to introduce a new U.S. diplomatic initiative in the Middle East." That distinction seems to be more than just a small nuance. When the WaPo has to hold their nose and side with Bush, you know it's bad!

Your description of Pelosi ... (Below threshold)
herzhonour:

Your description of Pelosi and the leftist
democrats was entirely too kind.
I think there should be a burrowing session to see
what laws can be applied to her for taking on the
duties of a sitting president.
It all looks very much like an attempted coup to
over throw the current government of President Bush.
Either that, are she is completely ignorant of her
duties as Speaker of the House.
There will be more governmental anarchy if this not stopped now.

RCP has a nice link to an e... (Below threshold)
kim:

RCP has a nice link to an editorial by Michael Young in the Daily Star nicely laying out what a fool for Assad Nancy played with respect to Lebanon. He calls her a diplomatic dilettante.
=====================

I'm thinking that Mantis, J... (Below threshold)
Heralder:

I'm thinking that Mantis, John Irving, Synova, Jay Tea, Lee, Barney and I, will head out to Iran and completely restructure our diplomatic relationship with them. (If you're expecting to see pictures of Synova wearing a headscarf, don't hold your breath.)

VDH thinks this shows the m... (Below threshold)
kim:

VDH thinks this shows the mullahcracy under stress. I think there is something wack with the relationship between Ahmadinejad and the mullahs. I thought they'd heaved him, but now I'm not so sure. I will follow Teheran's future progress with great interest.
============================

Gizmo, it's also a wonderfu... (Below threshold)
kim:

Gizmo, it's also a wonderful opportunity for the WaPo to bitch slap the other bitch's object of envy. So maybe it wasn't such a bitch for 'em. Bitchin, huh?
=======================================

Good news, it went well. H... (Below threshold)
Heralder:

Good news, it went well. Here's a picture of our delegation.

What is this? Thursday Dog... (Below threshold)
kim's freidy cat:

What is this? Thursday Dog Slapping?

Being made a tool by Assad ... (Below threshold)
drjohn:

Being made a tool by Assad was acceptable in order to show up the President.

That was the whole point.

The only point.

Like I said before, payback for this is going to be a bitch when the time is right.

Whoa, it's Friday in China.... (Below threshold)
kim:

Whoa, it's Friday in China. Aren't you free range over there?
===================================

Bush brought this on himsel... (Below threshold)
jpm100:

Bush brought this on himself.

There's a been a few time he should have at least rattled the Logan Act bat, even if he didn't have 100% justification to swing it.

From what I can tell, informing Syria Israel wanted peace talks & there was no such offer from them is monkeying in foreign affairs and a true violation.

If he stays silent on this, he is destroying the jurisdiction and authority of his office.

Time to drop the act of looking 'above it all' act. That's worked out really well for him, hasn't it? Its about to do real damage now.

Damages from her disruption... (Below threshold)
kim:

Damages from her disruption can be shown. Let's hope it's big.
=======================================

Even more good news! Pelos... (Below threshold)
Heralder:

Even more good news! Pelosi is in Saudi Arabia!

Ihsan Abu-Holeiqa, a member of the council, said the meeting with Pelosi Thursday included discussion of the new difficulties Saudis have in getting U.S. visas, with some waiting four to five months. The lengthy process followed the Sept. 11 attacks carried out by 19 hijackers, 15 of them Saudis.

"We told her there should be some movement on the visa issue because, while we understand the security needs, the situation is unacceptable," said Abu-Holeiqa.

Yes, reverse that one too Madame Speaker. After all, you've now abolished terrorism by renaming the War on Terror to something else...why should Saudis have to wait to enter the country for security reasons?


Well, H, as usual INS is be... (Below threshold)
kim:

Well, H, as usual INS is behind the 8 ball. Pre 9/11, too loose; post, too tight. The Saudis should be spending their money spreading the Enlightenment around, and they won't do that unless they come over here to be enlightened.
================================

I would think its time for ... (Below threshold)
914:

I would think its time for peloshi to be removed from a position of power for trying to usurp the Presidents power and for Her submission to islam

One wonders of course, if s... (Below threshold)
Robert the Original:

One wonders of course, if she is creating more trouble away on a junket than she would be making back home.

It might cost us Taiwan, say, but this may be a small price to pay compared to the damage a power-drunk ultra-lib egomaniac could do to our economy.

Our relations with the Saudi have always been tricky, even more so since Cheney enlisted their support to lower the oil price to help stress Iran, after the Saudi's promise to fund AQ should the US leave Iraq.

Another way to say this is that Pelosi's response to that Saudi promise was to invite them to fund AQ. That should calm things down.

Op-Ed from the WaPo? I tho... (Below threshold)
BarneyG2000:

Op-Ed from the WaPo? I thought that you can not trust the MSM?

To bad the opinion is based on half facts. Here is what the PM said:

"The Prime Minister clarified that by these measures it would be determined whether Syria is sincere about attaining a genuine peace with Israel."

Here is what TSOTH said her message was:

"..they had frank words with President Bashar al-Assad and other senior Syrian officials here on Wednesday, pressing the president over Syria's support for militant groups and insisting that his government block militants seeking to cross into Iraq and join insurgents there. "

Sounds like both are on the same page. Syria needs to renounce support of terrorists before Israel will resume the peace process.

Speaking of the peace processes. According to Bob Novak, there is no hope of resuming the peace process until after Bush leaves office.

At least the Speaker is trying.

Isn't surrendering the coun... (Below threshold)
drjohn:

Isn't surrendering the country usually the domain of the President?

Or rather, isn't surrenderi... (Below threshold)
Heralder:

Or rather, isn't surrendering a foreign nation (Israel) up to Olmert?

Well, H, as usual INS is... (Below threshold)
drjohn:

Well, H, as usual INS is behind the 8 ball. Pre 9/11, too loose; post, too tight. The Saudis should be spending their money spreading the Enlightenment around, and they won't do that unless they come over here to be enlightened.

Kim

They're not coming here to be enlightened. They're coming here to invest- in Mosque construction and ultimately, conversion. No wonder they're complaining about this stuff taking too long.

Barney:So... (Below threshold)
Heralder:

Barney:

Sounds like both are on the same page. Syria needs to renounce support of terrorists before Israel will resume the peace process.

Nice of you to make that leap, but Iraq and Israel are two different things; likewise, are words and actions.

Come on, I even included you in my delegation to Iran...get with the program!


Or rather, isn't surrend... (Below threshold)
drjohn:

Or rather, isn't surrendering a foreign nation (Israel) up to Olmert?

Good point. Maybe it was a two-for-one deal, as long as Syria promises to increase it's purchase of tuna and to direct dollars to Perini.

So, what of Pelosi's "Dhimm... (Below threshold)
Althor:

So, what of Pelosi's "Dhimmitude" trip of appeasement to Syria? Just another Jihadist victory for Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Puppet Master pulling Syrian President Al-Assad's strings, the Iranian despot Mahmoud Ahmadinejad!

But of course, since the Democrats have struck the term "War on Terror" from their vocabulary, obviously because in their leftist view they don't see us fighting such a war but only "Clintonian" sporadic localized events that in their eyes are but "Law Enforcement issues," and since with Nancy now ushering her new American Foreign Policy in the Middle East, and with the cut-and-run defeatist "Harry Reid Congress" cutting off the funds to our troops to bring about a prompt retreat that would ensure us of defeat and humiliation in Iraq, all we have to do is to hold hands and sing "Kumbaya" with Bin Laden, Nasrallah, and Ahmadinejad, even as Madam Speaker is now doing with Al-Assad and his henchmen, and we will all live "Happily Ever After" in their delusional peacenik "Pelosi Lululululand"!

Where is a heroic "rogue" Israeli renegade pilot when you need one to shoot this "Muntaz Pelosi" and her "Flying Luxury Palace" off the air over Damascus? Pffff !!!

Althor

"Nice of you to make that l... (Below threshold)
BarneyG2000:

"Nice of you to make that leap, but Iraq and Israel are two different things;.." herald

Herald, first of all Nancy and I were talking about Syria's support of Hamas. Have you ever heard of them?


Second, it looks like the Prez just lost another Republican on this issue:
AP: DAMASCUS, Syria: A visiting U.S. congressman held talks with President Bashar Assad Thursday, a day after a congressional delegation headed by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sparked controversy by meeting the Syrian leader.

Commenting on Bush's criticism, California Republican Darrell Issa said the president had failed to promote the necessary dialogue to resolve disagreements between the U.S. and Syria.


That sounds like solid support for the Speaker, and big F-You to the President. Have you ever seen a lamer duck than "W"?

Barney,He... (Below threshold)
Heralder:

Barney,

Herald, first of all Nancy and I were talking about Syria's support of Hamas. Have you ever heard of them?

What I read was:

"..pressing the president over Syria's support for militant groups and insisting that his government block militants seeking to cross into *Iraq* and join insurgents there."

Militant groups? But Barney, you've unfailingly reminded us that Hamas is not a militant group, but the democratically elected government of the mythical state of Palestine.

Were both Nancy Pelosi and Bashar al-Assad referring to Hamas as a militant group?

I'd also like to remind you... (Below threshold)
Heralder:

I'd also like to remind you that Israel had not approved anything Pelosi had said. She doesn't have the right to set foreign policy for the U.S. or Israel...yet somehow "The Most Powerful Woman in the World" has managed to do so.

And some California Republican decides for a followup visit? That sounds a little more like a "big F-You" to our country than it does to the President.

The American people overwhe... (Below threshold)