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The Hill reports:
Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) called on President Obama to recall the U.S.’s ambassador to Syria while criticizing his handling of the unrest there.
Pawlenty, who is expected to run against Obama, said the president’s decision to restore America’s ambassador last year legitimized the regime of dictator Bashar Assad, which has used violence to tamp down anti-government protests there.
“I would recall our ambassador,” Pawlenty said on the conservative Hugh Hewitt Show. “President Obama made the mistake of sending an ambassador to Syria, legitimizing that country and his regime in ways that I don’t think are appropriate. Recall the ambassador.”
President George W. Bush recalled the U.S. ambassador in Syria in Feb. 2005 amid accusations the country was involved in the assassination of Lebanese President Rafik Hariri. Obama filled the vacancy in December in an effort to improve relations with the country and incorporate it in the Israeli-Arab peace process. Pawlenty said that approach is flawed.
“It’s a crock. It’s a complete crock. And it shows the naivete of the Obama administration,” he said. “To have his administration essentially being embracing in any manner or degree Bashar Assad and Syria as a peace agent – or an agent for reform and stability in the region – is either ignorant or frighteningly misguided.”
Didn’t the government in Syria just resign?
Yup – it looks like Pawlenty once again didn’t catch the bus he was trying to catch. I have to hand it to him though he is sprinting after every Far Right Agenda Bus that is on the streets…
T-Paw the expert on foreign policy. I am sure he is tapped into all the nuances about what is going on and has a great deep understanding of diplomacy and the State Department.
I guess by T-Paw’s logic he wants the U.S. to cut off diplomatic relations and recall ambassadors with all the authoritarian regimes all over the world. Why stop at just Syria? Lets start with China and then we can move to Russia. How about just about all the countries in the Middle East and Africa next?
This guy shows himself to be a reactionary clown on a daily basis. I actually thought he was someone worth considering — until he started running. What a joke.
He can see Canada from his house!
Why are you all so dismissive of T-Paw’s foreign policy cred?
Do they still use crocks in Minnesota?
I just don’t see him as President…
Let me get this straight, Pawlenty wants the US to intervene in Syria? SYRIA!?!?!? Seriously? What about Iran and their relationship with said country? Isn’t the president’s strategy of divide and conquer much more conducive to results?
The 22 million Syrians eagerly seek Pawlenty’s advise and assistance. He is intimately familiar with their history and aspirations. They wish America to withdraw its diplomats. This will solve many problems, save Israel, aid in the repatriation of Iraqi refugees, and assist the democratic forces. This fool has moved full-force into the ranks of the tea- party demagogues. It is revolting to witness.