Condi Rice Removes Free School Lunch For Obama

In an glaringly partisan move, under the umbrella of a non-partisan move, Condi "The Eliminator" Rice sent a memo to overseas embassies - right before Obama left for his Global trip, forbidding any embassy from giving Obama undue assistance.

"The night before presumptive Democratic nominee Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) left for Afghanistan, Iraq and Western Europe for a tour of US bases overseas, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice issued a cable to US missions forbidding them from holding events for presidential candidates or arrange meetings for them.

Rice issued no such cable prior to foreign excursions by presumptive Republican nominee Sen. John McCain (R-AZ).

In a cable sent late Thursday, according to a copy leaked to the Washington Times, Rice enjoined American diplomats to treat the candidates as "members of Congress visiting in personal or semi-personal capacities," but "with additional restrictions based on rules related to political activity."

"Provide de minimis assistance to the candidate with logistical arrangements," said the cable, according to the Times. "If the campaign staff wants to rent a bus for press, tell them where they can rent a bus."
http://rawstory.com//news/2008/Night_before_Obama_flies_abroad_Rice_0721.html

Rice didn't issue the same demands in advance of travel by Sen. McCain. McCain visited the Middle East four months ago -- but officials told the paper they didn't make similar demands because he was part of an "official congressional delegation." ******

"American embassies and consulates around the world are actively engaged in official visits by members of Congress and other government leaders, the paper noted. "Diplomats meet the visitors at the airport, accompany them to meetings, most of which they have arranged, and host public events for them."

Rice made an effort in her cable to distance herself from claims that her decision might have been influenced by politics.

"It is imperative that, in implementing these various requirements, we treat both major presidential candidates evenhandedly," she wrote. "Our interactions with the candidates need to be made in the context that they are also sitting U.S. senators and very important U.S. visitors with special security concerns."

But she forbid them from any attempts to "hold or arrange receptions or public events for the candidate," "arrange the candidate's meetings" or "use official funds and resources, beyond a de minimis level, to support a political trip." "

Ohhhhkay. Has anyone ever seen this kind of "memo" sent out to embassies prior to a Presidential election before? I certainly haven't. Moreover, a commenter on Therawstory.com noted,

******"Rice didn't issue the same demands in advance of travel by Sen. McCain.

McCain visited the Middle East four months ago -- but officials told the paper they didn't make similar demands because he was part of an "official congressional delegation."

AND on another article it says:The Illinois senator — traveling in a congressional delegation with Sens. Jack Reed, D-R.I., and Chuck Hagel, R-Neb. — arrived in the country early Monday. Their first stop was Basra, the U.S. Embassy said."

Something smells fishy to me. When John McCain panders around the globe with fellow congressional backers, erm, I mean, delegates, it's fine. But when Obama does the same thing, he is to be treated like a rabid animal...provide no assistance, and capture and sedate if possible.

This is just one of the blatant news items coming out of the WH that nobody will raise a finger about...because we're all too busy ranting about it on the Internet on blogs no one will ever see.