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Subscribe to RSSDuring his meetings in South Korea on missile defense, President Obama was overheard telling Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to give him "space" until after November. NBC's Chuck Todd and Kristen Welker report.
SEOUL, South Korea -- It was a comment not intended for public consumption, and another lesson for President Barack Obama on the importance of being careful about what you say around microphones, especially in an election year.
At the end of a 90-minute meeting between Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Monday, journalists rushed in to hear remarks from the leaders about the content of their talks.
Journalists spied the two leaders leaning close together and talking in hushed tones. According to those in the room, the conversation was difficult to hear but the videotape revealed Obama asking the Russian leader to wait until after the November election before pushing forward on the topic of a planned missile defense shield.
Photos: Obama and Medvedev talk nukes
"Pool" videotape provided more information about the conversation between the two leaders:
Obama: This is my last election…After my election I have more flexibility.
Medvedev: I understand. I will transmit this information to Vladimir.
While most journalists didn't catch the rest, one Russian reporter managed to record the context with his equipment.
Obama: On all these issues, but particularly missile defense, this, this can be solved but it's important for him to give me space.
Medvedev: Yeah, I understand. I understand your message about space. Space for you...
Obama: This is my last election…After my election I have more flexibility.
Medvedev: I understand. I will transmit this information to Vladimir.
The planned anti-ballistic shield system has been one of many sore spots between the two world powers in the last few years.
Obama says US can reduce nuclear stockpile
Moscow says it fears the system would weaken Russia by gaining the capability to shoot down the nuclear missiles it relies on as a deterrent. It wants a legally binding pledge from the United States that Russia's nuclear forces would not be targeted by the system.
White House Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes said the overheard comments were not a departure from the Administration's stated policy and responded to the exchange with the following statement:
“The United States is committed to implementing our missile defense system, which we’ve repeatedly said is not aimed at Russia. However, given the longstanding difference between the US and Russia on this issue, it will take time and technical work before we can try to reach an agreement. Since 2012 is an election year in both countries, with an election and leadership transition in Russia and an election in the United States, it is clearly not a year in which we are going to achieve a breakthrough. Therefore, President Obama and President Medvedev agreed that it was best to instruct our technical experts to do the work of better understanding our respective positions, providing space for continued discussions on missile defense cooperation going forward.”
Medvedev may have told Obama that he understands Obama's predicament, but the White House has been under increasing pressure on the issue. Last week, the Russian leader gave a downbeat assessment of global security and international relations, saying the "Euro-Atlantic" security community he had hoped to create remained a "myth."
Medvedev, who will be succeeded by Vladimir Putin in May, said Moscow was unconvinced by the argument that the planned missile defense shield was intended as protection against a missile attack by countries such as Iran.
"We have time (for an agreement) but it is running out, and I think that it would be in our mutual benefit to reach mutually acceptable agreements," Medvedev told a security conference.
"The main thing is that we must hear one simple thing - hear it and receive confirmation: 'Respected friends from Russia, our missile defense is not aimed against Russian nuclear forces.' This must be affirmed, not in a friendly chat over a cup of tea or a glass of wine, but in a document."
NBC News' Alicia Jennings and Kristen Welker, and Reuters contributed to this report.
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To paraphrase an earlier comment;
Attention all you left-wingers, politics is the name of the game, or should It be CAMPAIGNING is the name of the game. The obamanation has been on record several times for his need to put off things until after the election. The pipeline, the budget, health care, now missile defense talks with Russia.
Either he wants to use them as campaigning talk points, or he KNOWS he's out and doesn't want to go out looking like a total failure. Oh wait, he's already a total failure.
Call Obama a failure if you want; he's not perfect. Unfortunately there's no alternative. The repub's have killed our economy for the past 3 years, jump up and down when higher gas prices appear, are saddened by lower unemployment, totally ignore the rising stock market, and the party's base is yawning with excitement over their November own choices. Rather than whine and continually complain...why not tell your leaders to get on board, and help out? I guess the Party of Nooo is slightly better now, than they were for the past couple of years....considering that they're silent now. But still....working WITH the American people would really go along way toward improving our economy and would give Independents something to look at. Rather than just telling repub voters to vote against Obama....give them SOMETHING to vote FOR. I hope ya keep trying but it just aint there, yet. No real candidate, no direction and the bad economy thing that you were hanging everything on....just keeps improving.
meeee, are you for real?
the fact that oil prices are through the roof because the "left" refuses to allow more drilling. the fact that the only ones in DC to propse a budget in the last three years have been his lordship the obamanation (one that cost more than it would ever save and drives this country right onto the toilet) and the GOP. the dem in DC have been sitting back bilking the public for their pay, while not doing a damn thing except pushing (the purely socialist) obamacare, and touting it as the best thing since sliced bread. the obamanation giving money to unions for nothing, giving money to companies like solydra, for nothing. giving money to fannie and freddie, who keep failing, but the prez thinks throwing good money after bad so the politicians screwing america can get bonuses. giving money to the muslim brotherhood even after they declared the US as an enemy.
OH, and get this, giving money to Iran, while standing there straight faced, telling the world "the US will lead the fight for sanctions".
he blocks oil production, has blocked the keystone pipeline and cost jobs. he has spent more money than ALL the rest of the previous presidents, combined. the list goes on and on, and yet you cannot come up with anything truly positive he has done, not even his nobel peace prize FOR NOTHING.
top that with his resent open mike gaff in russia, and his statements that have caused a racial nightmare against whites when a hispanic man shoots a black kid that was beating him.
russia is still the "enemy" and does not have the interests of the usa at heart...
odumbo was caught making a pact with the "enemy"..
he should be making a pact with the congress and our country..
very weak leadership..
he is selling this country down the river..
ABO2012..
LETS END THIS ERROR!
At least the Russians and Obuma have something in common.
.
I hope saying things like 'roose ki' and 'O bomb a' doesn't get anyone in trouble, either.
WTF-when to flee
.
I cannot wait to hear Jay Carney's spin on this one.
RON PAUL "..if you know what's good for you".
bigbenalaska, It would have been much better , if he was playing president ..... He is playing president, it would be better if he was a president.
Obama is going to be reelected, because the GOP/baggers don't have even one viable candidate.
Their platform cut tax's and deregulate, because it has worked so well for the last decade, been there, done that, been trickled on enough!
GOP candidates- Etchy, Prober, cheater and stand alone Grandpa!
I think it's funny how repub politicians slam their fist on the desk and yell... more money to millionaires, and gut regulation! The people don't want that, and because we haven't done that.... more and more economic signs keep improving.
Oh well...with no ideas and no direction and no candidate....it's easier for them to just whine and complain about the President. They can say anything they want, it doesn't have to be REAL....I mean, it's not like they're going to see the inside of the WH, so whatever they say, they're not responsible for.
Why would this surprise anyone? The American people can go pound sand as long as the Messiah gets himself re-elected.
I guess he needs a second term. He isn't done betraying America yet.
Yes, Obama has so much to fear this year...
Romney - A guy who will say anything do anything and takes both sides of an issue, has no opinion of his own, and is so deeply in bed with big business that his nickname might as well be Mr. Wall Street. Commonly makes stuff up just to make the people listening to him happy. Oh yeah, and believes something about God living on another planet somewhere in some galaxy... Uh huh... Like there's nothing insane about that, not to mention that goes against right wing Christian beliefs...
Santorum - Completely insane idiot who given the power would ban colleges, public school, any education for that matter, sex, birth control, abortion, women's rights of any kind... Hell, he'd probably reinstate slavery given the chance. His running mate should be that no masturbation, witch idiot, Christine O'Donnell.
AND BOTH OF THEM CONTINUOUSLY OUTRIGHT LIE.
Oh wait, the entire republican party just makes s*** up all the time, and then presents it all as facts.
Yeah... Obama has a lot to fear. Pfft.
In the words of Bill Maher...
"This is not a case of Democrats vs. Republicans. It's sentient beings vs. the Lizard People"
Oh, and since when have missiles ever NOT been political?
Did you fail to live through the Cuban missile crisis? Because, THAT was certainly political. Or are you going to tell me that's it's more about unicorns and the chupacabra?
Why are you focusing on the Republians?? Obama is the President, not Romney or Santorum. Own him he is yours and that a hole Bill Maher..................
No, it's about more BS hope and change you can believe in. The Cuban Missile Crisis brought us to the brink of nuclear war with the Soviets, and it was diplomacy and steadfastness that made the Commies back down. If it was Obama instead of Kennedy Obama would have profusely apologized to the Soviets for the US being only 90 miles away from Communist Cuba, we were geographically incorrect in being so close!!!
This dumbass Markist, is really a gem. What rock did this loser crawl from under? F-ing sneaky liar.
It's so entertaining to watch what craven, spiteful, jealous Republicans will go through to get their head up their a**. Nothing Obama said changes the big picture. He has kept our country safe and strong. We have a healthcare plan that covers everybody. We have a reborn auto industry back and better than ever. Nothing the GOP says can stop this.
Don't look for complicated solutions. The answer is staring you in the face. It's something you've known since grade school. Republicans are just plain old-fashioned sore losers.
Safe and strong by giving away the farm...no comprehension on your part. Good thing you are not in charge of national security.
You must be groping about in the dark yourself.
Healthcare plan that covers everybody...not...even the governments own estimates say millions of people will not be covered.
Face it this President will make Carter look like a genius.
morton you are dumber than a box of rocks... I have a tennis shoe that is more intelligent than you.. do you read or listen to the buffalo dung that comes out of you.. I can only hope that you are paid to regurgitate that nonsense otherwise you are a lost cause
Jim Bletso..
you made my morning..
thanks, mate..
Anal occultilitis? On who's part? Someone just pushed my head where the sun don't shine.
We should all stop having this shi.ty outlook of life. shi.ty is not a website
WTF-when to fart
Hey Mort covers everyone????? EXCEPT THE PEOPLE WHO PASSED IT!!!! What are you an idiot!
Braindead Lemmings.
Democrats my friend are losers.
Typical politician. They're all the same.
Since when has it been a crime to develop a better defense against a potential threat? It only makes common sense that a country will create the best defenses possible. If potential enemies don't like it, then I guess they need better offensive weapons. Obama is selling off the security of this country simply so he can get re-elected. In any other times, he would be considered a traitor and impeached.
Kind of lets you see the whole insider dealing in detail...cozy relationship there for someone who is facing off publicly with Russia over Iran...don't you think? If the is the kind of relationship the have in private I wonder what else President Obama has done to weaken our country and under mine his oath of office?
This indicates what many think of our leadership...public face for us and private face for the real deals...trust this liar with Health Care now? Trust him to keep you safe after the Patriot Act extension and expansion, and the NDAA?
By the way this is an impeachable offense in case anyone is truly listening out there.
That sounds like treason; "this is my last election"! Is he planning on setting himself up as king within the next 4 years? This man is a dangerous pawn1
You could take it that he's running for the second term of his presidency, and therefore his last election. Or you could make a crazy assumption that he wants to be a king... I guess you chose the latter.
Yeah, some transparent presidency! This is another Obama BFD and it sounds like two gangsters talkin' about a hit they're planning! And just what kind of "flexibility" is this nincompoop Obama referring to? Perhaps is plan is to privatize national defense and sell the Commies our nuclear arsenal to reduce the deficit?? This disgrace of a president must be given the boot in November!!!
Obuma already wants us to believe Him over our lying eyes. Now He will expect us to believe Him over our lying ears.
and the sorry s o b says republicans are playing politics hes the dumbest and sorryest pres this country has ever had
it is so amazing how brain dead the libs are... they will follow ole bam bam to the depths of hell... he could rape and murder their families right in front of them and they will still drink his ballsack sweat... look at feisty, I know she is a paid troll, but gosh she is really sounding insane these days..
All this anger because this election is a easy win for Obama .
chrisvt3,
No all this frustration because the followers of the President are so willingly blind, gnorant and lack any comprehension at all.
Tell me you honestly don't feel a least a little betrayed by the President's comments he thought were off the record? Making deals with Putin...get real...he can not be trusted and the world knows it.
Correct. This is why two wrongs cannot make a right when dealing with a speck of time, or any aspect.
Hope they won't let it happen again.
WTF-why take fabulous.....for granted
Yes, more time for this turd to sell out this country. Wake up America!
What are you suggesting? To go backwards with one of the Republicans? Lower the stock market? Give more money to millionaires? Lessen women and minority rights? Be excited when unemployment goes UP? Allow companies and corporations choose which rules and regulations they want to abide by? Not institute consumer protection rules...and watch the housing collapse AGAIN?
Hey, One of the things raising the stock market is the shrinking dollar. International companies earning overseas will make more little dollars. Did you ever wonder why prices seem to be going up on imports? On oil? Unemployment is up, it's just that the seasonal adjustments are skewing things. There were actually 1.8m less poeple working at the end of February than the end of December. That's a lot of unemployed Santas.
What consumer protections? Saying that deadbeats can't be held responsible? Now everyone is getting fee'd to death.
Housing collapse again? When did it recover?
We need a leader, not a spin doctor, in the White House.
wasn't' it raygun and his crowd that negotiated with the Iranians to keep the hostages until after the Carter election? does Iran Contra ring a bell? running a country with early stage Dementia. making decisions based on astrology and numerology is ok as long as its a repug. it's politics folks
You're an idiot. Plain and simple. There is no defense here.
At least he could make a decision.
You´re right Jknott! Reagan was afraid the hostage release would win the election for Carter. Reagan´s men worked behind the scenes to make sure they weren´t released in October. They were released 15 minutes after Reagans inauguration. The hostages were made to wait in Iran til Reagan was sworn in. This was worse than what Obama did.
Obama is correct it will take him about two years after he is re-elected to get rid of the U.S. missile defense system and then Russia will be our friend .
the brown clown will stop at nothing.... it is time this arrogant s.o.b. is impeached and sent back to kenya
"The Brown Clown" ..... that's funny!!