Clinton calling on Bush to boycott China Olympic opening ceremony. What is Obama's position? Chicago in running for 2016 games.

WASHINGTON–Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) is calling on President Bush to boycott the opening Olympic ceremonies in Bejing if the Chinese government does not do more to deal with Tibet and use its influence on Sudan to stop the geoncide in Darfur.

Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) was not sure what he would do when asked about the Olympics last week; LINK Clinton’s statement, issued Monday, may mean that Obama clarifies his views.

Chicago is in the running for the 2016 Olympics and an Obama advisor, Valerie Jarrett, is vice-chairman of the city’s bid committee.

Clinton said, “the violent clashes in Tibet and the failure of the Chinese government to use its full leverage with Sudan to stop the genocide in Darfur are opportunities for Presidential leadership. These events underscore why I believe the Bush administration has been wrong to downplay human rights in its policy towards China. At this time, and in light of recent events, I believe President Bush should not plan on attending the opening ceremonies in Beijing, absent major changes by the Chinese government.”

On April 2, during an interview on CBS’ “The Early Show,” host Harry Smith asked Obama if the U.S. should be “a full participant” in the Olympic Games?”

Obama said, ” I’m of two minds about this. On the one hand, I think thatwhat’s happened in Tibet, China’s support of the Sudanese government in Darfur, is a real problem. I’m hesitant to make the Olympics a site of political protest because I think it’s partly about bringing the world together.”

Statement by Hillary Clinton on Olympics

The violent clashes in Tibet and the failure of the Chinese government to use its full leverage with Sudan to stop the genocide in Darfur are opportunities for Presidential leadership. These events underscore why I believe the Bush administration has been wrong to downplay human rights in its policy towards China. At this time, and in light of recent events, I believe President Bush should not plan on attending the opening ceremonies in Beijing, absent major changes by the Chinese government.

I encourage the Chinese to take advantage of this moment as an opportunity to live up to universal human aspirations of respect for human rights and unity, ideals that the Olympic games have come to represent.

Americans will stand strong in support of freedom of religious and political expression and human rights. Americans will also stand strong and root for the success of American athletes who have worked hard and earned the right to compete in the Olympic Games of 2008.

WASHINGTON–Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) tread carefully on the subject of boycotting the upcoming China Olympics particularly because of China’s complicity with Sudan’s leaders when it comes to the genocide in Darfur, charting a course of concern but noting the point of the games is to bring the nations of the world together.

Chicago is in the running for the 2016 Olympics and one of his top advisors, Valerie Jarrett, is vice-chairman of the Chicago 2016 Olympic Committee.The U.S.stand on a boycott could have an impact on Chicago getting the games, one would guess.

During an interview Wednesday on CBS’ “The Early Show,” host Harry Smith asked Obama if the U.S. should be “a full participant” in the Olympic Games?

Obama said, ” I’m of two minds about this. On the one hand, I think thatwhat’s happened in Tibet, China’s support of the Sudanese government in Darfur, is a real problem. I’m hesitant to make the Olympics a site ofpolitical protest because I think it’s partly about bringing the world together.”

DATE April 2, 2008