"Lord, if only I could have talked to Hitler..."

It may be indicative of Barack Obama's ignorance and lack of curiosity regarding American history that he failed to capitalize on the fact that the 1930s-era US senator mentioned in President Bush's Israel speech was a Republican.

William Edgar Borah (June 29, 1865 near Fairfield, Illinois – January 19, 1940 Washington, D.C.) was a prominent Republican attorney and longtime United States Senator from Idaho noted for his oratorical skills and isolationist views. One of his nicknames later in life was "The Lion of Idaho." [snip]

Borah may be best known today for having allegedly said, in September 1939, after Germany invaded Poland, "Lord, if only I could have talked to Hitler, all of this might have been avoided."

The quote has been repeatedly cited as evidence of the alleged naivete of attempts to negotiate with one's enemies.

A less emotional and more nimble candidate would be talking about and making use of this already.

But then Obama would have to admit that the president wasn't talking about him in the first place.

UPDATE: Welcome, Lizards!