Obama has said several times while campaigning for the Democratic nomination he would meet with “friends and foes” of the United States, a position his rivals, including Hillary Clinton, have scolded him for holding.

“It’s time to end the politics of fear,” is one of Obama’s favorite responses criticisms pertaining to his open negotiation philosophy-- a refrain repeated in his Tuesday statement.

The White House contends the President’s “appeasement” reference was not specifically directed towards Obama. “There are many who have suggested these types of negotiations with people that the president, President Bush, thinks we should not talk to,” White House Press Secretary Dana Perino told reporters in Israel.

“I understand when you’re running for office you think sometimes the world revolves around you” Perino said. “That is not always true and it is not true in this case.”

McCain was asked on the blogger call if he believed Bush was directing those remarks towards Obama. “President Bush said he wasn’t talking about Senator Obama and I take President Bush at his word,” McCain said.

McCain held the call Tuesday afternoon after making a speech in Columbus, Ohio about his vision for America in the year 2013 after four years of President McCain.