Obama And Hamas: Deal Or No Deal?

I posted previously about the story in the Guardian that Obama was looking into low-level meetings with Hamas.

Now, Obama has apparently denied the story:

The incoming Obama administration will not abandon President George Bush's doctrine of isolating Hamas, the Obama transition team's chief national security spokeswoman has told The Jerusalem Post.

President-elect Barack Obama "has repeatedly stated that he believes that Hamas is a terrorist organization dedicated to Israel's destruction, and that we should not deal with them until they recognize Israel, renounce violence, and abide by past agreements," said Brooke Anderson in a statement to the Post.

This sounds like a pretty straightforward denial with a clear statement of how Obama considers Hamas--but what does 'deal' mean?

I mean, couldn't not 'dealing' with Hamas refer to no official dealing, as opposed to low level meetings that do not actually recognize them?

After all, since a number of Obama's staff appointments are former Clinton appointees, is it going to far to assume that just as he walks the Clinton walk, Obama can also talk the Clinton talk?

Technorati Tag: Israel and Obama and Hamas.