Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., talks with the media aboard his plane en route to Chicago, Wednesday, May 28, 2008.
Senator Barack Obama the presumptive Democrat nominee for President NOW says he is planning a trip to Iraq this summer.
Senator Barack Obama said today that he is considering visiting American troops and commanders in Iraq this summer. He declined an invitation from Senator John McCain to take a joint trip to Iraq, saying: “I just don’t want to be involved in a political stunt.â€
In a brief interview here, Mr. Obama said his campaign was considering taking a foreign trip after he secures the Democratic presidential nomination. No details have been set, he said, but added: “Iraq would obviously be at the top of the list of stops.â€
Mr. Obama visited Iraq in January 2006 as part of a Congressional delegation to the Middle East, but he has not returned since he became a presidential candidate. Mr. McCain and the Republican National Committee have sought to use that singular trip to highlight a lack of foreign policy experience.
Nice that someone who espouses a complete withdrawal from Iraq at least be updated from his ONE VISIT TWO YEARS AGO.
Obama says he does not want to be involved in a political stunt but suddenly after the Republican National Committee, an Iraq War veteran’s organization and Senator John McCain call him out on his lack of foreign policy experience especially with regards to the Iraq War he urgently tells the press – he is considering an Iraq trip.
Fancy that.
How many days will the RNC counter show before Obama, a member of U.S. Senate Foreighn Relations Committee actually commits himself to get his ass over there and talks to General Petraeus?
No citizen’s arrest of John Bolton, the former United States Ambassador to the United Nations this evening. The obviously muddleheaded George Moonbat Monbiot was blocked by security guards from serving upon Bolton the “charge sheet.”
The attention seeking Monbiot achieved what he sought out to do: Prove that he is indeed a moron.
McCain in Reno, Nevada May 28, 2008: Obama Needs To See The Facts On The Ground In Iraq. Skip ahead to 1:20
John McCain in a townhall forum today in Reno, Nevada ripped Barack Obama for having ONLY been to Iraq one time two years ago (before the Surge) and for failing in his duties as a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Key Quotes:
“A little over two years ago he went and he has never seized the opportunity except in a hearing to meet with General Petraeus. This is about leadership and learning.â€
“Why is it that Senator Obama wants to sit down with the president of Iran but has not sat down with General Petraeus…â€
Is Obama Willing To Meet Ahmadinejad, But Not Petraeus?
Obama has been to Iraq once, in 2006. It was a two-day tour of the country.
I suppose one can argue about the value of seeing the situation on the ground with one’s own eyes, but wouldn’t the architect of a withdrawal want to see some of the circumstances himself? Even if Obama didn’t want to travel with McCain, is it really wise to suggest that a tour of post-surge Iraq is unnecessary? Wouldn’t scheduling a visit defuse criticism like this from Vets for Freedom PAC?
And isn’t Obama vulnerable to the argument that a man who’s pledged to meet unconditionally, one-on-one, face-to-face with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad really ought to meet at least once one-on-one with Gen. David Petraeus?
Barack Obama is too inexperienced in foreign policy to be the President and Commander in Chief. Obama has not served in the military and his military background is limited except a Great Uncle who served in World War II – and Obama got the facts wrong on his service.
Is this someone we can trust to be the leader of the free world, especially in a time of terrorism and war ?
Journalist George Monbiot is taking the law into his own hands by promisng to arrest former United States ambassador to the United Nations as an Iraq War criminal.
George Monbiot, the journalist and activist, is planning the action because he believes Mr Bolton is a “war criminal”.
He said he was surprised that Mr Bolton would be allowed to “swim through the politest of polite soirees – which is of course Hay.”
Mr Bolton, who was the American ambassador to the UN from August 2005 to January 2006, is due to talk at the Hay-on-Wye literary festival at 6.30pm on international relations.
Now, this should be good. The legal authorities in the United Kingdom say Monbiot’s actions are unlawful.
Flap wonders what Bolton will do?
Will he allow Monbiot take him into custody and then file a civil suit for assault and unlawful detainment? Or will Bolton simply resist the Moonbat Monbiot and punch him in the nose?
Flap bets the police will be there and escort Monbiot off of the premises.
Shame….would love to see Bolton punch his way out of the flap.
John Bolton former United States Ambassador to the United Nations
In this May 15, 2008, file photo, Sharon Papo, left, and her partner Amber Weiss fill out paperwork as they apply for an appointment for a marriage license at the county clerks office at City Hall in San Francisco. In court papers submitted Thursday, May 22, 2008, a conservative legal group asked the California Supreme Court to stay its decision legalizing same-sex marriage until November, when voters are likely to encounter a ballot measure would amend the state’s constitution to ban gay marriage.
A new California Field Poll says a majority of Californians support Gay Marriage.
Signaling a generational shift in attitudes, a new Field Poll on Tuesday said California voters now support legal marriage between same-sex couples and oppose a state constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage.
By 51 to 42 percent, state voters believe gay couples have the right to marry, according to a May 17-26 poll of 1,052 registered voters.
However, the same poll revealed a California electorate that remains sharply divided over gay marriage – split by age, political affiliation, religion and the regions where they live.
Reflecting stark differences in generational attitudes, 68 percent of voters between 18 and 29 years old said they favored allowing same-sex couples to marry. Fifty-eight percent of voters 30 to 39 and 51 percent of voters 40-49 favored gay marriage. That compared with 47 percent of voters 50-64 and 36 percent of those over 65 who supported the idea.
Gay marriage was strongly opposed by inland California residents. Central Valley voters disapproved of same-sex marriage 55 to 38 percent.
Support surged on the coast, with Bay Area voters supporting gay marriage by 68 to 24 percent, and Los Angeles County voters supporting it by 55 to 38 percent.
While Democrats overwhelmingly supported gay marriage and Republicans overwhelmingly opposed it, there was also a significant religious split.
Born-again Christians objected to gay marriage, 68 to 24 percent. Protestants were opposed, 57 to 34 percent. Catholics were nearly evenly split. Voters from other religious groups favored gay marriage, 61 to 33 percent. Eighty-one percent of people with no religious preferences supported gay marriage.
The campaign is on.
If there is a higher turnout of younger voters in the fall Presidential election, these poll results may withstand a challenge. Should Obama have California in the bag, they may stay home – as usual and the California Marriage Protection Act, a California State Constitutional amendment will pass.
However, the Catholic church has yet to weigh into the issue in a substantial way. IF the California Bishops make a pronouncement it could move some of the Catholic voters.
This poll may be a wake up call to the churches in California to become more politically involved this summer.
treatment centers - public benefit addiction treatment resource directory, offering comprehensive listings of treatment centers for drug addiction, alcoholism and dual diagnosis.
Entries (RSS)