• Barack Obama,  Iraq,  Iraq War,  John McCain,  President 2008

    Team McCain Now Puzzled Over Obama’s Iraq War Policy

    Barack Obama’s shifting or “REFINED” Iraq War Policy

    Barack Obama on Saturday said he was “puzzled” over the reaction to his statement this week that he might “refine” his timetale for withdrawing U.S. combat troops.

    Now, Team McCain is questioning Obama’s words as to what he exactly means on Iraq War policy.

    Sen. John McCain’s campaign said Sunday that Barack Obama’s remarks on Iraq “have left a significant question as to exactly what he intends.”

    “He has held almost every conceivable position in the course of his relatively brief career in the Senate,” said Randy Scheunemann, McCain’s foreign policy adviser.

    McCain’s campaign suggested Obama’s views could be becoming more in line with McCain’s Iraq policy.

    “The position of [McCain’s] campaign is that words do matter, and Sen. Obama’s words have left a significant question as to exactly what he intends. If he is now joining Sen. McCain’s position and saying that the need to maintain peace and stability in Iraq is a prerequisite before responsible withdrawal, which is Sen. McCain’s position, we welcome his conversion to that position,” Scheunemann said Sunday in a conference call with reporters.

    Barack Obama HAS flip flopped on his Iraq War position in moving away from his radical LEFT anti-war position. The LEFT WING of the Democrat Party may not like the change but it is change you can count on, no?

    Maybe Obama will be able to clear up his ambiguous statements when he campaigns with Hillary Clinton to retire her campaign debt later this week.

    Previous:

    Barack Obama Says He is “PUZZLED” Over Iraq War Flip Flop

    Barack Obama Watch: New and NOT Improved

    Barack Obama Watch: In A Shocker Obama Flip Flops on Iraq War – Now Wants to Clarify His Remarks

    Barack Obama Watch: In A Shocker Obama Flip Flops on Iraq War


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  • Barack Obama,  Iraq,  Iraq War

    Barack Obama Says He is “PUZZLED” Over Iraq War Flip Flop

    Barack Obama’s shifting or “REFINED” Iraq War Policy

    Why is Barack Obama puzzled? He flip-flopped on his Iraq War policy.

    Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said on Saturday his plan to end the Iraq war was unchanged and he was puzzled by the sharp reaction to his statement this week that he might “refine” his timetable for withdrawing U.S. combat troops.

    “For me to say that I’m going to refine my policies I don’t think in any way is inconsistent with prior statements and doesn’t change my strategic view that this war has to end and that I’m going to end it as president,” Obama told reporters on his campaign plane.

    Obama, who based his drive to capture the Democratic nomination on his early and ardent opposition to the war, said earlier this week he might alter his plan to bring combat troops home within 16 months of taking office if conditions on the ground changed.

    The comment drew heavy coverage and sharp criticism from some on the left and the right, with Republicans saying it showed he was vacillating on Iraq.

    “I was a little puzzled by the frenzy that I set off with what I thought was a pretty innocuous statement,” he said on a flight from Montana to St. Louis. “I am absolutely committed to ending the war. I will call my joint chiefs of staff in and give them a new assignment and that is to end the war.”

    Spin, Spin Spin…..

    Obama’s original Iraq War Policy that he sold to the left-wing zealots in the Democrat Party in order to beat Hillary Clinton in the primary elections and caucuses is untenable so he has provided himself so “wiggle” room.

    This policy change moves Obama to the center and is a moderation of his anti-war rants of a year ago – not stuff for his left-wing supporters. But, Obama is being disingenuous in saying it is not a change in his basic Iraq War policy.

    Remember, Senator, “Change You CAN Believe in.”

    NOT “Change I CAN SPIN you.”

    Previous:

    Barack Obama Watch: New and NOT Improved

    Barack Obama Watch: In A Shocker Obama Flip Flops on Iraq War – Now Wants to Clarify His Remarks

    Barack Obama Watch: In A Shocker Obama Flip Flops on Iraq War


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  • Barack Obama,  Iraq,  Iraq War

    Barack Obama Watch: New and NOT Improved

    Michelle Malkin on Barack Obama’s Flip-Flop on Iraq War Policy

    Even the New York Times is NOT impressed with Barack Obama’s decision to “REFINE” his policies.

    We are not shocked when a candidate moves to the center for the general election. But Mr. Obama’s shifts are striking because he was the candidate who proposed to change the face of politics, the man of passionate convictions who did not play old political games.

    There are still vital differences between Mr. Obama and Senator John McCain on issues like the war in Iraq, taxes, health care and Supreme Court nominations. We don’t want any “redefining” on these big questions. This country needs change it can believe in.

    How about Obama’s new theme: “political expediency you can count on…….”

    Previous:

    Barack Obama Watch: In A Shocker Obama Flip Flops on Iraq War – Now Wants to Clarify His Remarks

    Barack Obama Watch: In A Shocker Obama Flip Flops on Iraq War


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  • Barack Obama,  Iraq,  Iraq War

    Barack Obama Watch: In A Shocker Obama Flip Flops on Iraq War – Now Wants to Clarify His Remarks

    barack-obama-rally-levittown-pennsylvania

    Barack Obama speaking in Pennsylvania

    Mark Halperin reports that in a hastily scheduled second press availability, Barack Obama sought to clarify his remarks made earlier and insisted that his position on Iraq has not changed.

    “I intend to end this war… That position has not changed. I have not equivocated on that position. I am not searching for maneuvering room with respect to that position.”

    Though he also says:

    “I have always reserved the right to do what’s best for America’s national interest… I would be a poor commander-in-chief if I didn’t take facts on the ground into account.”

    But that is NOT what he said before.

    Senator Barack Obama said Thursday the United States cannot sustain a long-term military presence in Iraq, but added that he would be open to “refine my policies” about a timeline for withdrawing troops after meeting with American military commanders during a trip to Iraq later this month.

    Mr. Obama, whose popularity in the Democratic primary was built upon a sharp opposition to the war and an often-touted 16-month gradual timetable for removing combat troops, dismissed suggestions that he was changing positions in the wake of reductions in violence in Iraq and a general election fight with Senator John McCain.

    “I’ve always said that the pace of withdrawal would be dictated by the safety and security of our troops and the need to maintain stability. That assessment has not changed,” he said. “And when I go to Iraq and have a chance to talk to some of the commanders on the ground, I’m sure I’ll have more information and will continue to refine my policies.”

    But, on Obama’s website he has another position – one that he has repeated over and over.

    Obama will immediately begin to remove our troops from Iraq. He will remove one to two combat brigades each month, and have all of our combat brigades out of Iraq within 16 months.

    But, today, Obama says:

    • “My 16-month (withdrawal) timeline, if you examine everything that I’ve said, was always premised on making sure that our troops were safe.”
    • “So my position has not changed, but keep in mind what that original position was. I’ve always said that I would listen to commanders on the ground. I’ve always said the pace of withdrawal would be dictated by the safety and security of our troops and the need to maintain stability. That assessment has not changed. And when I go to Iraq and have a chance to talk to some of the commanders on the ground, I’m sure I’ll have more information and will continue to refine my policies.”

    Good grief, if Obama is not equivocating on an inflexible timeline for withdrawal then what the hell is he saying?

    He is attemting to back away from an assinine contradictory policy that cannot be sustained – but one on which he ran on during the Democrat primary election season.

    How does his policy now differ from that of Hillary Clinton who Obama beat up time and time again for voting for the Iraq War.

    Barack Obama is simply a typical politician who cannot be trusted to keep his word on policy.

    The Republican National Committee: “There appears to be no issue that Barack Obama is not willing to reverse himself on for the sake of political expedience.”

    No shit…….

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    Barack Obama Watch: In A Shocker Obama Flip Flops on Iraq War


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  • Barack Obama,  Iraq,  Iraq War,  John McCain

    Barack Obama Watch: In A Shocker Obama Flip Flops on Iraq War

    Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., center, speaks during his campaign stop in Fargo, N.D., July 3, 2008

    In a shocking reversal of Iraq War policy, Barack Obama moves to the RIGHT and now says he would be open to “redefine my policies” about a timeline for withdrawing troops after meeting with American military commanders during his trip to Iraq next month.

    Mr. Obama, whose popularity in the Democratic primary was built upon a sharp opposition to the war and an often-touted 16-month gradual timetable for removing combat troops, dismissed suggestions that he was changing positions in the wake of reductions in violence in Iraq and a general election fight with Senator John McCain.

    “I’ve always said that the pace of withdrawal would be dictated by the safety and security of our troops and the need to maintain stability. That assessment has not changed,” he said. “And when I go to Iraq and have a chance to talk to some of the commanders on the ground, I’m sure I’ll have more information and will continue to refine my policies.”

    Another flip-flop for Obama. Damn, this POL is flipping more than Mitt Romney or pancakes.

    The Iraq war – a war Obama opposed before he was for it.

    Just as Jeremiah Wright said the first time – just a politician. Flap will add – what a phony.

    Plus Ca Change


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  • Iraq,  Iraq War,  John McCain,  MoveOn.org,  President 2008

    MoveOn.org and AFSCME Channel 100 Years of Iraq War in Anti-McCain ad

    New ad by MoveOn.org and the public employee labor union AFSCME

    This is a hard-hitting ad targeting John McCain’s “100 Years in Iraq” remark.

    Of course, the entire remark has been taken and spun out of context, but what else is new for the LEFT?

    The RNC’s response:

    “MoveOn.org was wrong to smear General Petraeus, just like Barack Obama was wrong to not go to Iraq to meet with him. America cannot afford a Commander-in-Chief who listens to partisan groups like MoveOn.org instead of our commanders. Bringing peace and security to Iraq will require a Commander in Chief who won’t allow partisanship to cloud his judgment.”

    The unions and left-wing organizations will continue to pound McCain on the unpopular war. But, will the Iraq War be the primary issue in the Fall with conditions on the ground there being dramatically better?

    Flap thinks the economy and taxes will supercede the importance of the war.


  • George W. Bush,  Iraq,  Iraq War

    Bush Lied and People Died – Well Not So Fast Part 2

    ANOTHER Bush never lied to us opinion piece.

    Key graph:

    This may sound like ancient history, but it matters. After Sept. 11, President Bush did not want to risk allowing Hussein, who had twice invaded neighboring nations, murdered more than 1 million Iraqis and stood in violation of 16 U.N. Security Council resolutions, to remain in possession of what he believed were stocks of chemical and biological warheads and a nuclear weapons program. By glossing over this history, the Democrats’ lies-led-to-war narrative provides false comfort in a world of significant dangers.

    You don’t say.


  • Barack Obama,  Iraq,  Iraq War,  President 2008

    Barack Obama Watch: Flipping On Iraq?

    Barack Obama on April 5, 2004
    Obama: Don’t Bring The Troops Home

    So, has Barack Obama opportunistically flipped on the Iraq War when war events went sour after 2004?

    Or is his Iraq War policy a LIE or an inconsistent NON-TRUTH?

    So I guess what I’m getting to… is that Obama hasn’t been consistent… but that consistency is not the coin of this realm. The Obama campaign claims that Obama has made an evidenced-based assessment of what to do and will continue to do as president; as the facts on the ground change, he won’t stubbornly stick to preconceptions about what to do.

    Me thinks this will be Town Hall and/or candidate debate fodder. Obama should explain what his policy WILL be regarding the Iraq War. Obama already flipped on his Iran preconditions for negotiation pronouncement.

    Words have meaning, Senator.


  • George W. Bush,  Iraq,  Iraq War

    Bush Lied and People Died – Well Not So Fast

    From a Cindy Sheehan Rally

    The mantra from the Anti-War LEFT has been Bush Lied and People Died. But, did President Bush lie?

    Sen. John D. Rockefeller IV (D-W.Va.), chairman of the Select Committee on Intelligence, set out to provide the official foundation for what has become not only a thriving business but, more important, an article of faith among millions of Americans. And in releasing a committee report Thursday, he claimed to have accomplished his mission, though he did not use the L-word.

    “In making the case for war, the administration repeatedly presented intelligence as fact when it was unsubstantiated, contradicted or even nonexistent,” he said.

    There’s no question that the administration, and particularly Vice President Cheney, spoke with too much certainty at times and failed to anticipate or prepare the American people for the enormous undertaking in Iraq.

    Key graphs from Senator Rockefeller’s report:

    • On Iraq’s nuclear weapons program? The president’s statements “were generally substantiated by intelligence community estimates.”
    • On biological weapons, production capability and those infamous mobile laboratories? The president’s statements “were substantiated by intelligence information.”
    • On chemical weapons, then? “Substantiated by intelligence information.”
    • On weapons of mass destruction overall (a separate section of the intelligence committee report)? “Generally substantiated by intelligence information.” Delivery vehicles such as ballistic missiles? “Generally substantiated by available intelligence.” Unmanned aerial vehicles that could be used to deliver WMDs? “Generally substantiated by intelligence information.”
    • But statements regarding Iraq’s support for terrorist groups other than al-Qaeda “were substantiated by intelligence information.” Statements that Iraq provided safe haven for Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and other terrorists with ties to al-Qaeda “were substantiated by the intelligence assessments,” and statements regarding Iraq’s contacts with al-Qaeda “were substantiated by intelligence information.”

    So, Democrat Senator Jay Rockefeller’s report essentially vindicates President Bush as to the LIED part. But, why does the LEFT and Democrat politicians continue to use the mantra?

    Why, for partisan political advantage – as they have all along.