-
Barack Obama Watch: Playing Politics With Iraq
Is Barack Obama playing politics with the Iraq War?
Isn’t it obvious?But, John McCain does NOT have to paint Obama as a typical,duplicitous, lying politician on the Iraq War issue. As El Rushbo said today on his radio show the American public almost expects that from their pols. Rush suggests instead of emphasizing that Obama is a “ROOKIE” and inexperienced – one prone and destined to make poor decisions.
In other words, a politician who cannot be trusted with the Presidency. Like somebody who would rather go to the gym rather than see wounded troops. Somebody who is ALL ABOUT HIMSELF – even for a politician.
The script of Troops says it all:
Anncr: Barack Obama never held a single Senate hearing on Afghanistan.
He hadn’t been to Iraq in years.
He voted against funding our troops.
And now, he made time to go to the gym, but cancelled a visit with wounded troops.
Seems the Pentagon wouldn’t allow him to bring cameras.
John McCain is always there for our troops.
McCain. Country first.
John McCain: I’m John McCain and I approve this message.
Notice today how Barack Obama is moving away from foreign policy issues.
Technorati Tags: Barack Obama, John McCain, Iraq War
-
John McCain Rejects the “AUDACITY OF HOPELESSNESS” for Iraq
Michael Ramirez on Barack Obama’s trip to the Middle East and Europe
John McCain today in Denver, Colorado rejected Barack Obama’s “AUDACITY OF HOPELESSNESS” for Iraq.McCain is RIGHT but the war is unpopular and Americans after five years in the Middle East are fatigued with war. Flap doubts that anyone is listening to Obama or McCain at this point about the Iraq War or care one iota about the war on terror in Afghanistan.
Run of the mill voters are more concerned about the economy (meaning their jobs) and the price of gas.
Technorati Tags: Barack Obama, John McCain, Iraq War
-
Barack Obama Watch: Support for His Withdrawal Plan?
Political cartoon from Glenn McCoy
Did Barack Obama find support for his Iraq War withdrawal plan while in Iraq?Gen. David H. Petraeus, the architect of the dramatic turnaround in U.S. fortunes, “does not want a timetable,” Mr. Obama reported with welcome candor during a news conference yesterday. In an interview with ABC, he explained that “there are deep concerns about . . . a timetable that doesn’t take into account what [American commanders] anticipate might be some sort of change in conditions.”
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who has a history of tailoring his public statements for political purposes, made headlines by saying he would support a withdrawal of American forces by 2010. But an Iraqi government statement made clear that Mr. Maliki’s timetable would extend at least seven months beyond Mr. Obama’s. More significant, it would be “a timetable which Iraqis set” — not the Washington-imposed schedule that Mr. Obama has in mind. It would also be conditioned on the readiness of Iraqi forces, the same linkage that Gen. Petraeus seeks. As Mr. Obama put it, Mr. Maliki “wants some flexibility in terms of how that’s carried out.”
Other Iraqi leaders were more directly critical. As Mr. Obama acknowledged, Sunni leaders in Anbar province told him that American troops are essential to maintaining the peace among Iraq’s rival sects and said they were worried about a rapid drawdown.
The answer is NO.
But the American MSM has reported “The MESSIAH’S” Iraq visit a success even though his policy has NOT been accepted favorably by the major players there.
American voters grow weary of the Iraq War and are showing little attention to withdrawal plans as their gasoline prices skyrocket.
Obama may be wrong but Americans hear “get out” and unfortunately agree.
Technorati Tags: Barack Obama, Iraq, Iraq War
-
Damn Obama, Make Up Your Fraking Mind About the Iraq War Surge
Damn. Talk about triangulation, or “hide the ball.”Here is John McCain on the Iraq War Surge (interview with CBS’s Katie Couric):
Couric: Senator McCain, Senator Obama says, while the increased number of US troops contributed to increased security in Iraq, he also credits the Sunni awakening and the Shiite government going after militias. And says that there might have been improved security even without the surge. What’s your response to that? McCain: I don’t know how you respond to something that is as– such a false depiction of what actually happened. Colonel McFarlane [phonetic] was contacted by one of the major Sunni sheiks. Because of the surge we were able to go out and protect that sheik and others. And it began the Anbar awakening. I mean, that’s just a matter of history. Thanks to General Petraeus, our leadership, and the sacrifice of brave young Americans. I mean, to deny that their sacrifice didn’t make possible the success of the surge in Iraq, I think, does a great disservice to young men and women who are serving and have sacrificed.
They were out there. They were protecting these sheiks. We had the Anbar awakening. We now have a government that’s effective. We have a legal system that’s working, although poorly. And we have progress on all fronts. Including– an incredible measure of security for the people of Iraq. There will still be attacks. Al Qaeda’s not defeated. But the progress has been immense. And to not recognize that, and why it happened, and how it happened, I think is– is really quite a commentary.
Couric: A commentary on what?
McCain: That Senator Obama does not understand the challenges we face. And … not understand the need for the surge. And– and the fact that he did not understand that, and still denies that it has succeeded, I think the American people will make their judgment. And I think that they will agree with me, that at enormous sacrifice, after four years, nearly four years of failed strategy, we have succeeded. And our troops will come home with honor. And we won’t be defeated. And there won’t be chaos in the region. There won’t be increased Iranian influence in the region. And it will have a bearing on what happens in Afghanistan, as well as the entire region of the world. And I’m proud of what they’ve done. And to deny their success– I think is a fundamental misunderstanding of what happened. The American people will make a judgment.
Here is Obama (as interviewed by Katie Couric):
Couric: But talking microcosmically, did the surge, the addition of 30,000 additional troops … help the situation in Iraq?
Obama: Katie, as … you’ve asked me three different times, and I have said repeatedly that there is no doubt that our troops helped to reduce violence. There’s no doubt.
Couric: But yet you’re saying … given what you know now, you still wouldn’t support it … so I’m just trying to understand this.
Obama: Because … it’s pretty straightforward. By us putting $10 billion to $12 billion a month, $200 billion, that’s money that could have gone into Afghanistan. Those additional troops could have gone into Afghanistan. That money also could have been used to shore up a declining economic situation in the United States. That money could have been applied to having a serious energy security plan so that we were reducing our demand on oil, which is helping to fund the insurgents in many countries. So those are all factors that would be taken into consideration in my decision– to deal with a specific tactic or strategy inside of Iraq.
Couric: And I really don’t mean to belabor this, Senator, because I’m really, I’m trying … to figure out your position. Do you think the level of security in Iraq …
Obama: Yes.
Couric … would exist today without the surge?
Obama: Katie, I have no idea what would have happened had we applied my approach, which was to put more pressure on the Iraqis to arrive at a political reconciliation. So this is all hypotheticals. What I can say is that there’s no doubt that our U.S. troops have contributed to a reduction of violence in Iraq. I said that– not just today, not just yesterday, but I’ve said that– previously. What that doesn’t change is that we’ve got to have a different strategic approach if we’re going to make America as safe as possible.
Flap continues to be amazed that this “ROOKIE” will be allowed to triangulate or fail to make a position statement on “THE SURGE.”
Suppose it comes from Obama’s days when he was allowed to vote PRESENT in the Illinois Legislature.
Damn Obama. Man up and take a position. Take a stand.
Technorati Tags: Barack Obama, John McCain, Iraq War
-
John McCain – Obama Wrong About Iraq Then and Now
Sen. John McCain criticized Sen. Barack Obama’s foreign policy position at the onset of his landmark tour of Iraq, saying he hoped the trip would address his “gross misjudgment.”Of course, Barack Obama and the Democrats like Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid were wrong about Iraq – past and present.Interesting how they are NOW taking credit for success.
Will American voters realize this or is there Iraq War and Bush fatigue?
Technorati Tags: Iraq, Iraq War, Barack Obama, John McCain
-
Iraq War Watch: The Squeeze
Iraq Prime Minister al-Maliki and President Bush
Prime Minister al Maliki this weekend agreed with Barack Obama’s timetable for withdrawal of American combat troops and then he didn’t.Team McCain said al-Maliki was playing domestic politics and the LEFT said “The One” had been correct about the Iraq War all along.
Now, the astute AP is talking about a SQUEEZE by Iraq politicians.
The Iraqi prime minister’s seeming endorsement of Barack Obama’s troop withdrawal plan is part of Baghdad’s strategy to play U.S. politics for the best deal possible over America’s military mission.
The goal is not necessarily to push out the Americans quickly, but instead give Iraqis a major voice in how long U.S. troops stay and what they will do while still there.
It also is designed to refurbish the nationalist credentials of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who owes his political survival to the steadfast support of President Bush. Now, an increasingly confident Iraqi government seems to be undermining long-standing White House policies on Iraq.
You think?
The truth is without President Bush remaining steadfast on his Iraq War policy and John MCCain actively supporting the SURGE, the Iraq War would not have been won.
Will American voters remember?
Or care?
Technorati Tags: George W. Bush, Nouri al-Mailiki, Iraq War, Iraq, Barack Obama, John McCain
-
Iraqi Prime Minister al-Maliki Supports Obama’s Withdrawal Plans After Bush Wins War; Update: Al-Maliki’s Remarks Misunderstood, Mistranslated and Not Conveyed Accurately
+++++Update+++++Now, a spokesman has said that al-Maliki’s remarks “were misunderstood, mistranslated and not conveyed accurately.”Government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said the possibility of troop withdrawal was based on the continuance of security improvements, echoing statements that the White House made Friday after a meeting between al-Maliki and U.S. President Bush.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki says he agrees with US presidential candidate Barack Obama’s plans for withdrawing US troops from Iraq
The LEFT and Team Obama will try to spin Iraqi Prime Minister’s Nuri al-Maliki’s interview with Speigel Online – even with the change in the quote.
The first quote:SPIEGEL: Would you hazard a prediction as to when most of the US troops will finally leave Iraq?
Maliki: As soon as possible, as far as we’re concerned. US presidential candidate Barack Obama is right when he talks about 16 months. Assuming that positive developments continue, this is about the same time period that corresponds to our wishes.
The changed quote:
SPIEGEL: Would you hazard a prediction as to when most of the US troops will finally leave Iraq?
Maliki: As soon as possible, as far as we’re concerned. U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama talks about 16 months. That, we think, would be the right timeframe for a withdrawal, with the possibility of slight changes.
Read the entire Speigel interview here.
And, then read the shortened pro-Obama Reuters version.
What Reuters and other news accounts will fail to emphasize is that under Barack Obama’s anti-SURGE policy, Prime Minister al-Maliki would not be in the postion to see an American withdrawal of combat troops. It is because of the success of General Petraeus and President Bush that the United States has won the Iraq War.
Let’s look at Obama’s quotes about the SURGE:
- In October 2006–three months before the president’s new strategy was unveiled–Obama said, “It is clear at this point that we cannot, through putting in more troops or maintaining the presence that we have, expect that somehow the situation is going to improve, and we have to do something significant to break the pattern that we’ve been in right now.”
- On January 10, 2007, the night the surge was announced, Obama declared, “I am not persuaded that 20,000 additional troops in Iraq are going to solve the sectarian violence there. In fact, I think it will do the reverse.”
- A week later, he insisted the surge strategy would “not prove to be one that changes the dynamics significantly.”
- And in reaction to the president’s January 23 State of the Union address, Obama said, I don’t think the president’s strategy is going to work. We went through two weeks of hearings on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; experts from across the spectrum–military and civilian, conservative and liberal–expressed great skepticism about it. My suggestion to the president has been that the only way we’re going to change the dynamic in Iraq and start seeing political commendation is actually if we create a system of phased redeployment. And, frankly, the president, I think, has not been willing to consider that option, not because it’s not militarily sound but because he continues to cling to the belief that somehow military solutions are going to lead to victory in Iraq.
Democrat Senate Majority leader Harry Reid and Senator Barack Obama said the war was “LOST” and the surge would not and did not work. Now, the Democrats are spinning the credit for peace in Iraq that President Bush and pro-SURGE pols, such as John McCain rightly deserve. The Iraq War is over – America won.
Fancy that and the MSM like Reuters are happy to spin the story for Obama and the Democrats.
But, will the media get away with it with the American voters?
Stay tuned……..
Technorati Tags: Barack Obama, John McCain, Iraq War, Nuri al-Maliki
-
John McCain Hits Barack Obama in New TV Ad on Foreign Policy
John McCain’s latest television ad: “Troop Funding”In a hard-hitting television ad, John McCain goes afer Barack Obama on foreign policy.
ANNCR: Barack Obama never held a single Senate hearing on Afghanistan.
He hasn’t been to Iraq in years.
He voted against funding our troops.
Positions that helped him win his nomination. Now Obama is changing to help himself become president.
John McCain has always supported our troops and the surge that’s working.
McCain. Country first.
JOHN MCCAIN: I’m John McCain and I approve this message.
Ouch. This is going to leave a mark.
The television ad goes “live” in 11 battleground states and on national cable channels today.
Update:Team McCain has just released a statement from the Senator about the television ad:
“Progress between the United States and Iraq on a time horizon for American troop presence is further evidence that the surge has succeeded. Most of the U.S. forces used in the surge have already been withdrawn. When a further conditions-based withdrawal of U.S. forces is possible, it will be because we and our Iraqi partners built on the successes of the surge strategy, which Senator Obama opposed, predicted would fail, voted against and campaigned against in the primary. When we withdraw, we will withdraw with honor and victory. An honorable and victorious withdrawal would not be possible if Senator Obama’s views had prevailed. An artificial timetable based on political expediency would have led to disaster and could still turn success into defeat. If we had followed Senator Obama’s policy, Iraq would have descended into chaos, American casualties would be far higher, and the region would be destabilized.”
McCain takes RIGHT after Obama who is attempting to “triangulate” his former anti-Surge Iraq War policy.
Technorati Tags: Barack Obama, John McCain
-
Barack Obama on the Iraq War – “Whatever The Politics Demand”
+++++Update+++++Ed Morrissey over at Hot Air has the poop on the afternoon Team McCain blogger conference call (to which Flap was invited) featuring Representative Marsha Blackburn, R- TN and Michael Goldfarb, the offical blogger at the The McCain Report.Flap’s question:
Flapsblog – Will the latest ad (see below)be going on broadcast television? Not in its current form It’s a web ad. Will they run contrast ads during Obama’s trip? Yes; Obama set the precedent for that during the Colombia trip.
John McCain’s web video – The Obama Iraq Documentary: Whatever the Politics DemandIn a townhall meeting in Kansas City, Missouri, this afternoon, John McCain ripped Barack Obama’s Iraq War policy, including his sixteen month artificial timetable to withdraw American troops.Republican presidential candidate John McCain on Thursday ridiculed Democrat Barack Obama’s vow to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq in 16 months as a political tactic aimed at getting votes.
Obama in a speech this week stuck by his pledge to withdraw U.S. combat forces from Iraq in 16 months, a policy McCain said would sacrifice the security gains that have recently brought a measure of stability to parts of the country.
“This success that we have achieved is still fragile and could be reversed,” McCain said on his campaign bus. “And if we do what Sen. Obama wants to do, then all of that could be reversed,” and leave behind chaos and Iranian influence, he said.
In a town hall meeting in Kansas City, McCain said troop withdrawals must be governed by the situation on the ground, “not some artificial, politically inspired” timetable.
The problem with Obama is that he was elected by the radical left anti-Iraq War faction of the Democrat Party, the MoveOn.org folks and he cannot move off his position of an immediate withdrawal timetable.
The “SURGE” has been effective and the United States has quelled violence in Iraq to the point commanders are considering a draw down of troops.
But, Obama was against the “SURGE.” He favored capitulation and immediate withdrawal – just last year.
Can you say Barack Obama was against the Iraq War before He was for it? Or can you say Obama’s Iraq War policy is “WHATEVER THE POLITICS DEMAND?”
Technorati Tags: Barack Obama, John McCain, Iraq War
-
Day By Day by Chris Muir July 17, 2008
Day By Day by Chris MuirGateway pundit reports the second scrubbing of Barack Obama’s website regarding the Iraq War. Obama is spinning the Iraq War because he was wrong on “THE SURGE” and he is wrong on his timetable for withdrawal of American combat troops.Barry is in a box. It will be difficult to satiate his friends on the anti-war LEFT, such as MoveOn.org, meet with General Petraeus, accept their recommendations and then differentiate a policy separate from John McCain AND Hillary Clinton.
Flap now knows what Obama means by “REFINING.”
Previous:
Technorati Tags: Day By Day, Barack Obama, Iraq War