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John McCain Watch: “Today WE Know Senator Obama Was Wrong”
Political Cartoon by Gary Varvel, Indy StarThe MSM is FINALLY recognizing that Barack Obama’s Iraq War policy, including his Flip Flop “Refine” moment is putting Obama on the defensive.The anti-war Left of which Obama is a member last Fall said “The Surge” was a failure, the Iraq War war was lost and that the United States should pull out.
Over the weekend, as first reported by the New York Daily News, the Obama campaign website changed language from declaring “the surge is not working” to that which instead states: “despite the improved security situation, the Iraqi government has not stepped forward to lead the Iraqi people and to reach the genuine political accommodation that was the stated purpose of the surge.”
An older Obama campaign “fact sheet” from Fall 2007 states more unequivocally that “THE SURGE IS NOT WORKING” since “the Iraqi government has not stepped up.” Obama also maintained that “reduced violence in Anbar Province is the result of cooperation between American forces and Sunni tribes, which started more than 18 months ago, long before the surge. The province is overwhelmingly Sunni, and the tribal leaders there made a political decision to turn against al Qaeda. This does not demonstrate the success of the surge; it demonstrates that the solutions in Iraq are political, not military.”
Obama’s only mention of Anbar today was to say that the future that “both America and Iraq will be more secure when the terrorist in Anbar is taken out by the Iraqi Army, and the criminal in Baghdad fears Iraqi Police, not just coalition forces.”
What happened in the meantime is that “The Surge” was effective and the United States essentially won the Iraq War last December.
Now, Obama will travel back to to Iraq, where he has not been in 919 days, confer with General Petraeus and other military commanders and say what?
Bring home the troops?
Senator, the United States won the war – without your support. Troops will be coming home and some will be redeployed to Afghanistan.
What political judgment Obama has.
You know, Obama REALLY is a rookie.
Technorati Tags: Barack Obama, John McCain, Iraq War
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Barack Obama Watch: The Changing Iraq War Policy
Consistent with Barack Obama’s FLIP-FLOP on his Iraq War policy a week ago or so, BarackObama.com has been scrubbed of any references to Obama’s opposition to the “Surge.”Barack Obama’s campaign scrubbed his presidential Web site over the weekend to remove criticism of the U.S. troop “surge” in Iraq, the Daily News has learned.
The presumed Democratic nominee replaced his Iraq issue Web page, which had described the surge as a “problem” that had barely reduced violence.
“The surge is not working,” Obama’s old plan stated, citing a lack of Iraqi political cooperation but crediting Sunni sheiks – not U.S. military muscle – for quelling violence in Anbar Province.
Well, Obama was wrong on the “SURGE” and now wants to bury the fact that he was WRONG. “Change we can believe in,” right?
Team McCain is now ridiculing Obama for their blatant flip on the war.
GOP rival John McCain zinged Obama as a flip-flopper. “The major point here is that Sen. Obama refuses to acknowledge that he was wrong,” said McCain, adding that Obama “refuses to acknowledge that it [the surge] is succeeding.”
Ed Morrissey asks what changes will we see from Obama when he confers with General Petraeus and the other generals in Iraq?
Plus Ca Change…….
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John McCain Beats Barack Obama in Commander in Chief Test
Technorati Tags: Barack Obama, John McCain, Iraq War
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John McCain Beats Barack Obama in Commander in Chief Test
Graphic courtesy of ABC NewsThe latest ABC News/Washington Post poll is not even close. John McCain beats Obama 72% to 48%.
So, what has happened?Iraq War success and American voters recognize that John McCain was RIGHT about the war all along.
America will NOT support surrender in Iraq. Obama’s flip-flop on his Iraq War position is validation of this – even Obama recognizes the anti-war left has an untenable position.
As Iraq War success increases so will John McCain in the polls.
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Barack Obama Watch: My Plan for Iraq
Technorati Tags: Iraq, Barack Obama, Nuri Kamal al-Maliki
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Team McCain Now Puzzled Over Obama’s Iraq War Policy
Barack Obama’s shifting or “REFINED†Iraq War PolicyBarack 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.
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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 RemarksBarack Obama Watch: In A Shocker Obama Flip Flops on Iraq War
Technorati Tags: Barack Obama, John McCain, Iraq War
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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 RemarksBarack Obama Watch: In A Shocker Obama Flip Flops on Iraq War
Technorati Tags: Barack Obama, Iraq War, Iraq
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Barack Obama Watch: New and NOT Improved
Michelle Malkin on Barack Obama’s Flip-Flop on Iraq War PolicyEven 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…….”
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Barack Obama Watch: In A Shocker Obama Flip Flops on Iraq War – Now Wants to Clarify His RemarksBarack Obama Watch: In A Shocker Obama Flip Flops on Iraq War
Technorati Tags: Barack Obama, Iraq War, Iraq
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Barack Obama Watch: In A Shocker Obama Flip Flops on Iraq War – Now Wants to Clarify His Remarks
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.â€
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.â€
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.â€
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.
- “My 16-month (withdrawal) timeline, if you examine everything that I’ve said, was always premised on making sure that our troops were safe.â€
- “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.â€
No shit…….
Previous:Barack Obama Watch: In A Shocker Obama Flip Flops on Iraq War
Technorati Tags: Barack Obama, Iraq War, Iraq
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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.â€
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.
Technorati Tags: Barack Obama, John McCain, Iraq War, Iraq
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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 AFSCMEThis 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?
“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.â€
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.
