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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
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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
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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.”
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Technorati Tags: Day By Day, Barack Obama, Iraq War
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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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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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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.”
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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: 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