The Candidates
I’m currently in the process of moving, and haven’t been able to post anything for a few weeks. Hopefully, I’ll have regular internet access soon…
I’d like to thank Aron Goldman for pointing this article out from the Washington Post.
Mr. Obama reiterated yesterday that he would consult with U.S. commanders and the Iraqi government and “make tactical adjustments as we implement this strategy.” However, as Mr. McCain quickly pointed out, he delivered his speech before traveling to Iraq — before his meetings with Gen. David H. Petraeus and the Iraqi leadership. American commanders will probably tell Mr. Obama that from a logistical standpoint, a 16-month withdrawal timetable will be difficult, if not impossible, to fulfill. Iraqis will say that a pullout that is not negotiated with the government and disregards the readiness of Iraqi troops will be a gift to al-Qaeda and other enemies. If Mr. Obama really intends to listen to such advisers, why would he lock in his position in advance?
“What’s missing in our debate,” Mr. Obama said yesterday, “is a discussion of the strategic consequences of Iraq.” Indeed: The message that the Democrat sends is that he is ultimately indifferent to the war’s outcome — that Iraq “distracts us from every threat we face” and thus must be speedily evacuated regardless of the consequences. That’s an irrational and ahistorical way to view a country at the strategic center of the Middle East, with some of the world’s largest oil reserves. Whether or not the war was a mistake, Iraq’s future is a vital U.S. security interest. If he is elected president, Mr. Obama sooner or later will have to tailor his Iraq strategy to that reality.
This might be the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard come from the mouth of a presidential candidate, and after the last sixteen years, that is saying a lot.
Apparently, Senator Barack Obama doesn’t care about the consequences that pulling our troops out of Iraq would cause in the Middle East.
Iraq “distracts us from every threat we face”
To quote Biff Tannen: “Hello? Anybody home?”
We can’t go back and change history. We are there, and pulling out would have disasterous consequences. If Obama is as smart as many people believe him to be, then he will eventually realize that immediate withdrawal from Iraq will result in even more instability, making it a safe haven for “every threat we face.”
Barack Obama not only doesn’t recognize this, but refuses to listen to the advice of those who are on the ground. That is not only irresponsible, but dangerous.
July 16th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
Welcome back Tommy,
One thing that I know for sure is that we MUST stay in Iraq. I see us having a significant presence there for at least the next 35 years. I see our mission as not only peace keeping and security but I would like to see us step up our humanitarian and rebuilding efforts in Iraq and across the region. I would also like to see a “second” surge of additional troops to secure the border with Iran. To leave Iraq is surrender and we must be resolute and finish the mission no matter the time or cost.
July 16th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Tommy,
I’m changing my view on the character of Obama. I used to think he is a crazed left wing radical ideologue. Now I am starting to think he is more of a cynical, power hungry, opportunist. More Bill Clinton than Walter Mondale. More Richard Nixon than George McGovern. Crap, the guy trashed his own grandma in front of the whole world to try to make himself look like the man who will absolve whites of their sins, and cleanse them of their inherited guilt. But I digress….
The point is, I don’t know how much of a philosophical core Obama really has. I don’t know if he started politics for the sake of power, but that sure looks like the direction he’s headed.
July 16th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
MWS,
I think it’s a combination of it for him. He’s a far-leftist, of that there is no debate, but there were signs of what you point out even in the beginning. Remember when post-2004 election he swore he was not going to run for President? What happened to that promise?
July 16th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
It’s actually strange for me. To be honest, I was not a fan of the initial invasion, and I still don’t think it was the best idea. However, that doesn’t matter since we ARE there, we must ensure that it is secure before we withdraw, or we’re going to be in trouble. It’s still a volatile situation, and even the most cynical should understand taht from the moment we invaded, it is our responsibility to clean up the mess.
The problem with Obama here is that it apparently doesn’t matter what anyone tells them, no matter how important it is, his statement leads me to believe that he really doesn’t care what happens because it seems that he believes that he knows better than anyone else, no matter how qualified they are, and that’s scary because he’s not qualified to make this type of decision.
July 16th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
Welcome back Tommy,
I don’t think the comment is too far out. As someone who is a staunch pro-Israel, Iraq has led to an emboldened Iran, distracted from the assault on Al Queda (in Afghanistan) and strained US resources to the point that the USA can’t really threaten the likes of Iran with credibility.
What is trickier at the moment (given troops are currently in Iraq, etc) is whether to pull them back to put them elsewhere (e.g. Afghanistan or ready for Iran) or keep them there. Given the Iraqi government wants them out its harder for McCain to argue they should stay.
July 16th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
Care needs to be taken, because staying in Iraq has become an article of faith. A couple of years ago the argument was: “things are unstable in Iraq, we can’t leave now”. Now the argument is: “things are better because we are there, we can’t leave now”.
It almost makes sense to say “Iraq have asked us to leave. Why? Cos we’ve won. Victory. Hail the glorious troops who won victory and enabled Iraq to rule their own country”.
July 16th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Does anyone have any thoughts on the recent decision to talk to Iran? Obama will probably trumpet this, given the GOP have hammered him for agreeing to talk to Iran, and now the Bush Admin is doing it.
There are still differences obviously (pre-conditions, etc) but this is a major reversal of policy…
July 16th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
“and now the Bush Admin is doing it.”
We have been talking to Iran for years, this ain’t some major shift.
Not that talking is going to do anything more then buy time for Iran.
July 16th, 2008 at 10:52 pm
KnightHawk,
Indeed. Almost every one of Obama’s foreign policy ideas is either something utterly ludicrous (unconditional meetings with dictators, anything he has to say on Iraq) or something that Bush has been pursuing for the last 8 years (engaging in diplomacy with bad actors), but which has suddenly become, when discussed by the messiah, a brand new invention in the history of diplomatic relations. This is perhaps the most upsetting aspect of Barack Obama. There has never been a more conventional candidate then Barack Obama; there has never been a major political figure with such striking disparities between the image he’s crafted (with the help of a complicit media in this case) and actual facts of his record, platform, actions, etc. I don’t think Obama is a white-hater. I don’t think he’s a secret Muslim. I don’t even think he’s a radical, if by radical we mean someone who supports (secretly or otherwise) radicals; I doubt he shares the most objectionable views of Bernadine Dorn, or William Ayers, or even Jeremiah Wright.
I think he’s something much worse; craven, incompetent, and utterly conventional, even in a club where these traits are practically bylaws in the charter. And I think he’s thoroughly beatable because of this. Because one day, America is going to collectively wake up and recognize this about Barack Obama. And they’re going to take a real look at John McCain. Sad little John McCain; a man without pretense or style or flair; a man so smooth he cuts at the touch. And they’re going to marvel at how he’s trudged along for decades doing the work of the American people; and they’re going to think about what it’s cost him- what it’s still costing him. And the contrasts will be terribly stark. I believe the American people will come to their senses. But, I sure hope the McCain campaign helps them along.