Iraq
When it comes to victory in Iraq, Barack Obama is anything but the "Yes We Can," candidate. In fact, he would be the "No We Can't," Commander-in-Chief. ABC News has an in-depth article posted on the progress in Iraq and how it might affect the election. Here are some snippets of what they have to say:
Obama, who touts his early opposition to the war and was skeptical of the surge policy last summer that increased the number of American troops on the ground in order to bring down the level of violence, has acknowledged that things have improved on the ground in Iraq. But Obama has said that good news only reinforces his argument that troops should start withdrawing from Iraq.
McCain, who repeatedly promoted a surge policy until the Bush administration took action, has basked in the apparent success of the surge and criticized Obama for supporting a withdrawal, telling ABC News' Charles Gibson, "I believe if we'd done what he said -- and I think it's becoming clearer to the American people -- there would have been chaos, genocide, and we'd have been back."
The facts on the ground have changed substantially in recent months. Violence across Iraq hit a four-year low in May, according to the U.S. military, and the number of American casualties that month were the lowest since the invasion. read more »
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Barack Obama opposed the surge of troops in Iraq strongly supported by Sen. John McCain, who had the leadership and character to support the strategy when it was politically unpopular to do so. Now, when the surge is recognized as having been very successful, Obama's people are saying everyone knew putting troops in there would improve things. Well, watch the video and you will see that the "everyone" they are saying, did not include Barack Obama!
Hat Tip: McCain Report
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Mark it down - Sen. John McCain warned Americans yesterday in a speech before AIPAC (Strong Pro-Israel Lobby)that Barack Obama's plans for an Iraq Withdrawal regardless of the conditions on the ground will result in a "catastrophe" in the Middle East.
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Here is a large portion of an email sent out by the McCain campaign today called, "A Visit To Iraq:
My Friends,
I have long said that this election will present the American people with a clear choice in electing our next president. The differences between my vision for national security leadership and that of Senator Obama's could not be greater, and this is why I am writing to you today.
I think you all know that this war has been long, hard and tough. And it has meant enormous sacrifice on the part of Americans in blood and treasure. But after four years of a badly mismanaged war, our new strategy is succeeding and we are now winning in Iraq thanks to the service and sacrifice of the brave Americans who are serving.
I have visited Iraq on many occasions because I think the most vital decision that any President of the United States can make has got to be about the security of this nation and the lives of the young Americans who are serving.
But I cannot say the same of one of my opponents, Senator Barack Obama. He has only been to Iraq once, on a trip two years ago. Senator Obama speaks openly about his willingness to sit down with our enemies and engage in open talks, but he hasn't gone to Iraq in over two years to meet with our leaders and see that progress is being made on the ground. Something is wrong with your judgment when you want to sit down unconditionally with Raul Castro and Iran's President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, but you don't take the opportunity to sit down with General Petraeus and learn about the situation in Iraq firsthand. My friends, this is not the "change" we need in our next president.
Our next president cannot just talk about leadership; they must demonstrate it. Senator Obama is the chairman of an important subcommittee that has oversight of our efforts in Afghanistan. Yet he has not held one hearing on Afghanistan, a place where young Americans are in harm's way every day. When a chairman of a subcommittee can't lead, it's bad; when a president doesn't lead, it's unacceptable.
I am convinced that my experience, knowledge and every challenge I have confronted during my years of service to our country and its ideals make me better able to lead and ready to serve as our Commander in Chief on day one. That is why I am asking you to make a financial contribution of $50, $100, $250, $500, or any amount up to the limit of $2,300 right away. Our national security is too important to hand over to someone who does not have the knowledge or experience to make judgment calls on Iraq. Thank you.
Sincerely,
John McCain
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Barack Obama has revealed that he is making plans to go to Iraq. Imagaine that! I'm sure it had nothing to do with the fact that he has only been once (2006) and John McCain has been 8 times. I'm sure it had nothing to do with the fact that John McCain asked him to go to Iraq with him. An offer which Obama declined.
I'm sure that it had nothing to do with McCain pointing out that Barack did not meet with General Patraeus.
From the AP
By NEDRA PICKLER, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON - Barack Obama is considering a visit to Iraq this summer, his first to the war zone since becoming a presidential candidate.Obama revealed his plans to The New York Times. He has been under criticism from Republican rival John McCain for failing to visit Iraq since 2006. Obama also declined McCain's invitation for a joint trip.
"I just don't want to be involved in a political stunt," Obama said, according to a report on the newspaper's Web site Wednesday.
"I think that if I'm going to Iraq, then I'm there to talk to troops and talk to commanders," he said in the interview. "I'm not there to try to score political points or perform. The work they're doing there is too important." read more »
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Folks , where to begin?
He (Barack Hussein Obama) will join McCain in townhall meetings on the campaign trail, but doing so with the troops in Iraq is a political stunt?
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Vets for Freedom ask Barack Obama when he will visit Iraq. Obama has only been once while John McCain has been 8 times.
The McCain campaign invited Obama on a joint trip to Post Surge Iraq.
Via Hotair
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In an interview Sen. John McCain did on Memorial Day, May 26, 2008, he drew a stark contrast between himself and Barack Obama. McCain said Obama favored surrender prior to the amazingly successful "surge" proposed by McCain. McCain declared again he will never surrender.
Update:Isn't McCain wearing his Purple Heart in the video above?
Purple Heart
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A lot of them think we can just pull out of Iraq and it makes no difference just like we did in Viet Nam...just yank ourselves out no matter what the consequences.
Besides everything else, we will have another huge humanitarian problem on our hands if Baghdad collapses.
The problem today is that the United States does not have an endless well of 'national credit' to draw from to magically 'fix' the problems that it creates.
It has spent billions in Iraq with financed money, the cost of gas is flying through the roof, environmentalists back home in places like Alaska have retarded the production of domestic oil, the enemy has gotten inside the gates, our domestic economy is stalling, the world is about to go through a cataclysmic convulsion due to global warming and overpopulation, people are starving to death and running out of fresh water and are faced with flooding by salt water all over the world...and the American people want to retreat on Iraq and complain about the rising cost of fuel. read more »
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How will the Democrats respond to Iraqi President Jalal Talabani's proclamation that Iraqi forces will be in control of the country by year end?
Suleimaniya, May 20, (VOI) - The Iraqi President Jalal Talabani on Tuesday expected Iraqi forces would take control of security by the end of this year.
Speaking in press briefing at Suleimaniya airport before flying to Baghdad, Talabani said “Iraqi forces have been progressing and enhancing their combat capabilities to take control of security of all Iraqi territories.”
“Next year will witness a remarkable improvement in security across the country,” he added.
When asked about the proposed cabinet of Kurdistan’s regional government, he said “we must have patience,” noting “it would be formed soon.”
President Talabani held talks with Kurdistan’s regional President Massoud Barazani on the new cabinet for the Kurdish region.
Kurdistan enjoys semi-autonomus rule and has had a regional government running the region since 1991.
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