Now I like this. Obama is clearly aware that al Qaeda is a threat and needs to be eliminated. He's not afraid to fight but he's going to fight smart.

Wow, he linked John McCain to George Bush what, three or four times there? Can't hurt to connect the Republican nominee to the least popular president in the history of popularity polling.

Well said!!! Good job Obama!!

You're paying attention Barack? You're paying attention? That's good.

Keep paying attention. Pay attention to the Middle East when you withdraw American troops and the entire regions plummets into anarchy of genocide and civil war. The war in Iraq has ruined that country and made extremists even more extreme -- but THAT is not the issue. The issue is withdraw, because we can pretend we didn't invade.

So keep paying attention, because I want a damn good explanation of how you're going to take responsibility for the hundreds of thousands that will die because of your crowd-pleasing withdrawal.

McCain may have been wrong to send us into a war in Iraq, but at least he understands the human price of withdrawal at this point. But wait, you're a democrat. You only care about human rights if those humans are American.

What Obama says is not true. Al Qaeda was in Iraq before the war. And as far as how to handle Al Qaeda, McCain can be viewed as the professor, and Obama can be viewed as the kindergarden student. Obama measured up to Clinton on the experience front (both have none), but he will never measure up to McCain.

I can't wait to see Obama and McCain on stage. That visual alone will move the numbers positively in Obama's direction some 5%-7%. McCain lied on Romney and will try it on Obama and pay dearly for it.

Who said he would have trouble handling Senator McCain??  If so, this is a very good start!  Go, Obama, make us proud!

McCain and GOP is all about fear mongering and conviently ignoring the fact that the Shrub/Darth vader's fiasco in Iraq led to Al quida being in Iraq. Obama is right on and I hold out hope that Americans will not  fall for that snake oil pitch again.  

Again after the debate it's McCain and Obama talking at each other. Clinton's performance has removed her from the discussion. I would hope that Democrats can unite for common goals and leave the rhetoric and sore feelings behind

Obama is in way over his head taking on McCain on foreign policy. Telling people what you would have done, and would not have done, is a lot different then actually doing something Barack. And looking at your resume, it appears you've done absolutely nothing, other then give speeches. Mccain is light-years ahead of you in getting things done in Washington.

Poor John--Lost John
Lost john standing by the railroad track
a-waitin' for the freight train to come back.
The freight train come back but never made a stop
lost john thought he'd have to ride the top
Well, he's long, long, lost john
yeah, long, long, lost john.

Barack cont'd part 3--
The first step must be getting off the wrong battlefield in Iraq, and taking the fight to the terrorists in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

I introduced a plan in January that would have already started bringing our troops out of Iraq, with a goal of removing all combat brigades by March 31, 2008. If the President continues to veto this plan, then ending this war will be my first priority when I take office.

There is no military solution in Iraq. Only Iraq's leaders can settle the grievances at the heart of Iraq's civil war. We must apply pressure on them to act, and our best leverage is reducing our troop presence. And we must also do the hard and sustained diplomatic work in the region on behalf of peace and stability.

In ending the war, we must act with more wisdom than we started it. That is why my plan would maintain sufficient forces in the region to target al Qaeda within Iraq. But we must recognize that al Qaeda is not the primary source of violence in Iraq, and has little support -- not from Shia and Kurds who al Qaeda has targeted, or Sunni tribes hostile to foreigners. On the contrary, al Qaeda's appeal within Iraq is enhanced by our troop presence.

Ending the war will help isolate al Qaeda and give Iraqis the incentive and opportunity to take them out. It will also allow us to direct badly needed resources to Afghanistan. Our troops have fought valiantly there, but Iraq has deprived them of the support they need and deserve. As a result, parts of Afghanistan are falling into the hands of the Taliban, and a mix of terrorism, drugs, and corruption threatens to overwhelm the country.

As President, I would deploy at least two additional brigades to Afghanistan to re-enforce our counter-terrorism operations and support NATO's efforts against the Taliban. As we step up our commitment, our European friends must do the same, and without the burdensome restrictions that have hampered NATO's efforts. We must also put more of an Afghan face on security by improving the training and equipping of the Afghan Army and Police, and including Afghan soldiers in U.S. and NATO operations.

We must not, however, repeat the mistakes of Iraq. The solution in Afghanistan is not just military -- it is political and economic. As President, I would increase our non-military aid by $1 billion. These resources should fund projects at the local level to impact ordinary Afghans, including the development of alternative livelihoods for poppy farmers. And we must seek better performance from the Afghan government, and support that performance through tough anti-corruption safeguards on aid, and increased international support to develop the rule of law across the country.

Above all, I will send a clear message: we will not repeat the mistake of the past, when we turned our back on Afghanistan following Soviet withdrawal. As 9/11 showed us, the security of Afghanistan and America is shared. And today, that security is most threatened by the al Qaeda and Taliban sanctuary in the tribal regions of northwest Pakistan.

Al Qaeda terrorists train, travel, and maintain global communications in this safe-haven. The Taliban pursues a hit and run strategy, striking in Afghanistan, then skulking across the border to safety.

This is the wild frontier of our globalized world. There are wind-swept deserts and cave-dotted mountains. There are tribes that see borders as nothing more than lines on a map, and governments as forces that come and go. There are blood ties deeper than alliances of convenience, and pockets of extremism that follow religion to violence. It's a tough place.

But that is no excuse. There must be no safe-haven for terrorists who threaten America. We cannot fail to act because action is hard.

Strong message. I think we'll see details developed over the course of the general election, which will result in the American public even further questioning the strategic "wisdom" of the Bush administration.

Al Qaeda in Iraq won't survive a U.S. pull-out. In effect, they need to keep attacking us, to keep us there, to prevent the absolute massacre that would happen if they were to stay under Shi-ite rule.

George Orwell may well be writing about this as we speak, on that great typewriter in the sky.

Oh, and another point, Obama should try to get Tony Zinni as a running mate. Can't think of anyone with the capacity to better expose this farce on the trail. I have no idea if Zinni is a Democrat, or the least bit interested in public office, but it would be great if he could be talked into joining the ticket.

There will be many serious debates this fall (health care, the economy, the environment, civil liberties/Constitution, special interests/lobbyists) and many distractions (patriotism, college theses, middle names, foreign clothing) but the overriding issue this fall IS AND SHOULD BE -- What to do in Iraq ?

While 70% of American disapprove of the war, the question we face is whether we want to get out (realizing the risk that this may be a propaganda victory for the insurgents, Iraq may descend into genocide and a Iranian-dominant Shia state to the South as well as a "defeat" of the US) or whether we want to stay in Iraq militarily for at least 5-10 years at the cost of hundreds of American lives and hundreds of billions of dollars with no guarantee that things really will be better down the road.

This is the question the country has to ask - do we want a "Get Out' or "Stay In' strategy. each candidate will have 8 months to try and convince the American people. In November, we as a nation will decide what happens in and to Iraq.

More blah, blah, blah from Obama. That works when going against Hillary, but not when you're going against a true hero and a man with as much experience as McCain. Obama has news for McCain? That is laughable. Barack was messing in his pants when John was serving his country. And that fact is probably still true today.

Is BO saying that today (not 2002) Al Qaeda is not in Iraq.  I accept that they were not there in 2002 (where he seems to think we still are), however, and again I blame Bush, I do think there are Al Qaeda in Iraq today.  How does that affect his withdrawal argument?

Thanks to Sen. Obama for once again setting the record straight.  McCain, your antiquated ideas, philandering, persistent scandals, and lobbyist influences will not make their way into the White House in 2008.  The American people are looking for a change.  Someone who is honorable, respectful of the US and its citizens, and honest.  You're definitely not the one.

OBAMA, 2008!

Does being the candidate of change mean that you ignore the past? Does history have no lessons to learn from? If Sen Obama does not see any threat to America from the middle east then he needs to say so. Also Osamma has been held in check, I do not recall an attack since 911. Maybe I missed it.. Just because he was against the war in Iraq does not mean everyone will love us if he is ellected. Please America agree with Bush or not we have not been attacked. Surley we have had success with that!!!

John McCain is a one trick pony, and it's a pretty lousy trick at that. McCain publicly admits that he is not qualified to handle the economy, and I don't recall any McCain submission for a health care plan. All he is running on is his stand on the Iraq War....which the public has clearly shown they are tired of. McCain will get slaughtered in the debates AND in the general election in November.

It will be interesting for Obama to tell all of us what he knows about the execution of war. One would think that would be a skill set the cic of the country should have. Right now it looks like Obama's experience in that area is a whole big pile of nothing. Barack running a war would be like watching a blind guy competing in nascar.

Of course, if we just talk to these terrorist types, they'll come around to our way of thinking. Let us know about how that's worked for you in the past Barack.

Obama is a weakling and a surrender-monkey. 4000(+) troops will have died in Iraq for nothing if he's nominated and elected.
I hope veterans organizations from all over the country read his words. He is dangerous to the security of our nation.
I say NO-bama, and YES U.S.A.!

Surrender that is only word McCain seems to know - I guess a draw-back to Vietnam days.  And McCain, if you are going to "quote" Mr. Obama do it correctly for that is not what he said - as usual you take it out of context. So you McCain want us to stay there forever fighting their war for them.  When is it time for the foreign countries to stand up for themselves.  We have major issues here in America dealing with the American People.  When do you and your party talk to us about what you will do to help us??  And you know what. If President Obama pulls all troops out and terror threat is poised towards the USA, you betcha, we go back for that is the President's responsibility to protect America not change other countries.

Obama has really evolved in being tolerant, poised, and confident. Now he speaks with much authority than Clinton and McCain. McCain seems to be aging each day, and his only point of mention is about the war. Up to now he does not understand that nearly 70% of Americans oppose the WAR. So what he is trying to prove is FUTILE. Let's get to the perspective of the real issues that are plaguing the American people, the economy, health care, jobs etc, that this administration has corrupted. This country is not all about WAR that this, "my friend", guy keeps talking about.

And to all the newbies, Afganstan defeated the British Empire and the Soviet Union.  Is this why BO wants to increase the size of the mlitary?  Doesn't sound like change to me.  Sounds more like those who don't read histoy a doomed to repeat it.

War talk..it's all McCain knows...

Obama is right, there was no "Al-Qaeda" in Iraq at the time but while he maybe correct in terminology he better research the formation of Al-Qaeda in Iraq before pretending to be qualified as CIC. As much as I don't like some entries in the main user defined on-line source one would be wise to research Ansar al-Islam. The congressional resolution following 911 included many radical terrorist groups that wished us harm and for Obama to claim none of those groups were in Iraq before we invaded is disingenuous.

KL,  You should catch up with the rest of the world.  It was proven that Al Qaeda was NOT in Iraq at the time we attacked them.  

I suppose you think they found weapons of mass destruction as well?

On another note, I keep hearing that McCain is a war hero. What does being a hero have anything to do with governing a country?

Juan, you can scream about Bush "fear mongering" all you want and say McCain and the GOP ignored facts...

But you can't change THESE facts: since 9/11, there hasn't been a single al-Qaeda strike against the continental United States. Fear-mongering might put servicemen and servicewomen in harm's way, but it sure as hell keeps your children, your family, and this nation out of harms way. And guess what? That's why SOLDIER ARE SOLDIERS. Signing that dotted line isn't a cake walk. That's we they give us guns.

So complain about Bush fear mongering only after the next 9/11 -- which, by the way, won't happen until Obama pulls us out of Iraq and leaves Osama open to fly on over to us.

Alan, if you want al Qaeda out of Iraq, then we should leave.

This presents al Qaeda with one of two options: follow us out, or stay there and face the Shia backlash.

I wonder why John McCain, being the "war hero" he is, hasn't come out and said that we should have continued the war in Vietnam rather than pulling out.  It is, after all, analogous to the quagmire that we have in Iraq.  And let's be honest, yes, there was tyranny in Vietnam after we pulled out, but thirty-six years later it is turned into a tourist destination for Americans.  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ansar_al-Islam

Obama doesn't see any threat that was in Iraq before we went in because he's not a leader and won't read the evidence.

All of you who complain Barack is not a fighter will soon get a reality check:

"There was no Al Qaida in Raq before Bush/McCain invaded".

"According to our country's intelligence reports Under Bush/McCain Al Qaida has only grown stronger"

"Bush/McCain drove the US into a ditch in Iraq"

"Before Bush/McCain invaded Iraq oil was $27/barrel. To the benefit of Putin and Haliburton now it is $100"

"Bush/McCain were distracted planning the war in Iraq and allowed bin Laden to escape in Tora Bora"

"McCain says he won't strike bin Laden if the Pakistani government tells him so"

Obama is a nut job,he doesn't know anything about foreign policy. What a fake, Obama the cult leader.

While McCain has served his country, Obama has served himself. You don't just come up through Illinois Democratic politics without having ties and doing deals for politically connected lobbyists, so Obama should just spare us of the image of him being a pure and honest politician. We've never heard a man talk so much, and say so little. The man points out problems, and then says "We're going to fix those problems!" Say what? How are you going to fix those problems Obama? Show us what solutions you ever came up with that were actually implemented. He can't, because there are none.

SoObama... is al-Qaida in Iraq or not?

First you say " IF al-Qaida is forming a base in Iraq" you will take action while pressing for a complete troop withdrawl.

Then when challanged, you say " I know al-Qaida is in Iraq".

Obama-- then why did you say the first statement?  

Then Oama states that al-Quida was not in Iraq until the war sarted.  LIE.  They were there at least a year before.  Read msnbc news archives if you don't believe me.

I know why Obama calls the war " misguided".  

Because one of his distant relatives, Saddam, was deposed.

The McCain/Bush strategy has resulted in an Al-Quaida that is newly resurgent in Afghanistan, as well as a situation of relative calm in Iraq that is entirely dependent on a level of U.S. troop presence that we cannot maintain.  More disaster awaits us in the future, and McCain still cannot see how wrong he has been.  He is full of experience of a world that no longer exists, he is a dinosaur plain and simple.

Bring on the new blood to deal with the bloodbath brought to us by the old.

McCain will beat Obama to win the presidency...our country is not that stupid to put Obama in office.  This is not Canada, France or Germany...this is the great USA.

Well said, Molly. I think I'd rather have someone who's fought war and seen the ugliest side of war deal with Iraq than someone who has probably never even held a gun.

McCain was a tortured POW in Vietnam longer than Obama was in law school. AND McCain was a US senator before Obama even WENT to law school.

Obama does not know anything nor do many people on this site.

In the summer of 2002, Zarqawi was reported[attribution needed] to have settled in northern Iraq, where he joined the Islamist Ansar al-Islam group that fought against the Kurdish-nationalist forces in the region. He reportedly[attribution needed] became a leader in the group, although his leadership role has not been established. According to Perspectives on World History and Current Events (PWHCE), a not-for-profit project based in Melbourne, Australia, "Zarqawi was well positioned to lead the Islamic wing of the insurgency when the March 2003 invasion took place.

Senator McCain's comments indicate he has no faith in the "sovereign Iraqi nation".  "My friends," he says,"if America leaves, Al Qaeda will take over the country."  This nut wasn't kidding when he said we'd be there 100 years...if he's elected president.  Poor student, bad pilot, off-kilter tempered politician - and scary to think of as president.

for those of you that say al queda was in iraq before the war, that is an untruth. if you would go check your facts by doing a little research you will find by account of the military and the present administration that al queda wasn't going to venture anywhere near iraq because saddam's iron fisted approach would not tolerate their entry into iraq.

to say something without knowing the facts is an indictment upon how informed one may or not be. in order to argue or debate on behalf of your candidate be sure to be informed so that you don't make your candidate look bad, not to mention yourself.

to dislike a candidate based upon falsehoods that you have convinced yourself is true is to fool only yourself. stop and take the time to educate yourself so that your comments will be taken seriously instead of being dismissed as foolish, unfactual rhetoric.

by the way. not all veterans agree with the war, but fight on because of loyalty to those we fight with. give most of us a chance to come home to be with our families and our brothers and sisters as well, we would come home.

Soldier Not Blinded,
You really need a more suitable name Soldier blinded by shiny neocon BS.  Where is your outrage about the 600,000 + Iraqis who have already died because of your fearful leader's neocon pleasing war?  I guess you weren't paying too much attention to the colateral damage then.  Colateral damage is how you kool-aide drinkers refer to massive civilian casualties isn't it?

and i approve this message because it's about time al qaeda paid for the horrendous act in 9/11. it's about time we took him out without resorting to fear to hide our strategic blunder in the civilian command of our military.

With regard to the present, I don't think Obama is saying that there aren't insurgents in Iraq who call themselves "Al Qaeda".  I think he's saying that we've been there long enough, we're not really helping the situation, and it's time to leave....and signaling that we will be leaving in the near future is the only way to get the Iraqi government to truly stand up.

It's been almost 5 years since the initial invasion.  By AQI's own count, I believe they are down to about 3,500 fighters in Iraq.  We need 160K troops there ad infinitum to fight 3,500 guerillas?

"What Obama says is not true. Al Qaeda was in Iraq before the war. And as far as how to handle Al Qaeda, McCain can be viewed as the professor, and Obama can be viewed as the kindergarden student. Obama measured up to Clinton on the experience front (both have none), but he will never measure up to McCain."

A complete utter falsehood. Saddam put people in jail if they were even suspected of being a terrorist.

What Obama says is not true. Al Qaeda was in Iraq before the war. And as far as how to handle Al Qaeda, McCain can be viewed as the professor, and Obama can be viewed as the kindergarden student. Obama measured up to Clinton on the experience front (both have none), but he will never measure up to McCain.
KL Banes, Provo Utah (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 1:07 PM)


Obama is correct.  Say what you will about him, but Saddam did not allow Al Qaeda to fester in his country when he was in power.

Great lines, Obama
This McCain fellow, he's not so bright, is he ?

KL Banes, Provo Utah: '...What Obama says is not true. Al Qaeda was in Iraq before the war...'

There was a part of Iraq that Saddam couldn't control
That was the aprt that al-Queda infiltrated
But, al-Queda and Saddam were enemies
al-Queda was never in any part of iraq controlled by Saddam.
Saddam ran a 'secular Iraq', al-Queda wants a Muslim world.

Geroge Bush, John McCain and Hillary Clinton brought al-Queda into Iraq by invading it and removing it's government. It was their bungling that helped spread the influence of al-Queda in Iraq.

This unjustified war also helped increase the influence of Iran in Iraq, because it 'liberated' the long suppressed Shis's....

Please feel free to ask for any other clarifications you may need, KL
I'm glad to help in your education...

Go Obama, For those who have never been outside USA serving their Country and seeing death every hour and every day, You got no idea what an Actual war looks like. Loss of innocent lives because of Lies from Bush and McCain. Don't forget we invaded Iraq, we are an occupying Force in a Sovereign Nation. To make it worse it is 3rd Most holliest place (Land) in Muslim Religion. We Americans are not fighting Al Qaeda in Iraq, We are fighting a Culture Deeply rooted in belief and dignity of their religion. You can't change that using a war. Former USSR tried it in Afghanistan and failed miserably. Barack Obama has the Wisdom to see that. I pity those talking heads without any knowledge of the world.

Member of the US Navyseal (" We rule the Night" )

Senator Obama has an incredible strength that Bush and McCain have failed on over and over again.  He surrounds himself and listens to people who know what they are talking about.  Not just those that are saying what he wants to hear.  In that regard alone, he is able to overcome whatever AGE advantage McCain would then have.

If you paid attention to the debate last night - soldier who is not blinded - you would know that Obama is quite aware of the situation as it is now and that a withdrawal has to be done in such a way as to respect Iraqi sovreignty and what the Iraqi people want.  I have no doubt that it is a remarkable challenge...but keeping you, your friends and others like you there, as targets for an insurgency that only grows and bankrupting the country by doing it without increasing anything akin to our security is not a solution either.  Please visit www.BarackObama.com and see what HE has to say about it. He WAS opposed to the war from the get go..but he's practical and KNOWS that course is no longer an option.  We are THERE and while we need to leave... we need to do that with a sharp eye on how to do it while utilizing resources that have been IGNORED largely.. like more humanitarian and political aid.

Our military is noble and dedicated.  We cannot justify asking them to go into an impossible situation and solving a problem that is not a military problem and not even providing them with the proper resources to do their job as they can do it.

Don't you get it soldier?  Bush doesn't respect the Military.. he doesn't respect soldiers.  The commander in chief of the US considers you quite expendable so that he can finish his Daddy's war and his friends can get richer.  That's a path you're ok with continuing?

Obama didn't answer the question. This isn't 2003, this isn't about the invasion of Iraq.  This is about what he will do today.  And today he said he would send troops to where al-Qaeda has bases.  Well that is in Iraq and it is the same Iraq he wants to pull the troops out of.   Sorry, Obama, you can't do both.

Those of you here who support Obama, what do you think he will do in Iraq?

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