First thoughts: Iraq is back

Posted: Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:09 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: First Thoughts, 2008

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, and Domenico Montanaro
*** Iraq is back…: With the press mesmerized by shiny metal objects like the New Yorker’s controversial magazine cover or what Jesse Jackson said while wearing a hot mic, Obama today turns the focus back to one of the central issues of this presidential election when he delivers a major speech in DC on Iraq and Afghanistan. It comes right before the Illinois senator embarks on an international trip that will take him to Iraq and Afghanistan. And it comes pegged to a new Washington Post/ABC poll on Iraq that’s a mixed bag for the two presidential candidates. The good news for McCain (and bad news for Obama): 50% say they support Obama’s timetable for withdrawal from Iraq, while 49% oppose it. What’s more, by a 47%-45% margin, respondents trust McCain more to handle Iraq, and 72% say McCain would be a good commander-in-chief for the military versus just 48% who say the same of Obama. Essentially, if this election were turning on the issue of Iraq or the commander-in-chief question, it would be nearly impossible to predict who would come out on top. The bad news for McCain (and good news for Obama): Iraq is no longer the public’s top concern; the economy is. In addition, the poll finds that a whopping 63% say the Iraq war hasn’t been worth fighting. And while just 34% believe that the US must win in Iraq for the broader war on terror to be successful, 51% say that of Afghanistan.

VIDEO: Author Richard Clarke discusses Barack Obama's plan to redeploy U.S. troops, pressing Iraqis to take responsibility for their own security and stability.

*** … And so is Afghanistan: So perhaps it’s not surprising then that Obama also will use today’s speech to shift the war debate and troop-level chatter from Iraq to Afghanistan. “It is unacceptable that almost seven years after nearly 3,000 Americans were killed on our soil, the terrorists who attacked us on 9/11 are still at large,” Obama is expected to say, according to excerpts released by the campaign. “Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahari are recording messages to their followers and plotting more terror. The Taliban controls parts of Afghanistan… And yet today, we have five times more troops in Iraq than Afghanistan.” More: “Sen. McCain said -- just months ago -- that ‘Afghanistan is not in trouble because of our diversion to Iraq.’ I could not disagree more. Our troops and our NATO allies are performing heroically in Afghanistan, but I have argued for years that we lack the resources to finish the job because of our commitment to Iraq. That’s what the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said earlier this month. And that’s why, as president, I will make the fight against al Qaeda and the Taliban the top priority that it should be. This is a war that we have to win.”

*** Perhaps it’s better to announce your plans after you visit: Meanwhile, at his town hall in New Mexico today, McCain will respond to Obama’s Iraq-Afghanistan speech by arguing that his Democratic opponent is reformulating his policies BEFORE his trip. “Sen. Obama is departing soon on a trip abroad that will include a fact-finding mission to Iraq and Afghanistan. And I note that he is speaking today about his plans for Iraq and Afghanistan before he has even left, before he has talked to Gen. Petraeus, before he has seen the progress in Iraq, and before he has set foot in Afghanistan for the first time,” he is expected to say. “In my experience, fact-finding missions usually work best the other way around: first you assess the facts on the ground, then you present a new strategy." Of course, critics might point to McCain’s own stroll through a Baghdad market in 2007 -- which he said was proof of progress in Iraq, but where he was protected by 100 US soldiers, Apache helicopters, and a bulletproof vest -- as evidence that he wasn’t exactly assessing the facts on the ground there, either. Still, the facts on the ground have benefited McCain now and Obama needs to be careful that he isn't looking too much like an average politician who will say whatever he has to, to get elected.

*** Baseball metaphor time: Last night during the home run derby at the All-Star festivities at Yankee Stadium, Josh Hamilton put on quite the show -- it was jaw-dropping how many balls he hit out of the ballpark. And yet, he didn't win the derby. Because when it came time to connect when it counted, Hamilton didn't come through. At times Hamilton looked unbeatable -- like he couldn't be touched -- and started to try and coast to victory. Just sayin...

VIDEO: A Hardball panel ranks the top three choices for the Republican and Democrat vice presidential candidate.

*** I wouldn’t kid you if I didn’t love you: At a fundraiser in New Mexico last night, McCain cracked this joke at Romney’s expense: “I’m appreciative every time I see Mitt on television on my behalf. He does a better job for me than he did for himself as a matter of fact.” Bada bing. If McCain can start joking about someone, you know they've made it into his mental inner circle. Romney may very well be higher on the short list than anyone realizes. The biggest roadblock for many in picturing a McCain-Romney ticket is McCain getting over his personal reservations about him. But joking about him is a start.

*** Peach State primary: For Democrats to reach the difficult -- yet potentially attainable -- goal of having a filibuster-proof 60 Senate seats, they’re going to have win contests beyond current top targets such as Virginia, New Mexico, New Hampshire, and Colorado. They’ll have to put other states in play like Kentucky or Kansas or Georgia -- where five Democrats duke it out in a primary today for the right to face incumbent GOP Sen. Saxby Chambliss. The DSCC’s preferred candidate is 2006 Lt. Gov. nominee Jim Martin, but also worth watching are DeKalb County CEO Vernon Jones, and environmental engineer Rand Knight. Observers expect no candidate to clear the 50% threshold to avoid a run off. Jones has attempted to attach himself to the hip of Obama, literally. How? He photo-shopped himself in with Obama at a rally for a direct mail piece. We'll see if this low-attention race will turn on whether these guys are proving a connection to Obama. As for Chambliss, remember that no first-term senator is ever totally safe. Six years is a long time, particularly for that first re-election bid.

*** Also in Georgia today…: As the Washington Post notes, Georgia John Lewis -- the civil-rights icon who endorsed Clinton during the primaries then later announced he would cast his superdelegate vote for Obama after the Illinois senator’s win in Georgia -- is receiving a primary challenge. “Today, Lewis faces his first primary challengers since 1992, a pair of candidates who are promoting the ‘change’ mantra of Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign and have organized their campaigns around a single, not-so-subtle message: Lewis's support for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) over Obama in the presidential primary.”

*** On the trail: McCain holds a town hall in Albuquerque, NM. Obama, in DC, gives a major policy speech on Iraq.

*** And heads up: Bush will hold a White House press conference at 10:20 am ET.

Countdown to Dem convention: 41 days
Countdown to GOP convention: 48 days
Countdown to Election Day 2008: 112 days
Countdown to Inauguration Day 2009: 189 days

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Comments

I wonder what the polls will say if Obama manages to be President and he pulls the troops too early, and the price of a barrel of oil goes to $300/barrel because of the insatability in the mid-east?

Win the War (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:18 AM)

Anyone else sick of how the media is treating "Teflon John?"

He joked about killing Iranian civilians with cigarettes .. but the media was obsessed with how Jesse Jackson adressed Obama.

Morning Joe has now become unwatchable, with Joe Scarborough constantly trying so find out how much Obama loves America, Pat Buchanan constantly talking about Kentucky and West Virginia and Rev. Wright.

And Yes, sadly, Rep. Harold Ford Jr. is looking more everyday like a man who is not an analyst, but a Tenesse senate candidate still running.
He's always second-guessing Obama and "giving him public advice"

Im sorry but I think that the Obama camp should get another surrogate. He appears on these shows as the democratic side but turns out looking neutral as the republicans keep pounding Obama.

When Pat Buchanan is on the other side, we need another bulldog, not a neutral politically-ambitious wannabe who would love to be in Obama's place.

Obama has a big speech on Iraq, I'd rather watch him as opposed to finding out what happened to Christie Brinkley during a divorce.

Last night he has a speech to the NCAAP, no one showed it, just analysts talking on TV,getting their incorrect views as opposed to watching the actual candidate.

MSNBC clean up your act, we want to watch the candidates, not the analysts.

Steve NewYork NY (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:23 AM)

The only ones buying into your Baseball metaphor First Read, is YOU. Neither Obama nor his supporters think this race is over. It's not over until November and while we anticipate a huge victory in November, we are NOT taking it for granted. Neither is Obama. I also see that you just can't resist keeping the New Yorker magazine AND Jesse Jackson in the spot light AGAIN at the top of your article, while Phil Gramm's "Nation of whiners" comment goes untouched. You continue to be biased and it's not appreciated by those of us wanting fair and balanced coverage. Guess that won't happen with First Read. I continue to be disappointed.

Diane from Illinois (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:27 AM)

I am just laughing out loud at all of the preemptive chatter. Obama is expected to outline his plan for the trip and McCain is expected to respond specifically to what Obama is expected to say. Can we report on what has been said? If and when it is said? or is that too reactionary? I've heard of proactive; but this is a bit much.

Clara Kansas City, MO (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:27 AM)

"I wonder what the polls will say if Obama manages to be President and he pulls the troops too early, and the price of a barrel of oil goes to $300/barrel because of the insatability in the mid-east?
Win the War (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:18 AM)"

...and McCain is going to stop this HOW exactly? It's going to go to $300/barrel because of GREED, and that has nothing to do with who's president of the U.S. It has to do with who's president of Exxon, Shell, Citgo, etc.

Get it right, already! (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:28 AM)

Hey dummie "win the war", what's to stop oil that is in a natural (that means there's only so much on earth and now there's more people sharing it) decline from going that high with or without wars!? Personally, I believe that the Bush/Cheney oil boys wanted a war just for this reason, though. Markets are unstable, people are unstable, and John McCain is an unstable candidate. Vote Obama.

bill, okla (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:31 AM)

Win the War - this is not a supply issue, it's a prospecting issue. Close the Enron Loophole and your rhetoric is unnecessary. Iraq is not controlling oil prices.

Clara Kansas City, MO (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:31 AM)

It all depends on the spin you want to put on it, doesn't it Chuck Todd. My spin is that Iraq is supposed to be McCains strong suit and Obama is right up there at 50%. The Obama trip and his comments on the war given today will help Obama. Unless you spin it in another direction. At the debates Obama will outscore McCain on both the economy and the war!

By the way, good for Chris Matthews last night on Hardball. He personally and openly expressed his disapproval of the New Yorker Cover. Thank you Chris!
Also, Chris is right-on with regard to the VP choices. It will be Biden v Romney.

Call me slow, but I don't get the baseball metaphor. Maybe someone can help me with that.

Ron Indiana (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:31 AM)

"Still, the facts on the ground have benefited McCain now and Obama needs to be careful that he isn't looking too much like an average politician who will say whatever he has to, to get elected."
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The facts on the ground have benefitted McCain? How is that? Troops are still dying daily, the White House is still barring the media from troop funerals (why?), no political reconcilliation in site, spending 10 to 12 BILLION dollars a month, no Iraqi oil revenues paying for their countries protection, private contractors pocketing fat profits, the Iraqis want us to leave and want a TIMETABLE.

Please explain how this works for Senator McCain? And what does walking through the streets of Iraq and glad handing with the soldiers do to help set policy? Senator Obama has consulted with members of the military to assess the situation.

This is just more carping from McCain and the media to distract the public from the real problem - the Taliban is retaking Afghanistan AND Pakistan, and we are too bogged down in Iraq to do a damn thing about it. Spin that.

Nashville_fan (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:31 AM)

It's the economy, all right. I majored in economics in college, and what the democrats are doing is called'jawboning'-talk it up so people feel good and spend, or talk it down and people become worried and save. (This is called 'rational expectations'). Unfortunately, Sen. Obama seems to have no understanding the the economy. Every dollar taed in the U>S> takes two out of the economy. Therefore, when the economy is slowing down, the worst thing to do is to raise taxes. We now have a slowing economy, and are dealing with cost-push inflation due to the price of oil, (this is different from demand pull inflation, which is driven by too many dollars chasing too few goods). The only way to alleviate this type of inflation is to increase the supply of oil. Yes, it will show immediate benefits; more than half the price of a barrel of oil is currently taken up by price speculation based on DECREASING supplies. If the speculators were sure that the supply would go up, they would lose their shirts on the futures they now hold, and the price per barrel would go down. Unfortunately for the country, last week Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley held closed door meetings with the Democratic leadership of both houses hoping to hald congressional investigations into oil speculation and lobbied to keep drilling off the table. I guess the 'party of the poor' considers Wall Street millionaires part of the unwashed masses.

Donna, Lincroft, NJ (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:34 AM)

Would you mind reviewing the structure of your first sentence? You're saying Obama has been "mesmerized by shiny metal objects, " when in fact it's pretty clearly your media colleagues are the ones who went whole hog for the distractions.

Joe Don, Topeka, KS (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:35 AM)

"And Yes, sadly, Rep. Harold Ford Jr. is looking more everyday like a man who is not an analyst, but a Tenesse senate candidate still running.
He's always second-guessing Obama and "giving him public advice"

Im sorry but I think that the Obama camp should get another surrogate. He appears on these shows as the democratic side but turns out looking neutral as the republicans keep pounding Obama. "

AMEN! AMEN! AMEN!

Harold Ford is working for himself, not Obama. Period. Anyone think he would have that job if Hillary Clinton was the nomineee? I doubt it.

What is he basing all this advice on by the way? What are his political accomplishments?

I can't think of one - Harold Ford is an opportunist.

Nashville_fan (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:36 AM)

YO, Steve New York N.Y. THANK YOU. Your take on Joe and company were right on target.

LENI,MICHIGAN (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:37 AM)

This blog is increasingly unreadable. Obama is trying to coast to victory? How? Is it because he is giving a major policy speech today, hiring hundreds of grassroots staff, opening dozens of state offices? The narrative of the media is so transparent and MSNBC is slowly deteriorating in to a less than "exotic" Fox News. MSNBC does not need to hire anyone beyond the idiot putting, "What is wrong with Obama?" in to the daily teleprompter and the guy reading it.

Jonathan (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:41 AM)

Hey Dom, your baseball metaphor is batting below Mendoza. Just saying...........what? Your backside is shining bright today.

Sherri Hussein, Charleston WV (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:41 AM)

Chuck, the baseball metaphor was beneath you. Sadly it is getting to the point where I don't recognize the FIRST READ which I use to enjoy reading each morning!

Sandra, Tennessee (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:41 AM)

general motors needs to talk to mccain and his economic guru phil gramm before they close all those plants, general motors must be suffering from one of those physiological whining problems the good republicans talk about endlessly, the economy is fine for 5% of the nation and according to mccain and the republican party the other 95% need to just stop whining.

MK,MO (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:42 AM)

I don't understand why both candidates are not talking seriously about taking the troops out of Iraq in a cautious way...given the state of our economy, education and health care in this country the focus should be here at home and Afghanistan should be the central front on the war on terror. Al-Qaeda is in France do we attack them there and overthrow the government? http://www.enewsreference.com

eNews Reference (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:42 AM)

MK,MO (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:42 AM)

Jeez, Domenico, haven't you been paying attention? Since his Senate run in 2004, Obama has been saying we need to increase troop strength in Afghanistan. He's not trying to change the subject, or, as you so eloquently put it, "shift the war debate." This has been his position all along! How is that "shifting" the debate when he defined that as a part of the debate four years ago?

Brendan D, Niles, IL (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:44 AM)

I wonder what the polls will say if Obama manages to be President and he pulls the troops too early, and the price of a barrel of oil goes to $300/barrel because of the insatability in the mid-east?
Win the War (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:18 AM)
---------------------------------------------------

Hate to burst your bubble but...

We are the instability in the middle east, and a drawdown of troops will mean less oil being used.

Oil speculators are worried about our conflict in Iraq, and moreso the possible conflict in Iran. Barrack Obama in office means we wean ourself off our addiction to oil...we move forward as a leading nation and we don't look back.

Let the rest of the world deal with oil when way down the road it finally hits light sweet crude hits $300...we'll be long gone and independent

GP chicago (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:45 AM)

You guys are losing it here on FR. Shiny objects? This isn't kindergarten: YOU are the ones who are crying 'cause the real issues get in the way. You people practically drool over the lame Jesse Jacksons and Andrea Mitchell-like stammering. Could we discuss some real issues, like this pesky ole recession that's all in our heads?

laughaday (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:45 AM)

...and McCain is going to stop this HOW exactly? It's going to go to $300/barrel because of GREED, and that has nothing to do with who's president of the U.S. It has to do with who's president of Exxon, Shell, Citgo, etc.
-------------------------------------------
It has more to do with the greed of OPEC and the Middle east. The presidents of Shell, Citco, etc are reaping profits because of the refining capability, not the cost of oil (they are the ones directly buying the oil)

I don't have a problem with you claiming greed, but atleast understand who is actually being greedy (Middle East Leaders)

John, MI (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:45 AM)

I think this line of attack against Obama on Iraq is flat out silly. As President you have to rely on experts on the ground who pick up the phone and tell you the situation. You can't fly to every emergency and evaluate it on the ground. It's unsafe and a waste of time.

Decisions need to be made ASAP based on what the military folks tell you. As a Senator, Obama has access to the information necessary to make a judgment on the situation. Period.

I guess everyone in Congress shouldn't have voted on that Iraq resolution, as they all didn't go over and find out the situation on the ground before they voted. I guess we as Americans can't have a valid opinion on Iraq because we haven't seen it on the ground. That is what military officials, military briefings and the press is for -- to inform us of the facts so we don't all have to go into harm's way to learn the situation.

I don't want a President who thinks that they can't trust the military to tell him the truth without him having to personal make a trip to the area of unrest.
It may be useful, but it is NOT a requirement for a valid and well-reasoned opinion.

If we are going to use this standard, how many presidents in the past would fail it because they didn't go to a dangerous area and evaluate it on the ground before making a decision? Let's see, we can start with FDR in WWII, I imagine...

Marihelen TX (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:46 AM)

Yeah let's hope Romney runs with McNuts...That'll be like the "Hellboy and Family Guy" ticket...

And Obama will win more southern states

BJ, CA (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:48 AM)

Domenico, this doesn't need to be posted... but your baseball metaphor is so ridiculous, you ought to be embarrassed. Yeesh, dude. You're smarter than that.

Brendan D, Niles, IL (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:49 AM)

"Or the ex-governor of Mass, Guy Smiley.

http://ilfamilypolitics.blogspot.com
Julia Kelly, Illinois (Sent Monday, July 14, 2008 10:36 PM)"

OMG! TOO FUNNY!

MI Chick (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:49 AM)

Joe Don -- thanks for the catch. We revised the first sentence. Appreciate it.

Mark Murray (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:51 AM)

McCain has vowed to protect Czechoslovakia, a counry that ceased to exist in the early 19902. He still seems unaware that Iranians are Shia while Al Qaeda, which he accused the Iranians of traing, are Sunnis and bitter enemies of Iraan. Shouldn't we have a commander-in chief who knows a little more about current events than the average 8th-grader?

BTW: While FirstRead won't admit it, Obama has now been proven right on Afghanistan as well as Iraq. The Iraqis want a timetable for us to leave, and after 7 years of war in Afghanistan and while the US was bogged down in the Iraq quagmire, the Taliban are resurgent and spreading into Pakistan. Thanks to Bush's "strateegery," which was enthusiastically enthusiastically backed by McCain, if Obama somehow makes it to the presidency, he'll have a real mess to clean up.

Houston (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:52 AM)

Steve NewYork.

You're on the money today. I agree Morning Joe is unwatchable so that's exactly why I quit watching - I suggest you do the same. Harold Ford Jr. hasn't been helping anyone, least of all himself. I'm very tire of listening to him and have started to fast-forward my TiVo during his comments when he appears on Race to the White House. However, Rachel Maddow makes up for at least 6 dumb people.

Polly, Tampa (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:53 AM)

McCain points out that Obama shouldn't speak about Iraq before going there. Ironicly, McCain is commenting on an Obama speach that hasn't been given yet.

Steve, Lakeside Park, KY (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:54 AM)

After Mark Sanford's meltdown, it does seem that it is a +90% chance that Mitt Romney will be chosen as McCain's VP. I am actually somewhat relieved because Sanford would have garnered many "brain-dead" votes. What I mean by "brain-dead" is that a lot of people (especially in the South) would have seen good 'ole Mark Sanford on the ticket and said "He's one of us." and then cast a binary vote. Mitt does have some advantages--mostly pertaining to his wealth but he has some glaring weaknesses as well. The flip-flop reel of McCain and Romney would make for good comedy. I think that the problems that the GOP had with Romney's religion will surface as well. I believe that they now lose GA, VA, and NC but pick up NV and AZ. For Obama, that is a good trade. I'm really looking forward to see some of these bigots get an aneurysm trying to figure out whether to vote against Sen. Obama because of his race or against Gov. Romney because of his religion. I think that the ultimate good of that McCain/Romney ticket (even though they would go down in blazes) is that it will forever break the stranglehold that the fanatical fake Christians of the Far Right have on the Republican Party.

C.K. Steele Fort Lauderdale, FL (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:55 AM)

Win the War - this is not a supply issue, it's a prospecting issue. Close the Enron Loophole and your rhetoric is unnecessary. Iraq is not controlling oil prices.

Clara Kansas City, MO

++++++++++++

Sounds like a job for Congress. I'm certain Nancy and Harry on on top of getting this done. When will they be getting that bill on President Bush's desk for his signature?

Cole Proter, NYC (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:56 AM)

"Unfortunately for the country, last week Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley held closed door meetings with the Democratic leadership of both houses hoping to hald congressional investigations into oil speculation and lobbied to keep drilling off the table. I guess the 'party of the poor' considers Wall Street millionaires part of the unwashed masses. "

College endowments. State employee pension funds, and banks trying to make up for their bone headed loans?
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=a1liVM3tG3aI&refer=home
"Nowhere mentioned in the accompanying 66-page handout were the additional $1.1 trillion of assets that New York-based Citigroup keeps off its books"

If it comes from New york it's rot.

Dave, Tn (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:58 AM)

Seems to me the baseball metaphor is a reflection on HRC's inability to overcome Senator Obama, after being touted as the "inevitable".

By the way, doesn't Chelsea work for one of those hedge funds who are merrily bidding up the price of oil? Who's looking into that?

Walt, Rogersville, MO (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:59 AM)

yeah i can see mit romney as VP. but he will drive down conservative votes so I hope he does chose romney

mccain has missed more votes in the senate then any other senator
http://sensico.wordpress.com/2008/07/11/mccain-hasnt-voted-in-the-senate-since-april-8-2008/
or
http://sensico2.blogspot.com/2008/07/my-blogs.html

camie (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:59 AM)

The 'shiny objects' reference comes from Obama supporters getting easily distracted by the fluffy and rhetorical speeches given by their hero. Obama supporters can't see the trees for the forest because of their (lack of) mentality.

Carlton Frisk (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 10:00 AM)

Senator Obama must be mindful. Senator McCain suggested that Senator Obama should visit Iraq. Now he is doing just that. Recently Senator McCain suggested that Senator Obama should visit Central and South America. He must not go. It will appear to the public that Senator Obama is dutifully listening to Senator McCain's suggestions. This is not the stance of a leader, but the actions of a follower.

Senator McCain is trying to make Senator Obama appear weak on foreign policy by wasting our tax dollars gallavanting around the globe and visiting old friends in bad places. It is shameful that he is going to places that do not matter when he should be addressing the economy ("It's the economy, stupid," right?)and staying right here at home.

In Iraq Senator Obama will be getting the super-protected sight-seeing tour of Iraq that most senators get. He must not allow any perceived quiet as any reason to continue the war. His attention on Afghanistan and Pakistan is exceptional and shows his insight into a war on terror that Senator McCain appears very naive about. If he comes back to the US with a different opinion than his previous "responsible withdrawal under a timetable of 16 months with options for change based on ground conditions" it will seriously strain my opinion of him.

Democrat (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 10:05 AM)

I don't think that Harold Ford is actually an Obama "surrogate" formally working for Obama. He's just a conservative Democrat who was hired to give the Scarborough show the illusion of balance.

If they wanted real balance, they'd get someone like Rachel Maddow, who's doing an excellent job as Olbermann's stand-in. But Scraborough doesn't want anyone on his show who really disagrees with him.

Houston (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 10:05 AM)

Harold Ford is working for himself, not Obama. Period. Anyone think he would have that job if Hillary Clinton was the nomineee? I doubt it.

What is he basing all this advice on by the way? What are his political accomplishments?

I can't think of one - Harold Ford is an opportunist.

Nashville_fan (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:36 AM)
******************************************

Nashville, and Steve,

I don't know what his motivation is, but if he is for Obama, he acted stupidly today on 'Joe'.

I couldn't believe he was soliciting advice from Murphy as to how McCain could more effectively get his foreign policy chops out there.

And Harold, if your listening, your are a very handsome man. But please, either get a hair cut, or buy a brush.

donna (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 10:07 AM)

Perhaps we should be speaking about the value of the dollar instead of Oil, Gas prices, and politics.

It is amazing how no one seems to get that the value of the dollar being so little compared to other foreign currencies is our biggest problem right now and is the root of the economic downturn we are experiencing in this country. The loss of value has been caused by the loans the US government have continued to take from China to fund the war. Sure it looks like we spend less on military now than we ever have. We don't spend our money on the war. We borrow someone elses money to pay for it and when those debts come in the American people will be the ones who suffer for it.

George Bush and Dick Cheney are scum and should be dragged out into the street for these attrocities against America.

Read My Lips: Bush Policy stinks (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 10:08 AM)

At the moment, I think Iraq might be a side story. The crisis of the day is the economy. The Dow dropped today a couple hundred points so far, meaning institutional investors aren't too collectively confident about the Fannie/Freddie stock purchase bailout.

This is bigger than Republicans and Democrats, and the question of which knucklehead gets to live in the White House next year.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 10:14 AM)

The baseball metaphor is a reference to McCain, Right?

Afterall he hasn't accomplished anything other than campaign shakeups with all the staffers he's hit out of the park!

donna (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 10:15 AM)

getting it right. (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 10:16 AM)

Obama makes perfect sense, that we're spending billions/week in one country when we're losiing the war in another country that actually has Al Quaeda, and may still have Bin Laden. I know Obama will go see Al-Maliki and say, "you want a timetable? Well, here it is!" and then divert some of those troops to the country we REALLY need to be fighting.

Clas Warrior, D.C. (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 10:18 AM)

TO BE A GOOD DEMOCRAT OR TO BE A GOOD AMERICAN. John McCain is not the same as George Bush; in fact a few years ago he was going to leave the Republican party become an Independent and joining the Democratic caucus in the Senate. The Democrats will control Congress so there is no need to worry about Roe v Wade or ultra conservative justices being appointed to the Supreme Court. As for Iraq, nobody will be able to pull out all the troops within 16 months; we will have a presence there just like we do in other foreign countries. We need to earn the respect back of the American citizens and world leaders by electing the right person to be the President of the United States; he/she should have demonstrated good judgment, honesty, and integrity.

Country first, then party.

Hillary Democrat for McCain (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 10:20 AM)

"With the press mesmerized by shiny metal objects like the New Yorker’s controversial magazine cover or what Jesse Jackson said while wearing a hot mic..."

That's about as convincing a self indictment as I remember seeing.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 10:20 AM)

Thank you Steve New York NY. You have said exactly what I have been thinking for weeks.

1. The media, and certainly MSNBC's political analysts, consistently give John McCain a "pass" on his gaffes, inappropriate humor and campaign in general. I believe it comes from being Washington based, for the most part, and too insulated from the general public, as well as wanting to be part of what is always touted as John McCain's senate "club."

His humor is mean-spirited at best, dangerous at worst. Senator Obama got clobbered for distancing himself from General Clark's remarks, which he did without sarcasm. The press chuckled at Senator McCain's saying his best friend Phil Gramm should be Ambassador to Belarus (both nasty and undiplomatic in terms of Belarus). More chuckles with his remarks about killing Iranians with our cigarettes (can you imagine if Obama had said that), and now an interpretation of a sarcastic remark about Mitt Romney as being a sign that Mitt is "in." Senator Obama would have been called "cocky," "lacking judgment" and on and on for any one of those "jokes." The bomb, bomb, bomb Iran dance would have ended his run for the Presidency. Where is the media's judgment?

And, I've thought Harold Ford's commentary to be opportunistic and patronizing for months and often wondered which party he represents.

elizabeth SF, San Francisco, California (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 10:20 AM)

I wonder who is really listen to the canidates. When McCain makes a mistake it goes unnoticed,on the other hand when Obama does the same it becomes national news for days. I enjoy listening to MSNBC , here lately it's beginning to sound like FOX NEWS. If anyone believe that you can't refine you message then we are all in trouble. The news media should do their job and report the news.

Ronald, Tampa, Fl (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 10:23 AM)

why is every speech Obama gives a "major speech" how is it that his speeches are more important than McCains.

As far as McCain being protected to 100s of soldiers during his trip to Iraq - of course he was he would be a prime target for the terrorist to hit. Would you say that a place Obama gives a speech is not safe just because he is surrounded by secret service. The media knows this and is just trying to add fuel to the fire.

sue (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 10:23 AM)

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