Obama vs. McCain: Iraq politics

camie — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:22:00 GMT

the point is that the iraqis want us out and they think obamas way is the best way to do that. Maliki can backtrack all he want but he recently came out saying combat troops should be out by 2010 which falls in place with Obama's plan of 16 months

Video of unenthusiastic anti-obama Protest
http://sensico.wordpress.com/2008/07/19/video-of-puma-just-say-no-deal-losers-hold-a-protest/
or
http://sensico2.blogspot.com/2008/07/my-blogs.html

Obama vs. McCain: Iraq politics

TH Dalbery, Lancaster, PA — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:25:43 GMT

Barack needs to cool his little jets. Iraq is much different then when Obama was last there. It's safer then many of the Chicago neigborhoods Obama represents.

Obama vs. McCain: Iraq politics

A Charles, LA, CA — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:27:07 GMT

McCain is going to lose this week no matter what he does because Obama is the focus of discussion. Unless Obama makes some serious gaffe or a commander says something controversial, McCain does look like he's talking to the clouds. The timing of Mullen's comments looked so political, it muted any effect they have had.

Obama vs. McCain: Iraq politics

Linda. Boston, MA — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:28:18 GMT

"Maliki's interview prompted immediate concern from the Bush administration, which called to seek clarification from Mr. Maliki’s office, American officials said… After that, the government’s spokesman, Ali al-Dabbagh, issued a statement casting doubt on the magazine’s rendering of the interview."
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

In other words, after Bush called to strong-arm him into making a retraction. The problem is, the magazine has the AUDIO, and a literal translation of what he said confirms the article's original statement. Bush tried to do the same thing when it was revealed that Obama would speak at Brandenburg Gate in Germany - he called to convince the German Chancellor that it was a bad idea.

But the FACT is, the position of the Iraqi government is that they want us to leave. His statement to Der Spiegel supports that, as well as the many calls for a US withdrawal from other officials in recent weeks. Obama has the CORRECT position on this, McCain does not. The reason McCain is fighting it is because he is on record as saying that if the Iraqi government wants us out, then we should leave. But without Iraq, then McCain will have to find a new war to wage, because he IS DETERMINED to be in a war with someone.

Obama vs. McCain: Iraq politics

Capt. Smash — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:29:03 GMT

Can someone tell me what the Iraq War was for. We spent 4 trillion and what dead we get? 4200 American dead and what dead we get? McWar still wants to stay?

Obama vs. McCain: Iraq politics

Clara Kansas City, MO — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:29:07 GMT

I agree with Andrea Mitchell, it definitely seems as though this 'slip' was intended for political pressure on Bush. I am not excusing the Bush administrations 'error' in releasing a general PR e-mail, that was incompetent on their part; but this dance w/ al Maliki was a little too convenient.

And, I am not finding fault with Obama - I think a sovereign nation wants us out - and we need to address that as part of our policy and strategy. The timing was very favorable to Obama, no denying that.

Obama vs. McCain: Iraq politics

Nashville_fan — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:29:32 GMT

"The political fallout, Trubowitz said, may depend on which al-Maliki statement sticks. ‘Maliki's initial statement helps Obama,’ he said, but the follow-up could mitigate matters for the Republican. ‘I don't think it really helps McCain, but it's certainly less damaging than the first set of comments.’”

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Yeah, one small problem - there is only ONE Maliki statement - and it endorses Senator Obama's position. I still haven't heard anything different from Malaki - funny how the media is pretending that they have.

Obama vs. McCain: Iraq politics

Rick,Ky — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:32:20 GMT

Let's wait & see what Centcom has to say, then we will know the Truth.

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!!!!

As Dandy Don Meredith would say"Turn out the light's, the Party's over" GOP!

Obama vs. McCain: Iraq politics

JOE GLAYTON GEORGIA — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:32:42 GMT

I BELIEVE THE IRAQ LEADER DID AGREE WITH OBAMA AND THE BUSH ADMINASTRATION AND THE AL-MALIKI GOVERNMENT IS TRYING TO HELP JOHN MC CAINS CAMPAIGN SO THE SAID IT WAS A MISUNDERSTANDING. BULL.

OBAMA IS RIGHT AND MC CAIN IS WRONG,THE IRAQ GOVERNMENT WANTS US OUT OF THERE AND MC CAIN AND BUSH WANT US TO STAY PERIOD.

MC CAIN WAS LUCKY WHEN HE SAID THE SURGE WOULD WORK AND BUSH IS TRYING TO BOOST MC CAINS CAMPAIGN BY SAYING THE GERMAN MAG. MISQUOTED AL-MALIKI. WHEN YOU TAKE IN ALL THE FACTORS OF THE US GOVERNMENTS PEOPLE OVER THERE AND ALL THE MONEY SPENT ON SUINI FIGHTERS THE US IS PAYING AND ALL THE PRIVATE SECURITY FORCES PLUS OUR MILITARY THERE ARE PROBABLY OVER 200 THOUSAND FIGHTERS THERE WORKING FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

Obama vs. McCain: Iraq politics

Rick,Ky — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:34:46 GMT

Just a few short week's ago, John McCain's campaign was Retooled(for the Umpteenth time)by bringing on Steve Schimdt(correct me if i'm wrong-Anyone).At that time, it was said that thier message had No continuity to it.That is an Understatement!! McCain's message is "I was a POW" & therefore he deserves to be POTUS.We have heard no other message from Mccains campaign other than,Whineing about Barack not having been to Afghanistan & once to Iraq to visit with our Troop's.

Well, he's there Now, & what do we hear coming from Mccain's campaign, More Whineing because the Press is following his every move & Mccain's "I was a POW" message is'nt getting heard.

By All accounts so far that i've seen, Barack,Chuck & Jack have been well received by our Troop's.

McCain had to backtrack, when he knew he had made an Unforgivable error friday, when he said that Barack would be landing in Iraq,"Sometime this Weekend" in Michigan.

America, this man John Mccain is Not trustworthy enough to hold the highest office in the World. He was a rat after being captured in Vietnam & he was a Rat on Friday. Plain & Simple!!!

Stop Whineing John Mccain, Rat's like You, don't Cry.

Obama vs. McCain: Iraq politics

Major Minor — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:38:56 GMT

TH Dingleberry...if Iraq is so safe you are invited to suit up and go fight...ta ta

Obama vs. McCain: Iraq politics

Major Tom — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:39:00 GMT

Capt. Smash: "Can someone tell me what the Iraq War was for?"

No. It's a secret, and we're all involved in a conspiracy to keep the information from you.

Obama vs. McCain: Iraq politics

Ron Indiana — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:42:11 GMT

CBS reports that an independent translator listened to the Maliki tape and reported that the original statements were tranlated accurately. The magazine stands by its story. The rest is Bush bullying and spin. McCain can talk about the "surge" all he wants, but quite frankly that is old news. It is refreshing to see Obama visit Iraq and see things start to move. Bush just intimidates, and McCain just watches.

The Obama has every reason to be furious regarding McCains comments on Obama's schedule. This is a lapse in judgement on McCains part. McCain knows better. Why. He went nuts with the media reported when his son was leaving for Iraq. Bad judgement John

Obama vs. McCain: Iraq politics

thats a fact jack — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:44:35 GMT

bush and mccant what a pair between the 2 of them they will have America in unending wars for years to come over of all things OIL which if america and the world use their heads will be obsolite in 10-20 years.

Obama vs. McCain: Iraq politics

TJ — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:47:57 GMT

THE MEDIA IS GIVING MCCAIN A FREE PASS. MCAIN MIS-QUOTES OBAMA AND NO-ONE CALLS HIM ON IT. SURE HE DESERVES ARE RESPECT FOR THE WAR STUFF, BUT NOT TO THE DEGREE HE CAN BLANTENTLY LIE AND FABRICATE OBAMA'S POSITION, I KNOW I SHOULD NOT GET UP-SET BECAUSE OBAMA WILL BE PRESIDENT. I JUST WISH MCCAIN KNEW IT WAS OVER FOR HIM.

Obama vs. McCain: Iraq politics

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:52:08 GMT

Capt Smash - "Can someone tell me what the Iraq War was for."

I can. It was for 9-11, finding WMD, spreading democracy, building regional stability, fighting the central front in the war on terror and, finally, to avoid defeat. Did I leave any out?

At least those were the publicized reasons. The real reason is that a core bunch of naive idealists (seemingly intellectually led by Paul Wolfowitz) convinced themselves in the 1990s the people of the Middle East would love us if we just invade, and we elected a malleable dunce as president who unfortunately picked one of these guys as his vice president.

Obama vs. McCain: Iraq politics

Brian, Cedar Hill, TX — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:52:53 GMT

What kind of commander-in-chief gives out the travel plans of dignitaries into war zones? McCain made a very serious mistake and he jeopardized Obama's life.

Obama vs. McCain: Iraq politics

Karela, Hastings, Michigan — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:54:19 GMT

The audio makes it pretty iron clad that Maliki said what he meant to say. The Bush administration makes itself look like the thug it is by trying to bring pressure to bear. And since when does the leader of a foreign nation have to send out it's press releases through CentCom???

As for McCain's release of Obama's itinerary, that was disgusting. As McCain well knows, since he has traveled there many times, both the Secret Service and the State Department insist on holding the itineraries of congressmen, senators and government officials secret as security measures, especially when flying into a war zone. I believe that McCain actually released Obama's itinerary to the world while the Obama flight was in the air. That was a lousy thing to do. I wonder if major news outlets would have given it major coverage if harm had been done. Is McCain so anxious to be president that he was willing to put his opponent at risk for his life or is he just so incapable of being entrusted with secure information? I doubt that anyone will again give him a courtesy briefing. Disgusting.

Obama vs. McCain: Iraq politics

Dave, Tn — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:56:07 GMT

Anyone bothered to look back at past comments by Maliki about when in the future (at that time) he was hopeful about American troops being able to leave? Of course they want us out. We've always wanted us out. It all still comes down to facts on the ground AND once the great one is in charge democrats won't be "working with time tables" that mean anything other than "facts on the ground". Nothing "changes"

Obama vs. McCain: Iraq politics

Rodney Hopper, Waxahachie, TX — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 14:10:15 GMT

I mean... it's pretty obvious what's happened here. al-Maliki and the Iraqi government want us out. Barack Obama and most of America want us out. The tone of al-Maliki's first statement was a total embrace of the Obama plan.

Bush called to let al-Maliki know "he endorsed the wrong guy", so al-Maliki "retracted" his statement. The funny thing is, the "retraction" was still an embrace of the Obama plan, just with different semantics.

So it turns out, with Bush's help, Obama is 2-0 against McCain on the day.

All in all, I'd say Bush is the Obama campaign's most valuable player.

Obama vs. McCain: Iraq politics

Fee, Philadelphia — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 14:17:20 GMT

Brian, Cedar Hill, TX...I totally agree! As a matter of fact, I am astonished at how little attention this story has received. Chuck Todd and crew...PLEASE give McCain's reference to Obama's Iraq plans more attention. I swear...and I really did after I heard this story on Friday...that if Obama would have been so dumb and careless to announce McCain's arrival plans in Iraq that the MSM would have had it as a running story and Fix News would have breaking news all weekend on the story. Granted, I don't want MSNBC or any news media to behave like Fox, but Teflon John is getting a pass everyday! He put Obama's life in danger. When HRC mentioned RFK...the news attacked her like pitbulls. I think this was worse!

Obama '08...the only choice for me

Obama vs. McCain: Iraq politics

Walt, Ohio — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 14:21:24 GMT

McCain is not credible on foreign policy. He is trying to trumpet "success" in the surge strategy (even trying to take credit for it), but there has been no political progress nor stabilization of the country; two of the surge's biggest objectives.
Now he's whining about Obama? What a fraud.
By the way, it if a very low and treasonous act to publicize Obama's travel plans. Very similar to his "war hero" behavior as a North Vietnamese Collaborator:
http://www.vietnamveteransagainstjohnmccain.com/index.htm
http://www.usvetdsp.com/smith_mc.htm
I guess some things never change.

Obama vs. McCain: Iraq politics

thats a fact jack — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 14:41:07 GMT

one candidate you can depend on the other wears depends.

Obama vs. McCain: Iraq politics

Lyn, KCMO — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 14:49:48 GMT

Bush is 'this close' to getting a grip on the oil wells in Iraq, and he's in a panic... I'm sure he would forgo the troops, as long as his oil buddies can stay... Hell, folks, we're talking legacy... LOL...

His efforts to strong arm Maliki into backing his little buddy and bashing the German press in the process is just another Bushism.

McCain should be called out for exposing the travel schedule of his fellow senators... But, we all know in 'McCain World', it's just part of the game.

We NEED Obama...

Obama vs. McCain: Iraq politics

Chris, Arkansas — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 14:50:25 GMT

Things have cooled off drastically in Iraq. The threat is no where near as bad as it was a year ago. And while there hasn't been a huge miracle of political reconciliation, there are many moves in that direction. Unfortunately, most people in the US (and in the western press) don't understand the Arab mindset, and how even a democratically-elected Arab government would work with the multitude of cultural differences from our system...thus they judge their political system against ours (called mirroring in the advising world) and call it a failure. It's not a failure, it's just "different". That's a phrase I've heard many times over...it's not right, it's not wrong, it's just different. And that's how, as an American, I've been able to deal with how things are done in Iraq.

It also explains how the vast majority of Iraqis want us gone...then again, the vast majority of Iraqis want us to stay. You'd just have to understand their mindset.

Obama vs. McCain: Iraq politics

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:10:01 GMT

Hasn't Bush started toward Obama's positions already? Why should this slip be any different? McCain clearly has some earlier Bush policies in mind. Bush is starting to show Obama's recomendations by sending a high level State Department official to sit in on nuclear talks with Iran. There is a time table being worked into an agreement to allow US troops to stay after the UN mandate runs out; granted it is non-binding.

Obama vs. McCain: Iraq politics

marcia, san diego, ca — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:27:19 GMT

Maliki's original comments were correct the first time, but I'm sure the Bush admin had to do some backtracking after their error and asked Iraq to season the comments. Good thing it was on tape.
RE: McCain's comments on Obama's schedule. Do you really want someone as President who does know what he is doing or is so forgetful that he makes errors? This seems to be more and more or McCain's MO lately. The media even had enough sense not to speculate on the exact schedule after Obama's staff kept is quiet.