Sources: Obama Will Visit Iraq Before Convention

By: Maria Gavrilovic
Topics: Barack Obama

(CBS)

From CBS News' Maria Gavrilovic:

(WASHINGTON) Barack Obama will travel to Iraq and Afghanistan before the Democratic convention in August, Democratic sources tell CBS News. Earlier today, Obama spoke to Iraqi president, Jalal Talabani, and told Talabani he will be visiting the war zone soon.

The Obama campaign issued the following statement after the telephone conversation: "I was pleased to speak with President Talabani during his stay here in the United States. We discussed the security situation in Iraq, and the political accommodation that is necessary for long-term stability. We also discussed the ongoing negotiations with the Bush Administration over a Status of Forces Agreement and the Strategic Framework Agreement, which I believe must be subject to congressional approval, and done in the context of planning for a responsible removal of American troops. It is not in America's interest or Iraq's interest for there to be an open-ended commitment to keep U.S. troops in Iraq."

Obama came under fire by John McCain earlier this month for not visiting Iraq since 2006, and proposed that they visit the country together. Obama declined the offer but expressed interest in visiting the war zone on his own.

Obama met with Talabani during his last trip to Iraq in 2006.

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by rgrxx175 June 27, 2008 8:11 PM EDT: MCVet - did you read these books yourself or did rush limpballs read them to you...; Reply to this comment


by riptide213 June 27, 2008 5:31 PM EDT: Please go and meet our weary troops on all war fronts.

Perhaps this trip could highlight how our country sustains wars without having to demonstrate political fortitude to activate a draft via an official Selective Service System.

How much tax money is annual depleted to maintain, operate, and staff a dust collecting US Selective Service System?

Who has political chutzpah to use this paper tiger war support and troop bolstering resource?

Instead US cowardly and ingeniously shackles military volunteers and then burns them out legally. Land of the free?

STOP LOSS, In Lieu of Taskings (ILO), 8 year minimum service obligations for advertised 2,3,4,6, enlistment options, Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) call ups, Army recruiting 17-41 years olds, and felony waivers all contribute to hazy smoke screen sham, a US government shanghai subterfuge to maintain war fighting troop numbers.

Would citizens support a formal Selective Service System draft call up for this war?

If answer is no, then why do citizens allow government manipulation to legally abuse loopholes to press gang those already serving in a supposed All Volunteer Force to serve at perpetual pleasure of Commander in Chief?

Why does American public allow President as Commander in Chief backed by Congress to shamefully get away with a read the fine print, covert war conscription, and unofficial backdoor draft by stealth?; Reply to this comment


by omaar-101 June 27, 2008 5:10 PM EDT: Posted by jack3213: Most people are Sheep.

Ans: Like YOU Voting for Bush Jr. for 2 Terms as President. The USA`s in Great Shape, Huh !!

And if you read the policies Obama advocates you would see that he does not know what he is talking about.

Ans: Oh Yeah, Bush Jr. Knows what he`s Talking About. The Biggest Government Dolling of Funds, in History.

And would put this country at Great Risk- he would Raise Your Taxes.

Ans: You Mean like the Great Risk, Bush Jr. has put the USA...Too Late for that !

Speak No Truths, Ills or Facts about that Incompetent GW.Bush Jr. He`s White...Never.

And bring Unqualified Characterisitics to a Great Country he wants to "change"

Ans: Unqualified !! President GH.Bush Sr. is the only President to have Both National & International Experience.

Bush Sr. was the CIA Director (International) & Rep. VP. for 2 Terms & his A$$ Lasted only One Term as President. He was considered a Wimp and left the Oval Office, with Very Weak Ratings.

His Son George has Topped All Outgoing Presidents.

-----------------
John McCain: The ONLY change is that he changes his mind every minute- That is just Scary-Crazy.

Ans: I Agree with Your last statement about John McCain, he does CHANGE HIS 72 YR OLD, SEMI-SENILE MIND, EVERY SECOND OF EVERY MINUTE.

Note: Name a Year that the Taxes in this Country were Never Raised..; Reply to this comment


by omaar-101 June 27, 2008 5:08 PM EDT: Posted by zerato: He said he would keep them in Iraq for 100 years. Keep them in a war Zone for 100 years. sounds like combat to me. It seems you are making the soldier sacrificail lambs, since they were "not drafted."

----------------------------------

McCain, Did say, he would keep the US Troops there as long as it took, to get the Oil, that is...

Even it it Took (100 Yrs)

Meaning: To Colonize, the iraq Region, Profit Off the Oil in Iraq, Establish Military Bases, like the Bases in Kuwait..

No Matter what an However Long it takes and No Matter the USA Troops Lives that will be Lost!!

So yeah, Mccain Meant what he said.

The Colonization of iraq and the Profiteering of their Oil, takes Presidense Over Expendable USA Troops & Innocent Iraqi`s Lives.

Oil is King !!

Black Gold is King !!

Iraq is Now America`s 4-5th Largest Supplier of Oil...

I wonder how that All came About ??; Reply to this comment


by realpatriot1 June 27, 2008 3:50 PM EDT: jack3213,

If it''s time to grow up, why don''t you take the lead?

It''s not just liberals who want change from Bush and McCain, so I think it''s you who hasn''t got a clue.

Regarding the Dems, the GOP had total control of the government for 6 years and Congress 6 years prior to that and accomplished not ine of their Campaign promises.

You all should talk.; Reply to this comment


by rgrxx175 June 27, 2008 2:44 PM EDT: mccain wants an attack on us soil so he could win the election, what a great guy, the same old bush ways....; Reply to this comment


by mattcat25 June 27, 2008 2:16 PM EDT: MATTCAT said :"The Republican Party needs to be held accountable by the American People"

ARE YOU REFERRING TO THE DUMMOCRATS AS THE AMERICAN PEOPLE? THE DEMOCRATS ARE DUMMIES- THEY HAVE FAILED IN CONGRESS THEY HAVE FAILED AS LIBERALS AND THEY WILL CONTINUE TO FAIL BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO CLUE. THEY WILL MAKE YOU PROMISES AND YOU WILL BELEIVE IN FANTASIES AND YOU WILL FOREVER BE DISAPPOINTED. TIME TO GROW UP.
Posted by jack3213

The George Bush Administration and the Rubber Stamp Republican Congress we%u2019ve all witnessed and lived through there disastrous results and yes, I along with the majority of Americans are DISAPPOINTED to say the least.

The United States Government was created by the People for the People not for some Multinational Oil Corporation and War Mongers.; Reply to this comment


by jack3213 June 27, 2008 2:11 PM EDT: MATTCAT said :"The Republican Party needs to be held accountable by the American People"

ARE YOU REFERRING TO THE DUMMOCRATS AS THE AMERICAN PEOPLE? THE DEMOCRATS ARE DUMMIES- THEY HAVE FAILED IN CONGRESS THEY HAVE FAILED AS LIBERALS AND THEY WILL CONTINUE TO FAIL BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO CLUE. THEY WILL MAKE YOU PROMISES AND YOU WILL BELEIVE IN FANTASIES AND YOU WILL FOREVER BE DISAPPOINTED. TIME TO GROW UP.; Reply to this comment


by mattcat25 June 27, 2008 1:53 PM EDT: Most REPUBLICANS are sheep- and if you and others read the policies Obama advocates you would see that he does not know what he is talking about and would put this country at great risk- he would raise your taxes- and bring unqualified characterisitics to a great country he wants to "change"- The ONLY change is that he changes his mind every minute- That is just scary- crazy.
Posted by jack3213

As American Voters, we need to change a few things that have resulted from 8 years of Conservatism:

Perpetual War, Mismanagement, and Fear Mongering.
Unfair taxation of the Middle Class and Tax Cuts to the WEALTHY.
High prices for Gasoline, Electricity, and Everything Else!
High Medical Costs and Prescription Drugs.
Pollution
Invasion of Privacy, and disregard for our Constitution.
The Politicalization of our Justice Department.
Corruption, Corruption, Corruption.
Religious Hypocrisy and abuse of tax laws.
Degradation of our Infrastructure.
Continued export of American Jobs to overseas Slave Labor.
Decline in US stature and respect of the World Community.

Not to mention 35 impeachable offenses committed by George W. Bush and Richard Cheney. The Republican Party needs to be held accountable by the American People.; Reply to this comment


by zerato-2009 June 27, 2008 1:37 PM EDT: B.S.

Posted by RowdyWicca

Is taht all you got. Such an articulate response. But then again I may be missinterpreting "bs" You could mean "Brilliant statement" So then again thank you; Reply to this comment