Obama: Now Is The Time For Iraq Withdrawal

Tells CBS News U.S. Cannot Wait For Next Administration To Make Afghanistan Central Focus Of War On Terror

(CBS)  Senator Barack Obama spent his first day in Afghanistan yesterday visiting the troops, talking to soldiers, and speaking with their commanders. Today he met privately with President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan.

After talking to both sides, his assessment is that the situation in Afghanistan is both precarious and urgent. He said that the U.S. has to start planning to put more troops in Afghanistan now.

The following is a transcript of an exclusive interview with the Democratic presidential candidate, who told CBS News chief foreign affairs correspondent Lara Logan that U.S. troop levels have to increase.

---

Obama: "For at least a year now, I have called for two additional brigades, perhaps three," he said. "I think it's very important that we unify command more effectively to coordinate our military activities. But military alone is not going to be enough.

"The Afghan government needs to do more. But we have to understand that the situation is precarious and urgent here in Afghanistan. And I believe this has to be our central focus, the central front, on our battle against terrorism."

Logan: "Why does it have to be the central focus? What is so critical to U.S. interests here?"

Obama: "This is where they can plan attacks. They have sanctuary here. They are gathering huge amounts of money as a consequence of the drug trade in the region. And so that global network is centered in this area. And I think one of the biggest mistakes we've made strategically after 9/11 was to fail to finish the job here, focus our attention here. We got distracted by Iraq.

"And despite what the Bush Administration has argued, I don't think there's any doubt that we were distracted from our efforts not only to hunt down al-Qaeda and the Taliban, but also to rebuild this country so that people have confidence that we were to here to stay over the long haul, that we were going to rebuild roads, provide electricity, improve the quality of life for people. And now we have a chance, I think, to correct some of those areas.

"There's starting to be a broad consensus that it's time for us to withdraw some of our combat troops out of Iraq, deploy them here in Afghanistan. And I think we have to seize that opportunity. Now's the time for us to do it.

"I think what's important for us to do is to begin planning for those brigades now. If we wait until the next administration, it could be a year before we get those additional troops on the ground here in Afghanistan. And I think that would be a mistake. I think the situation is getting urgent enough that we've got to start doing something now.

"The United States has to take a regional approach to the problem. Just as we can't be myopic and focus only on Iraq, we also can't think that we can solve the security problems here in Afghanistan without engaging the Pakistan government."

Logan: "And how do you compel Pakistan to act?"

Obama: "Well, you know, I think that the U.S. government provides an awful lot of aid to Pakistan, provides a lot of military support to Pakistan. And to send a clear message to Pakistan that this is important, to them as well as to us, I think that message has not been sent."

Logan: "Under what circumstances would you authorize unilateral U.S. action against targets inside tribal areas?"

Obama: "What I've said is that if we had actionable intelligence against high-value al-Qaeda targets, and the Pakistani government was unwilling to go after those targets, that we should. My hope is that it doesn't come to that - that in fact, the Pakistan government would recognize that if we had Osama bin Laden in our sights that we should fire or we should capture him."

Logan: "Isn't that the case now? I mean, do you really think that if U.S. forces had Osama bin Laden in their sights and the Pakistanis said 'No,' that they wouldn't fire or wouldn't go after him?"

Obama: "I think actually this is current doctrine. There was some dispute when I said this last August. Both the administration and some of my opponents suggested, 'Well, you know, you shouldn't go around saying that.' But I don't think there's any doubt that that should be our policy."

Logan: "But [not going after him] is the current policy."

Obama: "I believe it is the current policy."

Logan: "So there's no change, then?"

Obama: "I don't think there's going to be a change there. I think that in order for us to be successful, it's not going to be enough just to engage in the occasional shot fired. We've got training camps that are growing and multiplying."

Logan: "Would you take out all those training camps?"

Obama: "Well, I think that what we would like to see the Pakistani government take out those training camps."

Logan: "And if they won't?"

Obama: "Well, I think that we've got to work with them so they will."

Logan: "Would you consider unilateral U.S. action?"

Obama: "I will push Pakistan very hard to make sure that we go after those training camps. I think it's absolutely vital to the security interests for both the United States and Pakistan."

[yankeerebel7]

I don''t think this guy really has any idea how to deal with Iraq.

[rowdywicca]

This guy is just a JUNIOR SENATOR from Illinois...what kind of freaking negotiating power does he think he has...

He''s been throwing hot air rhetoric out there for months...and now thinks he can take credit for Bush''s negotiations with Malaki when he hasn''t even spoken to the man!!!!

The is the most hilarious bunch of KRAP LIES I''ve ever HEARD!

[nearl4511]

Iraq? Nothing to deal with. Iraqi Govt wants us out and has made progress. It''s time. They can deal with theri own insurgents. The only thing we have to be wary about is that they can hold their own versus Iran/Turkey.

[andylance1]

Obama''s political situation is getting "precarious" as our new war candidate. Watch out Pakistan, Obama is going to teach you a lesson. How dare you to fail to control your own borders.

Oops, that almost sounds like the Mexican - US border. Maybe he will go and teach Mexico a lesson, since they have taken advantage of us with NAFTA.

[ioweign]

I don''t think this guy really has any idea how to deal with Iraq.

Posted by yankeerebel7 at 12:03 PM : Jul 20, 2008

The last 5+ years proves Boosh never did. And McCain was with Boosh 95 percent of the time.

Iraqi PM Supports Obama''s Withdrawal Plan

Al-Maliki Approves Of Candidate''s Timetable For Removing U.S. Troops From Iraq Within 16 Months

[ioweign]

This guy is just a JUNIOR SENATOR from Illinois...what kind of freaking negotiating power does he think he has...

He''s been throwing hot air rhetoric out there for months...and now thinks he can take credit for Bush''''s negotiations with Malaki when he hasn''t even spoken to the man!!!!

The is the most hilarious bunch of KRAP LIES I''ve ever HEARD!

Posted by RowdyWicca at 12:08 PM : Jul 20, 2008

I seem to remember the Governor of Texas telling President Clinton for a timetable on Bosnia.

This is the same governor who could not maintain his obligated timetable with the Texas Air National Guard...

[sandycat2]

Obama doesn''t say anything new. If the US gets actionable info about high value targets, then we do try to take them out even if they are in Pakistan. We already bombed a house in Pakistan when we thought Al Qaeda''s 2nd in command was there. I have to laugh when he says we have to get Pakistan to deal with the militants living in Pakistan. How is he going to do that? That whole area where the militants are is like the wild west(there''s no law west of the Pecos). This guy doesn''t even have a clue of what to do.

[hollybb2]

This guy has no idea how to deal with anything. If he is elected, we will be sorry.

[obamaisaho]

now is the time for stepin'' fetchit to withdrawal his nomination, and go back to custodial work.

Also - get a hold of his new foreign policy advisers -Greg Craig, the shyster lawyer who cried like a baby when his boy the serial rapist was getting impeached; susan rice, the bimbo who suggested that the two anti-Semites named Jimmy, i.e., Baker and Carter be Hanoi John Kerry''s Mid-East negotiators; and finally, Tony Lake, another crybaby who resigned from the NSC when Nixon went into Cambodia, but did NOTHING when Tutsis and Hutis were slaughtering each other in Rwanda.

Of course always waiting in the wings are Zbig Brezinzski and the two Jew-baiters who our friendly custodian threw off his bus - Samantha Power and Rob Malley.

Not one of these Soros-paid off clowns inspires any confidence in me in running a State Department or National Security Council, not one. But Stepin'' loves ''em - or he can''t find anybody else.

[ioweign]

Obama doesn''''t say anything new. If the US gets actionable info about high value targets, then we do try to take them out even if they are in Pakistan. We already bombed a house in Pakistan when we thought Al Qaeda''''s 2nd in command was there. I have to laugh when he says we have to get Pakistan to deal with the militants living in Pakistan. How is he going to do that? That whole area where the militants are is like the wild west(there''''s no law west of the Pecos). This guy doesn''''t even have a clue of what to do.

Posted by sandycat2 at 12:16 PM : Jul 20, 2008

And just why is this situation even existing under the present administration after all the money they have thrown at the Pakistani government to deal with it.

It was this Administration that stated they would go after terrorists anywhere...

[fixhist]

Joly Good, Joly Good!

Fly east,Fly east, nice route.
If a Horse is in Front of a ***-cut,you can''t achive nothing. Because Royal horses have always view blockers.

And I don''t think,the designers of mega-Buster started on 911 has any intermission preceived to be coming,Yet (I Guess)

Every body,seems to be dancing in very own personal sand box.

Don''t worry Disney''s Mickey mouse Head start due to Horse Spin in Time Share, Big Business off course,same is legal battle.

But Never mind,Tell of "Necon & Zion Rodent" will always be under sleeping Lion King. King is a King,you can''t challenge a "Babbar-Shair",When ever he feels like to strech,rolle on floor,Laughs out madley in the Florida Cell.

Why you need a *** Cell when Lion of Burger-King has no clue,he is a King,just pretend on wrong side of Harour.

Not starange, Lions can hopp through either side of the Bed.

By The ways, Lions don''t play in Sand Boxes, just a dimensional correcting touch. Not a Big Deal, Hard hitters are always hard to please,

I''m trying though, But,
as such "Fixhist" is not in business Yet ;-)

[obamaisaho]

The arrogance of "Emperor Obama" - a guy who never served a day in the U.S. Armed Forces, a clown who sat in a pew of a Black Nazi''s church while the bozo screeched out anti-America, anti-Christian, and anti-semitic sh*t and Stepin'' did nothing until he had to.

So he, pipsqueak, wants to tell the world what to do. Boy, I can''t wait till a Putin knocks the little boy on his ***. Actually I can wait, because that would be a shameful day if the United States of America ever elects an imbecilic, gutless, pip squeak like the Rev. Wright and Senator Byrd loving Obama.

Obama - for taking your change, and keep YOU dependent on SAUDI and IRANIAN crude.

Don''t forget to scream Halliburton, Left Fascists, when the boy says $7 a gallon for gas.

Obama in ''08 - for White House Custodian. Nothing more, nothing less.

[ioweign]

This guy has no idea how to deal with anything. If he is elected, we will be sorry.

Posted by hollybb2 at 12:21 PM : Jul 20, 2008

Evidently the Iraqi PM thinks so...Have you expressed your concerns to Al-Maliki ???

Iraqi PM Supports Obama''s Withdrawal Plan

Al-Maliki Approves Of Candidate''s Timetable For Removing U.S. Troops From Iraq Within 16 Months

[chrisl45]

Obama, Iran is a sponsor of terror. It''s leaders insult Israel and the United States on a daily basis. If they do it why or why can''t I. I''m trying to sing here, but I''m still learning! Iran has also killed American soldiers. This is unconsciousable in my mind. I''d like to kill the people who are responsible. I can elect someone who will teach me how. Sure Syria did it also, but that''s no excuse. Iran is a bigger sponsor of terror than Syria ever was. That Syrian leader is a push over. Iran sponsors those terror groups which kill Israelis using suicide bombers. But, Iran used to have some leader whose name sounded like Ayatolla Khomeni. I used to daydream killing him. The people of Iran though that that leader was like Adolph Hitler because he cut Iranian hands off for minor things etc. He is gone from this Earth. You might say that what he did is Islamic law. Anyway, it''s totally inappropriate for Iranians to dislike John McCain because he jokes about certain things. The final thing I want to say is if Iran will stop what it is doing then I will forgive them because I do not want to see more death. God Bless John McCain, our troops, and America

[andylance1]

Hey, Obama and Pelosi, you''ve got to be careful with the content of German magazines, remember when news magazine Stern published extracts from what purported to be the diaries of Adolf Hitler, known as the Hitler Diaries, which were subsequently exposed as a hoax?

Now, Maliki said his remarks "were misunderstood, mistranslated and not conveyed accurately" about US withdrawal from Iraq.

[antoniof123]

I am truly amazed at wing nuts they have no clue.

Do you attend a special school on how to be retarded or were you born this way.

Iraq had nothing to do with 9-11 but you morons keep thinking it did. Hey the village idiot even said it now that said. Go back to your hole and be quite. We are just tired of your stupidity.

Have a nice day.

[obamaisaho]

mortal3,

Hey bozo, if the whole world wants Sharia, do you want it too?

If not, better get a brain because when Obama behaves like an Olmert and trades away dead Americans for live Qaedists, or sings Kumbaya while Ahmedinejedad readies his nukes, that is precisely what you will get.

Doesn''t ever bother you Left Fascist brain deads, that while you scream Halliburton and urge no more dependency on foreign oil, Obama, in his Soros paid-off refusal to drill, is precisely telling you that''s what to expect. $7 and up and staying dependent on his fellow Muslims for gas.

He has NO foreign policy, NO anti-terrorism policy, and NO energy policy. He''s a cowardly NOTHING full of hot air.

[obamaisaho]

antoniobozo,

nice "American" name. And of course Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11, just like the terror camp called Salman Pak was just an amusement park - for clowns like you.

Do us a favor, ANTONIO, go back to where you came from, ILLEGAL alien.

[cold777]

obamaisaho reminds me of cattle.

[whitemale08]

It''s amazing how Presidential Barack Obama looks!!!

You see the excitement in the air! The HOPE!

Even Condileeza Rice didn''t answer Wolf Blitzer on who she would support.

You know what that means you Republicons!!! haahaha

Say hello to Mr. Cool. Say hello to Mr. President Barack Obama!!!

Yea, Yea yeaa whooooopi!!! WOW!!! (fireworks) WOW

[hypnotoad72]

day by day, the whole reason for this liberal liberal''''s candidacy makes less sense. he''''s now where hillary clinton and the rest of the pack had the guts to be DURING the primaries, not after squeaking past the finish line with a handful more votes/delegates. this is no change, this is typical politics made worse by the hypocrisy of portraying himself as something different from the ''''past'''' - what a jerk.

Posted by ccfsdca
------------------

Now having been in the field, how do you know he hasn''t learned something that has changed his tune? There may be valid reasons. It''s that or it''s a flip-flop (pandering; it''s up for voters to decide which is true.

[rowdywicca]

Evidently the Iraqi PM thinks so...Have you expressed your concerns to Al-Maliki ???

Iraqi PM Supports Obama''''s Withdrawal Plan

Al-Maliki Approves Of Candidate''''s Timetable For Removing U.S. Troops From Iraq Within 16 Months


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Posted by IOWEIGN at 12:30 PM : Jul 20, 2008

Funny, isn''t it...The Iraqi PM hasn''t even spoken to Obama, has no clue what Obama is talking about...other than 16 months...which he''s already acknowledged with Bush it will take longer than that to withdraw...

The freaking media and it''s constant Obama honking is getting more and more ridiculous every day. It''s like they have absolutely no credibility at all after the last year and a half.

[rowdywicca]

Now having been in the field, how do you know he hasn''''t learned something that has changed his tune? There may be valid reasons. It''''s that or it''''s a flip-flop (pandering; it''''s up for voters to decide which is true.



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Posted by hypnotoad72 at 12:42 PM : Jul 20, 2008

What could he have learned behind the camera and shooting hoops? He hasn''t even been over there but a little more than 24 hours!

[rowdywicca]

Hey, Obama and Pelosi, you''''ve got to be careful with the content of German magazines, remember when news magazine Stern published extracts from what purported to be the diaries of Adolf Hitler, known as the Hitler Diaries, which were subsequently exposed as a hoax?

Now, Maliki said his remarks "were misunderstood, mistranslated and not conveyed accurately" about US withdrawal from Iraq.


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Posted by andylance1 at 12:33 PM : Jul 20, 2008

Of course they were! And I''ll bet a fiver the US media won''t say a word about it!

[likeitis5050]

Obama is on a roll!!! No reason to be all ugly about how well he''s doing. Leave him alone! I figure in another 4 weeks he will have effectively revealed all that we need to know to make an informed decision on what kind of president he will make...he just keeps telling us more and more and more....keep it up, Obama. We''ll give you all the space you need to blow the top off the real guy behind the swaggar and honey-coated voice that makes everyone faint. Yes we can...watch you prove you are nothing special....same ol'', same ol''!!!!

[ioweign]

Evidently the Iraqi PM thinks so...Have you expressed your concerns to Al-Maliki ???

Iraqi PM Supports Obama''s Withdrawal Plan


Posted by IOWEIGN at 12:30 PM : Jul 20, 2008

Funny, isn''t it...The Iraqi PM hasn''t even spoken to Obama, has no clue what Obama is talking about...other than 16 months...which he''s already acknowledged with Bush it will take longer than that to withdraw...

The freaking media and it''s constant Obama honking is getting more and more ridiculous every day. It''s like they have absolutely no credibility at all after the last year and a half.

Posted by RowdyWicca at 12:42 PM : Jul 20, 2008

How would you know if Al-Maliki and Obama have spoken ?

Do they consult with you personally ?

More "All Hat No Cattle" from Texas...

[rowdywicca]

How would you know if Al-Maliki and Obama have spoken ?

Do they consult with you personally ?

More "All Hat No Cattle" from Texas...


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Posted by IOWEIGN at 12:47 PM : Jul 20

Head of State do not consult with JUNIOR SENATORS who have no negotiating power...it would be quite pointless...and Obama''s in Afghanistan!

[whitemale08]

Everything is GREAT and FANTASTIC!!!

President Obama is finally going to get us out of this malaise we''ve been suffering for the last 8 years!!!

What a RELIEF!

[rowdywicca]

Everything is GREAT and FANTASTIC!!!

President Obama is finally going to get us out of this malaise we''''ve been suffering for the last 8 years!!!

What a RELIEF!


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Posted by whitemale08 at 12:50 PM : Jul 20, 2008

Enjoy your little delusion while you have it...PRESIDENT BUSH is negotiating with Malaki and has been for years...and they have known about the UN mandate all along...PRESIDENT BUSH and Malaki will negotiate this...and Obama will still be standing his his cadre of bull ***** in his $500 loafers!

[ioweign]

Head of State do not consult with JUNIOR SENATORS who have no negotiating power...it would be quite pointless...and Obama''''s in Afghanistan!

Posted by RowdyWicca at 12:48 PM : Jul 20, 2008

The Iraqi PM "reads" more than "My Pet Goat"...

[noprejudice]

PRESIDENT BUSH is negotiating with Malaki and has been for years..
**************
wow sounds like they''ve made headway over those years, eh????????? what sounds negotiations they must have!!!! amazing communication!!!! oh pleez!

[Stratmaster7]

Head of State do not consult with JUNIOR SENATORS who have no negotiating power...it would be quite pointless...and Obama''''s in Afghanistan!


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Posted by RowdyWicca at 12:48 PM

ummm.. Rowdy.. you do realize that Obama met with the (head-of-state) President in Afghanistan. so much for your theory.

[Stratmaster7]

Enjoy your little delusion while you have it...PRESIDENT BUSH is negotiating with Malaki and has been for years...and they have known about the UN mandate all along...PRESIDENT BUSH and Malaki will negotiate this...and Obama will still be standing his his cadre of bull ***** in his $500 loafers!


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Posted by RowdyWicca at 12:53 PM

Yes Rowdy. he is having to negotiate because Iraq turned down our request to stay indeterminately after the UN mandate expires. Iraq also has stated they want us out ASAP. And now has stated that Obama''s 16 month timetable is the right timeline. Bush has been forced to capitualte and establish...ummm... "time horizons"

[rowdywicca]

PRESIDENT BUSH is negotiating with Malaki and has been for years..
**************
wow sounds like they''''ve made headway over those years, eh????????? what sounds negotiations they must have!!!! amazing communication!!!! oh pleez!


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Posted by noprejudice at 12:55 PM : Jul 20, 2008

Yeah, they have...and isnt it great the mandate is running out and the negotiations must take place which they''ve known about for YEARS!

[jtyler271]

Posted by obamaisaho at 12:35 PM : Jul 20, 2008

Didn''t the republicans just vote down a bill that would allow them to drill?

Of course it was on land the oil companies are already wasting.

[dnsallday]

We have no idea what winning means to Mr. McCain. Mr. Bush initially promised a free and democratic Iraq. After spending $656 billion, his administration has retreated from such grandiose notions and he will be lucky to leave behind a marginally functioning central government in a very fragile and violent country.
Mr. Obama acknowledged that reality, and the fact that Mr. Bush%u2019s decision to deploy more troops last year has reduced the violence. Mr. McCain uses that to justify an unending war. Mr. Obama wisely said that it was time to capitalize on American soldiers%u2019 sacrifices to plan an end to the war. %u201CAt some point, a judgment must be made,%u201D he said. %u201CIraq is not going to be a perfect place, and we don%u2019t have the resources to try to make it one.%u201D
He pointed out that the military cannot sustain Mr. Bush%u2019s troop surge. %u201CTrue success will take place when we leave Iraq to a government that is taking responsibility for its future,%u201D he said.

The more the United States insists it will not even consider withdrawal, the less incentive Iraqis have to settle their political differences. Iraq%u2019s leaders have asked for a withdrawal timetable. The next president needs to take them at their word. The candidates need to keep talking about how they will meet that goal and then address the real threats in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

[rowdywicca]

ummm.. Rowdy.. you do realize that Obama met with the (head-of-state) President in Afghanistan. so much for your theory.


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Posted by stratmaster2 at 12:56 PM : Jul 20, 2008

So much for your theory and the media bull *****! Obama is in Afghanistan...and hasn''t even been to Iraq yet!

[noprejudice]

...and Obama will still be standing his his cadre of bull ***** in his $500 loafers!
**********
you''re something, Rowdy. You swung from toting Hillary, to validating Bush, seemingly out of anger and resentment towards Obama, based on your crazy bashing. what gives? that''s like the biggest flip flop I''ve seen this political season!!!!!!!

[dnsallday]

We were encouraged that Mr. Obama embraced a proposal by the leaders of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee %u2014 the Democratic chairman, Joseph Biden, and the ranking Republican, Richard Lugar %u2014 to triple nonmilitary aid to Pakistan to $7.5 billion over five years. The United States must invest more in building ties with Pakistan%u2019s people and strengthening its democracy. Congress should move quickly to adopt the proposal, which also would require a long-overdue plan to address the lawlessness of the Afghan-Pakistan border.

After arguing that no additional forces were needed, Mr. McCain reversed course on Tuesday and endorsed sending 15,000 more troops to Afghanistan. But he seemed confused about whether they would be American forces drawn from Iraq or an American-NATO mix, leaving us wondering how well formed his ideas are.
And it was distressing to hear Mr. McCain still talking about %u201Cwinning%u201D the war in Iraq and adopting the tedious tactic of accusing Mr. Obama of %u201Cgiving up%u201D when he talks about a careful withdrawal of troops.

[rowdywicca]

And the US media hasn''t said a word that Malaki is already stating that the media misinterpreted his words and intentions!

[jtyler271]

Posted by RowdyWicca at 12:59 PM : Jul 20, 2008

Read it again.

[whitemale08]

***** in his $500 loafers!


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Posted by RowdyWicca at 12:53 PM : Jul 20, 2008-

First of all Malik is not recognized by anyone except his puppet master George Bush.

Until Obama officially recognize Malaki as the leader of Iraq no one will.

Obama has to make it official that Malaki is chosen without the pressure of U.S. troops.

That''s the U.N. mandate. So you Republicans can repeat his full name over and over again to catipulte the propaganda but that''s fantasy, but you have a right to fantasize in a free country.

[Stratmaster7]

ummm.. Rowdy.. you do realize that Obama met with the (head-of-state) President in Afghanistan. so much for your theory.


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Posted by stratmaster2 at 12:56 PM : Jul 20, 2008

So much for your theory and the media bull *****! Obama is in Afghanistan...and hasn''''t even been to Iraq yet!


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Posted by RowdyWicca at 12:59 PM

Huh? I never said Obama was in Iraq or had talked to them. He didn;t even have to talk to them and theya re endorsing his plan. Because it MAKES SENSE. however, it won;t help bush and his cronies get rich off of their oil, which is the real issue here.

[dnsallday]

Mr. Obama has a better grasp of the big picture, despite Mr. McCain%u2019s claim to more foreign policy experience. For far too long, Mr. Bush%u2019s preoccupation with his misadventure in Iraq %u2014 which fostered a presence for Al Qaeda where there was none %u2014 has dangerously diverted precious manpower, resources and high-level attention from Afghanistan and Pakistan.

As Mr. Obama correctly asserted in an Op-Ed article in The Times on Monday and in a speech on Tuesday, those countries, not Iraq, are the real frontline of the war against terrorism.

Mr. Obama said he would withdraw combat forces from Iraq by 2010, shift at least 10,000 more troops to Afghanistan that could be leveraged to persuade NATO allies to also increase their numbers, send more nonmilitary aid to Afghanistan and build a stronger Afghanistan-Pakistan-NATO partnership on the lawless border. He also promised an extra $2 billion as part of an international effort to deal with more than four million displaced Iraqis %u2014 a crisis that the Bush administration has unconscionably ignored.

[noprejudice]

jtyler271:

exactly! LOL, still on Afghanistan, rowdster!! reel it in!!!!!

[dnsallday]

Until this week, when Senator Barack Obama, the presumptive Democratic nominee, offered a sensible and comprehensive blueprint for dealing with the mess that President Bush created by bungling the war of necessity against Al Qaeda in Afghanistan, which could have made Americans safer, and starting a war of choice in Iraq, which made the world more insecure.

Mr. Obama%u2019s Republican rival, Senator John McCain, is no longer able to ignore the situation on the Afghan-Pakistan border, where Al Qaeda and the Taliban %u2014 the true threats to American security %u2014 are resurgent. But he has not matched Mr. Obama%u2019s seriousness on Iraq. Mr. McCain is still tied in knots, largely adopting Mr. Bush%u2019s blind defense of an unending conflict.

[rowdywicca]

Posted by truthmatterz at 01:00 PM : Jul 20, 2008

Ummm, exactly when was Obama EMBRACED? He hasn''t been to a meeting nor has he held ONE meeting as Chair of the NATO Oversight Committee on Afghanistan.

Please post the picture of him being EMBRACED!

[Stratmaster7]

And the US media hasn''''t said a word that Malaki is already stating that the media misinterpreted his words and intentions!


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Posted by RowdyWicca at 01:00

Have you read the "retraction". He even includes the word timetable in his "retraction". Of course he had to say that, or risk completely alienating bush and McCain. Only Bush is still stubbornly clinging to the "time horizon". Talk about BS. Great POTUS...bush thinks Americans are all idiots and that those semantics will mean something.

[noprejudice]

embracing a proposal??????? oh yes, pleez offer a pix of this. for rowdy''s sake.

[ioweign]

And the US media hasn''t said a word that Malaki is already stating that the media misinterpreted his words and intentions!

Posted by RowdyWicca at 01:00 PM : Jul 20, 2008

Hearsay...Rowdy...Hearsay