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
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Exclusive: Obama In Afghanistan
Presumptive Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama speaks with CBS News chief foreign affairs correspondent Lara Logan about his visit to the Middle East and the War on Terror in Afghanistan.
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Obama Visits Middle East
"CBS News RAW:" Speaking before U.S. Army soldiers at a military base in Kuwait, presumptive Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama addressed various issues, such as the War on Terror.
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Barack Obama will walk a diplomatic tightrope during his upcoming tour of the Middle East and Europe. Jeff Greenfield reports on wha impact this could have on the senator's campaign.
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Sen. Barack Obama in Afghanistan talks to Lara Logan on "Face The Nation." (CBS)
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Obama: "It's a huge problem. First of all, if we hadn't taken our eye off the ball, we might've caught them before they got into Pakistan and were able to reconstitute themselves. So we made a strategic error. And it's one that we're going to pay for, and unfortunately the people in Afghanistan have paid for it as well.
"But we now have an opportunity to correct that problem. One of the, if you look at what's happening right now in Iraq, Prime Minister al-Maliki has indicated he wants a timetable full withdraw. That is the view of the vast majority of Iraqis as well. We've seen a quelling of the violence. We haven't seen as much political progress as needs to be made. But we're starting to see some efforts on the part of the various factions to deal with some of the issues that are out there.
Logan: "Token efforts at best."
Obama: "They are token efforts at best. But if we have a timetable and they suddenly see an urgency behind the fact that the American troops are going to be leaving and that they need to get their act together, then this is the perfect moment for us to say, 'We are going to shift our resources. We're going to get a couple of more brigades here into Afghanistan. We're going to be willing to increase our foreign aid to Pakistan.' In exchange, we're going to expect that Pakistan takes much more seriously going after al-Qaeda and Taliban base camps on their side of the borders."
Logan: "What would be a 'mission accomplished' for you in Afghanistan?
Obama: "Well, a 'mission accomplished' would be that we had stabilized Afghanistan, that the Afghan people are experiencing rising standards of living, that we have made sure that we are disabling al-Qaeda and the Taliban so that they can longer attack Afghanistan, they can no longer engage in attacks against targets of Pakistan, and they can't target the United States or its allies."
Logan "Losing is not an option?"
Obama: "Losing is not an option when it comes to al-Qaeda. And it never has been. And that's why the fact that we engaged in a war of choice when were not yet finished with that task was such a mistake."
Logan: "Do you believe the war on terror can't be won if Osama bin Laden is still alive and if he's still out there?"
Obama: "I think there would be enormous symbolic value in us capturing or killing bin Laden, because I think he's still a rallying point for Islamic extremists. But I don't think that by itself is sufficient. I think that we are going to have to be vigilante in dismantling these terrorist networks."
Logan: "Okay, last question: There is a perception that you lack experience in world affairs."
Obama: "Right."
Logan: "Is this trip partly aimed at overcoming that concern, that, you know, there are doubts among some Americans that you could lead the country at war as commander in chief from day one?"
Obama: "You know, the interesting thing is that the people who are very experienced in foreign affairs, I don't think have those thoughts. The troops that I've been meeting with over the last several days, they don't seem to have those doubts. The objective of this trip was to have substantive discussions with people like President Karzai or Prime Minister Maliki or President Sarkozy or others who I expect to be dealing with over the next eight to ten years.
"It's important for me to have a relationship with them early, that I start listening to them now, getting a sense of what their interests and concerns are, because one of the shifts in foreign policy that I want to execute as president is giving the world a clear message that America intends to continue to show leadership, but our style of leadership is going to be less unilateral, that we're going to see our role as building partnerships around the world that are of mutual interest to the parties involved. And I think this gives me a head start in that process."
Logan: "Do you have any doubts?"
Obama: "Never."
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See all 2106 CommentsHe''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!
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.
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
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...
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.
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...
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 ;-)
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.
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
Now, Maliki said his remarks "were misunderstood, mistranslated and not conveyed accurately" about US withdrawal from Iraq.
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.
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.
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.
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
Posted by ccfsdca
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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.
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.
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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!
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!
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...
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!
President Obama is finally going to get us out of this malaise we''ve been suffering for the last 8 years!!!
What a RELIEF!
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!
Posted by RowdyWicca at 12:48 PM : Jul 20, 2008
The Iraqi PM "reads" more than "My Pet Goat"...
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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 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.
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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"
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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!
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.
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.
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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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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!!!!!!!
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.
Read it again.
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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.
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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.
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.
exactly! LOL, still on Afghanistan, rowdster!! reel it in!!!!!
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.
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!
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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.
Posted by RowdyWicca at 01:00 PM : Jul 20, 2008
Hearsay...Rowdy...Hearsay
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