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Thursday, July 03, 2008

Obama’s Latest Position On Iraq So Muddled He Has To Explain It To Reporters Twice

Stupid in North Dakota:

FARGO, North Dakota (Reuters) - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama waded into controversy on Thursday over his plans to withdraw U.S. combat troops from Iraq, first saying he might “refine” his views but later declaring his stance had remained unchanged for more than a year.

Obama was forced to call reporters back for a second news conference in Fargo, North Dakota, after he initially left open the possibility of revising his 16-month timetable for pulling U.S. combat forces from Iraq.

“Let me be as clear as I can be. I intend to end this war. My first day in office I will bring the joint chiefs of staff in and I will give them a new mission and that is to end this war,” Obama told reporters in his second news conference.

But he added: “I would be a poor commander in chief if I didn’t take facts on the ground into account.”

Obama’s in a tough, tough spot with Iraq.  On one hand he has a long history of beating up political opponents like Hillary Clinton over their support, past or present, of the war in Iraq.  From day one he’s been an “end the war now” candidate, and distancing himself means distancing himself from all the leftist fanatics he’s attracted to his campaign with all that empty-but-nice-sounding stuff about “hope” and “audacity” and “change.”

On the other hand, even liberal rags like The New Yorker are noting that the situation in Iraq is trending more and more toward success and that Obama needs to change his outdated stance on the war.

If Obama continues to placate the far-left liberals - and he can hardly afford not to with big time movers-and-shakers like Markos Moulitsas already threatening to withhold money because of his previous policy flip-flops - he’ll look like an obstinate child with his fingers in his ears going “nah nah nah nah” lest he have to admit that his political opponents were right and he was wrong on Iraq.

Obama is an attractive candidate and a fantastic public speaker, but being good-looking and having a knack for delivering inspirational (if rather empty of meaning) speeches doesn’t cover for you being woefully, publicly wrong about one of the biggest issues of this campaign.

Comments

you think about this; Obama has about 4 different views on the war.

1. Obama says he is going to end the war.
2. At an earlier news conference, the Illinois senator had said he could “refine" his stance after he visits Iraq.

3. Obama said he would not support a long-term U.S. presence in Iraq but wanted to ensure any troop withdrawal was orderly and safe.

4. I would listen to commanders on the ground.  I’ve always said the pace of withdrawal would be dictated by the safety and security of our troops and the need to maintain stability.

I am confused, which is it?


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goon on July 3, 2008 at 11:00 pm
Avatar for Gene Lalor


Cheer up Americans!  With the help and mercy of God, Osama/Obama will never become the President of the United States!

While we pray his ignominious defeat, enjoy this:

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY, AMERICA! 

Click the link to hear Lee Greenwood’s tribute to our nation and to the men who died to keep it free, GOD BLESS THE USA, aka, PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN:  http://www.sceniclasvegas.com/proud_to_be.html

God Bless The USA

If tomorrow all the things were gone

I’d worked for all my life,

And I had to start again

with just my children and my wife,

I’d thank my lucky stars

to be living here today,

‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom

and they can’t take that away.

I’m proud to be an American

where at least I know I’m free,

And I won’t forget the men who died

who gave that right to me,

And I gladly stand up next to you

and defend her still today,

‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land

GOD BLESS THE USA

From the lakes of Minnesota

to the hills of Tennessee,

Across the plains of Texas

from sea to shining sea.

From Detroit down to Houston

and New York to L.A.,

There’s pride in every American heart

and it’s time we stand and say:

I’m proud to be an American

where at least I know I’m free,

And I won’t forget the men who died

who gave that right to me,

And I gladly stand up next to you

and defend her still today,

‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land

God Bless the U. S. A.

Lee Greenwood

(Compliments of http://genelalor.com/)

Gene Lalor on July 3, 2008 at 11:28 pm

I suppose if Obama’s plan has been to recall the troops the day after his inauguration then his statements yesterday would indicate a change of position. There’s no doubt that he’s introduced some wiggle room as to how quickly the withdrawal will take but he doesn’t sound like a guy who’s change his mind. There’s also no doubt that Obama’s more liberal supporters won’t like any of his moves to the centre but the fact remains that the centre determines who wins and loses. There’s nothing wrong with insisting on ideological purity but that rarely wins elections IMO.


Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives.

John Stuart Mill

MikeAdamson on July 4, 2008 at 02:55 am
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Rob: In all fairness to Obama, maybe someone explained it to him after the first speech?



Trolls. It’s what’s for breakfast!
And then I eat their lunch.

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Proof on July 4, 2008 at 06:48 am
Avatar for Mark

Always listen for “unusual” phraseology to identify doublespeak. For instance, Barack said, “Let me be as clear as I can be.” Who says that? “Let me be clear” is fine. It makes sense. It’s common usage. Let me be as clear AS I CAN BE? In other words, there are certain reasons I cannot be completely clear, so I will be as clear as I can be...considering I have no idea what is going on in Iraq or whether I will have to find out the troops should stay because things are going so well and we could actually benefit strategically from a long term presence in Iraq i.e. Germany. After all I’m just campaigning. Whereas someone else (Bush)actually knows the facts on the ground inside and out.
There’s another giveaway phrase “the facts on the ground”. He said that too. That is a huge shift in rhetoric for Obama. The facts on the ground has always been a deferral to the assessment of generals, never before heard among Obama’s hardline uncompromising withdrawal speeches. Facts on the ground is actually a common Bush phrase. He always used it when reporters tried to pin him down on an end to US operations. As far as the ideological spectrum on this war, “16 months” and “facts on the ground” have always been on opposite ends.
Make no mistake, Barack Obama is now embracing two separate timeframes. He recently said “I want to end this war ‘as soon as possible’”. 16 months and “as soon as possible” are two completely different things. The liberal pundits on the cable news shows can spin till they’re dizzy, but the reaction of the base to these speeches tells no lies. He is shedding skin once again.

Mark on July 4, 2008 at 08:37 am
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Charles Krauthammer has a great piece on the Flip Flop Meister Obama:

A Man of Seasonal Principles



Trolls. It’s what’s for breakfast!
And then I eat their lunch.

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Proof on July 4, 2008 at 08:42 am
Avatar for Mountain Jack

It was only confusing to the mainstream media who MUST keep the race close in order to retain their illusory credibility.  Obama will destroy the Old Dude in a landslide.  Once the American people see Obama speaking to huge roaring crowds in Europe (in contrast to Bush ducking for cover) they’ll realize that he has the communication skills necessary to restore our international reputation.

Old Dude is simply Bush on Steroids.  We don’t need the Village Idiot Part 2 in the White House.  McCain finished 894th out of a class of 899, and crashed four planes BEFORE being shot down.  He can’t remember today what he said yesterday.  NOT a realistic candidate for commander in chief.

Mountain Jack on July 4, 2008 at 08:48 am

Goon,
Are you as dim as you seem to be? Let me explain it to you. Barack Obama will end the U.S. war in Iraq. He will consult with commanders on the best manner in which to bring the troops home expeditiously and safely. Then the withdrawal will take place. Now what about my statements or the statements Barack made do you not understand?

ollie-B on July 4, 2008 at 12:36 pm

Barack Obama will end the U.S. war in Iraq.

First off the empty suit has to get ELECTED.


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goon on July 4, 2008 at 03:52 pm

watashiwa:
Let us be honest, he is backing away from the extreme liberal position that helped him win the nomination, isn’t that true? We may disagree on how much he is changing towards the middle, but he is changing for the General Election.

Next, all the reports on the ground indicate we have truly won this war, it could turn around if we withdraw too fast and even Obama realizes that; he will not end the war if it is for all intent and purposes already won, he can only bring the troops home faster than Bush would have. Yet, while I dislike his socialist, radical views, Obama is no fool, he knows if he pulls out too fast and Iraq gets in trouble with huge numbers of deaths, there goes his hopes for 2012.

Goon: Obama is not elected, something could happen and he could lose; but absent a major scandal he can only lose, McCain cannot defeat him!


No matter the age or state of health, for a military man it is always glorious to tilt at windmills, rescue a fair Dulcinea and be a gallant knight in armor in a glorious cause.

Neiman on July 4, 2008 at 04:08 pm

Goon: Obama is not elected, something could happen and he could lose; but absent a major scandal he can only lose, McCain cannot defeat him!

I would be willing to make a bet with you. I told my mother in law today that McCain should take 2 months off from campaigning and just let Obama hang him self with all his flip flopping he is doing. This clown makes John F’n Kerry look smart. The American people are starting to realize that there is nothing but fancey speechs and a questionable past.


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goon on July 4, 2008 at 06:00 pm
Avatar for Gene Lalor

THE OLD GRAY B*TCH: CENSORSHIP AT THE NEW YORK TIMES

JULY 22, 2008 | GENE LALOR

THE OLD GRAY B*TCH: CENSORSHIP AT THE NEW YORK TIMES

Published July 22nd, 2008

The New York Times, which last week printed an op-ed piece by Senator Obama on the Iraq War, has rejected an article on the same subject by Senator John McCain. Says editorial page editor, David Shipley, “It would be terrific to have an article from Sen. McCain that mirrors Sen. Obama’s piece.” (http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/07/mccain-oped-not.html)

As our Black brethren might say, “Say what???”

Since the “paper of record,” “the old, gray lady,” has now become a senile, old, corrupt, censorial b*tch determined to dictate rather than report and editorially comment upon the news, we hereby proudly re-print in its entirety that piece written by John McCain:

(For McCain’s op-ed, please see http://genelalor.com/)

If you agree that the piece by McCain should have been printed as a fair counterbalance to Obama’s opinions, please consider writing a letter of protest to the NYT at http://www.nytimes.com/, email address: , street address: NYT, ONE CITY HALL, NEW YORK, N.Y. 10007.

It’s time the Times learns that all the news that fits doesn’t fit anymore.

(Excerpt) Read more at genelalor.com ...

Gene Lalor on July 21, 2008 at 11:43 pm
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