THE INITIAL MEDIA coverage of Barack Obama's visit to Iraq suggested that the Democratic candidate found agreement with his plan to withdraw all U.S. combat forces on a 16-month timetable. So it seems worthwhile to point out that, by Mr. Obama's own account, neither U.S. commanders nor Iraq's principal political leaders actually support his strategy.
Gen. David H. Petraeus, the architect of the dramatic turnaround in U.S. fortunes, "does not want a timetable," Mr. Obama reported with welcome candor during a news conference yesterday. In an interview with ABC, he explained that "there are deep concerns about . . . a timetable that doesn't take into account what [American commanders] anticipate might be some sort of change in conditions."
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who has a history of tailoring his public statements for political purposes, made headlines by saying he would support a withdrawal of American forces by 2010. But an Iraqi government statement made clear that Mr. Maliki's timetable would extend at least seven months beyond Mr. Obama's. More significant, it would be "a timetable which Iraqis set" -- not the Washington-imposed schedule that Mr. Obama has in mind. It would also be conditioned on the readiness of Iraqi forces, the same linkage that Gen. Petraeus seeks. As Mr. Obama put it, Mr. Maliki "wants some flexibility in terms of how that's carried out."
As the editorial further points out, Sunni leaders in Anbar said that they do not endorse the kind of precipitous withdrawal that Obama has in mind. Max Boot piles on, pointing out that Nuri al-Maliki's military judgment has been proven wrong in the past and that military professionals in Iraq want a longer American stay--as do military professionals in the United States, like Joint Chiefs Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen. And while the Post editorial is kind (too kind, perhaps) to attribute a sense of flexibility to Obama's plans concerning the future of American forces in Iraq, it properly notes that Obama continues to stubbornly resist making concessions to the obvious fact that the surge has succeeded and that his judgment concerning the surge and the implementation of the counterinsurgency strategy was completely in error.
As I see it, it is not at all difficult for John McCain to say something along the lines of the following: "My plan is to get American troops out of Iraq by 2013 but if conditions on the ground allow me to accelerate their withdrawal, I will do so. I will be guided by the conditions on the ground and I will play very close attention to the recommendations of my military commanders."
Barack Obama could reciprocate by saying something along the following lines: "My plan is to get American troops out of Iraq in 16 months once I am inaugurated, but if conditions on the ground force me to slow down their withdrawal, I will do so. I will be guided by the conditions on the ground and I will play very close attention to the recommendations of my military commanders." But if Obama does say something along these lines, he will be deserted by his base--already angry about Obama's capitulation on FISA reforms--faster than one can blink an eyelash.
So, because of Presidential politics, Obama does not say what a reasonable aspiring Commander-in-Chief would say regarding Iraq. He may be playing the electoral game smartly as a consequence, but he is boxing himself in something terrible if he ends up winning the Presidency. And the consequence of Obama's decision to box himself in will be a poorly informed and executed withdrawal plan that will be precipitous in its nature, will allow Iraq to go to Hell in a handbasket after all of the hard-won gains that the surge and the counterinsurgency strategy have brough about, will throw the region into turmoil and will seriously undermine American national security interests, while ensuring that someday in the future, we will have to go back in order to deal with the fallout from Obama's ill-conceived withdrawal plan.
Just something to consider as you go into the voting booth.
Obama is pathetic
CaptainMarvel July 24th, 2008 at 12:52 a.m. (link)
I really don't think this trip to the Middle East is helping him. This may not show up in polls but it seems to me that it exposes him as being extremely inexperienced, amateurish, and a rookie. McCain towers over him in terms of stature. I don't understand why conservatives are so pessimistic, especially regarding the Maliki comments earlier this week. Even if he did really make the statements in question (which he likely didn't) Obama looks petty & small for trying to latch onto Maliki now, after the Democrats & the Left have trashed Maliki as an incompetent stooge & puppet for the last 3 years.
"Libertas est non liber."
Capt. How would you feel?
SpaceElevator July 24th, 2008 at 1:05 a.m. (link)
The first part of your post includes a lot of the word "I". No logic or actual argument, Just your feelings. Then a weak argument about Maliki wanting occupation troops out. How would you like it if IRAQI's invaded, then occupied your home town in Arkansas or wherever you live?
I'd be pissed off and I would ask you to leave
ispeedtoo July 24th, 2008 at 1:39 a.m. (link)
Yup!
All us Christian God fearing true believers would get real uppity and insist that you invader types leave. And yes I am one too!
Facts are American are very slow to get this. 16 years and counting and everybody just expects that we can bomb anybody and every body without BLOW BACK.
Come on people I went to college and they used to demand that you take science and logic, but I guess most of us forgot about CAUSE AND EFFECT.
You take a problem and it always has causes. What are the causes of Iraq. Any volunteers?
Instead you all get way layed buy some radio honky screaming that we MUST HAVE VICTORY. Translation all your GRAND Kidds will be Fighting and dying in the middle east after thier daddies get dead.
Wake up! It is not a simple game. McCain is a simple man that can not figure past his nose.
American needs better policy makers and government only we Americans can make that possible, Please get off your butts and tell your representative to do something new!
Ahoy ... 'e's blowin' agin off port
CincoSolas_del_Bronx July 24th, 2008 at 2:57 a.m. (link)
nt
soli Deo gloria
Great suggestion.
Justin_Case July 24th, 2008 at 6:45 a.m. (link)
American needs better policy makers and government only we Americans can make that possible, Please get off your butts and tell your representative to do something new!
Would you care to share with us the contents of a letter you might send, or have already sent, to your representatives?
Radio Honky? The Fairness Doctrine's probable application
streetwise July 24th, 2008 at 8:05 a.m. (link)
path may have just been revealed.
Obama has truly created a post-racial America.
The man is a god, I say!
I tot I taw a meme rath outgrabe
CincoSolas_del_Bronx July 24th, 2008 at 2:42 a.m. (link)
nt
soli Deo gloria
But how would you feel
Streiff July 24th, 2008 at 7:36 a.m. (link)
if your town was controlled by a vicious bully and his cronies and someone came in, removed them, and let you govern yourself?
That's the real question.
"A man does what he can and endures what he must."
And let's not forget...
Moe Lane July 24th, 2008 at 7:50 a.m. (link)
...that we could have dealt with said bully a decade ago, only didn't, and ended up keeping him from slaughtering 1/3rd of the town (who wanted us to come in) via an enforced air interdiction; and oh, yes, we encouraged the majority of the town to go up against the bully themselves, then didn't do anything to help them...
And this is why one shouldn't think in terms of analogies: they're mental shorthand, and can't stand up for too long. Not that I need to tell you that; this is mostly for ispeedtoo. Perhaps he can meditate on these thoughts for the next 24 hours, before he petitions the Directors to have his account turned back on. :)
The Fuzzy Puppy of the VRWC.I've been usurped!Moe you are so mean
Kyle July 24th, 2008 at 8:04 a.m. (link)
wow an early morning blam. Sure the guy is an unthinking leftard, but he wasn't unduly contumacious.
"Nothing works like freedom, Nothing succeeds like liberty" Kyle
The baby has a cold.
Moe Lane July 24th, 2008 at 8:45 a.m. (link)
I don't really have time to play much. :)
The Fuzzy Puppy of the VRWC.I've been usurped!