Obama edges off his Iraq position
Don't freak out, but it appears Obama is backing off some of the specific language on his withdrawal timeline on Iraq. (The "one or two brigades a month....")
Not really too surprising, if you think about it. As Obama faces the reality that he's going to be the next president, he's backing off specifics on several of his national security positions to give himself more leeway later on. (On Iraq, he was always going to talk with Generals/Pentagon before enacting any strict withdrawal timeline.)
In a later press conference, Obama maintains his position hasn't changed.
But, they are definitely aware of the optics, dropping this on a three day weekend "Friday dump."
(He's also getting this out of the way before his trip to Iraq.)
Not really too surprising, if you think about it. As Obama faces the reality that he's going to be the next president, he's backing off specifics on several of his national security positions to give himself more leeway later on. (On Iraq, he was always going to talk with Generals/Pentagon before enacting any strict withdrawal timeline.)
In a later press conference, Obama maintains his position hasn't changed.
But, they are definitely aware of the optics, dropping this on a three day weekend "Friday dump."
(He's also getting this out of the way before his trip to Iraq.)
posted by mikevotes at
4:03 PM
3 Comments:
Bad move. Very bad move.
Bush's position is to get out of Iraq "as quickly as possible". Same with McCain. The subtle difference between various definitions of the phrase "as soon as possible" is too much to ask of the average voter.
The major difference now is that Obama says Iraq was a mistake, and the Republicans say it was brilliant and necessary.
Not much to hang your hat on.
"I'm going to do a thorough assessment when I'm there."
Wow. Like Bush and McCain haven't done "thorough assessments" of their own? Crap.
He should have just said, "My plan is to withdraw within 16 months, but I know the wisdom of being flexible when it comes to plans". That gives him all of the "leeway" he would need without sounding like he's back-pedalling.
Very disappointing.
By
Todd Dugdale , at 6:00 PM
No way are the generals or the Pentagon going to agree to withdrawal.
By
Anonymous, at 6:05 PM
This was always coming, guys.
I don't mean to be cynical, but this was a true campaign promise that was going to bend when it hit the road.
But, there is a difference between having real leadership with the intention of pulling back from combat operations and the lip service being paid by the Bush admin.
By
mikevotes, at 7:06 PM
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