If this is true I find it to be very good news. My biggest worry about an Obama presidency was his insistence that we need to bring home our troops from Iraq as quickly as possible. If Obama decided that was the wrong strategy in Iraq I would be much happier on election night.
However, I would like to know what the people who support a quick withdrawal of all of our troops would think if Obama decided not to bring the troops home until the Iraqi's could handle their own security issues. If he decides that a quick withdrawal is a bad thing than does this tarnish him somewhat in your eyes? I know it won't change your mind on who you would vote for, but would it disappoint you at all? And if your fine with this new plan from Obama, why did you not believe General Petraeus when he reported on the progress in Iraq?
I know the campaign finance change of heart probably doesn't mean much to people (although it does to some), but this has to make his supporters at least pause for a moment. Right?
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Obama has put forth a plan for withdrawal in 16 months, but he has also consistently stated that he would not favor a precipitous withdrawal that ignores the situation in the region.
I always thought he'd adjust his withdrawal plans as necessary. One of his favorite lines is that we have to be "as careful getting out as we were careless getting in."
I think the differences between Obama and McCain on Iraq are narrower than their campaigns would indicate.
McCain is going to be required by reality to work backwards from 100 years. Obama is going to be required by reality to work forward from 16 months. I think either would end his first term with a presence in Iraq that is significant but much smaller than today (perhaps about 5,000 to 20,000).
The advantage Obama has is that he will bring new leadership and a new face to the war. Having opposed it from the beginning and made clear that his goal is withdrawal as quickly as prudently possible will give him credibility.
This can benefit him domestically and internationally. Domestically, his credibility with the left will buy him more patience. Internationally, he stands a chance of assembling a coalition to support post-war Iraq. He can say to the world, "I know you disagreed with the decision to invade Iraq and the conduct of the war, as did I, but now we must put that behind us and focus on the future of the Middle East."
Moreover, I think Obama has a better chance of convincing Iraqis that he is not after their oil, convincing those who don't want us their that he does not intend to occupy them for "100 years", and convincing those that do want us there that our commitment is not open-ended.
I would be disappointed if Obama intended to withdraw in 16 months, damn the consequences. After 8 years of Bush, I don't want another president who refuses to acknowledge reality.
I do believe Gen. Petraeus when he says there is progress.
My comment here is relevant to this discussion.
My questions were more towards Curt (is he still a part of this blog?) but another good response.
I think it's smart to have a consulting military presence in Iraq (like Germany, Japan and South Korea) . You know that's what McCain means by 100 years in Iraq.
Simple answer. It's late, and I'm tired. Yes, his campaign finance reversal does make me view him as more of an old-game politician that I'd believed/hoped before. However, I agree with Brian's assessment that his combination of ambition, idealism, and pragmatism is positive.
I've never had any problem with Petraeus. My problem has been with the fact that the people responding to his status reports are the same people that decided to invade a country that did not attack us. My problem was not with his comments, but rather with the government's interpretation and reaction to.
And if a Consulting Presence in Iraq is what McCain meant, then in our current culture of overthrowing governments and nation-building he should have said that clearly if he expects people to understand that is his position.
And yes I'm still here. I just frequently find that Brian has already said what I was thinking, and said it better.
Curt wrote: "And if a Consulting Presence in Iraq is what McCain meant, then in our current culture of overthrowing governments and nation-building he should have said that clearly if he expects people to understand that is his position."
John McCain's website:"When Iraqi forces can safeguard their own country, American troops can return home."
Is that clear enough?
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