Obama says consensus on pullout timetable
Barack Obama is trying to capitalize on the tentative US-Iraq agreement that includes a timetable for withdrawing US troops from cities in 2011, asserting that it isolates Republican rival John McCain.
Obama's 16-month withdrawal plan would be quicker than the agreement, while McCain opposes any deadline for a pullout, saying the military situation should determine when US troops leave.
“I am glad that the Administration has finally shifted to accepting a timetable for the removal of our combat troops from Iraq," Obama said in a statement this afternoon. "Success in Iraq depends on an Iraqi government that is reconciling its differences and taking responsibility for its future, and a timetable is the best way to press the Iraqis to do just that. I welcome the growing convergence around this pragmatic and responsible position.
“This agreement is still draft and vital pieces of it must be finalized, so I will reserve final judgment on the agreement until it is complete. The agreement needs to be carefully reviewed, and must include immunity for U.S. troops and Defense Department personnel from Iraqi jurisdiction. I continue to believe that in consultation with our commanders and the Iraqi government, we can safely redeploy at a pace that removes our combat brigades in 16 months, with a residual force to target remnants of al Qaeda; to protect our service members and diplomats; and to train Iraq's Security Forces if the Iraqis make political progress.
“Senator McCain has stubbornly focused on maintaining an indefinite U.S presence in Iraq, but events have made his bluster and record increasingly out of touch with reality. While Senator McCain continues to offer unconditional military and economic support for Iraq, I strongly believe that we need to use our leverage with the Iraqi government to ensure a political settlement."
UPDATE: McCain issued this statement tonight: "I am pleased that, following the surge strategy led by General David Petraeus and our brave men and women in uniform, security in Iraq has improved to the point at which we can responsibly talk with our Iraqi allies about U.S. troop withdrawals. Because of the hard-won success of this strategy, the Iraqi security forces are able to take on ever greater responsibility for security in their country. We should not forget that this is possible only because of the surge -- a strategy many predicted would fail and that some cannot, even today, recognize as a stunning success.
"While negotiations with the Iraqi government are ongoing, reports indicate that all dates included in the draft security agreement are aspirational goals, based on conditions on the ground. Conditions-based withdrawals of U.S. troops are the precise opposite course of that advocated by Senator Obama. Senator Obama seeks to withdraw all U.S. combat forces regardless of the consequences for Iraq or for American national security, and in disregard of our commanders' best counsel. Had we followed his course, Iraq could have easily descended into chaos and America would have suffered a catastrophic defeat. Instead, we are today negotiating a conditions-based agreement that will enable us to withdraw troops in victory and with honor."
Mr Obama -
Why didn't you join the military as a young man???
Was it beneath you?
Was it too hard for you physically and mentally?
Did you view the military with contempt?
As a former junior military officer who joined the Army after graduating from college (Basic Training as an enlisted man and then OCS), I am your age. I could've gone to grad school or done a number of different things. I chose to serve my country. Why didn't you???
It's a simple question and one you have not answered. It's not an indictment on your patriotism either. We just want to know your thought process and why you made the decisions you did.
As I read through this piece of article and this is my honest opinion Barrack Obama is too young in his response.Well he's fortyeight or something years old,but maybe his mind is inmature and inexperience and need more time to study the art of commenting to serious issues such as wars instead of pointing all his fingers to the one that sacrifice so much of his life and family times in fighting for this country he love.I agree 100% with Mccains assertion of the Iraq war and how we are succeeding at this time.I like the way John Mccain response to Obamas finger pointing rant because it really bring to light the inexperience of Barrack Obama and the experience of John Mccain.How in a world is Obama is able to solve a problem if all he does is criticising others and not scanning the whole situation put negatives aside and work for a positive conclusion?Mr Obama I think you jumped too soon to run for the highest,honor and moral office in the country without seriously studying all the arts and cratfs of being a President of a Super Power and a real freedom loving society like the United States of America.To define John Mccains many years of service and sacrifice for this nation in my own honest opinion of this man "an honest pay for an honest days work".His examples as caring and honor his inmates while in prison in Vietnam and putting his fellow American prisoners first than himself speaks volume of a true hero and a leader this country would seriously need.Mccain/Romney 2008 America.
Now that Obama chosen Biden as his running mate so the questio is "Where's the beef"?Where is the CHANGE theme that was so proudly bragg about,Joe Biden is just another Washington insider.Isn't this suppose to be a serious election for change and now its back to square one again,"oh don't worry that's just a vote getter this is the elitist and big boys game".So much for the expectation of the American people for a new and fresh beginning but I guess it's just words that works sorry Americans noone expect this coming but what can we say Barrack Obama put politics above the people.My quess is Mccain will bring an outsider and show the American people what REAL CHANGE means and not just words.Choosing an outsider shows that Mccain cares about us and our voices and that a Vice President from outside and not a Washington insider prooves he is serious and determine to serve this nation the United States of America with the utmost respect to the publics opinions.Another crucial error in this VP decision by Barrack Obama is that in most polls the economy is the main concern of voters and yet he decided to go for another like him a Senator but why didn't he pick someone with an economic background and executive experiences like a Governor or an economist,to me this is kind a strange twist.Is this more proofs of lack of leadership experiences only time will tell.
The American voters, unlike the media pundits, have known all along, that this election is NOT about the economy stupid. Its about the credentials and 4 years of inexperience of a Junior Senator Barack Hussein Obama. It is not the time for, another equal opportunity program, of on the job training.
Is the American public ready to endorse the position offered by the Junior Senator Obama which calls for the increasing of USA troops in Afghanistan? He says that we do not have the resources to finish what we started in Iraq. Do we have the infinite resources to jump into a prolonged 15 year or 30 year 50 year war in Afghanistan?
Ask the Junior Senator and his fellow Democrats, what is their time frame and exit strategy for getting American troops out of Afghanistan? Does he or the party even have one?
Keep smiling....
THE BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLICANS
It’s McCain and not Obama who shall never call retreat.
It’s McCain and not Obama who can man the judgement seat.
It’s McCain’s and not Obama’s surge that saved us from defeat.
We’ll cast our votes for John.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
We’ll cast our votes for John.
It’s McCain and not Obama who has served across the sea.
It’s McCain and not Obama who has fought for you and me.
It’s McCain and not Obama who can keep free nations free.
We’ll cast our votes for John.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
We’ll cast our votes for John.
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