July 23, 2008

OBAMA’S TRIP TO IRAQ

While traveling overseas this week, Barack Obama said knowing what we know today he still would have opposed the surge.

• As he visited Iraq, Barack Obama enjoyed the security and witnessed progress that was only possible because of the success of the surge strategy that he voted against, campaigned against and railed against in the Democratic primary.

• Barack Obama was wrong on the surge and he is wrong to call for an unconditional withdrawal based on his political needs instead of conditions on the ground.  Barack Obama has made it clear that his priority is withdrawal at any cost, even if that means spreading violence and an even wider war.

Barack Obama's Comments In An Interview With ABC News (7/21/08)

ABC's Terry Moran: "This is Obama’s second trip to Iraq. His first was in January 2006 when the country was plunged into horrific violence. But the surge of U.S. troops, combined with ordinary Iraqi’s rejection of both Al Qaeda and Shiite extremists have transformed the country. Attacks are down more than 80% nationwide. U.S. combat casualties have plummeted. Five this month so far, compared with 78 last July. And Baghdad has a pulse again. If you had to do it over again, knowing what you know now, would you – would you support the surge?"

Barack Obama: "No, because – keep in mind that –"

Moran: "You wouldn't?"

Obama: "Well, no, keep – these kinds of hypotheticals are very difficult. Hindsight is 20/20. But I think what I am absolutely convinced of is that at that time, we had to change the political debate, because the view of the Bush Administration at that time was one that I just disagreed with."

Reaction To Prime Minister Maliki's Statement Endorsing Barack Obama's 16-Month Timetable For Withdrawal

• What Prime Minister Maliki has repeatedly said, what General Petraeus has said, what Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Mullen said yesterday and what John McCain has always said is that withdrawal must be based on conditions on the ground.  Whether that happens in 12 months or 16 months or 24 months, the important thing is that our troops come home with victory and that Iraq is secured.  This is the difference between John McCain and Senator Obama. He has repeatedly said that his 16 month timetable is written in stone, regardless of the situation on the ground. 

• Securing the peace may take longer than 16 months.  Prime Minister Maliki hopes that it will take less.  What everyone but Senator Obama agrees on is that the withdrawal must be dictated by the facts, not the politics.

Adding Troops In Afghanistan/Is It The Central Front

• Senator McCain has long supported adding troops in Afghanistan.  He is glad that Senator Obama joined him in that.  But it’s not just about troops.  We need to adopt the tactics and strategy behind the surge that Senator Obama opposed and that worked in Iraq.

• Afghanistan and Iraq are both important battlefields against terrorism.  Senator Obama believes that we cannot win in Afghanistan without losing in Iraq.  This is the wrong way to look at it.  We need to win both.

Is The Trip Political?

• It clearly is.  When Senator Obama announced his plan before even going, he made it clear that he is not interested in being informed by the facts on the ground.  And the fact is that he is going to be holding the first ever Presidential campaign rally on foreign soil while he is in Berlin.  So, while we're pleased he's finally meeting with the generals, it shouldn't have taken the heated final months of a presidential campaign to motivate him to take the trip.

Reaction To White House Engagement With Iran

• Diplomacy with Iran is important in getting them to give up their aspirations to nuclear weapons.  It is an important step and we're glad that we didn't start this process with an unconditional Presidential Summit as Senator Obama has promised.

 

This Week’s Note From Jo Ann:

With Barack Obama making his highly publicized trip abroad this week, here are key points to make in your conversations, meetings and presentations.  Remember, Barack Obama admitted he would rather see failure in Iraq than concede that he was wrong about the surge.

Do we really believe that a candidate who places his political ambition ahead of our national interest is qualified to be our commander-in-chief.

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