Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Does Obama Understand Defeat?
Wall Street Journal ^ | April 1, 2008 | BRET STEPHENS

Posted on 03/31/2008 10:14:45 PM PDT by neverdem

On Oct. 14, 1993, John McCain took to the floor of the United States Senate to offer what, in light of his past history and his later positions, was an unusual amendment.

Earlier that month, 19 American soldiers had been ambushed and killed in Mogadishu, Somalia, by militiamen connected to warlord Mohamed Farah Aidid. The corpse of one U.S. serviceman had been humiliatingly dragged through the streets. The Arizona Republican wanted U.S. forces out of Somalia -- and was prepared to cut off funds for the mission if the administration refused to expedite a withdrawal. President Clinton attacked the amendment as a "headlong rush into isolationism."

At the time, Mr. McCain saw it differently. "The United States has no viable military options in Somalia that I know of besides a massive military involvement which would involve the consequent slaughter of innocent civilians," he said in an interview, sounding not a little like today's Democrats on Iraq. "The United States has to be very careful when it gets involved militarily. Otherwise, we will not only not help the situation, but perhaps, over time, worsen the situation, with the consequent expenditure of American lives and treasure."

The Somalia episode comes to mind following two recent addresses from Mr. McCain and Barack Obama. On March 19, Mr. Obama gave a big speech on foreign policy at Fort Bragg, in Fayetteville, N.C. That was followed a week later by another big speech on the same subject, this one from Mr. McCain in Los Angeles at the World Affairs Council.

As with most such speeches, many things are said, and few of them are interesting. We learn from the speeches that both men are -- surprise! -- politicians. Both are moving toward the political center as they approach the nomination. Mr. Obama has tough talk...

(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...


TOPICS: Editorial; Foreign Affairs; Politics/Elections; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: 2008; iraq; mccain; obama; somalia

1 posted on 03/31/2008 10:14:46 PM PDT by neverdem
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: neverdem
Does Obama Understand Defeat?

the bigger question is, Does Hillary Understand Defeat???? because it seems like thats more like the truth, (but its the MSM, "Truth" is something they'll avoid, even when supporting these idiots)

2 posted on 03/31/2008 10:18:21 PM PDT by MetalHeadConservative35 (Tigers 0-1, 161 games to go.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: neverdem

Final line is quite nice. But I didn’t quote it. So youse guys will have to read da whole ting.


3 posted on 03/31/2008 10:43:45 PM PDT by karnage
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

NoBama knows Da Feet. The same feet that he stares at during the National Anthem.

He knows da feet. They reflect da words on da cue cards.


4 posted on 03/31/2008 10:47:17 PM PDT by Revereee
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: neverdem

McCain was probably right about Somalia because Clinton was not going to provide what was necessary to win there. The troops would just have been targets.


5 posted on 03/31/2008 11:22:10 PM PDT by Mike Darancette (Obama: America is the greatest country on the earth, Help me bring change.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: neverdem
I don't think he cares about such things or the potential ramifications. He has a liberal, pacifist agenda and he will pander to war fears. Photobucket
6 posted on 03/31/2008 11:49:57 PM PDT by xuberalles ("Barack Obama: Change Is A Dime Bag!" http://www.cafepress.com/titillatingtees.225246874)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: neverdem
Somalia can in no way be compared with Iraq. Our troops under UN command and not enough military to do the job. Also, Somalia was in no way strategic--just another of Clinton's feel good mistakes.

vaudine

7 posted on 04/01/2008 1:10:00 AM PDT by vaudine (RO)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: xuberalles

Nice post!


8 posted on 04/01/2008 3:47:04 AM PDT by kenavi ("My mudder thanks you, my fodder thanks you, and Obama thanks you!")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Mike Darancette

What did McCain mean by “no viable military options in Somalia?”

Somalia was a UN Peacekeeping mission.

Many Republicans didn’t want to get involved with UN Peacekeeping mission especially with Clinton as CIC. Many Republicans sounded just like the Democrats of today concerning Iraq because Saddam did not threaten our national security.

Whats the difference?


9 posted on 04/01/2008 11:50:44 AM PDT by Milligan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Milligan
Whats the difference?

9/11

10 posted on 04/01/2008 1:51:45 PM PDT by Mike Darancette (Obama: America is the greatest country on the earth, Help me bring change.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: Mike Darancette

Yes, we stopped swatting at flies on 911.

Oct. 12, 2000 - USS Cole Bombing. Clinton decided to let the Yemen government to solve crime.

Aug. 7, 1998 - U.S. embassies Bombings in Kenya and Tanzania. Clinton bombed empty tents or buildings in Sudan and Afghanistan.

June 25, 1996 - Khubar Towers Bombings in Saudi Arabia. Clinton orders the USAF Cut and Run from area.

October 1993 Battle of Mogadishu - Clinton ordered Cut and Run

February 1993 WTC Bombing. Terrorist flees to Iraq to find safe haven. Saddam wanted to hand over the terrorist but with strings attached.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2003-09-17-iraq-wtc_x.htm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2022991.stm


11 posted on 04/01/2008 2:47:32 PM PDT by Milligan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson