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Why Obama Must Go to Iraq
The Wall Street Journal ^ | June 5, 2008 | PETE HEGSETH

Posted on 06/06/2008 2:16:18 PM PDT by TheBlueMax

Why Obama Must Go to Iraq By PETE HEGSETH June 5, 2008; Page A21 Earlier this year, I spent five days in Iraq, walking the same streets in Baghdad where I had served two years earlier as an infantry platoon leader in the 101st Airborne Division. The visit reinforced for me not only the immense complexity of the war – so often lost in our domestic political debate – but also the importance of taking the time to visit Iraq to talk with the soldiers and Marines serving on the front lines in order to grasp the changing dynamics of a fluid battlefield.

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


TOPICS: Editorial; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: ignoranceisbliss; iraq; obama

1 posted on 06/06/2008 2:16:19 PM PDT by TheBlueMax
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To: TheBlueMax

He’ll just continue his lying if he goes no matter what he sees. POS.


2 posted on 06/06/2008 2:23:19 PM PDT by Resolute Conservative
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To: TheBlueMax

To cash his al-Qaeda paycheck?


3 posted on 06/06/2008 2:25:26 PM PDT by Doctor Raoul (Fire the CIA and hire the Free Clinic, someone who knows how to stop leaks.)
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To: TheBlueMax

The most important reason as to why Obama should not be President, and thus, McCain - worts and all.


4 posted on 06/06/2008 2:33:26 PM PDT by muleskinner
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To: TheBlueMax

Obama painted himself into a corner, shows he is not so smart afterall.

He goes, he looks like McCain and the dreaded “neo-cons” made him do it. And he will have to admit much progress.

He doesn’t, he looks like exactly what the critics say he is, not listening to the Generals and avoiding the ground truth.


5 posted on 06/06/2008 2:36:40 PM PDT by Names Ash Housewares
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To: TheBlueMax

Point? Obama agrees that the troops are doing well. He said his problem is the Iraq leaders not standing up. Meeting them would be more informative.


6 posted on 06/06/2008 2:36:57 PM PDT by ex-snook ("Above all things, truth beareth away the victory.")
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To: TheBlueMax
It's enough to make you wonder who exactly Mr. Obama listens to when it comes to Iraq?

It is indeed. The notion that executive decisions on the war need not be informed by field experience is a little remarkable. This is one of those advantages being a military veteran offers for a President that is very difficult to communicate to non-veteran civilians. No matter how many books you've read or theories you've spun, there is no substitute for your own personal eyes, ears, and boots.

It isn't as if this sort of stuff is classified information or that the troops are reluctant to talk to anyone who will listen. Quite the contrary. I state this categorically to my progressive friends - no one who hasn't served or hasn't spoken at length to someone who has, has any idea of what is going on. Period.

I didn't know that about Harry Reid, BTW. It's certainly in character. The truth to that crook is merely an encumbrance.

7 posted on 06/06/2008 2:41:29 PM PDT by Billthedrill
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To: TheBlueMax


Senator Obama: When will you finally visit Iraq?
May 28, 2008
 
http://www.vetsforfreedom.org/multimedia/details.aspx?id=283

8 posted on 06/06/2008 2:50:29 PM PDT by littlehouse36 (Hillary for Veep! (Ready on Day Two))
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To: TheBlueMax
I don’t know what he could do there. He couldn’t talk to just anyone on the street only those in charge or hand picked people.

It can not hurt but I don't expect a change from him.

9 posted on 06/06/2008 2:57:09 PM PDT by Steve Van Doorn (*in my best Eric cartman voice* 'I love you guys')
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To: TheBlueMax

Presidential contender Senator Barack Obama (D-Ill.) rejected rival Senator John McCain’s (R-Ariz.) suggestion that the two of them make a joint visit to Iraq to assess the situation.

“Anyone who wants to be president has got to have a first-hand view of the situation on the ground in Iraq,” McCain said. “Visiting the area, talking to the commanders, troops and Iraqi leaders is essential to understanding what’s going on.” McCain’s currently planned trip would be his 8th since the war began in 2003. Obama went to Iraq once, in 2006, and pronounced it a “a grievous mistake in which I had no part.”

Obama characterized McCain’s invitation a “crass political stunt.” “Does he think I’m fool enough to share my limelight with him?” Obama sarcastically asked. “I think that if I’m going to Iraq, I need to go on my own so I can be the center of attention, not as a tag-along with a former war hero.”

In related news, Obama denied that his claim to have seen many of the nation’s fallen soldiers during his Memorial Day speech was a “gaffe.” “I have better vision than most people, especially my esteemed 70-year-old, bifocal-wearing opponent,” Obama bragged. “And when the votes are tallied next November, I expect that the vast majority of these soldiers will have had their ballots cast for me.”

read more...

http://www.azconservative.org/Semmens1.htm


10 posted on 06/06/2008 4:05:33 PM PDT by John Semmens
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