Posted on 09/15/2008 2:58:55 PM PDT by johncocktoasten
FLINT, Mich. – Senator Barack Obama said today he intends to visit Iraq and Afghanistan before the November election.
Mr. Obama, who spoke to the Iraqi foreign minister by telephone this morning, said he was “encouraged” by the reductions in violence in Iraq. But he said the United States still must begin gradually withdrawing troops, at a pace of one to two brigades a month, with a goal of removing most combat troops in 16 months.
“We have no interest in permanent bases in Iraq,” Mr. Obama said. “I gave him an assurance that should we be elected, an Obama administration will make sure that we continue with the progress that’s been made in Iraq – that we won’t act precipitously, but that we will move to end U.S. combat forces in Iraq.”
As Mr. Obama arrived in Michigan for a campaign stop on the economy, he shared details of his morning telephone call with Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari. On Sunday, Mr. Zebari had a face-to-face meeting with Senator John McCain of Arizona, the presumptive Republican nominee.
Among the issues being discussed with the two presidential candidates is the long-term security accord between Iraq and the United States. While the Bush administration would like to see an agreement reached before the summer’s political conventions, Mr. Obama said today that he opposed such a timetable.
“My concern is that the Bush administration, in a weakened state politically, ends up trying to rush an agreement that in some ways might be binding to the next administration, whether it’s my administration or Senator McCain’s administration,” Mr. Obama said. “The foreign minister agreed that the next administration should not be bound by an agreement that’s currently made.”
Mr. Obama, who has not been to Iraq for more than two years, told the New York Times last month that he intended to visit Iraq. His comments today after talking to Mr. Zebari underscored that desire, saying: “I told him that I look forward to seeing him in Baghdad.”
Late last month, Mr. McCain invited Mr. Obama to embark on a joint trip to Iraq, a gesture that Mr. Obama dismissed as a political stunt. The Republican National Committee started a clock, keeping track of the days it has been since Mr. Obama’s visit in January 2006.
“In the nearly 900 days since Barack Obama visited Iraq, the facts on the ground have changed dramatically – but his ideologically-driven position has not,” said Alex Conant, a Republican spokesman. “When Obama visits Iraq, he’ll see that he was wrong to oppose the surge, wrong to continue to ignore our commanders’ advice and wrong to demand premature withdrawal.”
Today, Mr. Obama did not say specifically when he intended to take his foreign trip.
“You know, we’ll make an announcement about that,” he said. “But as I said, I’m interested in visiting Iraq and Afghanistan before the election.”
(Excerpt) Read more at thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com ...
Mark Levine
Because the Republicans never do a thing about it, that’s why.
i realize the article is pre the “0bama-Globetrotting because i am God trip, sponsored by moveon.org and nambla”
But the article has 0bama saying in a phone conversation in June, the things that he denies saying to the same guy on the aforementioned trip in July.
Good for you, I guess I am too cynical regarding the media and the current state of affairs regarding this election as well as the justice system as a whole. But at least you are trying to do something about it.
They better get there act together.
No, scratch that, don't change a thing!
Barack Obama, "Foos Shooter".
How many lies has Obama been caught doing?
Now Mr. Obummer wants to show his prowess as an international community organizer.
AWESOME!! Welcome to Free Republic!!
KEY FROM YOUR POST:
“But the article has 0bama saying in a phone conversation in June, the things that he denies saying to the same guy on the aforementioned trip in July.”
BINGO...YOU DA MAN!! LOL
Some help here please. How does this show that Obama tried to prevent the withdrawal of troops from Iraq? The most damning portion of the NYT piece seems to be this:
“My concern is that the Bush administration, in a weakened state politically, ends up trying to rush an agreement that in some ways might be binding to the next administration, whether it’s my administration or Senator McCain’s administration,” Mr. Obama said. “The foreign minister agreed that the next administration should not be bound by an agreement that’s currently made.”
However, this doesn’t mention anything about troop withdrawal. It only says that Obama feels any plan initiated by Bush at this (or that) point shouldn’t be considered binding given [Bush’s] “weak state”. However at that time, Bush hadn’t proposed a plan for troop withdrawal yet (had he?)
If Bush had by that time, then this would be proof. However, I thought that it wasn’t until late July, early August that Bush had proposed possibly limiting troops by Feb 2009. Thus, the plan that Obama was suggesting “shouldn’t be honored” was the current “stay the course” plan, which had no troop withdrawal proposal on the table.
Elsewhere where troop withdrawal is mentioned, Obama is quoted (by implication apparently) as saying, “Mr. Obama, who spoke to the Iraqi foreign minister by telephone this morning, said he was “encouraged” by the reductions in violence in Iraq. But he said the United States still must begin gradually withdrawing troops, at a pace of one to two brigades a month, with a goal of removing most combat troops in 16 months.” Which of course indicates Obama seemed to indicate he wanted troop withdrawal within 16 months. Which is consistent with his apparent desire to pull the troops out.
Can someone paint me a picture please?
Logan’s a dead letter. If we haven’t prosecuted Jimmy Carter by now, we’re not doing anybody.
This will dwarf their little troopergate. INTERFERENCEGATE
Brutus was a Senator that stabbed him in the back.
I’m just depressed. We have Obama dead to rights on infanticide, associating with domestic terrorists, and a slew of other albatrosses, and the media refuse to explore any of it.
On the other hand, it could be worse. He could be Hillary. He’s the best possible opponent for us.
It’s just that one can’t take joy in the reality of an American presidential candidate so utterly unworthy of the nomination, and a treasonous media besides.
This quote proves he discussed the ongoing talks about troop withdrawl. That is not his job. Neither is it his job to undermine a CURRENT president and his administrations agreements and policies.
And you've been here for how long?!!!
If the Crisis thing hadn’t happened today this interference-gate would have been a much bigger story.
Isn’t what Obamamessiah did illegal? I’m sure he’s breaking protocol by usurpation of powers not afforded to him just yet...
wiat.. I forgot h walks on water.. nevermind. /s
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