“It’s Not Just Troops, It’s an Overall Strategy”
By NoQuarter on July 23, 2008 at 11:00 AM in Barack Obama, Flag officers, Hillary Clinton, Iraq, John McCain
Barack Obama, who has no experience with or in the U.S. military, seems to think military requirements are solely this: “[Y]ou tell me what it is that we need in terms of boots on the ground, in terms of equipment, in terms of other capabilities that are gonna be required.” To Obama, the military is “man and machine.”
It is obvious that Barack Obama doesn’t know the full history behind the political successes achieved by our military concurrent with the “surge” in troop numbers.
It is clear Barack Obama doesn’t realize that many of our nation’s most insightful historians and political and social scientists are in the military, and that it was their input that has been key to quelling much of the violence in Iraq. See Larry Johnson’s August 2007 story, “The Success in Al Anbar” in which Larry posits that “[t]he success achieved in Al Anbar has nothing to do with the surge and everything to do with finally tapping into genuine experts who know and understand Iraq.” Larry quotes an essential story by Walter Pincus in the Washington Post that credits a 300-page report, “Iraq Tribal Study: Al-Anbar Governorate,” that was “put together by a distinguished group of retired military counterinsurgency specialists and academics, each with Iraq experience [and] was circulated in the Army’s Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., at the time led by then-Lt. Gen. David H. Petraeus.”
Pincus writes that “the support of Sunni tribal leaders against al-Qaeda in Iraq,” which is “hailed as one of the few successes from the U.S. troop increase this year,” came from the Iraq Tribal Study which “provided a handbook on how to gain that support by covering the basics.”
How I wish I’d been Katie Couric, just for yesterday. I would have asked Obama:
How much influence did the Pentagon report, Iraq Tribal Study: Al-Anbar Governorate,’ have on the successes you’ve attributed solely to the Sunni leaders? You told ABC News that you “did not anticipate … the convergence of not only the surge but the Sunni Awakening in which a whole host of Sunni tribal leaders decided that they had had enough with Al-Qaeda, in the Shiia community the militias standing down to some degrees.”
You also said, “So what you had is a combination of political factors inside of Iraq that then came right at the same time as terrific work by our troops.”
You seem to overlook the direct role that the U.S. military’s distinguished analysts played in the “Sunni Awakening” and the “political factors” — and that the military leadership studied this report and implemented its recommendations “on the ground” in Iraq. Sen. McCain knows this history.
MY PREDICTION: Barack Obama has never heard of the “Iraq Tribal Study” and doesn’t know the authors. He would stumble through an answer but would be essentially stumped.
His remarks indicate that he believes the Sunni leaders decided, entirely on their own, to band together, and that he is unaware of the role of the military’s best thinkers in making that happen.
Larry also reports that Walter Pincus’s editors wouldn’t allow him to identify the contributors to the Iraq Tribal Study, so Larry did. Among those contributors is Larry’s longtime friend and mentor, Patrick Lang. Larry lists the sections of the report, and closes with these remarks:
If the Department of Defense had done studies like this sooner there would be fewer dead Iraqis and Americans. As I have noted in previous blog entries, solving the immediate problem in Al Anbar does not ensure reconciliation with the Shia led government. These tribes are not friends of the Shia and do not see themselves as part of the national Iraqi government. But, at least we have a grassroots solution being put into place and the effective disengagement of U.S. troops killing Iraqis in Al Anbar. That is a step in the right direction.
It is also important to acknowledge Walter Pincus’s stories published BEFORE the Iraq War in which he pointed out the grave hazards of pursuing the ambitions of another ill-experienced president, George W. Bush, who also didn’t listen to his generals. Unfortunately, Mr. Pincus’s stories usually ended up on pages A17 or A19, while the pro-Bush administration stories got A1 treatment.
Here is more from Walter Pincus:
The Iraq Tribal Study provided a handbook on how to gain that support by covering the basics. One section, titled “How to Work With Tribesmen,” explains that “RESPECT ( Ihtiram in Arabic) is the key,” and also warns: “Do not assume that they want to be like you.”
The study summed up how the Sunni tribes viewed the conditions that Washington established in Iraq after the fall of Saddam Hussein. “Throughout the modern history of Iraq, the Sunni tribes have occupied a privileged position in Iraq society and enjoyed wealth, autonomy and political clout,” the report said. “To lose those advantages in a system of proportional representation that empowered the Shia, or in a truncated Iraq with a Kurdish autonomous province, would bring shame to a long and prosperous Sunni history.”
It also cautioned that the main themes of the U.S. message in Iraq — “freedom and democracy” — do not resonate well with the population “because freedom is associated with chaos in Iraq.” In addition, the Sunnis “are deathly afraid of being ruled by a Shia government, which they believe will be little more than a puppet of the Shia religious extremists in Iran.”
The study identified three tribes in al-Anbar province. … Read all.
:::::::
OF NOTE: The CBS interview segments are very short. There was far more to those interviews, both of which are important to read in full:
CBS: Barack Obama, July 22, 2008
CBS: John McCain, July 22, 2008
Although I am not a declared supporter of John McCain, I give him his due for knowing the real history behind the surge and understanding the sophisticated analytical and strategic thinking that went into the “surge,” which was far more than a simple escalation in troop numbers:
Couric: Senator McCain, Sen. Obama says, while the increased number of U.S. troops contributed to increased security in Iraq, he also credits the Sunni awakening and the Shiite government going after militias. And says that there might have been improved security even without the surge. What’s your response to that?
McCain: I don’t know how you respond to something that is such a false depiction of what actually happened. Colonel McFarlane (phonetic) was contacted by one of the major Sunni sheiks. Because of the surge we were able to go out and protect that sheik and others. And it began the Anbar awakening. I mean, that’s just a matter of history. Thanks to General Petraeus, our leadership, and the sacrifice of brave young Americans. I mean, to deny that their sacrifice didn’t make possible the success of the surge in Iraq, I think, does a great disservice to young men and women who are serving and have sacrificed.
They were out there. They were protecting these sheiks. We had the Anbar awakening. We now have a government that’s effective. We have a legal system that’s working, although poorly. And we have progress on all fronts, including an incredible measure of security for the people of Iraq. There will still be attacks. Al Qaeda’s not defeated. But the progress has been immense. And to not recognize that, and why it happened, and how it happened, I think is really quite a commentary.
Couric: A commentary on what?
McCain: That Sen. Obama does not understand the challenges we face. And … not understand the need for the surge. And the fact that he did not understand that, and still denies that it has succeeded, I think the American people will make their judgment. …
Worse, Barack Obama doesn’t know about, or acknowledge, the highly influential Iraq Tribal Report that was circulated in the highest ranks of the military, and changed how the military interacted with the populace of Iraq.
As Larry Johnson just said to me on the telephone, it is very worrisome that Barack Obama thinks he is capable of making judgment calls independent of the military. Larry said, “We’ve already had one president who did that. George W. Bush. We can’t afford another.”
Lest we forget: “Wonky” Hillary does know about the Iraq Study Report. She has talked with the authors of that report. She knows a great deal about the strategy and the intelligence-gathering that is required. That is why she earned the endorsement of Patrick Lang, one of the contributors to the Iraq Study Report, as well as Larry Johnson — not to mention over 30 flag officers.
who’s more stupid? BO or couric?!
obviously, mccain did not want to say …… that BO made a stupid statement. so he phrased it as
“And to not recognize that, and why it happened, and how it happened, I think is really quite a commentary.”
and because Couric did not get it, she asked:
“Couric: A commentary on what?”
she is sad
She is even dumber than Jane Pauley, which is pretty dumb. Once, at the end of a 180 second bit about champagne, Jane askes the interviewee:
“And what region of France produces the best grapes for champagne?”
The interviewee looked at Pauley as if she’s just farted loudly in church, dumbfounded, and said:
“Why, the Champagne region of France, Jane.”
thanks fred. maybe couric needs some champagne. does BOBO drink that?
ROFL….Fred I had forgotten that one….thanks for that….OH BROTHER!
roflol thanks i needed that.
Jane Pauley is smarter than Obama.
And Champagne may have originated in Champagne, France but it is made all over (technically called sparkling wine, but commonly referred to as Champagne.)
Pauley was a decent anchor. And Couric did not kiss Obama’s ass to the degree that the late Tim Russert did.
Couric actually pressed Obama in that interview, and persisted when he got testy, she said “I don’t need to belabor this point, Senator, I’m just trying to figure out where you stand.” She is not stupid.
OMG—Will this ever end. Pinch me now, I want out of this nightmare!!!
Ehemmm…..This aint’ no nightmare….This is Purgatory….But never fear there is a Messiah on the horizon bla…bla…bla…
Juan Cole who is an expert on the Middle East has written an article in Salon on how wrong Obama
is in Afghanistan too. It is worth the read.
Juan has been spot on with Iraq for years.
http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2008/07/23/obama/
Great article, but I couln’t help but notice that Obama wouldn’t even let Karzai wear his traditional GREEN robe. Katie Couric may have been playing on her reputation. I don’t think that she was as dumb as she appeared to be in that interview, and she was just baiting McCain, trying to get him to flat out state that Obama is an inexperienced clusterf**k, and McCain was not so clueless, and he was able to come up with a diplomatic and considered response that very politely called Obama an inexperienced clusterf**k.
surprise, surprise.
a few months ago all the media was talking about mccain’s temper. looks like he can control himself well and is very diplomatic. experience?
I noticed the vein in Obama’s head was about to burst, Katie clearly made him uncomfortable.
Yes Susan, he was lucky it was not you he was talking to.
He was also clearly talking down to “Katie” as he mentioned her name quite a bit, like “Now Katie, you KNOW better than to ask me a question like that…”
Yes - I kept thinking would he say that to Charlie Gibson? He was very irritable.
I am concerned too with the buildup of force in Cuba, with Russian bombers. Could it be because Russia fears that Obama, will be elected. If you study your history (just net search Jimmy Carter and Brezenski) you will find out about the hatred Brezenski has for Russia and how this Middle East mess started.
Susan, I bet Obama’s aides will read this blog and get to know about the Iraq Study report and perhaps run to it so he can act like he knows it next time — what a charade? With 300 advisers you would think they would prep him right, right? But of course, there is not much time, and of course not much interest from the One except for the bullet points. He and his minions are pathetic. They are always several steps behind, it looks like.
I think so too that Obama’s aids are here looking for anything to help their campaign.
like they put his bio together after the fact — reverse engineering.
too many countries on tour, too little time for updates. his mind is already foggy.
ohhhhh, i forgot, too many foreign languages, protocol change on a daily base. the pie was too large to be gulped in one bite.
and no soup for him. got milk?
And I’m so embarrassed that he is not multi-lingual.
Merci beaucoup to you too, BO.
Since the media is keeping us muffled,
how do we fan the enlightenment of No Quarter out to the general public?
This “air of inevitability” strategy is powerful, but there must be a way to shatter the illusion they are protecting him with.
“Why don’t you ask your buddies to speak louder so I don’t have to repeat it?” — Obama
Imbecile
LOL..what an idiot LOL
He uses words like “rachet up” LOL “offer carrots and sticks” LOL…bumbling stooge cannot complete a whole sentence or make sense for that matter. What exactly DID HE SAY?
we are in trouble..he is going to piss the world off and is doing a good job at it now even though he’s not even the party’s nominee.
He likes to say “typical” and “snippet” and “sound bite” and “distraction” a lot.
I propose we BAN those words at NQ…unless used sarcastically of course.
Doesn’t Obama have 300 foreign policy advisers accompanying him on this trip? Are they all morons or Obama just chooses not to listen to them….mmm sounds like someone we all know and loath- Bush!
They email him foreign policy questions and suggested answers. I think they’re having trouble getting him to listen.
CNN: Obama’s PUMA Problem
WASHINGTON (CNN) — Party Unity My A–!
Not all of Sen. Hillary Clinton’s supporters have fallen in line behind Sen. Barack Obama.
Not exactly the slogan you want heading into your presidential nominating convention, but one that is being repeated online and in neighborhood bars by a group of disenchanted Democrats, who have dubbed themselves PUMAs.
Why are they angry? It all depends on whom you ask.
Some of the PUMAs accuse Democratic leaders of rigging the primaries to favor Sen. Barack Obama, while others feel that he is not qualified to be the party nominee, let alone competent enough to lead the country.
continue: http://countusout.wordpress.com/
Nice link!
This paragraph in your link quotes “Even though Sen. Hillary Clinton conceded the Democratic presidential nomination to Obama in early June”
She didn’t concede she suspended!
So his argument against war is surging troops in a different war?
and
His argument for using the money spent in Iraq to help our economy is to spend it in Afghanistan and Africa?
and
His plan for energy independence to occur in 22 years helps our economy and national security how?
If he said,” I will destroy this country” right out loud, would anyone hear it?
No. No one pays attention to what he says. He makes absolutely no sense.
Look at this. ABC says this is BO’s second trip..What?
The news is wrong and we have a candidate who talks in riddles. God Help us. Anyone belive in miracles?
Hillary in nomination would solve all this in a heartbeat.
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.”
Whaaaaat? BO makes absolutely no sense what-so-ever!
Pastor Manning after reading your word for word on Obama’s response I really have to wonder what in the world do some of these press people find so brilliant with this man.
I cannot make any sense of his words even after reading it several times, is this the blundering idiot the media wants us to elect as president, even George would of given a better answer than that, and if Obama can’t respond better than G.W we are in big trouble.
“Brilliant” is just another slogan made by his people early on in the beginning of the campaign. Everything about Obama is fake, but if you tell a lie a thousand times, people will believe it.
That’s BO’s normal speech pattern. Will we ever know what he is saying? The AA’s call people like BO ‘Mack Daddy’. They play everyone and pimp off the people around them for their own gain.
If he said,” I will destroy this country” right out loud, would anyone hear it?
Hope, you are spot on with that comment. Drip by drip, word by inaudible stutter sound (uh,ah,ummm) he is saying exactly that. He claims no one is listening to him, in this context, I agree.
Obama Takes a Tank Ride
http://www.colfaxrecord.com/detail/89322.html
“I always wanted to get in one of these things”, he later told a reporter.
“Its weird, while I am a pacifist, once you get into a tank you just want to blow somebody up”.
OMG He ran his campaing on being against the war now he’s riding in a tank and saying he wants to blow somebody up..ohhhhhhhhhhh
DUKAKIS!
No, his supporters would say “What he means is that he would destroy the country to build it again without the politics of fear”
This part from the Couric/Obama interview are especially worrisome for me:
Couric: Two more questions. You said not too long ago that Jerusalem should remain undivided. And then you backtracked on that statement. Does that play into the argument that some believe that someone more experienced would not have made that kind of mistake?
Obama: Well…if you look at what happened, there was no shift in policy or backtracking in policy. We just had phrased it poorly in the speech. That has happened and will happen to every politician. You’re not always gonna hit your mark in terms of how you phrase your policies.
I mean, what the hell are we supposed to think when a candidate admits that he nearly wrecked relations with Israel over a “poorly phrased speech”?
Yes, scary, right? Look at his obfuscation. Every politician does it, poor phrasing, these things happen — no, we don’t want an “every politician” to be our president.
And, what of the “WE’ pm317? What if one of these “we’s” decides to spoon feed him some garbage that wrecks relations with one of our other allies?
I agree. We have a master con here — look at how if you read that para quickly, some may think “oh, how refreshingly honest that he is admitting to poor phrasing..” Why isn’t there a follow up from the “journalist” on what the consequences will be of such “poor phrasing”?
But you raise is an even bigger issue of reliance on advisers (300 now?) who may or may not be telling you the right thing, especially if do not have the insight (experience, anyone?) yourself to figure out what is good and what is damaging. After 8 years of Bush, to find ourselves here and now is tragic not to mention scary.
Hmmm….Look what the phrase/word CRUSADE did for us…..sheeesh!
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.
Ah, the royal “We.” Obama and his speechwriter knew exactly what “we” were doing - pandering to the Jewish vote at AIPAC, and rescinding his comments the very next day when his Middle Eastern supporters vented their rage. I doubt that any thinking Isreali politician believes any position taken by Obama or his handlers. Our allies no doubt wonder as much as we do about the “real” BO, and that doesn’t portend a promising future for American foreign policy. Rather, it’s the prescription for a nightmare.
I heard him say this morning at that managed presser in Sridot sp?, trying to fanagle his way out of what he has said to AIPAC, then he said it again Jerusalem will be the capital of Israel
and how precondition and preparation are not the same thing with regard to meeting with Iran
how he is committed to Israel defending itself as a nation state
how he thinks there is a ‘moment’ now to act now, and waste not a minute if HE were POTUS..wow! sounds like Carter to me!
again signs of dangerous personality, he said if he thought HIS PRESENCE would make the difference and HE were abel to convince another leader to take an action he would meet with them
he believes his own BS verry dangerous IMHO…
hey was that able a Freudian typo-ABEL hmmmmm
______________________
can I say I really dig the Minister of Israel with him? she is very impressive sorry dont know her name, foreign affairs minister I think?
Then shouldn’t he have issued a retraction like he did with his double take regarding his Iraq position?
WELL-Here’s what Isreal has to tell him…
Published: 07/22/08, 11:52 PM
An Open Letter to Barack Obama
by David Ha’ivri
We know who you are and who your friends are.
Barack Obama, why don’t you just go home?
Barack, your visit here is just a waste of time; you’re not wanted or needed here. We’ll do just fine without you and you’ll probably do better with out us, too. Don’t come around here making as if you’re looking out for the good of Israel. We know who you are and who your friends are. Zigzagging back and forth about dividing or un-dividing
Zigzagging back and forth about dividing or un-dividing Jerusalem won’t clear your history.
Jerusalem won’t clear your history.
I’m not talking about your middle name. Any good Christian might have the middle name Hussein (although I can’t think of any others). We won’t hold that against you. There are worse things than having an Arab name; like for instance being supported by a known Jew-hater, bigot Louis Farrakhan of the Nation of Islam, who among other statements has accused the Jews of bringing on the Holocaust through cooperation with Hitler - “They helped him get the Third Reich on the road.” But, of course, it would be wrong to hold that against you, because you haven’t been rallying for his support (recently).
We can’t really blame you for the beliefs of Father Michael Pfleger, who embraces Black Liberation Theology, which claims that Jesus was Black - so the Jews have no claim to Israel and, therefore, the Muslims are the rightful heirs of the Holy Land. Those beliefs have nothing to do with you, aside from the fact that you have coined the man your “moral compass.” But one must admit that Pfleger is not your only mentor and also is not alone in looking up to Farrakhan.
Your spiritual mentor is Reverend Jeremiah Wright, who has praised Jimmy Carter for denouncing Zionism. Last year, the Trumpet Newsmagazine of Chicago’s Trinity United Church of Christ gave the Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. Trumpeter Award to Louis Farrakhan and said that he is a man who “truly epitomized greatness.” You are a member of that Church and Jeremiah Wright is its leader and your spiritual adviser.
Now you won’t go so far as to criticize Jimmy Carter, not even for meeting with the heads of Hamas, because, to paraphrase your words, “It’s not your place to criticize him.” That is, not until the next day, when you were seeking the support of Jewish leaders. Then you must have found a new place for criticism. Aren’t the Jews great for giving a guy a new vision and a sense of self-confidence? Is that what you meant by, “It’s time for change”?
Barack Hussein, we won’t hold it against you. But can you tell us what you mean by supporting a Palestinian State along side Israel? Do you mean a replay of the ethnic cleansing of Jews from Gaza three years ago? Do you foresee soldiers carrying men, women and children away from their homes, which are to be demolished by bulldozers? Palestinian rule brought on the endless rocket fire on Sderot and the thousands of Jewish refugees who have yet to find permanent homes or means of a steady income. Is that your vision of a new hope that Farakkhan’s Final Call website praises you for?
Barack Hussein, why don’t you just go home? Your visit to Israel this week is not because you’re looking out for the wellbeing of Israel and the Jewish people. You’re coming to Israel looking for the Jewish vote; your goal is to
Don’t use us or our land as a photo-op.
speak with the Jewish American voters through the press coverage of this tour to the holy land. You want them to think that you took the time off from your busy campaign to further peace in the Middle East. Your hope is that enough stupid Jews will misread the message and take it as an act of support for Israel.
Don’t use us or our land as a photo-op to transmit a twisted call for support to Jewish-American voters. You don’t fool us. We know who you and your friends are.
Barack Hussein, why don’t you just go home? But on the way out, remember the words you heard here from the proud Jewish settlers in Judea and Samaria: “This is our land!” We are back after two thousand years of forced exile and we are not about to leave it again.
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/8126
That’s well beyond poor phrasing. That’s frank stupidity, and probably ignorance as well.
When will this obama nightmare end? . . .it just has to! I can’t take much more of it.
Prepare for the worst, in Obama’s words 8 to 10 years because he obviously doesn’t know how long the President serves.
Please understand that in the seven or ten invisible states that only Obama knows about, the rules are different.
I read something last February where Obama said in the first term he would follow the rules, but after re-election he would indoctrinate the Nation of Islam and all that goes with it..out with the constitution and America as we know it.
I haven’t mentioned this until now, but I haven’t forgot it.
‘Still want to fight hard for his election Hillary?
Didn’t Hillary say “I don’t want to see this country go backwards” Well, unless she wins the nomination we are going backwards with these two candidates.
Hey Lou….can you find/link that….I must have missed that one and I would enjoy reading that…..thanks
The above comment was snark….hiccup…
The money spent in Iraq argument is total bull. Obama makes you think that we load planes with cash and drop it in the Iraqi desert.
The truth is the majority of the money is spent on American goods and services. Military personal and millions of manufacturing jobs are supported by these funds right here in America.
FINALLY someone on the left manages to grasp this simple point!!!! Thank you, Angry Michelle! Yes, there are indeed added incremental costs of conducting operations in Iraq. But those 130,000 troops that are there now would still have to be paid regardless of where they are based. They’d still have to be fed regardless of where they are based. They’d still have to be housed wherever they are based. So, the idea that if we pulled out of Iraq tomorrow we’d magically be able to stop spending the entire billion a week (or whatever the number is) that we’re spending in Iraq is BS. We’d still be spending a big chunk of that money regardless.
And as you say, a lot of that spending goes to American providers of good and services that our military needs in Iraq. In short, the money stays here in ourv economy.
One of Barack Obama’s strongest Congressional supporters may not even be a resident of the district he has represented in Congress. Robert Wexler, a Democrat, is being accused by his Republican opponent in an upcoming election of “playng a residency shell game”, saying Wexler pretends to keep an address in Florida while “flagrantly” making his home in Maryland. As a Florida “resident”, Wexler apparently pays no state income tax, while living with his family in Maryland, which does have a state income tax.
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2008/07/residency_issues.html
Yeah he sleeps on his mother in laws couch and leaves the kids in maryland.
No wonder he didn’t care of Floridians got a revote.
Hmmmm….1/2 residency for 1/2 representation of 1/2 humans in a district that doesn’t deserve full representation?….at least Wexler is consistant….
And the DNC/ NEW PARTY wonders why HRC’s followers are resisting indoctrination….sheeesh!
Seeing him look all bewildered as that reporter pounced on him in his driveway was priceless!! He wasn’t doing all of that infamous screaming we all got to witness at the Rubbish and Bullshit Committee Meeting a couple of months ago. He was looking really sheepish and dumb. lol
This so-o-o scary. The idea that we would nominate, not to mention possibly elect, someone as unprepared for the job as this is beyond belief. He stumbles and mumbles his way through these answers and the press acts as if they’re listening to poetry. This whole trip is an illusion: making “The One” appear presidential.
I’m furious with these overpaid media types acting like a bunch of adolescent groupies. But it’s also very scary when you consider what’s at risk. God help us all.
PUMApac.org
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?
There was ethnic cleansing in Baghdad that actually took the violence level down
–Barky Obama
Brilliant, Barky. Just brilliant.
that’s how he solved the violence problem in chicago.
or the ethnic cleansing is happenin’ as we blog.
He must consult with Odinga.
is Odinga from Champagne? (see above Fred C. Dobbs | 2008-07-23 11:27:12)
LOL….Funny that
i recommended your site to a friend. i pointed out the graphic part. the little flash icons. both me and him voted for the Che/BO.
great work. personally i like very much the boxing little PUMA. i used a similar boxing trick in one of my videos. keep it up:) (the boxing and the site)
It is called Red lining in the US.
OMG-he said that? Oh God help us. Hillary for President! Imagine it. See it. Smell it. Taste it.
His press conference today was pathetic. He spent the entire time “clarifying”.
One person mentioned that he didn’t answer a question taht was asked and he sniped, “Why don’t you ask your buddies to speak up louder?”. It didn’t go over well. The guy doesn’t have a very good nature and once in awhile his mask falls off.
Another characteristic of Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Google NPD and Obama - quite revealing.
Hmmm….Narcissus is such a ho-hum old story and name….Why don’t we update it….Obama Personality Disorder….I mean the Seal got updated and refreshed wriiiiight ?
Yes, and it’s surprising how brittle he is this early in the game. The more he’s questioned, the nastier he gets. He looks to be close to his breaking point, with months to go in the campaign and 8 or 10 years as executive.
It’s gonna be a rough road, Barky. You’re not fit.
Didn’t the press say the reason Hillary didn’t get good press coverage was because her staff was ignorant, mean and nasty to the reporters?
Oops, I forgot the same rule doesn’t apply for the Obamaone.
I’m telling ya, Uppity - he is JUST like Bush!! Bad temper and all!!
HOW is it that those Obamabots don’t see it?!?! I know - stop banging my head against the wall trying to figure it out…
The bushbots would excuse the stupid remarks of their chosen one — just like the Obamabots excuse the stupidity of THEIR chosen one.
It is really rare to be able to watch both sides of the same coin at the same time.
WE see the Obamabots acting like bushbots — but they can’t see past their beloved leader (monster).
isn’t he “clarifying” for the past 4-5 months?
and he lost his kewl? that’s not “fresh”.
thank you so much for this post Susan, and thank you to you and Larry for filling us in on all this background and the work that went into the strategy the military used based on the report referenced here…
the idea of a totally inexperienced person, filled with their own arrogant sense of some abilities only they have serving as CIC is frankly terrifying
What’s really scary is that it appears that Obama either did not read the Iraq Tribal Study report, or if he read it, either forgot what was in it or chose to ignore it. Another choice is that one of his 300 advisers mentioned it, but BO didn’t retain or understand the information conveyed to him. You can’t become POTUS by cramming! Correction: you may become POTUS by cramming, but you won’t be able to handle the job! BTW, if I were running for POTUS, I would have personally read that report for myself, and would have discussed it with the generals long ago, as it appears Hillary Clinton did.