Barack Obama has an op-ed in today’s New York Times, titled “My Plan for Iraq.”ÂÂ
It is an odd title, considering that Obama uses the space to write about almost everything except about his plan for Iraq.
Rather, Obama reminds us that he opposed the war in Iraq before it began, ignoring that his stated objections at the time were vacuous and not borne out by subsequent events. He claims that nearly every threat we face has grown — though many not associated with the VRWC would disagree. Indeed, Obama notes himself that al Qaeda has weakened in Iraq.
Obama then claims that “the same factors that led me to oppose the surge still hold true,” but the factors he cites now are not those he cited at the time, when he wrongly predicted the surge would fail. He also derides Iraqi progress on political reconciliation, though the Sunnis in Iraq seem to be pretty pleased with that progress to date. It’s a little odd that Obama seems keen to get chatty with the Islamic theocracy of Iran, while insulting our allies in Iraq.
He also seems willfully blind to the distinction between being able to withdraw on a timetable based on progress in Iraq, rather than to declare defeat and decamp, which has been his position until recently.
Obama finally gets around to his plan for Iraq, claiming: “We can safely redeploy our combat brigades at a pace that would remove them in 16 months.” The US military seems to disagree, and will likely tell him so when he visits Iraq.
The remainder of Obama’s op-ed addresses his desire to send at least two additional combat brigades to support our effort in Afghanistan. We could use more troops there, though someone might want to ask Obama why he, as a multi-lateralist, is not joining the calls for more equal participation from our supposed allies.
In short, out of the entire op-ed, we learn that Obama’s plan for Iraq remains to pull out faster than the US military thinks it can be done as a matter of logistics, let alone prudence. And that he will “refine” his policy in whatever ad hoc manner suits the moment.
Update: Christopher Hitchens addresses the “Iraq vs. Afghanistan” talking point.
Comment by Rob Crawford on 7/14 @ 7:27 am #
How’s that different from his approach to foreign policy in general? He’s pissed on our allies and kowtowed to our enemies.
Comment by SevenEleventy on 7/14 @ 7:30 am #
I guess I’m unclear why he’s unveiling his “plan for Iraq” before he goes there.
Comment by BumperStickerist on 7/14 @ 7:56 am #
Karl fails to realize that Barack’s actual, for real Plan for Iraq is simple and direct.
He’ll travel Iraq as President, spread His arms, and say “Behold!”
but the NYT couldn’t have a headline that was longer than Barack’s plan.
Comment by JD on 7/14 @ 8:00 am #
7-11ty : He has previously stated that he is not going to be listening to the Generals when he makes his decisions (see Philly debate where he and Hillary vowed to ignore their advise). This is all window dressing.
Comment by N. O'Brain on 7/14 @ 8:06 am #
Comment by BumperStickerist on 7/14 @ 7:56 am #
“Ecce homo!”
NTTAWWT
Comment by MayBee on 7/14 @ 8:08 am #
We could use more troops there, though someone might want to ask Obama why he, as a multi-lateralist, is not joining the calls for more equal participation from our supposed allies.
As a multi-lateralist with a position in the senate that would make it sensible to do just that (Senate Foreign Relations Committee, European Affairs Sub-committee chairman).
I wonder if his Brandenberg Gates speech will be a call to arms for the German people.
Comment by SevenEleventy on 7/14 @ 8:12 am #
7-11ty : He has previously stated that he is not going to be listening to the Generals when he makes his decisions (see Philly debate where he and Hillary vowed to ignore their advise). This is all window dressing.
It’s a shame, our military deserves better than a photo-op!
Comment by Sdferr on 7/14 @ 8:22 am #
It’s almost as thought insulting allies IS Obama’s expertise. Canada, Mexico, Iraq, Pakistan, Columbia, South Korea, Germany, Great Britain, France, Israel, and doesn’t the list go on yet further?
Comment by Squid on 7/14 @ 8:28 am #
Get with the program, guys! By insulting our allies, He will turn them into our enemies. Once that’s done, He can get busy kissing their asses.
It’s all part of The Plan.
Comment by Ric Locke on 7/14 @ 8:56 am #
In the special vocabulary of Democrats and Leftoids, “multilateral” means “Brussels gets a veto.” Calls for troops and/or material assistance are beside the point.
Regards,
Ric
Comment by happyfeet on 7/14 @ 9:34 am #
He doesn’t say anything about victory or winning. The closest he gets is to propose his near-term plan and say it will maybe lead sorta kinda to long-term success. But he fought against the surge, which is now what he’s staking his withdrawal scheme’s success on. He’s a fucking idiot I think. It’s really embarrassing watching him play war with his little plastic GI Joes like this.
Comment by Sdferr on 7/14 @ 9:40 am #
And enlisting drooling imbeciles like Hagel to come play along with him, hf.
Comment by MayBee on 7/14 @ 9:48 am #
Obama’s post-9/11 musings via the New Yorker:
We are going to put a man in as CinC that is not into the military at all.
Comment by McGehee on 7/14 @ 9:51 am #
Well, MayBee — at least he’s never been quoted as saying he loathes the military. That’s a step in the right direction, isn’t it?
Comment by happyfeet on 7/14 @ 9:59 am #
Unlike Senator John McCain, I opposed the war in Iraq before it began is what Baracky says, but unlike McCain, Baracky opposed the surge in Iraq before it began too. But the worst is that this Baracky just told forty million people that it was a grave mistake to free them from a sadistic genocidal tyrant. Baracky sucks balls like a putrid ball sucking ball sucker is what I take away from his plan for Iraq.
Comment by SarahW on 7/14 @ 10:04 am #
Maybee – he seems to have a fixation on embittered children, though.
Comment by happyfeet on 7/14 @ 10:05 am #
Oh yeah, Baracky, is that right? Then why did the Al Qaeda action figures that you play with with your GI Joes going pow pow hah hah you can’t handle our strategic withdrawal come out of a package that said Al Qaeda in Iraq? You fucking liar.
Comment by Trimegistus on 7/14 @ 10:10 am #
If elected, Barack will give the liberals what they’ve been demanding for five years now: a bloody, humiliating defeat in Iraq for America. That is their desire, that is their plan, and that is their goal. It’s not about helping terrorists kill thousands, it’s not about helping establish an Iranian superpower in the region, it’s not even about destroying everything George Bush has worked to achieve. It’s simply about America losing. That’s all they want.
Comment by Sdferr on 7/14 @ 10:10 am #
Not that I want to be pushy about it but, dude, you’re headed for a hateyfeet handle at this rate.
Comment by happyfeet on 7/14 @ 10:20 am #
Oh. Well I’m not pacing myself.
Comment by mojo on 7/14 @ 10:26 am #
Let the Putzafari begin!
Comment by Sdferr on 7/14 @ 10:28 am #
BTW, I’m not discouraging, mind you, as you tend to have my feelings on the thing covered.
Comment by happyfeet on 7/14 @ 10:34 am #
I really do hear you though, sdferr. Here’s is what M’chelle says though…
That sort of thing makes me want to ratchet up a little I think. At the very least I think this whole Baracky is unitey nonsense should be met with unequivocal contempt. How do you argue with someone who tells you your ball sucking ball sucker is really not as unitey as you think he is?
Comment by happyfeet on 7/14 @ 10:40 am #
Oh. *Here* is. For real if you read their speeches these people are extraordinarily contemptuous of their political opponents.
This is a theme Baracky keeps going back to. For real Baracky needs to hear I think that no I don’t think kids are lazy I just think you suck balls.
Comment by Sdferr on 7/14 @ 10:48 am #
My take has been, sort of in order of occurrence, 1)who is this guy and why is he saying so many empty things?, 2)oh. that’s who he is. , 3)Oh, oh. He’s even worse than I thought he could be. He’s not only empty, he’s stupid. , 4)Woah! He’s not only empty and stupid, he’s arrogant to boot. , 5)He’s done. He can’t help himself. He’s a putz.
So I’d say to ‘…how do you argue?…’, just keep on putting out there the things he (and his people) say, make sure ordinary Americans are aware of what he says and they’ll take care of business.
Comment by McGehee on 7/14 @ 1:34 pm #
Obama is a putzafarian? What?
Comment by Vicki on 7/15 @ 8:01 am #
Obama has no experience. Look at http://www.projectvotesmart.org to see his voting record or lack thereof. Don’t even pay attention to the ‘Yea’ and ‘Nay’ votes. Just look at his attendance, the ‘NV’ or ‘no vote’ to get a glimpse of his dedication and commitment to those he represents now. God help us if he is elected.
I’m not a McCain fan either but his record is admirable, not agreeable always, but admirable. His dedication and loyalty will never be in question. Obies is!
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