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What Obama Told the Military Times About His Withdrawal Plans
July 07, 2008 5:10 PM
In an interview with the Military Times last week, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, said of his plans to withdraw troops from Iraq that if "current trends continue and we’re in a position where we continue to see reductions in violence and stabilizations and continue to see some improvements on the part of the Iraqi army and Iraqi police, then you know my hope would be that we could draw down in a deliberate fashion in consultation with the Iraqi government, at a pace that is determined in consultation with General Petraeus and the other commanders on the ground and it strikes me that that’s something we can begin relatively soon after inauguration."
He added: "If on the other hand you’ve got a deteriorating situation for some reason then that’s going to have to be taken into account.”
The notion that Obama's withdrawal plan will be impacted by consultations with the Iraqi government, Gen. David Petraeus and commanders on the ground, and could be changed depending on a deteriorating situation, has been seized upon by Republicans as further evidence of Obama's incoherence, flip-flopping, and zig-zagging on his plans to withdraw US troops within 16 months of his inauguration.
“How can Barack Obama claim to have a consistent Iraq policy?" asks RNC spokesman Alex Conant. "It’s clear Obama is rightly trying to reverse the central premise of his campaign: his pledge to immediately withdraw troops from Iraq. Obama needs to acknowledge that he was wrong in opposing the surge, and he needs to accept that his words mean things and fully explain what his Iraq policy would be as Commander in Chief.”
You can watch the video of Obama's interview with the Military Times HERE, read the full story from the newspaper HERE, or check out the full transcript HERE.
Writes the Military Times: "Getting U.S. combat troops out of Iraq is a key Obama goal, and one where he said he is misunderstood. His campaign materials say Obama would begin withdrawing combat troops from Iraq, one or two brigades a month, as soon as he takes office. But he added in the interview that the start of the withdrawal also depends on the security conditions on the ground.
"Obama said he wants to reduce combat troops, leaving forces to continue training Iraqi police and military officers, providing security for U.S. officials and facilities and for counterterrorism operations. Exactly when and how quickly this would happen depends on the situation in the field, he said, acknowledging that military commanders on the ground would play a key role in recommending what steps to take.
"Obama said he would not order any 'precipitous' withdrawal of combat forces. Instead, he said, his policy is that 'we should be as careful getting out of Iraq as we were careless in getting in….I have always said that as commander in chief, I would seek the advice and counsel of our generals,' Obama said. But, in the end, 'it is the job of commander in chief to set the strategy.'
"A strategic factor in the decision to keep forces in Iraq includes, for him, a question about the risk of not having enough combat-ready forces for other operations. 'If we have only one battle-ready brigade outside the Iraq rotation to respond to other risks, that’s not good strategic planning by the commander in chief,' he said. 'If we have a situation in Afghanistan where we are seeing more and more violence in the eastern portion of Afghanistan, at a time when we’ve actually increased the forces down there and we’ve got some of the best battle-tested operations deployed there, and we’re still seeing increases in violence, what that tells me is that we’ve got real problems.'"
In some ways, I'm not sure that this is entirely an issue of flip-flopping as much as it is one of emphasis. Many of these wiggle phrases -- "as careful getting out as we were careless getting in," etc. -- have been in Obama's speeches for months if not years.
But that said, I have never heard Obama tell a crowd of Oregon liberals that he plans on consulting with David Petraeus. *
- jpt
UPDATE: I mis-read an Obama quote in an earlier version of this post, confusing a reference to combat-ready US troops with a reference to combat-ready Iraqi troops. My bad; apologies. I have removed the incorrect sentence.
July 7, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (93)
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I am very, very disappointed. The center pillar of my support for Senator Obama for the Democrat nominee for President was based on believing his promise to get our troops out of the nation of Iraq within 16 months of his inauguration. Only he, in my estimation, seemed truly sincere and determined to do so. Now, by his latest pronouncement, he is proving to me he is yet just another politician (Chicago machine-politician at that), promising whatever it takes to get elected. I am truly very disappointed...
Posted by: Disappointed | Jul 9, 2008 11:05:09 AM
"Who has hypnotized the electorate?"
As we will see in November, it's not the voters who are hypnotized, but the Democratic "leadership".
The "leadership" and the media thought it would be nice to sideline John Edwards' honesty, plain talk and populism with a little birthday-suit contest -- a "woman"! a "black" guy! --between two corporate constructs with identical (until The One started moving right, fast) "positions" on the "issues".
Better nominate Edwards. By the time this is over, NObody's gonna vote for Barky.
Posted by: Belle Starr | Jul 8, 2008 10:29:51 PM
16 months.
Over and over and over he said they'd all be out in 16 months.
Obama is a liar.
Posted by: drjohn | Jul 8, 2008 8:01:39 PM
OK, Jake, now let's see you analyze John McCain's inconsistent, incoherent ramblings on any issue with the care taht you you just examined Barack Obama's multiple, consistent, detailed explanations of his Iraq position.
For example: What is McCain's position on Social Security?
Posted by: Dollared | Jul 8, 2008 7:35:35 PM
He can promise for anything you ask for but can he keep his promises?
Posted by: catleya | Jul 8, 2008 4:40:50 PM
it seems that Obama's plan to withdraw troops in in line with what the Iraqi government itself wants and that the Bush/McCain plan is counter to what the Iraqi government wants. We wanted the Iraqis to govern themselves, but now Bush and McCain are trying to control them because they don't like the decisions they make. You can't have it both ways. Iraq has a soverign right to make its own decisions, and that is to have US troops withdrawn on a set timetable.
Posted by: bernadette | Jul 8, 2008 11:44:59 AM
BS Alert!!!
In September 2007 Barack Obama demanded immediate withdrawal from Iraq. Obama said the following:
"Let me be clear: There is no military solution in Iraq and there never was.
The best way to protect our security and to pressure Iraq’s leaders to resolve their civil war is to immediately begin to remove our combat troops. Not in six months or one year - now.
If we start now, all of our combat brigades should be out of Iraq by the end of next year."
Then to the Military Times Obama said the following:
"This whole notion that I would initiate a precipitous withdrawal just isn’t borne out by anything that I’ve said."
LIAR! Obama is a pathological liar. He may be an even bigger liar than Bill Clinton was/is.
Cheers!
Posted by: DFL | Jul 8, 2008 11:39:53 AM
A wise pundit yesterday said "when you need two press conferences in one day to explain what you really meant to say-you are in trouble".
But that is one thing Obama has been consistent about--he says something then his advisors have to explain later what he really meant to say.
The empty suit syndrome.
Posted by: riley | Jul 8, 2008 11:38:39 AM
So Obama may leave non-combat troops in Iraq for maybe 100 years if necessary.
Notice he hasn't used that line against McCain lately?
Obama thinks he can use sneaky rhetoric to fool voters. We are smart enough to see a politcian with no backbone.
Posted by: cindy in nc | Jul 8, 2008 11:29:52 AM
Let me get this straight, if things are working out he will follow Pres. Bush's plan, which is working, but he did not give a coherent plan if things faulter, which unfortunately because the terrorists are in tune with the Democrats/liberals, they will spike violence purposely after inauguration if God forbid Obama wins!!
McCain 08 the only answer!!
Posted by: spock | Jul 8, 2008 9:59:58 AM
How could anyone in their right mind allow this guy to waltz in to the Oval Office and play "president"?
How on earth is this nobody even remotely seen as competent or qualified to lead the free world?
Please, someone tell me.
How could any adult deliver into the hands of this man such power?
Who has hypnotized the electorate?
Posted by: tanarg | Jul 8, 2008 9:22:09 AM
J and Dennis
what is Mccain's plan for Iraq?
google Obama's statements on Iraq...he has said time and time again the EXACT same thing he said this past week...
You all are creating this ...just like the reasons for the war were created.
Once again the right republicans are playing "don't look at the man behind the curtain...look look he's a flip flopper...but don't look at all the exact words of the statements he made over the past year... that would show he has been overwhelmingly consistent on message"
outside of Obama saying I am not taking public finance because the republicans refuse to (in their words) "spend time corraling the private groups and 527's" and as we see the RNC and another "vets" group is suddenly throwing a bunch of bologne up on the airwaves as they did with Bushy.
outside of that very smart turnObama has been consistent on his statements...Mccain...and the repubs...
yeah not so much.
Posted by: dl | Jul 8, 2008 9:15:58 AM
to all those making statements that Obama changed his position...or that he is "unAmerican because Americans never surrender" oy
He has not changed his statement this is political play by people who weren't listening in the first place...he is focused on withdrawal and as he has said almost every single time he has talked about it the pace of withdrawal will be careful and smart...unlike Bush OR McCain for that matter.
and to those with the whole "surrender" comment...
unAmerican is to wage a war offensively by twisting facts....John McCain was one of those leaders in charge of Bush's PR campaign for this war in Iraq as Scott McLellan has now reported.
this tactically stupid and unAmerican blunder...
the war that we are holding back is a civil war... the insurgents that have backed down did so because they have been promised power positions and money that does not exist.
which is less American...wasting money and lives on a civil war while al quaeda fools us into focusing on Iraq...alll the while where they live in Afghanistan and Pakistan falls into their hands again.
vote smart...not dumb
Obama for President
Posted by: dl | Jul 8, 2008 9:08:14 AM
Shouldn't the pace of withdrawal be in accordance with what the Iraqis want? I supported Obama to the point of cheering when he won the nomination. Now, like so many Democratic "leaders", he is now turning on us. McCain, 3rd party candidate or sit it out … what to do?
Posted by: Dennis | Jul 8, 2008 3:12:34 AM
Obama's plan to withdraw the troops
from iraq is UN-AMERICAN.......
Americans NEVER surrender.....
Posted by: ROBERT | Jul 8, 2008 2:13:34 AM
For everyone that voted for Obama in the primaries and are now voting for him the GE What a bunch of SUCKERS!!!
I thought Great minds think for themselves...Well I guess I was wrong. I can't believe how many dumb Americans are out there voting for the biggest fraud in this lifetime.
Please bring back Hillary maybe she can tell Obama what to say...He is obiviously a stupid man!!
To be a President of the U.S. is for adults only.
Posted by: Chris | Jul 8, 2008 12:50:11 AM
I do not know what exactly Obama's positions on major issues are. I just do not trust him any more.
Posted by: J | Jul 7, 2008 10:56:44 PM
"the ones that are voting for McCain are fakes. Their Republicans in wolf clothing." Lois, fighting against bigotry and prejudice is JUST as important! Obama supporters can't claim the mantle to fight equality for all while remaining silent when bigotry flies from other Obama supporters the past 6 months or more. This election is about punishing the DNC, bigoted Obama supporters and their fellow Obama supporters who remained silent when bigotry was spewed against Hillary and her supporters. Two wrongs do not make a right, Obama supporters. If we don't speak up and stand up against Obama bullies when they trample others' rights, then who will be left to defend us when they come to trample on our rights as well. We will never give up this fight against the unchecked bigotry from the Obama supporters. We all have to make our stand somewhere to stem this bigotry. And this stand for us is now. We will vote NO to the DNC and Obama supporters.
Posted by: former dem in chicago | Jul 7, 2008 10:54:49 PM
Backtrack is at it again, its really funny how he played so many for fools during the primaries saying just the right things to knock Hillary out of the game and win the nomination.
Now that is done mission accomplished we are now seeing and hearing the real Obama, he sure caught a few out there I wonder what they are thinking now, well some of you wanted change, you got it now deal with it !!!
Posted by: SJ | Jul 7, 2008 10:31:16 PM
"But that said, I have never heard Obama tell a crowd of Oregon liberals that he plans on consulting with David Petraeus."
As I wrote in response to Mr. Klein post "Obama’s Iraq Quagmire" that Barack Obama is using his "talk to some of the commanders on the ground" (or General Petraus), as a way to neutralize a very effective criticism by the McCain camp and conservatives of Obama "willingness to meet Iran President" while he (Obama) has not met the US commanders in Iraq the last 2 years.
Barack Obama retreat from his previous Iraq war position may cause some casualties among his youngest soldiers (voters).
Posted by: Angel | Jul 7, 2008 10:08:06 PM
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