Pity. I very much liked Obama until he stated this view. We don't need another stubborn decider in the White House that insists on going every which way but the way the American people want. That just killed any thought of my voting for him. Bye-bye Obama, join the Lieberman fan club for Bush.

Ron

... and the liberals on Daily Kos are falling hook line and sinker for McCain'c fiendishly clever ploy!!
From a strategic aspect, what these seemingly "intelligent" people seem to forget is that as long as the war funding is tied to the benchmark and withdawal stuff, Congress cannot keep sending back the same bill - it just won't look good. The best strategy for the Democrats is exactly what Obama, Levin and others (ex: Salazar etc) think is the right way to go i.e. wait for Bush to veto it (or even better - go meet with Bush and have a press conference stating that Bush is ignoring the will of the people) ; and then send a straight funding bill (maybe put the benchmarks in a different bill) - that way they put the Republicans on record as going along with Bush on this disaster.

Very smart, Senator McCain, use Obama's own words to make him be his own man and do what he says he will do no matter the wails from the anti-war gang.

It will be a miracle if Obama actually stands this ground.

Here's what jake tapper didn't report in this article:

In response, Obama issued a statement calling for an end to the war and jabbing McCain about his heavily-secured walk through a Baghdad market.

"Progress in Iraq cannot be measured by the same ideological fantasies that got us into this war," Obama said, again calling for a phased withdrawal to begin May 1, 2007, and be complete by March 31, 2008.

"A security detail of 100 soldiers, three Blackhawk helicopters, and two Apache gunships to walk through a market in the middle of Baghdad is simply not credible or reflective of the facts on the ground," Obama said. "The truth is, the Iraqis have made little progress toward the political solution between Shiia and Sunni which is the last, best hope to end this war. I believe that letting the Iraqi government know America will not be there forever is the best way to pressure the warring factions toward this political settlement."

In addition, Tapper forgot to highlight McCain's ever growing separation from reality - look what he said below:

"I just returned from my fifth visit to Iraq. Unlike the veterans here today, I risked nothing more threatening — nothing more threatening — than a hostile press corps," McCain said. "

Obama supporters - do not be fooled by McCain's speech - Obama is and will be an ardent supporter of Troop Withdrawal

Interesting that Tapper didn't report Obama's response:

In response, Obama issued a statement calling for an end to the war and jabbing McCain about his heavily-secured walk through a Baghdad market.

"Progress in Iraq cannot be measured by the same ideological fantasies that got us into this war," Obama said, again calling for a phased withdrawal to begin May 1, 2007, and be complete by March 31, 2008.

"A security detail of 100 soldiers, three Blackhawk helicopters, and two Apache gunships to walk through a market in the middle of Baghdad is simply not credible or reflective of the facts on the ground," Obama said. "The truth is, the Iraqis have made little progress toward the political solution between Shiia and Sunni which is the last, best hope to end this war. I believe that letting the Iraqi government know America will not be there forever is the best way to pressure the warring factions toward this political settlement."

In addition, he didn't report McCain's latest delusions:

"I just returned from my fifth visit to Iraq. Unlike the veterans here today, I risked nothing more threatening — nothing more threatening — than a hostile press corps," McCain said. "

right, Iraq is less dangerous that the media.... McCain has officially lost it

Before we start attacking Barack Obama, why not find out the full statement? This is exactly what politics has become, it's all about sound bites now. Maybe if that statement were taken in context, the situation would be different. Also, let's not forget that Barack Obama was one of presenters of the Iraq proposal before we start attacking for a sound bite, one-liner.

At least Obama and McCain haev more principle than the other candidates (except Guliani). Hillary and Edwards are conspicuously keeping mum on these recent topics because they are waiting to see which way the wind blows before they jump on the bandwagon without a shred of integrity.

I wish he'd just rally support from other senators to hold a veto.

Every Republican loves Obama! They are praising him over all other Dems and promoting him loud and strong!They want him to be the Dems. front runner because the sad sick reality is, the far right will never vote for a black man let alone someone whose middle name is "Hussein" Wake up America you were fooled 6 years ago. Are you going to let them do it to this Country again in 2008??