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Obama 'Puzzled' by Frenzy Over Iraq War Plan Comments
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ShareJuly 05, 2008 4:36 PM
ABC News’ Sunlen Miller reports: Sen. Barack Obama told reporters he was “puzzled” by the press coverage he received on Thursday when he held two separate press conferences to explain his plan to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq.
On Thursday in Fargo, N.D,, Obama told reporters in a morning press conference that he will “continue to refine” his plan to withdraw all U.S. combat troops from Iraq in 16 months.
Reporters immediately jumped on the comments that showed that Obama’s expressed openness to adjust his long-held 16-month withdrawal plans was at odds with the stance that he took during the primary campaign.
At his second hastily called press availability Thursday, Sen. Obama insinuated that the McCain campaign had primed the press and were to blame for the interpretation of his position.
En route to a speech in St Louis today, the Senator told reporters on his plane that the news cycle his comments caused was perplexing.
“I was a little puzzled by the frenzy that I set off by what I thought was a pretty innocuous statement, which is that I am absolutely committed to ending the war,” he said.
Obama reiterated his commitment to his withdraw plan again. “I will call my joint chiefs of staff and give them an assignment and that is to end the war,” he said. “I think what’s important is to understand the difference between strategy and tactics. I have always believed that our invasion of Iraq was a strategic blunder.”
He continued, “The tactics of how we ensure our troops are safe as we pull out, how we execute the withdrawal. Those are things that are all based on facts and conditions, and you know I'm not somebody who, unlike George Bush, is willing to ignore facts on the basis of my preconceived notions. I want to pay attention to what’s happening on the ground.”
Sen. Obama -- who plans a trip to Iraq this month -- took issue with reporters who “finely calibrated” his statements, and specific words, on his Iraq War plan. “I wasn’t saying anything that I hadn’t said before,” Obama said.
“I don’t think in anyway it is inconsistent with prior statements and doesn’t change my strategic view that this war has to end and that I am going to end it as president," he repeated again.
July 5, 2008 in Kucinich, Dennis | Permalink | User Comments (152)
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Hey Davis:
It might actually be better that the pathetic media keeps pushing the perception that McCain can actually win. This will help keep the Obama campaign and Obama supporters on their toes until November. We don't just want to beat McCain we want to destroy McCain and also take full control of the House and Senate.
Posted by: HonestAbe | Jul 5, 2008 6:14:33 PM
waggdogg, the meaning of refine means "to improve or perfect by pruning or polishing"
If Bush and McCain had refined thier policies, our troops would not have died and the country will not be in debt, the economy will not be going down south, we might be paying $4.00 in gas.
Posted by: Jay | Jul 5, 2008 6:18:40 PM
In other words, BHO reserves the right to flip-flop on all fronts through the "refinement" clause posted on the bottom of his designer shoes. Great. Just what we need. An elistist cub scout that once organized a local community bake-off.
Posted by: samfrombama | Jul 5, 2008 6:19:15 PM
Obama is going to learn not to be puzzled by the "frenzy" of the right-wong noise machine. This is their goal; manufacturing frenzy.
Posted by: jock59801 | Jul 5, 2008 6:19:39 PM
Major325 -
What change in the direction? Ending the war is ending the war.
Posted by: jock59801 | Jul 5, 2008 6:24:47 PM
McCain is already showing signs of senile dementia -- confusion, forgetfullness, irritablity, anger -- by November he will be a basket case. Lieberman and Cindy will be taking all questions.
Posted by: HonestAbe | Jul 5, 2008 6:24:59 PM
Well then OBAMA does not communicate correctly. Everyone gets a different message. This guy is not suitable as a President. He needs much more experience. People need to know him better. He needs to develop a track record so people know what he stands for. He is just too big a gamble.
Posted by: DemocratNoMore2 | Jul 5, 2008 6:27:30 PM
Phillip Greene....Well said. Obama 08 Yeah Baby
Posted by: linda n carolina | Jul 5, 2008 6:28:36 PM
waggdogg: "Obama has not talked to any active Generals yet."
That's kind of the whole point.
Posted by: jock59801 | Jul 5, 2008 6:28:37 PM
Like I said... desperate times call for desperate measures. THE GOP IS UTTERLY HOPELESS and trying all the backalley tactics they can to sway voters.
After 8 years of gwb and a promise of 4 more, howdy doody would be my choice.
Just so happens we have a candidate who is redrawing the electoral map with skill and brilliance.
so for all you GOP nutjobs .... get ready for a trouncing and tell your geriatric wonder there will be no need to stay up late on election night.
Posted by: Omentum | Jul 5, 2008 6:31:27 PM
That's why they call him flipper, flipper cause he flips his words around all the time. OBAMA THE NEXT McGovern!!
Posted by: buba | Jul 5, 2008 6:33:01 PM
General Colin Powell has met with Obama back in June and is thinking about endorsing him. I hope he does. He would send the right message to the world!
I'm supporting Barack Obama because our troops want to come home and know that McCain/Bush/Cheney/Rove what to keep them fighting a senseless war. For what? There was no WMD! They destroyed Powell's reputation on this. The media played along back then! Now with stories like this they are helping the Republicans once again. Score one for Rove he has the media dancing to his tune again. I can hardly wait until John Edwards debates Karl Rove.
Colin Powell endorsing Obama would shock the world and hopefully rock all the scary Republican attack dogs who always win.
I'm for Barak Obama!
Posted by: Frank | Jul 5, 2008 6:33:38 PM
"Obama is going to learn not to be puzzled by the "frenzy" of the right-wong noise machine". That is highly inappropriate and extremely racist, to single out a segment of our population such as this. I think that an apology is more than necessary.
Posted by: Skyebeader | Jul 5, 2008 6:39:13 PM
Vote Mccain he is the best thing are country needs. Obama is just not trustworthy.
Posted by: Omentum | Jul 5, 2008 6:39:16 PM
Skyebeader - Are you referring to my typo? I'm not sure what segment of the population that would refer too! LOL
Posted by: jock59801 | Jul 5, 2008 6:41:39 PM
Vote Mccain latest polls have Mccain and Obama about tied. This should bring Mccain over the top!!
Mccain 08 Baby!!!!!
Posted by: Snarxon | Jul 5, 2008 6:41:59 PM
"Change"...change the message again...that's change he was talking about?
Posted by: lois | Jul 5, 2008 6:44:13 PM
OIL OIL OIL Once OBama pulls troops out OIL will go $300.00 mmmmmmmmmm so that means you pay about $10.00 + a gallon.
Posted by: Snarxon | Jul 5, 2008 6:47:29 PM
DemocratNoMore2 -
How is bin Laden going to get Iraq's oil? He has never been there and likely never will be. "Al Qaeda" in Iraq could not possibly take over the country. They don't have the numbers or the public support.
Posted by: jock59801 | Jul 5, 2008 6:47:43 PM
If you look close at McCain he is really a pretty nice and good person. He will do an honest job. He is not Bush.
Posted by: DemocratNoMore2 | Jul 5, 2008 6:48:15 PM
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