Hussein Attacks Current State Of Iraq War, Says Only Thing US Focused On
Related Video: Troops, You Were Born To Run
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said on Tuesday a “single-minded” focus on Iraq was distracting the United States from other threats and he renewed his vow to end the war.
“This war diminishes our security, our standing in the world, our military, our economy, and the resources that we need to confront the challenges of the 21st century,” Obama said in excerpts of a speech to be delivered later on Tuesday.
“By any measure, our single-minded and open-ended focus on Iraq is not a sound strategy for keeping America safe,” he said.
Obama, who has been accused by his Republican rival John McCain of shifting positions on Iraq, is seeking to lay out his views on the war ahead of a planned trip to Afghanistan and Iraq soon.
Dates of the trip have not been disclosed for security reasons.
The Democratic candidate’s critics have suggested he was wavering on the 16-month timetable he laid out for the withdrawal of U.S. troops because of his recent comment that he might “refine” his policies on Iraq based on consultations with military commanders.
But Obama has emphasized that while he is open to tactical adjustments, the 16-month timetable for withdrawal remains his goal.
“This war distracts us from every threat that we face and so many opportunities we could seize,” the speech excerpts said. “Instead of being distracted from the most pressing threats that we face, I want to overcome them.”
The future of Iraq promises to be a central issue in the November election battle for the White House between McCain, an Arizona senator, and Obama, an Illinois senator.
SECOND TRIP TO IRAQ
McCain criticized Obama for delivering a speech on Iraq before traveling there.
Obama’s visit to Iraq, where he has only been once, in 2006, and Afghanistan follows repeated criticism from McCain that he should visit the area and talk to commanders.
“Sen. Obama is departing soon on a trip abroad that will include a fact-finding mission to Iraq and Afghanistan,” McCain said in written excerpts of comments he will deliver later on Tuesday in New Mexico.
“And I note that he is speaking today about his plans for Iraq and Afghanistan before he has even left,” McCain said.
“In my experience, fact-finding missions usually work best the other way around: first you assess the facts on the ground, then you present a new strategy,” he added.
A Washington Post/ABC News poll released on Monday found Americans evenly divided on the candidates’ positions on Iraq with 47 percent of those polled saying they trust McCain more to handle the war, and 45 percent having more faith in Obama.
The poll showed the public is also evenly divided on whether Obama could serve effectively as commander in chief with 48 percent saying he would be an effective leader of the military and 48 percent saying he would not.
Obama has highlighted the resurgence of the Taliban in Afghanistan as a threat that has been harder for the United States to tackle because of the distraction of the Iraq war.
He has proposed adding two U.S. combat brigades, about 9,000 troops, to the 36,000 troops already in Afghanistan and said this would be made possible by a drawdown of troops from Iraq.
“I have argued for years that we lack the resources to finish the job because of our commitment to Iraq,” Obama said in the speech. “As president, I will make the fight against al Qaeda and the Taliban the top priority that it should be.”
He also called for changes to U.S. policy toward Pakistan, saying that President George W. Bush had offered a “blank check” to Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf in the form of U.S. military aid.
Many Taliban and al Qaeda militants are believed to be hiding in Pakistan along the rugged border area near Afghanistan.
Obama called for tripling non-military aid to Pakistan and said he would co-sponsor a bill to do so.
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scum. Does he realize that Bin Laden, along with countless other terrorist leaders have stated that Iraq is the front line for their Holy War, and that because of that they can’t lose?
July 15th, 2008 at 5:17 am“The poll showed the public is also evenly divided on whether Obama could serve effectively as commander in chief with 48 percent saying he would be an effective leader of the military and 48 percent saying he would not.”
By what possible measure could 48% believe that Christopher Robama and his Winnie the Pooh diplomacy would make him an ‘effective’ CINC?
A salient point that al-Reuters leaves out of this report is that the poll also says that “Seventy-two percent said McCain would make a good commander in chief.”
July 15th, 2008 at 5:22 amRooters using a lame WashPost/ABC News poll released on Monday found Americans evenly divided on the candidates’ positions on Iraq…I don’t think that half of all Americans will support BHO’s active attempt to LOSE in Iraq.
July 15th, 2008 at 5:23 amI now have whiplash fom the friggin’ dolt. What is his plan? He’s going to surrender in Iraq or will he listen to our commanders? If someone can figure this out, please let me know.
July 15th, 2008 at 6:01 amFUCK REUTERS.
July 15th, 2008 at 6:01 am“This war diminishes our security, our standing in the world, our military, our economy, and the resources that we need to confront the challenges of the 21st century,”
Besides that entire statemtent being rubbish, the first part is the one that I will never understand. The war dimishes our security? Please explain that pile of bullshit Hussein. Killing terrorists and establishing an ally in the middle east dimishes our security; we were safer with Saddam in power? That doesn’t add up. Perhaps you mean we could use more troops back home in the states to put on the Mexican border to end illegal immigration? No, thats not it, you think the illegals are good for America. How the FUCK are we less safe because of our presence in Iraq?
July 15th, 2008 at 6:08 amTripling non-military aid to Pakistan?!?!? all that would do is provide even MORE cash to AQ and the Taliban to kill our troops and allies.
The idiot shows his naivete every time his mouth issues sound…
July 15th, 2008 at 6:11 amI already ripped into “Obama the Dim” on politico. His plan to beef up Asscrackistan is total BS. He is only showing his inexperience in military matter. He wants to add two Brigade Combat Teams to OEF. As he puts it 7000 more troops. He is implying that it will be 7000 grunts. That is where the BS is. There are maybe 1,200 combat troops to include artillery and engineers in the BCTS. Let’s see that is 1,200 troops against 500,000 fanatical Moslem? Total TOOL is what comes to mind for me. One more thing why did he go to Pakistan during the Jihad against the Soviets??? I think we are beginning to find out why he went!! I am sure OBL gave him good orders.
July 15th, 2008 at 6:44 amBoy, someone call FDR. Apparently WWII “diminishes our security, our standing in the world, our military, our economy, and the resources that we need to confront the challenges of the 20th century.”
What has he proposed that keeps the terrorists at bay and on the defensive?
I HOPE he’s not our president.
July 15th, 2008 at 7:41 amA blindfolded Gomer Pyle could beat Obama at checkers any day.
July 15th, 2008 at 8:02 amExcellent, then that means my son who is in Afghanistan for 15 fucking months can come home because we are not focussed there…
July 15th, 2008 at 8:24 amHis single minded focus on turning the US into a socialist state is distracting me from living my life happily.
July 15th, 2008 at 9:28 am“Obama called for tripling non-military aid to Pakistan and said he would co-sponsor a bill to do so.”
Is this guy really in serious contention to be the next President? People need to stand-up and vote McCain.
July 15th, 2008 at 9:43 amPart of me want’s Obama to be president for the simple fact that it will open people’s eyes to what a fuck up he is, and there will never be another chance to elect another “Obama” President, let alone Dog Catcher. But then again, I don’t want to end up hurting this country by electing him either.
July 15th, 2008 at 10:46 amWTF is going on with everyone in the picture? Are they playing ‘Scratch & Sniff’ where every ’scratch’ stinks like sheet as Obama sings?
July 15th, 2008 at 11:28 amThis website is vital. A filter for the news is essential to understanding. Yesterday there were 3 examples of the bias of the AP. Bash reported on the photographer helping the Taliban; O’Reilly covered the obit/smear of the late Tony Snow; and Rush reported the head of the AP flat out said they are including their liberal views in their news stories.
July 15th, 2008 at 12:37 pmAl Reuters has a history too. Since these are sources for so many news stories, we have to look critically at everything they do.
You can fool some of the people…but don’t fuck with the Dollard Nation.