I love the spinYes, because you want a president to be surrounded by "yes" men...
Initially Obama ran on an anti-war platform, it really helped him with the netroots, there are posts on FYM talking about how good it was to have a candidate who recognised Iraq was unwinnable and would direct a phased withdrawal when he got into office, of course once he got the nomination the tone shifted (but justified here as a means to win the election). But now he is keeping war supporters and Clintonistas onside and not rocking the boat with Iraq, the propaganda from the GOP and the anti-war crowd was wrong and Obama will not be reckless or weak on national security, but it takes a little bit of spin from his supporters to justify some of these positions.
Initially Obama ran on an anti-war platform, it really helped him with the netroots, there are posts on FYM talking about how good it was to have a candidate who recognised Iraq was unwinnable and would direct a phased withdrawal when he got into office, of course once he got the nomination the tone shifted (but justified here as a means to win the election). But now he is keeping war supporters and Clintonistas onside and not rocking the boat with Iraq, the propaganda from the GOP and the anti-war crowd was wrong and Obama will not be reckless or weak on national security, but it takes a little bit of spin from his supporters to justify some of these positions.
Initially Obama ran on an anti-war platform, it really helped him with the netroots, there are posts on FYM talking about how good it was to have a candidate who recognised Iraq was unwinnable and would direct a phased withdrawal when he got into office, of course once he got the nomination the tone shifted (but justified here as a means to win the election). But now he is keeping war supporters and Clintonistas onside and not rocking the boat with Iraq, the propaganda from the GOP and the anti-war crowd was wrong and Obama will not be reckless or weak on national security, but it takes a little bit of spin from his supporters to justify some of these positions.
the Iraqi government has already enacted the Obama plan and set the groundwork for the phased withdrawal. further, the point was clearly made that Obama was against "dumb wars," not that he was a dove (the natural opposite for a hawk).
The occupation and prolonged involvement in Afghanistan is starting to look like a dumb war.
How is the Obama plan different from the "they stand up, we stand down" policy that Bush has been pursuing? Is it not the final stage of that policy?
the difference is the Iraqis are dictating those terms, and they're not about to allow a massive network of American bases on their soil nor will they allow the US to launch attacks on other countries from their soil.
am surprised you'd take a Bush generality at such face value.
you sound like someone else.
The occupation and prolonged involvement in Afghanistan is starting to look like a dumb war.
I think it's commendable that Obama is taking a non-partisan stand when choosing his candidates. I'm glad that he has the best interests of the country at heart and that he's picking the best people for the job regardless of past rivalrys.
That's the sign of a good leader.
Well done.
thank goodness .
Titus Pullo is coming to a big screen near you.
Sunday Conversation: Ray Stevenson of 'Punisher: War Zone' - Los Angeles Times
/ end of derail
thank goodness we'll have a president and a security team who are nimble and can react and adapt to realities on the ground rather than continuing to adhere to a losing strategy simply to make a point.
to good judgment, clear thinking, and pragmatism.
i'm thinking, actually, of Gates when i wrote the above sentence.
the difference is the Iraqis are dictating those terms,
and they're not about to allow a massive network of American bases on their soil
nor will they allow the US to launch attacks on other countries from their soil.
am surprised you'd take a Bush generality at such face value.
Bush administration policy has been so successful in Iraq, that it looks like Obama has decided he'll jump on the bandwagon.
Would you rather Obama have not jumped on the bandwagon, so you could lambaste him as a Leftist caricature?
as has been extensively demonstrated in here, it is the Iraqi government and the Bush administration that has adopted Obama's position.