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Obama To Visit Iraq Before The Election
On the trail moments ago, Obama confirmed that he will be visiting Iraq before the November election:
The presumed Democratic presidential nominee said he spoke with Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari on Monday about the war and told him he looks forward to seeing him in Baghdad.Obama has said before he was considering a trip, but his comment to reporters Monday was his first firm declaration that he will be making the trip. He said more details will be announced shortly.
This of course will do nothing to stop the McCain/GOP attacks on Obama for not visiting the country, since reality has nothing to do with such stuff, but the news will certainly blunt any effects the attacks were having, if they were having any at all.
Either way, it'll be interesting to see how the campaign handles the timing, optics, and politics of the trip. We'll bring you more detail when we get it.
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O NO! say it isn't so!!
Obama does not need to go to the Middle East!!
Not after his comments on Jerusalem to AIPAC.
Please say a prayer that this man will be safe.
He ALREADY has triple the secret service protection of Bush.
June 16, 2008 1:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Now I expect McCain to go take a walk around Iran so he can "learn the facts on the ground" before saying we should bomb bomb bomb bomb bomb Iran again. And I'll be waiting for him to travel to Cuba so he can identify the "facts on the ground" which say we should continue our failed policy toward Cuba that we've been pursuing for the last 50 years.
Because obviously you can't know anything about anywhere without setting foot on dirt in that place.
Right? Is that what we are supposed to believe McCain?
June 16, 2008 1:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Are you kidding me? Iran and Cuba have to earn a visit from a presumtive Republican Presidential Nominee. There's no way McCain could give them the honor of his presence unless they met his standards.
June 16, 2008 2:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
The two of them together in Iraq would have been the biggest security debacle since Francis Ferdinand decided to tour Bosnia in 1914.
Not that that matters to the Republicans. In their alternate universe, the the Mighty Surge has ended all resistance to our benevolent presence and there would have been nothing to do but gather up the fulsome groveling of the happy, prosperous, contended locals.
June 16, 2008 1:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Now somebody should tell McGoo to go to Iowa and see how much the National Guard is missed.
June 16, 2008 1:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
I can't wait to see that trip. I jsut hope that mccain won't try to make this into a political circus.
We finally know whos behind the smears about obama
Candidates on equal pay.
McCain’s Clayton Williams problems
Bring It On GOP
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Its All About Taxes
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June 16, 2008 1:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am very proud of our candidate. I am quite impressed with how bright the guy is too. No wonder he has gotten so far in life with using family connections unlike McCain and Bush.
I think we would be privileged to have him as our President.
June 16, 2008 2:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
that should be without
June 16, 2008 2:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
I thought you didn't announce these things until after they returned for security reasons.
Also I wonder who he'll take with him, probably Biden one would assume. Though Kerry is angling for the Sec. of State post as well.
These photo-op tours are more a pain in the ass than anything for security purposes on the ground.
June 16, 2008 2:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
According to Politico, Al Gore is to endorse Obama in Detroit tonight:)
June 16, 2008 3:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Greg! Goddamnit! You made an entire post about Obama, even pointing out that McCain and the GOP are somewhat removed from reality when it comes to him...and you never once mentioned Hillary Clinton! How dare you!
What are the Legion of the Unhinged supposed to do if you don't give them the opportunity to piss on her?
June 16, 2008 4:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hee-hee....just havin' a little fun kids. Don't get upset.
June 16, 2008 4:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
If he goes, he needs to be superglued to McCain, in case any convenient "incidents" happen. Under no circumstances should Obama be more than 1 foot away from McCain.
June 16, 2008 4:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Please God, just come home safe. Stay in the Green Zone, talk to the generals, and get the hell out. Please.
June 16, 2008 5:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Posted it somewhere but can't find it:
I would suggest Obama take the following with him to Iraq:
Powell
Shinseki
Inouye
Powell was among the few in this administration that got Iraq right (if you break it you own it). He gave advice to Bush I, Clinton and Bush II. He was loyal to all three and left when it was no longer tenable.
Shinseki rightfully disagreed with the Neocons and was shown the door.
Inouye voted against the Iraq Invasion and is the head of the Defense Appropriation Committee.
The Delegation would be made up of the Following:
2 Democrats- Obama-Inouye
1 Non Affiliated - Shinseki
1 Repulican - Powell
If Obama truly wants an informed view, this delegation would help.
June 16, 2008 6:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Secret Service should nix it, saying "it's too dangerous for a presidential candidate to go to Iraq."
June 17, 2008 2:33 AM | Reply | Permalink