Election Central Morning Roundup
Obama Arrives In Afghanistan
Barack Obama has arrived in Afghanistan, meeting with American General Jeffrey Schloesser, commander of NATO forces. "I want to, obviously, talk to the commanders and get a sense both in Afghanistan and in Baghdad of, you know, what the most, their biggest concerns are," Obama told reporters before he first departed for the trip in secret on Thursday, "and I want to thank our troops for the heroic work that they've been doing."
John McCain Raising Money Today
John McCain does not have any public events scheduled for today, but will instead be holding a series of fundraising events.
Maliki Backs Obama's 16-Month Timetable
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has endorsed Barack Obama's call for a timetable to leave Iraq, a development with serious ramifications for the American debate over foreign policy. "US presidential candidate Barack Obama talks about 16 months," Maliki told German news magazine Der Spiegel. "That, we think, would be the right timeframe for a withdrawal, with the possibility of slight changes."
McCain To Focus On Economy This Week
John McCain is set to use this week to focus on economic issues, while his rival Barack Obama is overseas focusing on foreign policy. McCain will then hold campaign events this week in Maine, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Colorado and Ohio, where he will try to shore up his image on kitchen-table issues where he's tended to lag behind his Dem rival.
LAT: Romney Getting On McCain's Good Side
The Los Angeles Times reports that Mitt Romney has more and more maneuvered his way into John McCain's favor, with active fundraising efforts to help the man who defeated him in the primaries: "Even if McCain goes on to pick someone else as his running mate, Romney's dutiful, well-noted slogging for the party's winner after his own defeat will help bolster his standing within a GOP party that traditionally awards its presidential nominations to the next in line."
New Right-Wing Ad: Obama "Worse Than A Flip-Flopper!"
A new right-wing group called Let Freedom Ring is launching an attack ad against Barack Obama, which it says will run with an ad buy of several hundred thousand dollars. The ad accuses Obama of being worse than a flip-flopper, holding two contrary positions at the same time:
Rudy Starts New Leadership PAC For New York Republicans
In a sign that Rudy Giuliani might not be done just yet with electoral politics, the former mayor has started a new leadership PAC called Solutions America -- which despite its national name, will reportedly aid New York Republican. Take it as a sign that Rudy might be looking at a run for governor in 2010.
Maliki Backs Obama's 16-Month Timetable
FANTASTIC! Seriously, that's absolutely fantastic news, and a HUGE blow to McCain's entire Iraq strategy. Obama's going to be able to seriously use that to his advantage. Freaking. Brilliant.
July 19, 2008 1:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, this is big news. Combine that with Bush now talking about a "time horizon" for troop withdrawals and it is starting to look like there might be a light at the end of the long dark Iraq tunnel.
Not to mention to benefit Obama should get from being right (again) about Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan.
July 19, 2008 1:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
For what its worth maliki and the shiites want us out of iraq yesterday. They want to oppress the sunnis and control the country and its oil wealth (see no political reconciliation and no agreement to share oil revenues). I am in favor of total withdrawl and allow the other sunni arab countries in the region prop up the sunnis in iraq. We definitely broke the country, but at this point, its time to move on. Iraq is an iranian puppet state that the king set up and we will just have to deal with it. No more american blood and treasure. We're better off just trying to deal with iran and just get the f*ck out of that hornets nest.
July 19, 2008 1:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
AP:
July 19, 2008 3:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
agreed big news. I just hope this becomes big news because it is very important. unfortunately I don't think it will be.
Video of unenthusiastic PUMA, Just Say No Deal Protest
July 19, 2008 9:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm glad Maliki agrees with Obama on the 16 month strategy. Now what will McCain say? Also, the ad seems weak.
July 19, 2008 1:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed, ad is very weak.
July 19, 2008 1:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain should come and explain the Maliki doesn't really mean what he's saying....
July 19, 2008 1:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Gen. Petraeus is doing that for him, insisting that Maliki really meant "time horizons", not timelines.
July 19, 2008 1:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
I wonder how long it took them to come up with some other word for a timeline. Time "horizons" vs timelines. What is the f*cking difference. There isn't any. How pathetic.
July 19, 2008 2:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
There's no difference and both are spin. What's not spin is the $2-3 billion a week we are spending in the meantime.
July 19, 2008 5:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
So according to this 527, Obama's not a flip-flopper?
Great. I'm glad that's settled.
July 19, 2008 1:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
It is interesting that McCain never holds pubic events on the weekends because he needs time to rest, yet no one seems to notice. You'd think that would be a campaign issue. I mean does he expect the world's problems to pause on the weekends so he can catch his breath? If they guy can't handle campaigning, I doubt his ability to be able to keep up with the rigors of the presidency.
Although he will probably take after Bush, and actually find all of the executive vacations refreshing.
I, for one, want a president who has enough energy to handle the huge problems we face.
July 19, 2008 1:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
now who has foreign policy problem????????
July 19, 2008 1:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
What's the point, uh, you know, of quoting Obama speaking, you know, off the cuff, uhh, like this?
The Reuters article had the sense to edit the quote.
July 19, 2008 2:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
How stupid is this?
The White House "accidentally" sent an email blast about the German interview with Maliki to to its entire email list. It was supposed to be an "internal" blast.
http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/07/almaliki_supports_obamas_timet.php
And these are the people who have had control of the country for 7 1/2 years??
July 19, 2008 2:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
I want to know why there is a difference.
This more or less confirms that Raddatz, Gregory, etc., are specifically viewed as the White House goon squad.
July 19, 2008 2:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's hilarious! Oops!
I'm sure there are a lot of confused reporters out there trying to decipher these "talking points".
July 19, 2008 2:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Any minute now we'll be hearing that this is a good thing fo the Bush administration.
July 19, 2008 3:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
idiotic
idiotic
idiotic
he's supposed to appear now, right?
July 19, 2008 7:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is it a new requirement for winger groups to have "Freedom" in their monikers? There's casino mogul Sheldon Adelson's (George Soros of the Right, but with more money) Freedom's Watch, this attack ad's from Let Freedom Ring.
That was the name of Hannity's 2004 book?
The party they love has been dismantling freedom for the last 7 years.
Let's Watch it Ring and throw the bums out.
July 19, 2008 2:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Right-wing attack group – Let Freedom Ring – I think their name should be Republican AssHat Brigade.
July 19, 2008 2:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
For all those who have much maligned the Obama press organization, here's to you:
"Obama Camp Calls McCain A Follower On Foreign Policy"
http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/07/obama_camp_calls_mccain_a_foll.php#more
Looks to me like the Obama campaign were waiting for the more opportune time of releasing this statement, rather than in response to some lame McCain attack ad, but in response to an actual "official" in regards to Iraq.
July 19, 2008 3:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's great and spot on.
Let's hope somebody actually talks about it.
July 19, 2008 4:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly, yes! This is what I want to see more of. Obama's people making good use of the press to bring out McCain's weaknesses.
July 19, 2008 4:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Siegessäule
http://www.truthout.org/files/images/N1_071908D.jpg
July 19, 2008 3:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maliki endorses Obama's Iraq Plan. Irony. I hear a few thuds, a old hand bangs the door shut, and those on the fringes whisper- "Obama conspiring with Maliki for a secret Islamic coup, a new email campaign"
McCain looks like a clueless great grandpa in the hallways of the hospice recounting imaginary escapades that never occured and offering unwarrented expertise for a new world he never lived.
July 19, 2008 3:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
I love this! Someone needs to turn this into a TV ad.
July 19, 2008 4:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
NPR reported, on the new update at the top of the hour (3 PM, EDT) that Obama received a "warm welcome" from the troops in Kuwait, and there was a clip of cheering and clapping.
I guess we'll learn how that's really good news for McCain, and bad news for Obama. I can hear Andrea Mitchell now: "there's a danger in all the positive receptions that Obama is receiving, because it may feed the idea that his followers are cultists...."
July 19, 2008 3:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
It was a sound clip wasn't it.
On politico.com Jonathan Smith has 2 pics up from the trip.
http://www.politico.com/blogs/jonathanmartin/
I wonder will they have video of him meeting the troops.
The probably do, but I just know the rethugs will try to say that Obama was "using" the troops for "campaigning purposes"
July 19, 2008 4:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, it was a sound clip, and it did sound like a "warm reception".
And you're absolutely right: McCain, and, I imagine, some talking heads tomorrow, will just cast it as "Obama is using the troops".
July 19, 2008 4:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Let Freedom Ring is a Trade Mark of the Pennsylvania Society Sons of the Revolution. The Society is involved in patriotic education associated with the Liberty Bell.
Of course, legal niceties are of little importance to the large portion of McCain wingnuts who are far enough right to be classified as anarchists.
July 19, 2008 4:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow, things seem to be changing fast.
In about one week's time, the Bush administration has moved much closer to Obama's positions on Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan. Top this off with an amazingly well-timed trip overseas by Obama, and there should be a lot of chatter about these developments among the talking heads.
Maybe serendipity, maybe not. But by the looks of it Obama's influence on foreign policy is already being felt.
Meanwhile, McCain is being left behind, forced to catch up while trying to cover his tracks.
July 19, 2008 4:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yep, it really is kind of startling. Regardless of the results in November, at least obama may already be shiftng our foreign policy in a better direction. Talk about a leader! Wow.
By the way, you can add pakistan to your list. Obama lead on pakistan a year ago and the clintonites and republicans called his policy naive and uniformed. Within a couple of months they were following his policy. Truly amazing when you think about it.
July 19, 2008 4:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
I like your optimism, but I just checked the Post and the Times, and could not find one article about Maliki supporting Obama's plan.
Not to be a buzz kill, or anything.
Which I probably just was.
Sorry.
I think I'll go back to fighting with the PUMA Pride contingent....
July 19, 2008 4:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Don't expect MSM to take the lead here. But, they'll come along. And act like they knew it all the time...
July 19, 2008 4:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Difference between a "timeline" and a "time horizon" is that a "timeline" can be reached, while a "horizon" is always a distant, unreachable goal.
July 19, 2008 4:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
It depends on how you define your timeline. Obama has never said that it was engrained in stone and regardless of the conditions on the ground we are out in 16 months. Basically, its a time "horizon" as well if you think about it. Also, the "horizon" that the iraqi shiites want is a date when we are out of their country, not an unreachable goal. They want to get down to business with consolidating their power and crushing the will of the sunnis. Payback time as far as the shiites are concerned.
July 19, 2008 4:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
that worse then flip flop ad sucks, they could have did something better then that.
http://www.sensico.wordpress.com
July 19, 2008 4:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, what about this:
"We are there at the invitation of the Iraqi government. This is a sovereign nation. Twelve million people went to the polls to approve a constitution. It's their government's choice," the president said during a Rose Garden news conference. "If they were to say 'leave', we would leave."
Seems like we need to start following Obama's lead, because once again he is right:
http://www.thepersonalispolitical.com/2008/07/iraqi-pm-supports-obamas-iraq-plan-not.html
July 19, 2008 5:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well they say you can find almost anything on Youtube, well here it is:
Barack Obama meeting troops in Kuwait, and playing a little hoops:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5MO1hTL8F0
July 19, 2008 5:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Druge has it! Big ole headline...Mccain is offficially in deep sh*T
July 19, 2008 5:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Woohoo!!
July 19, 2008 6:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
No way MSM can avoid this, even Halperin is reluctantly reporing it. On another note if you want to see how a right wing hack hidng under the BS veneer of a "objective" voice it torn asunder go to crooks n liars and watch Maddow's grace, precision and class cripple poor hapless Mccain acolyte Oppenhiemer...it is a sheer joy to watch
July 19, 2008 5:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Unfortunately, while the Malaki statement should be a big story, the New York Times, WaPo, Reuters, AP, ABC and USA Today have buried the lede.
Interestingly, MSNBC and CNN have it on their front pages, as do Time, and CBS.
Obama seems to getting uneven coverage at best from the MSM, while McCain gets a pass. It's worrisome that Obama's people either can't do anything about it or are unable to get better press.
July 19, 2008 5:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
When the below listed are the top four headlines on Drudge, you know it ain't a day in the sun for McPast and the Repugs.
I. MAG: IRAQ LEADER SUPPORTS OBAMA PLAN
II.OBAMA OPENS FOREIGN TOUR IN AFGHANISTAN...
III.White House Slip: E-Mails Reporters 'Maliki Supports Obama Plan'...
IV.PELOSI tries to broker Iraq exit...
July 19, 2008 5:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow. Even Drudge gets it.
Why not the NY Times?
July 19, 2008 6:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
NY, after the Vicki Isman fiasco, is more and more making an effort to appear "balanced," and the only way the percieved "liberal" newspaper can appear balanced is by moving to the right. NYT has lot much of its respect beginning this primary season.
Frank Rich- on the editorial side- is a saving grace, but I can't believe the low quality from Maureen Dowd and Bill Kristol are entertained.
July 19, 2008 8:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
I need to comment.
Freemasonry is being attacked at every level.
Isn't it terrific that Ohio, Florida, Virginia, and Michigan have already went for Obama?
People need to calm down.
When Ted Kocker and Paul Killion realize that they need to start realizing that now they're starting to realize.
Freemasonry is sort of the type of thang that In Utero, rock to the high seas of Jim Webb foot. Is it Donald Duck?
Get Cathedral-Spice and Johnny "Jackson" Brown over through these sort of wondrous, monotonous, pharmaceutical issues they're going through.
Write a book about Franklin Deleanor Roosevelt.
I so have a big, something?
International Banks are starting to realize.
Munchauser by proxy should be considered attemped murder in every cirumstance.
July 19, 2008 6:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is my favorite comment.
July 19, 2008 7:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Kash exactly all others follow Drudge like Pavlov responders in a lemming litany
July 19, 2008 6:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
On another tack how ironic it took the European press to break this. I dont why and maybe I am being paranoid but I feel had this been our MSM the key points of this interview would have disappeared in a haze of BS. The irony? This is country is such a mess it takes a German publication to tell our guillible pathetic we love ribs MSM what the Iraqi's have been screaming for years..."Get the F out!"
July 19, 2008 6:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
And of course here was McCain back in 2004:
QUESTION: Let me give you a hypothetical, senator. What would or should we do if, in the post-June 30th period, a so-called sovereign Iraqi government asks us to leave, even if we are unhappy about the security situation there? I understand it's a hypothetical, but it's at least possible.
McCAIN: Well, if that scenario evolves, then I think it's obvious that we would have to leave because— if it was an elected government of Iraq— and we've been asked to leave other places in the world. If it were an extremist government, then I think we would have other challenges, but I don't see how we could stay when our whole emphasis and policy has been based on turning the Iraqi government over to the Iraqi people.
http://www.thepersonalispolitical.com/2008/07/iraqi-pm-supports-obamas-iraq-plan-not.html
Ouch, I can't wait to see him try to spin his way out of that. Oh wait, he won't have to, because the media won't call him on it because they are I love with him.
July 19, 2008 6:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
I know it's just wishful thinking, but if the online news media doesn't put the Maliki sory at the top of their pages, then I would be happy if the major national, state, and local newspaper puts the story either on their front page, or on the first page of their politics/opinion sections.
This story deserves it.
I really think this story has legs no matter how much the Obama campaign pushes it (which I suspect they will), especially when Obama goes to Iraq and meets Maliki.
If not, I'd lose what little respect I have for the media (which isn't a large amount as it is)
July 19, 2008 6:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
NBC Nightly News is covering it. Andrea Mitchell's report specifically said that Maliki is supporting Obama's withdrawal plan.
July 19, 2008 6:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's good that Mitchell is telling the story.
She's the one who had the interview with Petreus and she reported that Military commanders on the ground in Iraq will tell Obama that a timed withdrawal would be a bad idea. This Maliki story completely pissed on her Obama wrong storyline, so Andrea can suck it!
July 19, 2008 7:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Greenspan's pretty little propagandist has been completely owned after her week-long concern trolling over how this trip would be a disaster.
July 19, 2008 7:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
I not telling anyone how to do their jobs, but shouldn't the Maliki story have had it's own post rather than being apart of the Morning Roundup.
At the very least so that updateS to the story could be posted as they came in.
But whatever:
The McShame campaign has FINALLY come out with an official statment:
http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/07/mccain_my_surge_your_progress.php
It's not surprising:
"voted for surge" yada yada yada, "Obama" yada yada yada, "humiliating defeat", yada yada yada...
BULLSHIT
July 19, 2008 6:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Re:
I agree. But Josh at least featured on the front page and gave it good coverage.
July 19, 2008 7:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah after I posted the comment, I noticed the update that Josh posted on the front page.
No biggie:)
July 19, 2008 7:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here's some better footage along with an Obama interview from CBS News.
I hope this is okay for reposte:
http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml?id=4275361n
July 19, 2008 7:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
CNN finally picked up the Maliki story but also says that he's not denying it.
July 19, 2008 9:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
"NOW" denying it.
July 19, 2008 9:43 PM | Reply | Permalink