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Obama Campaign: McCain Is Defying Iraqi Government's Desire For Withdrawal Timeline
Here's the response from Obama spokesperson Bill Burton to McCain's attack today proclaiming that Obama wants us to lose in Iraq out of "ambition":
"All his bluster, distortions and negative attacks notwithstanding, it is hard to understand how Senator McCain can at once proclaim his support for the sovereign government of Iraq, and then stubbornly defy their expressed support for a timeline to remove our combat brigades from their country. The difference in this race is that John McCain is intent on spending $10 billion a month on an open-ended war, while Barack Obama thinks we should bring this war to a responsible end and invest in our pressing needs here at home."
The idea that McCain's Iraq policies are directly at odds with what the Iraqi government wants has gotten scattered mention by Team Obama in statements and ads. Perhaps this is the start of a renewed effort to push it for all it's worth.
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Oh, fuck. K.I.S.S.!
August 18, 2008 11:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
This part seems pretty simple:
Followed by stump repetitions: "John McCain wants to spend $10 million on an open ended war. Barack Obama wants to invest that money in you."
August 18, 2008 11:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
$10 billion a month.
August 18, 2008 11:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
Oops. Million here, million there, pretty soon we're talking about serious money....
August 18, 2008 11:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
"The difference in this race is that John McCain is intent on spending $10 billion a month on an open-ended war, while Barack Obama thinks we should bring this war to a responsible end and invest in our pressing needs here at home."
I will now attach this as a signature to every post I make on the internet because it needs to be said again and again and again.
Join the *war* costs with the ailing home economy which is what people really care about. Keep hammering it. Eventually it will sink in.
August 18, 2008 6:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's kind of buried at the end of the paragraph and should be the leading statement. That's the soundbite there.
August 18, 2008 11:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
Obama himself does a much better job at soundbiting than Burton does.
August 18, 2008 11:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
I can't believe I'm agreeing with you. Burton sounds like broken record. Like he has a template at the ready that he's using all the time.
This $10 billion a month piece needs to be forceful, live and on TV in Ohio, not a piece of paper or email.
August 18, 2008 11:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
I agree as well.
August 18, 2008 12:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
I can't believe I'm agreeing with you
Hey, me neither, but sometimes lightning strikes twice: I agreed with something you said in the previous thread....
August 18, 2008 12:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think that no matter how loud bill burton would have been, that with the olympics on, no one would care. And Burton is cool, a little nerdy, but cool and very effective when on TV.
Warren Lied, McCain Wasn’t In The Cone of Silence
August 18, 2008 2:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Today in New Mexico at the townhall meeting I expect he'll try to drive this "invest in you" as hard as he can.
August 18, 2008 11:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
KISS, indeed. Two complex sentences, 89 words. Each sentence has one independent and two dependent clauses. Feh.
Here's my translation:
Not including the tag line, that's 79 words and 10 simple sentences.
Guess I'm just a KISSin' fool.
August 18, 2008 1:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Mulligan!
August 18, 2008 1:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Awesome. They should be hiring from you folks.
KISS, is right.
August 18, 2008 2:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nice, keep hitting them on that!
August 18, 2008 11:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
Should be shortened to:
August 18, 2008 11:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
So Obama should shorten his 90 word statement to the 101 word statement you proffered?
August 18, 2008 11:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
This is the statement from his camp. What Obama hammers home later today will probably focus on "invest in our pressing needs at home."
Overall, this is a good way to start with Iraq and then lead it back to the economy.
August 18, 2008 11:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
The only problem is that
THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HUSSEIN AND McCAIN.
And the Iraqi government I might add.
Everybody is talking time horizon, not timeline.
Everyone is making withdrawal contingent on "security" in Iraq.
IT IS OBAMA WHO HAS CONSISTENTLY ATTEMPTED TO MISREPRESENT HIS POSITION ON IRAQ.
Remember his 16 months and how that got dumped down the memory hole?
Then we were told that Hussein had always been hedging his bets.
WELL YEAH!
And here he goes again.
Obama has no actual timeline nor schedule for withdrawal but wants to convince the ObaFools he does.
Just another example of how well Hussein puts the SOB in LyingBastard.
August 18, 2008 11:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
Does anyone else notice a odd cadence to these sort of posts? I've noticed it at a few different sites. They usually are composed of single-clause, conclusory, sentences, that rarely relate to each other. I mean, I don't expect much from posters in political forums, but the consistent strident cacophony of anti-Obama posts is pretty remarkable.
August 18, 2008 12:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
This one has a long and inglorious history of posting anti-Obama crap (and that's putting it mildly....)
August 18, 2008 12:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Right, it's not the anti-Obama stuff that is interesting. It's the "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" quality of it that I find funny. And by funny, I mean strange.
August 18, 2008 12:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Now that you mention it, I have often suspected they're coming from some sort of a rant generator that works like the performance review and mission statement generators at the Dilbert website.
August 18, 2008 12:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
"rant generator"...love it!
The one above actually resembles more closely the old web economy "make bullshit" generator (http://www.dack.com/web/bullshit.html)
One thing for certain, the source certainly shows evidence of being mindless.
August 18, 2008 1:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Along the same lines, I saw an Obama-Smear Bingo card a few days ago. Basically, take an article or book that smears Obama, and for every smear, such as Wright, Sinclair, drugs, there is a corresponding spot on your randomly generated card. It was pretty funny. You'll just have to imagine it because I can't seem to find it at the moment.
August 18, 2008 1:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sounds amusing. I'll come back in hope that locate it.
August 18, 2008 1:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
I really think the democrats should quit calling it a war. If we're at a point that the Iraqi government is comfortable laying out timelines, doesn't that mean that the "war" is over? If we continue calling it a war, that feeds into the win vs. lose narrative.
August 18, 2008 11:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
So Obama should shorten his 90 word statement to the 101 word statement you proffered?
August 18, 2008 11:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
Burton's statement is written passively. It needs to be more aggressive and make it personal.
August 18, 2008 11:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
What gets more coverage, the statement from the press folks or the words coming from the candidates mouth? My money is on the latter, but I've not worked in the media or on a campaign before so take my suggestion with the obvious grain of salt.
August 18, 2008 11:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed. It's not all about the number of words.
I'd recommend that you start writing their statements but I'm afraid that responses from "Obama spokesperson flufferwink" will reinforce the whole celebrity smear.
August 18, 2008 12:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Active voice here:
August 18, 2008 11:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
Very nice. But this should be a proactive line of attack, not another friggin' response.
Responses don't get the same airplay as the attack. Wake up Obama campaign!
August 18, 2008 11:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
But happenstance or whatever McCain is addressing the VFW today. Obama is supposed to address them tomorrow (weather permitting). Bush the following day (weatehr permitting).
August 18, 2008 11:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think there's a measure of intent on the part of the Obama camp in letting McDumbass constantly play the crotchety old man on the porch shaking his walker at you. It makes McDumbass look petty and desperate and makes Obama look cool and above it all. As much as winning a street fight with subtlety is a tough proposition, I think it's generally working. More and more I'm hearing even the MSM talking heads making comments about how McDumbass is really pushing the envelope in his attacks on Obama. Eventually the tipping point will be reached and we'll begin see positive press about Obama's handling of McDumbass's attacks.
August 18, 2008 12:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Since the end of the nomination, McCain has been setting the narrative all but the week BO went on that tour of the Middle east and europe.
McCain, whether we like it or not, is on a roll. All the polls show tightening and BO's campaign seems to be unwilling (at least right now) not to throw a jab or a punch.
BO needs to go on the attack but i am hoping his lack of aggression is apart of the campaign's tactic to wait until after the convention to go in attack mode, but right now, its getting dicy and i am starting to worry just a bit.
If McCain's attack adds is doing damage and has closed the gap a bit, when the Republican attack machine gears up, that may be all she wrote for BO.
I am getting nervous. will some please tell me its not what it seems like?
August 18, 2008 12:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, they'll tell you that you're simply being a 'chicken little', that the Obama team has everything under control and that the tightening of the polls is natural and expected and even planned.
Of course, if you remember 2004, you probably heard the exact same arguments then too.
Me, I wonder what their plan is as well. I agree that it sure seems mighty passive, and that they are passing up numerous, NUMEROUS opportunities to define McCain negatively and take advantage of Obama's strengths as well as the overall Democratic wave. Instead, this campaign is way tighter than it ought to be, and McCain is basically going unchallenged.
Obama is raising all sorts of money - I wonder how he intends on spending it, and when.
August 18, 2008 12:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Giving any credit to Obama and his campaign for actively responding to Corsini and his Obama Nation? I notice that the MSM actively participated in discrediting this smear brought to us by the swiftboaters.
Or did the whole thing disappear so fast that you missed it? Or perhaps you just think Obama had nothing to do with the disappearance and it was just "one of those things"?
Be specific with your claims, chicken little.
August 18, 2008 1:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just watch McCain for a few minutes and you'll stop being nervous. His speech to the VFW today went over like a fart in an elevator.
August 18, 2008 12:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
I sorta think he ought to shorten it to "Shame on you, John McCain."
August 18, 2008 12:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
no no no no no. Obama needs to call out McCain for what he did: accused his opponent of treason. McCain is alleging the Obama wants to PURPOSEFULLY LOSE A WAR for self-gain. That is treason. It is punishable by death (drawn and quartered? tarred and feathered? I'm not sure...)
One candidate accusing the other of treason is a SERIOUS f'ing deal. Obama needs to call him out forcefully and repeatedly, as it shows just how desperate and slimy the McCain camp is. I'm sure they'd deny the charge, but he said what he said. How you can paint that accusation as anything other than treason of the highest order is beyond me. Sample Obama response:
"Earlier today, my opponent John McCain accused me of treason, a crime that is punishable by death. He accused me trying to lose a war for my own political gain. This charge is outrageous and offensive. I demand a retraction from his campaign and a written apology from Sen McCain."
Simple enough. It would certainly change the narrative, and force the McCain camp to either back off the charge, or embrace it whole-heartedly (which is sure to backfire).
August 18, 2008 12:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe this is thi kind of outragous incindiary kind of comment Obama has been waiting for. I would have to agree that even if the intent is to let McDumbass hang himself with his own rhetoric at some point you have to stop the rope from running. Maybe now with such a long and detailed record of over the top accusations, Obama will be able to make the damands you suggest and not let McDumbass wriggle off the hook claiming it was a senior moment...
August 18, 2008 12:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ok off topic and won't get alot of play, but this is an interesting read. I thought the cross in the sand bs from mcbush sounded hokey. Also, I find it hard to believe that a North Vietnamese guard would do such a thing and risk his life. I seriously doubt it. Throw in all the indoctrination of the vietnamese and the hatred for the US bombing their women and children. I really doubt that this is true. It didn't come up until his first run for pres in 1999. He didn't mention it for 30 years? Pathetic.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-nickolas/did-mccain-steal-his-cros_b_119471.html
The good ol straight talk express keeps chugging along. Pathetic. I really think that mcbush may be senile.
August 18, 2008 12:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually, Andrew Sullivan has a pretty good and relatively objective summation of the whole controversy:
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/08/the-dirt-in-the.html
August 18, 2008 1:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Let's see. Your opponent essentially charges you with treason, and you give an academic response about money. With a near $10 Trillion debt, a $500 Billion deficit, the money spent in Iraq is trivial in most people's minds, if it is even there.
Defend your honor first, point out the stress on the military, the desire of Iraq to have the US leave, and then how the money could be better spent.
Hillary would fight back strongly. Time for Obama to do the same.
McCain is doing a great job of defining Obama in terrible terms, thanks to his Rovian tactics. And Obama is doing a great job of sitting back and doing little. Seems like John Kerry has more fight in him than Obama has.
August 18, 2008 12:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Open letter to Obama:
Fire Bill Burton, he's a lame spokesperson. Take the gloves off and starting hitting McCain hard.
GET SOME BALLS!!!
August 18, 2008 12:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Open letter to Obama:
McCain is accusing Obama of treason, basically. Fire Bill Burton, he's a lame spokesperson. Take the gloves off and start hitting McCain hard.
GET SOME BALLS!!!
August 18, 2008 12:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
One does have to admit that Mccain's camp has crafted the attack well because although to many it is obviously treading in the treason fields, it is not in fact call him a traitor. If Obama was consciously wanting to lose the war for said purposes, then yes, but if it is his ambition is merely clouding his judgment, so not intentionally being a traitor, then no.
If Obama starting yelling too loud about this the headlines would be "Obama claims he's no traitor" and the McCain camp would win.
August 18, 2008 12:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
THAT RESPONSE IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH. I WANT TO HEAR ABOUT JOHN MCCAIN'S VOTING RECORD WHEN IT COMES TO VETERANS AND WOMEN AND FAMILIES AND CHILDREN!!!!! GET TOUGH WHY DON'T YOU!!!!!
August 18, 2008 12:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am so annoyed with the people running the communication and strategy teams in the Obama campaign.
August 18, 2008 12:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
You mean something like "McCain's devotion to veterans and their families is one big fairy tale"?
August 18, 2008 12:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
But this will be turned into "How dare Obama, who's never served in the military, attack John McCain, a courageous former POW?"
I don't think this is as easy as we all seem to think it is.
August 18, 2008 12:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree. Obama will do better focusing on his vision and policies for this country, that a true patriot does what is in the best interest of Americans. And that means stop investing in Iraq and start investing in the US.
August 18, 2008 12:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not if it comes from Bill Clinton or Clark or someone else with big hairy balls. And even if McCain tries, it's much better to have him on the defense.
What's going on now seems strange and ridiculous at the same time. I don't care about the name calling I'm going to get for this, but it seems as if he lost energy and focus and drive after Hillary was done. Or maybe he thought that once Hillary was done, it was a done deal. Maybe he was expecting a full frontal from McCain and wasn't prepared for the slow drip drip drip. Something's going on with Obama.
August 18, 2008 12:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't think it's Obama. I think it's his media team.
August 18, 2008 12:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
I would agree that there was a loss of some focus, and McCain was able to dictate the message too often.
But right now it just seems that while McCain got everyone talking about celebrity or surge or drilling, it wasn't resonating with those who were not yet in his camp.
And I suppose one has to ask why if Clark went out there again on the attack, we shouldn't expect it turn out the same as it did before with the media supporting the McCain image of a POW and all-around military dude.
August 18, 2008 12:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
If it comes from Clark, that will just revive the whole Bob Shieffer generated flapdoodle, and no matter how reasonable Clark happened to be about that issue, it got turned into something that probably damaged Obama rather than McCain.
Clinton might be able to carry it off.
I don't see anything strange about the Obama campaign right now--it's been very consistent with how it has been run: not attacking enough, in many people's minds. I mean, look at last fall and spring. Obama was too "soft", too passive, too whatever.
And yet, somehow, he still managed to win. So I don't know what's going on, but my hope at this point is that they're storing up these McCainisms, and are going to unleash a boatload of attacks after Labor Day.
If they're trying to run a campaign that stays above the down and dirty politics we're seeing from McCain then, well, I think Obama's toast.
At this point, it's incredibly fortunate that McCain is such an execrable speaker. Imagine if he could really sway a crowd?
August 18, 2008 1:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Anyone notice that McGoo never responds to any of Obama's attacks? He just brushes them off and lobs the next volley at Obama, who then runs all over the court trying to hit McGoo's ball back.
As a result, McGoo has held serve all summer. Look at the polls.
Obama better quit hugging this crooked son of a bitch and start punching him in the kidneys or he is toast.
August 18, 2008 12:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yep, I did. I agree with your last observation. It isn't looking good at all. Obama better start "defining" mcbush and quick or we will all be singing hail to mcbush next january.
Also, they can knock off these stupid statements that noone pays attention to. Obama has to start going on the offensive and quick.
August 18, 2008 12:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Lamont,
I agree. Right now, Obama and the DNC should be tearing the stuffing out of McCain. But they continue to handle him with kid gloves. Obama is my guy and i support 100%, but this election is his to lose. And will lose if he continues these passive responses to McLiar's attacks.
August 18, 2008 12:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
And McCain NEVER questions Barack's patriotism!
Tuesday Aug 26 is McCain Night at the DNC according to the NyT
August 18, 2008 12:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Most Americans no longer care about Iraq. Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan. It's all just one big blur of confusion and danger that they do not want to try to understand. It is an abstract.
They just want to be safe and be able to afford to pay for gas, Dish TV and their cell phone.
Until there is a general draft, rationing, or a huge increase in income tax most people will go to the polls to decide based on:
Race
Trust
Experience
McCain is projecting a resolute and positive persona.
Obama is channeling Jimmy Carter with his preachy, depressing "malaise speech" attitude.
August 18, 2008 12:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Obama is channeling Jimmy Carter with his preachy, depressing "malaise speech" attitude."
..listening to a Hillary dead-ender is like taking hygiene tips from a pig, or dating advice from a rapist.
August 18, 2008 12:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
So tell us Senator Obama, by what date certain will you have withdrawn all US combat troops from Iraq?
Can't give us a date certain?
Well then, please state the exact criteria you will use to decide upon a withdrawal date?
Can't state the exact criteria?
Then tell us Senator Obama how your plan differs from John McCain's.
Isn't it true that you have backed away from your "16 month" pledge?
Isn't it true that you have adopted the McCain strategy of withdrawing only when security conditions and the commanders on the ground favor a US withdrawal?
So I ask you again Senator Obama, in what way does your latest position differ from Senator McCain's?
And exactly why do you find it so difficult, indeed why do you refuse to say whether or not the Surge has worked?
Doesn't your early and strident opposition to the Surge strategy call into question your military judgement?
And lacking both military judgement and experience what qualifies you to be Commander in Chief?
August 18, 2008 12:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain, speaking at the VFW, has attacked Obama yet again as being willing to lose a war to win a campaign. How long will Obama let this go on? He has fallen into a defensive mode, answering McCain’s attacks (sometimes) while making few of his own.
Bill Clinton tried to teach Democrats that every attack gets answered in the same news cycle. His campaign against the first Bush also did a great job telling the country why Bush I shouldn’t have been reelected. Gore and Kerry failed to learn those lessons and lost. Obama seems committed to repeating their mistakes.
I am an African-American, a committed Democrat and an Obama supporter who never thought I’d live to see a black president. Yet I have a much clearer sense right now (one I can define in the 30 space of a campaign commercial) of why McCain thinks he should be elected and why he thinks Obama shouldn’t be, than I have of the reverse.
Once upon a time (2000) I thought McCain’s election might be good or at least acceptable for the country. I no longer think that. Indeed, considering our fiscal, economic and diplomatic situations, I think a McCain presidency might be a disaster. But I can’t tell from Obama’s campaign what he thinks. Does he think McCain would make a good President? I don’t know? Would he be a bad one? I don’t know. McCain’s attacks on Obama however fraudulent are at least heartfelt. I can’t say that about Obama’s attacks on McCain.
I for one really miss MoveOn.
August 18, 2008 12:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Still same news cycle. Obama speaking right now in New Mexico, so lets wait and see what he says.
August 18, 2008 12:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
August 18, 2008 1:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama may respond yet today, but this only underlines the problem:
Dems have Response Teams. Repugs have Attack Teams.
August 18, 2008 1:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nail firmly struck on head. Obama is both unknown and unknowable. A lightweight who has been manipulated into the limelight. McCain feels like the real deal, Obama feels like an invention. Vaporware.
(edit: typo)
August 18, 2008 1:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Nail firmly stuck on head. Obama is both unknown and unknowable."
..but not knowing what Obama thinks either signals a mental retardation on your part, or an amazing display of intellectual dishonesty. In your case, check both of those boxes.
August 18, 2008 1:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
You and fogu are approaching it from two very different directions. For fogu, campaigns are only about attacking and destroying your opponent. McCain is much better and clearer than Obama in this regard. Hence, McCain gets fogu's support, if not vote.
Just look at fogu's posting history. Fogu is only interested, and understands, attacks and filth. It's the language fogu speaks. Since Obama does not generally speak in these terms, he is unknowable to fogu. Issues do not matter, and whether or not Obama has clearly stated positions on a range of subjects is irrelevant white noise.
The same can be said of any former Hillary supporter who now supports McCain, or opposes Obama. It's funny up until the point that you remember that these people walk among us.
August 18, 2008 1:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nail firmly struck on the head.
August 18, 2008 1:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Precisely when will a President Obama withdraw US combat troops?
And if you can't answer that then precisely what is the difference between McCain's and Obama's latest position on Iraq?
The fact is that you have no answer to either of those questions.
Obama will not even say, yes or no, if the "Surge"has worked?
Why will he not?
In what way is Obama's "plan" for Iraq any different from Nixon's secret plan for Vietnam?
As long as Obama is willing to hint at a troop withdrawal without providing any specifics then McCain, sad to say, is correct and Obama is putting his campaign before the national good.
August 18, 2008 1:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
What's so hard to understand one to two brigades a month equalling a sixteen month withdrawal plan?
August 19, 2008 10:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
It would seem that the real deal could actually make some headway against an invention, especially when the invention is off vacationing for a week.
August 18, 2008 1:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, but this point gets lost.
McCain had the entire week to himself, and, as a bonus, got a foreign policy crisis tossed into his supposed wheelhouse, while this complete unknown and unknowable novice was away, vacationing in {gasp} that exotic Hawaii.
McCain should be up by 5 at this point in every national poll.
August 18, 2008 1:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly. Obama once refer to the elections are always forty something for the dems and forty something for the GOP and the result is defined by a small "swing" independents. Looks like it will be so once again.
Obama will address the same crowd tomorrow that McCain talked today. He has the opportunity to respond and to attack McCain in aspects like the GI Bill. Of course, this depends of the weather.
August 18, 2008 1:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Bill Clinton tried to teach Democrats that every attack gets answered in the same news cycle. "
Word.
No attack must go unanswered.
August 18, 2008 2:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
I get angry with the way McCain keeps on calling for victory in Iraq. Iraq at this point is a civil war, and in a civil war there is no winner, there is just tragedy. Calling for victory is really just a recipe for staying there indefinitly.
August 18, 2008 3:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
what a weak weak response.
August 18, 2008 3:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama's got to be careful how much weight he puts on what the Iraqi government wants. Maliki and friends are confused, beseiged and ultimately fickle. They could do a one-eighty at any moment, start begging us to stay. Unlikely, but it's a risk that must be taken into account.
August 18, 2008 5:58 PM | Reply | Permalink