Obama starts to “un-nuance” Iraq (Updated)
Update: The anticipated overreaction is happening, but it seems to be most flagrant in the MSM. As a result, Barack Obama has given another press conference, and has issued an email confirming that he has, in fact, been very consistent. Some reaction from the blogosphere has been added after original post.
A question: Why would the MSM be spinning this up so baldly?
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For months now, I’ve been writing that Obama was not the hard-core liberal the far left wanted (and the far-right hoped for). This was true on nearly everything from NAFTA to the death penalty, and it’s only on FISA that I’ve been surprised.
As the general election campaign has gotten underway, and various issues have become more fleshed out, there have been gasps of horror from various corners. Imagine (I’ve thought and discussed) what will happen when Obama’s carefully nuanced Iraq position finally moved into the light. Here it comes:
FARGO, N.D. – Senator Barack Obama said Thursday the United States cannot sustain a long-term military presence in Iraq, but added that he would be open to “refine my policies” about a timeline for withdrawing troops after meeting with American military commanders during a trip to Iraq later this month.
Mr. Obama, whose popularity in the Democratic primary was built upon a sharp opposition to the war and an often-touted 16-month gradual timetable for removing combat troops, dismissed suggestions that he was changing positions in the wake of reductions in violence in Iraq and a general election fight with Senator John McCain.
“I’ve always said that the pace of withdrawal would be dictated by the safety and security of our troops and the need to maintain stability. That assessment has not changed,” he said. “And when I go to Iraq and have a chance to talk to some of the commanders on the ground, I’m sure I’ll have more information and will continue to refine my policies.”
It’s true. He’s said this all along, and as I wrote earlier today, he’s also said that he’d listen to commanders on the ground.
But I’m absolutely sure that a large portion of his supporters weren’t listening. So what will they do with this, I wonder? Will it blow up as big as FISA has? I hope not, but there’s certain to be an uproar.
For me, though, bringing some light to this subject is a relief. I’ve wondered when he’d start to clarify for those many folks who’ve not read past the headlines and soundbites.
FWIW, I agree completely with his approach, and I always have. Had I thought Obama was going to completely ignore current conditions in Iraq when he took office; that he would simply start pulling troops in complete disregard for their safety, or the safety of the Iraqis, I would not have been able to support him.
That would have been incredibly irresponsible, perhaps even criminally so. More than that, though, it would have indicated a rigid mind, and there’s nothing I want less in a president.
But I never thought Obama suffered from rigidity, or even ideological purity.
Once folks who missed the nuance recover from the shock of a responsible approach to withdrawing from Iraq, I hope they’ll agree with me.
And I hope they recover before November.
* * * * *
Some reactions from various parts of the blogosphere:
Greg Sargent at TPM Election Central writes that the news organizations are “getting it wrong”, and says:
All Obama is doing here is defusing the GOP argument that he’d withdraw recklessly and preserving flexibility for himself as commander in chief. These journalistic errors are matters of nuance. But nuance is hugely important here.
AllahPundit at HotAir agrees that Obama’s consistently left some wiggle room. However:
I’m not going to rub his face in it. The important thing is to make the right decision and he’s nearer to that now than he’s ever been. Yeah, it’s almost certainly for cynical political reasons, but so long as the progress continues and public opinion improves, those cynical political reasons will continue to steer him right.
Tom Bevan at Real Clear Politics:
This may not be a flip-flop by the technical definition of the term, but it certainly is a substantial walk back on perhaps the defining issue of the election that will draw fire from both the right and the left.
I suspect the ruckus is just getting going. Many more opinions at memeorandum, here.
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66 Responses to “Obama starts to “un-nuance” Iraq (Updated)”
He overestimates the intelligence of the press and the public.
Yep every person who does not support Barak Obama is a nitwit and a moron.
Interesting that the last website I visited I noticed they were saying the same thing.
But your right Runasim you do not label people left or right…….you label them idiots, morons and The ultra intelligent Obama supporters.
You might want to read my timeline of events further up Runasim and try to understand why this hit the fan the way it did. Instead of automatically assigning everyone who has anything negative to say as at 3rd grade level,
He overestimates the intelligence of the press and the public.
Yep every person who does not support Barak Obama is a nitwit and a moron.
Interesting that the last website I visited I noticed they were saying the same thing.
But your right Runasim you do not label people left or right…….you label them idiots, morons and The ultra intelligent Obama supporters.
You might want to read my timeline of events further up Runasim and try to understand why this hit the fan the way it did. Instead of automatically assigning everyone who has anything negative to say as at 3rd grade level,
I can take the attacks by Obama opponents for what they are- paritxan warfare.
I don't expexct to see inherent logic there.
But I am exrtremly disappointed to see the serial rages among Obama supporters (former or current.).
They treat every separate issue and every single statement as if that were the ONLY thing at stake in this election. McCain and Obama are so strkingly different, in their philosophies, their policies and in how they operate. It seems to me absolutely infantile to lose sight of the whole spectrum every time a toe gets stubbed. or feelings get ruffled. I thought the bitter Clinton fans were childish, but there are a host of others with exactly the same mind set.
I wonder what kind of sheltered lives they've had that leads to this failure to accept that one can't always have every single thing exactly how one wants it.
In my world, a hungry man doesn't refuse an entire meal because he doesm't like the vegetable on the plate.
I fantasize about putting some of them in charge. Let's see how they do when they actually have to be responsible for the consequences.
Temper tantrums are easy. Responsible judgement takes a broad and long-term perspective and the considering of consequences.
Is this really how we elect presidents and deicde the future of our country?
What a horrible, devastating thought.
I can take the attacks by Obama opponents for what they are- paritxan warfare.
I don't expexct to see inherent logic there.
But I am exrtremly disappointed to see the serial rages among Obama supporters (former or current.).
They treat every separate issue and every single statement as if that were the ONLY thing at stake in this election. McCain and Obama are so strkingly different, in their philosophies, their policies and in how they operate. It seems to me absolutely infantile to lose sight of the whole spectrum every time a toe gets stubbed. or feelings get ruffled. I thought the bitter Clinton fans were childish, but there are a host of others with exactly the same mind set.
I wonder what kind of sheltered lives they've had that leads to this failure to accept that one can't always have every single thing exactly how one wants it.
In my world, a hungry man doesn't refuse an entire meal because he doesm't like the vegetable on the plate.
I fantasize about putting some of them in charge. Let's see how they do when they actually have to be responsible for the consequences.
Temper tantrums are easy. Responsible judgement takes a broad and long-term perspective and the considering of consequences.
Is this really how we elect presidents and deicde the future of our country?
What a horrible, devastating thought.
But I am exrtremly disappointed to see the serial rages among Obama supporters (former or current.).
This should not surprise anyone really.
When you look at the make up of Obama's supporters you are getting people of all political persuasions. Far left, left, Moderate, right of center and even some righies. Libertarians as well as socialists and Communists have staked some small claim to him.
But that is his problem going forward. Its as Huffington was trying to point out yesterday, he is not going to win by veering to the center. Maybe, maybe not but the point is that for the most part all of these groups are suspicious of the other and they all have their agendas which they have painted on Obama.
If he can manage to hold this coalition together it will be mindboggling. But it is what it is and its not going to be a pretty sight because EVERYONE who lays claim to Obama is interpreting his candidacy in a different way and seen in a different light. It will not be long before the infighting that took out Hillary and trashed Bill Clinton as scum will spill over into the coalition of the willing.
It is what it is. I find nothing surprising here.
But I am exrtremly disappointed to see the serial rages among Obama supporters (former or current.).
This should not surprise anyone really.
When you look at the make up of Obama's supporters you are getting people of all political persuasions. Far left, left, Moderate, right of center and even some righies. Libertarians as well as socialists and Communists have staked some small claim to him.
But that is his problem going forward. Its as Huffington was trying to point out yesterday, he is not going to win by veering to the center. Maybe, maybe not but the point is that for the most part all of these groups are suspicious of the other and they all have their agendas which they have painted on Obama.
If he can manage to hold this coalition together it will be mindboggling. But it is what it is and its not going to be a pretty sight because EVERYONE who lays claim to Obama is interpreting his candidacy in a different way and seen in a different light. It will not be long before the infighting that took out Hillary and trashed Bill Clinton as scum will spill over into the coalition of the willing.
It is what it is. I find nothing surprising here.
BTW,
Every scuffle makes me like Obama more.
The more I see, the more I like.
BTW,
Every scuffle makes me like Obama more.
The more I see, the more I like.
My goal is to not make Obama people dislike Obama.
My goal is to help those who are not sure, who are angry with Bush who might ordinarily vote for a Republican understand that there is much more at stake here then just a presidential election.
The coat tails of a national election rout could render the GOP inconsequential and put America on course for a one party system or at least a party that has a veto proof majority.
I want to keep reminding those people that Gasoline is soon going to be 5 dollars a gallon and it has zero to do with Iraq or Afghanistan. In fact we are pumping more oil worldwide now then we did before the war.
The democrats have refused to allow drilling and continually block Nuclear power as well as the building of new refineries. I want this country to understand that the reason we are having a melt down financially is because the Democrats want us to melt down so they can Drive a stake into the hearts of the GOP and assume ultimate power.
That is my goal. That is why Im even here. And to be honest if the Democrats of which I am one in name only were on the verge of being swept under the rug I would be trumpeting their cause. Just as I was trumpeting Hillaries cause and defending Bill Clinton a few weeks ago.
Believe it or not.
My goal is to not make Obama people dislike Obama.
My goal is to help those who are not sure, who are angry with Bush who might ordinarily vote for a Republican understand that there is much more at stake here then just a presidential election.
The coat tails of a national election rout could render the GOP inconsequential and put America on course for a one party system or at least a party that has a veto proof majority.
I want to keep reminding those people that Gasoline is soon going to be 5 dollars a gallon and it has zero to do with Iraq or Afghanistan. In fact we are pumping more oil worldwide now then we did before the war.
The democrats have refused to allow drilling and continually block Nuclear power as well as the building of new refineries. I want this country to understand that the reason we are having a melt down financially is because the Democrats want us to melt down so they can Drive a stake into the hearts of the GOP and assume ultimate power.
That is my goal. That is why Im even here. And to be honest if the Democrats of which I am one in name only were on the verge of being swept under the rug I would be trumpeting their cause. Just as I was trumpeting Hillaries cause and defending Bill Clinton a few weeks ago.
Believe it or not.
Yawn.
Yawn.
Is that a Superior Obama Supporter Yawn Runasim?
Is that a Superior Obama Supporter Yawn Runasim?
Neocon, you still don't get it when it comes to Bush criticism. This isn't about destroying anybody, or spewing far left talking points, etc. It's very simply and very honestly about accountability. There is no mystery or conspiracy involved.
Neocon, you still don't get it when it comes to Bush criticism. This isn't about destroying anybody, or spewing far left talking points, etc. It's very simply and very honestly about accountability. There is no mystery or conspiracy involved.