Obama's visit to Iraq

[alhoon]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/ml_obama_iraq

Obama made a suprise trip to Iraq to congratulate the troops and remind them that it's about time they leave.

Again, I believe this gesture was a good idea. I wish we had a leader like him here in Greece.

[removeduser_426582376423734]

He's only there to be able to better secretly communicate with his Muslim allies down at The Base.

[alhoon]

I suppose (and hope) that was sarcasm. With you people one can't be sure.

[Torment]

Isn't it customary for Iraqis to donate old shoes to American presidents by throwing them at great speed and chanting words of happiness and rejoice? Why then isn't there any mention of this in the article? Damn Americans and their cultural insensitivity, it's always just barging in uninvited and trampling all over the local customs for you lot, isn't it?

[Quadratus]

GTFO of Iraq Obama. Wrong place wrong time. You should be at home fixing your spending craze.

[swabian]

GTFO of Iraq Obama. Wrong place wrong time. You should be at home fixing your spending craze.

Actually he announced to withdraw all troops out of Iraq within 18 months (later he said that it might/will take longer) during the election campaign. Going out of Iraq asap without considering the consequences is generally no good idea. Remember that it wasn't Obama who send American troops to Iraq, nevertheless he has to take over responsibility for an inherited strategic situation.

[Lawrence of Arabia]

Actually he announced to withdraw all troops out of Iraq within 18 months (later he said that it might/will take longer) during the election campaign. Going out of Iraq asap without considering the consequences is generally no good idea. Remember that it wasn't Obama who send American troops to Iraq, nevertheless he has to take over responsibility for an inherited strategic situation.

The security deal that the Bush Administration and the government of Iraq agreed upon said US forces would withdraw from Iraq by 2011. So...18 months from now is, what, November 2010?

[danzig]

Amusing thing about Obama little speech was it sounded exactly like Bush in terms of themes, comments but some in the media seem to think it was something new.

[MathiasOfAthens]

Why is it that when Obama makes a surprise visit to Iraq Fox news doesn't congratulate him on the tour but criticizes him for this trip being too late. Their headline when they broke the story was Obama only made one trip to Iraq during the campaign (well no of course he did, why would you campaign for pres in Iraq).

When Bush promoted massive spending for wars in Iraq and Afganistan and massive tax cuts for the rich we saluted him but when Obama promotes spending on social programs and infrastructure we ask "why should I support another American with my tax money."
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Mercedes-benz m950f

[Quadratus]

Why is it that when Obama makes a surprise visit to Iraq Fox news doesn't congratulate him on the tour but criticizes him for this trip being too late. Their headline when they broke the story was Obama only made one trip to Iraq during the campaign (well no of course he did, why would you campaign for pres in Iraq).

When Bush promoted massive spending for wars in Iraq and Afganistan and massive tax cuts for the rich we saluted him but when Obama promotes spending on social programs and infrastructure we ask "why should I support another American with my tax money."

What does Fox News have anything to do with this?

[Captain Jin]

Why is it that when Obama makes a surprise visit to Iraq Fox news doesn't congratulate him on the tour but criticizes him for this trip being too late. Their headline when they broke the story was Obama only made one trip to Iraq during the campaign (well no of course he did, why would you campaign for pres in Iraq).

When Bush promoted massive spending for wars in Iraq and Afganistan and massive tax cuts for the rich we saluted him but when Obama promotes spending on social programs and infrastructure we ask "why should I support another American with my tax money."

Fox was mad because Obama continued to deny the success of the surge, and also continued to say we were losing the war despite the fact that he hadn't been in the country since like 2005. So the media was saying he's talking about something he doesn't have first hand knowledge. After he visited during his campaigning he had to accept the fact that he was in fact wrong about what he was previously saying.

Remember that it wasn't Obama who send American troops to Iraq, nevertheless he has to take over responsibility for an inherited strategic situation.

No, it wasn't him that sent troops in. But the success was already set in motion before he came into office, and he'll likely get the credit for bringing a successful close to the war.

[Admiral Piett]

Fox was mad because Obama continued to deny the success of the surge, and also continued to say we were losing the war despite the fact that he hadn't been in the country since like 2005. So the media was saying he's talking about something he doesn't have first hand knowledge. After he visited during his campaigning he had to accept the fact that he was in fact wrong about what he was previously saying.



No, it wasn't him that sent troops in. But the success was already set in motion before he came into office, and he'll likely get the credit for bringing a successful close to the war.

Tbh, I think Petreaus will actually get that credit.

We'll see what Obama does with Iraq in 2010. I really hope that he doesn't leave 30,000 troops there permanently. That could mean some serious repercussions.

[Quadratus]

Tbh, I think Petreaus will actually get that credit.

We'll see what Obama does with Iraq in 2010. I really hope that he doesn't leave 30,000 troops there permanently. That could mean some serious repercussions.

No Bush will...

[motiv-8]

No Bush will...

Bush will never get credit for anything, ever, until we're all old men and historians have the space of time to reconsider things.

So its ironic in the end on Iraq atleast Obama is simply maintaining the Bush strat.

It's called being intelligent. Any person who pays attention whatsoever would realize that you don't just up and leave. Obama didn't lie to anyone, he didn't mislead anyone, he said that when the time came we would be going. And that's what we're doing; Obama spoke to the generals, got a full grasp of what's going on, and made the decision. IT's the right one.

It will be amusing if come 2010 early 2011 if Obama or Dems attempt to claim victory in Iraq.

Now that would be a travesty.

[danzig]

Why is it that when Obama makes a surprise visit to Iraq Fox news doesn't congratulate him on the tour but criticizes him for this trip being too late. Their headline when they broke the story was Obama only made one trip to Iraq during the campaign (well no of course he did, why would you campaign for pres in Iraq).

When Bush promoted massive spending for wars in Iraq and Afganistan and massive tax cuts for the rich we saluted him but when Obama promotes spending on social programs and infrastructure we ask "why should I support another American with my tax money."

Dunno why does other media act like Obama is doing anything but following the Bush strategy at this point? Why does the other media ignore that Obama still refuses to acknowledge he was wrong on the surge? Why does other media act like Obama's "withdraw by end of 2010 with some troops remaining as advisors" is any different then the Bush's we'll start seeing troops leave by end of 2010? So why focus on Fox? The fact is Obama has been wrong and consistently wrong on Iraq.

[ManKinD]

Again, I believe this gesture was a good idea. I wish we had a leader like him here in Greece.

Nothing wrong with Greek leader but with the citizens that destroy a beautiful city

[MathiasOfAthens]

They dont, I congratulate Obama on his visit to one of our provinces.
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HotBellaXXX

[Quadratus]

Well considering the Iraqis control 70% of their country, it isn't 100% in our control.

[Gumpfendorfer]

The fact is Obama has been wrong and consistently wrong on Iraq.

On the key issue, of invading being a very bad idea, his judgement proved to be correct. And the surge in a sense of more troops added to Iraq quieting down, wasn't the only factor. Another strategy is a word I would use. Has been debated here so many times no. One has to be an idiot to think that US troops were able to leave in 2009. Anyone with a sense of realism took what Obama said about withdrawal with a grain of salt. They'll be damn lucky if they make it before the end of 2010. I am not putting my money on it.

[danzig]

On the key issue, of invading being a very bad idea, his judgement proved to be correct. And the surge in a sense of more troops added to Iraq quieting down, wasn't the only factor. Another strategy is a word I would use. Has been debated here so many times no. One has to be an idiot to think that US troops were able to leave in 2009. Anyone with a sense of realism took what Obama said about withdrawal with a grain of salt. They'll be damn lucky if they make it before the end of 2010. I am not putting my money on it.

The invade or not invade issue however is a moot point and was several years before Obama came onto to the national stage. Its arguing spilled milk because it could not be undone so the relevant question is what to DO in Iraq and on this he has been wrong. Yes you have to be an idiot to think US would leave in 2009 but it doesnt change the fact many people actually believe it could or should be done and all these people voted for Obama. So its ironic in the end on Iraq atleast Obama is simply maintaining the Bush strat. It will be amusing if come 2010 early 2011 if Obama or Dems attempt to claim victory in Iraq