Rose Asks Obama If He Accepts General Petraeus's Judgment

Senator Barack Obama gives Charlie Rose his assessment of General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker's recent testimony before Congress.

Watch the video below.

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Comments

[linkunlovr]

Obama is now against the war but voted for its funding every chance he had until the last vote when the press focussed on it so he and Hillary voted against funding for the first time. This is not a leader. Kucinich is a true leader in the his voting against the war when all the others in the senate at the time voted and spoke for it, Edwards, Clinton,Dodd and Biden. Now they all say they were fooled. What a comment on their leadership abilities that is by itself.Kucinich is the one!

[genmalia]

Kucinich is far to idealistic to run this country; he is so far left, the consensus building that we so desperately need right now will be moot under a Kucinich administration.

You can be against the war all you want, but in the end, you still want to support the troops. They did not ask for the situation they are in, but they did swear an oath to serve thsi country, and did our elected officials.

Why is there such a problem with this?

[genmalia]

And, by the way, you say he is now against the war, but Obama has always been against the Iraq war.

[getoffmedz]

genmalia - wow a Obama troll! LMAO

Can you tell us why a sane person much like Kucinich would make a bad President, again?

He has always been against the war.

You and few others must read "The Plan" which describes how NEOCON power will change hands in this coming election.

[WisconsinJessica]

As Obama pointed out yesterday - all of the things that Bush keeps saying will happen in Iraq if we leave are already happening now. Ethnic cleansing - already happening, Iranian involvement/interferenc - already happening, civil war - already happening.

I think Obama is right on Iraq. He has a good plan and many experts agree. What was Hillary's plan? Get out. That's great but how?

As far as his voting for funding - didn't everyone else but Kucinich? I like Dennis and agree with him on alot of issues but I really don't believe he is the person we need as President right now - and I will not even address his electability.

Obama is by far the best Democratic candidate we have. Obama '08

[Marlyn]

"Obama is by far the best Democratic candidate we have. "

and he keeps on getting better. The more I hear from him, the better I like him.

Obama '08

[getoffmedz]

Marlyn - got that good old Obama religion!

He is far better than ANY Fake Republican candidate by a mile.

[ssg13565]

There must be a concerted effort by the trolls to
flood this site with comments.

Nobody asked the General about each specific
allegation of the MoveOn.org ad.

If these allegations are untrue, General
Petraeus should have been given the opportunity
to refute each one and to provide access to the
raw data to prove that he had not cherry-picked
his stats.

Why did the Repubs denounce the ad, but not
address the allegations?

[ShamanOmaha]

The trolls are not actual people, ssg13656. Their posts are created by a computer that is part of the disinformation and Psyops programs of the administration. Do not respond to them. The objective of the program is to confuse the oppostion and to dissipate the opposition's energy.

[BreadandRoses]

Because that's how they work.

[getoffmedz]

Or they are "paid" trolls working down sentences Commenting from within minimum security Federal prisons.

Take your pick, folks. Trolls are always light over any weekend. Ever noticed?

And when the "freelancers" find out the others from the "foundations" or the RNC get paid they are always really pissed off. LMAO

$20 to $100/Comment.

[Marlyn]

"to prove that he had not cherry-picked his stats." ???

Of course, the General DID cherry-pick his stats. He presented the recent "progress" that has been made. His assignment is to carry out Bush's plan, to establish a shining new democracy in the Middle East.

The Bush administration has said "Everyone cherry-picks the facts in order to make their point."

BUT what about truth, the WHOLE TRUTH ?

[HumeSkeptic]

Is there a reason why Obama wouldn't talk about eliminating funding for this fraud (aka war) in the manner suggested by Kucinich?

That approach eliminates the need for Republican support.

It is OK for Obama to disagree with that approach, but I find it puzzling why he would completely ignore it.

Sadly, I have a sinking feeling that Obama is slowly sliding into the corrupt Washington sludge that is the Military-Industrial Complex.

If Mr. Obama is relying on Republican support to pull out of Iraq, I think he will fail.

[getoffmedz]

Hume - sad but true. "Sadly, I have a sinking feeling that Obama is slowly sliding into the corrupt Washington sludge that is the Military-Industrial Complex." The bane of all professional politicians.

Selling-out.

[SouthpawSass]

I like Obama, but I need to hear more than he was against the war from the beginning for him to earn my vote.

[genmalia]

Try actually researching his plan he offered in January to begin bringing the troops home. It is not unlike Biden's.

The problem is, so many people are waiting to be told something instead of finding out for yourself.

Isn't that kind of why we're in this mess? Complacency is no excuse for being uninformed.

[VogonsCryptolect]

The only question asked in HuffPoo's MushMouth silliness that has any substance and this schmuck proves it is so far beyond his ability to understand that he should just go home to Illinois now and forget his aspirations.
He continues to speak of this ethereal "diplomacy" of his without any description of what that is or may be and belabor the completely foolish thought that withdrawal would force the Iraqis to find a solution to the problems facing them.
Every clear thinking person knows it would result in a genocidal disaster followed by unacceptable Iranian and Syrian adventurism and intervention in Iraq which would most certainly lead to far broader regional war and quite possibly a world conflict.
This simple-minded approach is naive, dangerous and demonstrates his unfitness for the presidency, the most powerful position in the world today.

[thegreatgiginthesky]

His "diplomacy" is no more ethereal than Bush's "mission"

[BreadandRoses]

As opposed to your simple-minded approach, Vogie?

Sorry, but Obama is far more qualified than you to discuss these issues.

You attack him, but you offer nothing else.

[thegreatgiginthesky]

Thats because, like his parties candidates he has nothing to offer.

[transendentilist]

You couldn't be more wrong. How do you know it would result in genocidal disaster? You don't know, no one does at this point. You make it sound like people in Iraq are not getting car bombed, shot, kidnapped and beheaded daily. How friggin bad does it have to get before you can see the futility of this administration's policies.
America fought a war of independence, we fought a civil war, in order to have the democratic republic we have today. This is an Iraqi problem, not an American problem. They have had 4+ years to get their shit together, and haven't even come close. They are using the US for our money and our military. It's time for a little tough love and let the Iraqis fight their own battles.

[SupremeIdiot]

I said this yesterday. Kucinich said it on the Ed Schultz show, you don't have to have a veto-proof vote, JUST DON'T BRING A WAR FUNDING BILL TO THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE OR SENATE. NO BILL-NO FUNDING-END OF WAR-TROOPS COME HOME. Any other BS is just that, Bullshit. Obama SHOULD know that he and all the rest of the Democrats can EASILY end the war by not even considering a new war funding Bill.

[SouthpawSass]

Kucinich, Edwards and Biden - not in that order, but those three are actually saying something.

[genmalia]

And would you like to be the elected official accused of denying the troops armor, supplies, etc?

The picture will be painted to the American people that by not bringing a funding bill to the floor, Democrats are guilty of leaving the honorable troops out to dry in the desert with no provisions, etc.

I agree we shoudl stop the war, but not at the expense of our troops, and the propaganda that would ensue if we were to follow Kucinich's ideological stance. It is not practical.

[nanderson65]

God...after watching the vid I'm even more pissed.

He has no clue.

[getoffmedz]

nanderson65 - you make a valid point. Obama is simply weasel-wording his bloated campaign rhetoric which for a few brief moments gave a glimmer of hope to many.

[Marlyn]

I am pleased to hear Obama speak out against the actions of our A-S-S kicking president.

AND especially I am pleased to hear him say to President Bush "Congress has NOT given you permission to attack Iran."

[transendentilist]

And still does, you just can't handle the truth. Obama made very good points, mainly the one about concentrating our efforts against the real threat to America, the Taliban and al Qaida. We are wasting lives and treasure, dumping it down the rathole called Iraq.
Man, the terrorists have really worked on you. Grow some balls and think about America, not a gang of neo-con fanatics that are ruining the country I call home. And while you're at it, enlist today, your fearfull leader needs you.

[genmalia]

Perhaps you are guilty of only paying attention to the sound bites?

As a supporter, I read and listed to much of what Obama has to say, and there is plenty of substance there, if you would bother going past the pundits.

[nanderson65]

I refuse to support this war that I helped fund...repeatedly.
What a principled stance...very wide.

I love that the 'top-tier' candidates get their free ads on top of the page when they all were 'fooled' by bush and continued to knuckle under after that.

How weak are these people?

Give me a candidate that was right the first time and principled before and after.

Give me Dennis Kucinich!

[thegreatgiginthesky]

You want to stop funding yet don't understand the fact that cutting funding will only hurt the troops. This is what Bush wants since that will allow him to turn it around and say that the Democrats are the reason the soldiers suffered. Understand that there are deeper things to consider than just stopping the war. The last thing we need is for one of the Republican candidates to get elected and continue this war. We are already staring at 8 trillion dollars of debt that Bush has run up. The only way out of Iraq is to put the Republicans out of power and get the soldiers out of there.

[scooperss]

No the last thing we need is to keep playing the political game that the war is a game. Men and women are getting killed and injured while politicians fight over power. I don't give a damn about politics and I'm sick of the dance they're all doing.

None of them that voted for this war and/or funding for it deserve either my respect or my vote.

[SupremeIdiot]

BULLSHIT!!! Cutting funding does NOT mean that the troops will be out there with no bullets or food. You've bought into the rhetoric. The Army and Marines have plenty of money to feed the troops and provide munitions for months. Cutting funding will mean that they will HAVE to set a timetable for withdrawal.

[hippieforlife]

The same Dennis Kucinich who blasted our country on Syrian TV? He may have been verbally shooting at President Bush, but his crap hits all of the USA.

It is time for the Democratic party to start putting out some positive ideas. All they say is "we need a new direction, yada, yada, yada.
Withdraw now is not an honest direction.

[BreadandRoses]

Why not?

[transendentilist]

Kucinich doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell of winning. Like it or not, he doesn't have the funding needed to even get him nominated. I hate the fact that you have to have millions, to be elected in a democracy, but that's the reality of politics here in America.
Not voting for the nominated candidate will only benefit the right wing. Do you really want a george bush clone?

[Beelzebul]

Giuliani / Kerik 2008

[SupremeIdiot]

Spears/Lohan 2008

[nolalily]

Spears/Lohan - a much wiser choice.

[kroses98]

therealrudy.orgorg***

[bushdoescrack]

Giuliani / Kerik 2008

what are rudys credentials?

[tafkaMinneapolisMike]

Sen. Obama clearly does not understand the situation in Iraq clearly enough to present any sort of opinion, least of which an informed opinion or any sort of insight.

Instead of calmly assessing the facts presented and applying proper historical perspective while cognizant of all factions involved, Sen. Obama should have simply repeated the brilliant Talking Points that our beloved President has used to win in Iraq so far.

The proof is in the pudding. President Bush has won in Iraq, is winning in Iraq, and will continue to win in Iraq doing just what needs to be done. True Patriots both here in America as well as Iraq understand that the best means of everlasting peace is to simply chant along with the President. Keep chanting "We're winning, we're winning!" untl all losers like Sen. Obama and all his dissenter/democrat friends give up like they always do.

www.primadogma.com

[Beelzebul]

Liberals are traitors to the USofA. God Bless Old Glory, and God Bless President Bush.

[getoffmedz]

Beelzebul - you are a bonafide terrorist asshole attempting to divide our country with false patriotism and are a perfect example of the kind of human shit the founding fathers warned us of over 200 years ago.

ROT!

[bushdoescrack]

Liberals are traitors to the USofA. God Bless Old Glory, and God Bless President Bush.


i really doubt that god is doing any bragging about bush.

[CSDofNM]

Too bad we dont have ONE democratic senator - like in "Mr.Smith Goes to Washington" - willing to stand up and say "NO!". Filibuster everything proposed by the administration - or would doing something take time away from your campaigning? Want to be my hero? DO YOUR F***ING JOB!

[RollaMO]

Yes, and the Sunnis have turned against al Qaida in Iraq and all is well. Oops, look at the face of that sheik and its like he knows he's signed his own death warrant. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/ And why the hell is the guy next to him smiling?

[julianna]

In my line of work you gotta keep repeating things over and over and over again for the truth to sink in, to kinda catapult the propaganda." - Dubya, May 24, 2005

[Marlyn]

"In my line of work" ???

oh yeah .. GW is a professional cheer leader.

[Jacee]

One question...winning what. There is nothing to win. George Bush uses the military and our soldiers lives to try and redeem his image. Soldiers are dying so Bush can continue to lie, and so that people like you can continue to lie. War isn't a football game. I have a brain and have no need to chant for anyone. I do realize that Republican sheep do need someone else to tell them what to chant and what to think. Bush uses you too. Its the end of the Republican party.

BTW Mike...spent any time toe tapping in airport bathrooms lately?

[trishinpitt]

Hey Jacee,

Mike is the resident sarcastic.... sometimes you have to read his stuff over again to catch the subtle nuances but they are there. We've all been bit by Mike until we realized his true genius. But it is fun to watch others take his bait. Especially the trolls!

[Jinxykb]

I love Obama!!!