Obama Slams McCain, Iraq Strategy On Today

This morning on Today, Barack Obama offered a vigorous defense of his troop withdrawal proposal, as well as a critique of the administration's Iraq War policy. Similar to his rival Hillary Clinton's appearance on Morning Joe, he refrained from mentioning or furthering a dispute with her, preferring to stay on the offensive against McCain and Bush's Iraq war policy in general.

VIEIRA: You've said when, Senator, that if you are elected, that within 16 months you are going to bring all the troops home from Iraq. Senator McCain said yesterday that is a reckless promise you cannot possibly keep, a failure of leadership. And even military leaders say any withdrawal of troops would be dictated by security on the ground. So how can you guarantee you can pull out those troops in just 16 months?

OBAMA: Meredith, I've been very consistent in saying that we are going to set a timetable and we will have a prudent pace of withdrawal, one to two brigades per month. At that pace, we can have combat troops out within approximately 16 months. That will be about two years from now, Meredith, which means that this war will have lasted seven years.

VIEIRA: That's if everything goes well, sir. What if there's chaos?

OBAMA: Meredith, there's the possibility of chaos right now as we saw in Basra. So, what we can do is we can stay there in perpetuity. But if we can't have the Iraqi government resolve some of its conflicts in seven years, we won't have it done in 14 years or 21 years. The height of irresponsibility was going in, in the first place, and not having these questions answered, as John McCain ratified and went along with. I think it compounds the irresponsibility if all we're doing is simply moving the goalpost. We won't leave because violence is up. Now we don't leave because violence is down, as we've made progress. And the notion that we would have a long-term occupation of Iraq is not only unsustainable from our military's perspective and our financial perspective - we're spending $400 million a day - it's also distracting us from going after al Qaeda and those who actually perpetrated the deaths of 3,000 Americans on September 11th.

[WATCH.]

Vieira also asked Obama to respond to Frank Rich's column from last Sunday, in which he wrote:

Really, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton should be ashamed of themselves for libeling John McCain. As a growing chorus reiterates, their refrains that Mr. McCain is "willing to send our troops into another 100 years of war in Iraq" (as Mr. Obama said) or "willing to keep this war going for 100 years" (per Mrs. Clinton) are flat-out wrong.

Obama disputed Rich's characterization of the matter: "What John McCain was saying was that he was happy to have a potential long-term occupation in Iraq. Happy may be overstating it. He is willing to have a long-term occupation in Iraq, as long as 100 years, or 10,000 years, there's no end in sight, because John McCain has not offered any clear point at which he suggests it's time for us to move our troops home."

Comments

[Waitaminute]

Senator Boxer noted that when an Iranian leader visited Irag, The Iragi government welcomed them with opened arms. Even kissed him. Bush visited in the dark of night. We have so far lost 4024 troops, 30,000 wounded, lost the respect of the world, lost a lot of our rights (habeas corpus) for example. We're being wiretapped. Spent 600 billion dollars, so far. Gave the IRAGI GOVERNMENT ABOUT 30 BILLION. The Iranians have not given the Iragis a penny. Yet they get the kisses.

As i have said before, bush supporters and war supporters are SUUUCCCKKKEEERRSSS.

Let me give you suckers an example. A group of killers break into a home. The family is having a family reunion. All religions are represented. The home invaders kill women and children, rape, humiliate (strip naked and torture family member and steal their oil (wriskey). They kill the head of the house, that mean old daddy (SADDAM). Now the killers are concerned about how the family will treat each other if they leave. I KNOW WHAT I'D WANT THEM TO DO. GET THE F**K OUT NOW. I'D EVEN GET ALONG LONG ENOUGH (CEASE FIRE), UNTIL THEY LEFT.

[Melkor]

I read the Frank Rich piece and I follow his writing generally. Despite the criticism about Obama AND Clinton's exageration of the "100 years" line, the column is militantly anti-McCain, just as Rich's writing is militantly anti-Republican. What is really interesting about this is that Meredith Viera should decide to use what was essentially a writing device for which to launch his anti-McCain column as a means of ambushing Obama.

I don't mind a confrontational press - in fact I love it. But its their selectivity on who they go after that bothers me. If McCain had to face questions from an MSM reporter like Viera on the actual substance of the Rich piece he would be red with rage. But he never has and most likely never will. Just as George Bush before him never did.

To all you pro-Clinton, anti-Obama supporters, don't forget the real villains of our politics and the real power equation. This is the same media that has enabled all the death, destruction and disorder that we are forced to contend with on morning shows five years later by using these same tactics.

[msemper]

You are correct. I understand why people still support Hillary because once was a hillary supporter. However hillary have crash and still burning, because she run a campaign on a flawed theme (experience). many people realized experience got us in this mess. remember john kerry ran in 2004 again the war, however the GOP reminded americans know kerry vote for the war. Hillary is running into the same road block. However it getting nasty between obama supports and Hillary supports because the Obama are bragging and making fun of people that still support hillary. also hillary support are not being realistic that she ran a bad campaign and losing because of lack of plan and message.

We need to stop and thing that hillary and obama supports both want the same thing.

we have to do whats best for our country. McCain should not have any chance to win because he is so flawed its to many to list!

[carolg]

I think that it is hard for women, especially older women to vote for Obama because they are from the time when women don't have a voice in politics. They will vote for Hillary if she was a mass murderer who drinks the blood of her victims. They will forgive her and say that the boys are bullying her and that is why she did that.

Basically, they want to see a woman in the White House before they die.

[rollingdivision]

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. During the 2006 election campaign, Democrats did everything possible to make us voters believe the Democrats would force an end to the Illegal Iraq war if we would just elect them. We voted, we elected Democrats across the board, we gave Democrats control of the House of Representatives. And since all funding bills must originate in the House, the immediate power to stop all Iraq war funding. The Democrats have chosen to fund the Iraq war again and again even though they led everyone to think they would end the war.

Now, we have Clinton and Obama saying they will end the war and doing most everything they can to make us voters believe, if elected, they will end the war. But even as they say that they continue to speak weasel words which grant either a President Clinton or Obama the say so on what the do once as conditions require. And advisers for both have publicly stated that the withdraws and timings are only if things go perfectly. And they also say they will leave up to 80,000 troops in Iraq in 2010! Do the math, at that rate we wouldn't be out of Iraq until the middle of the second Clinton or Obama term. I'm not believing. Shame on me, no shame on you.

[MadeinAmericaProud]

I don't believe you written all of that to expect American to agree 100% with hit and miss crap you have written. If you are looking for excuse fine, but keep it . The first one you have thrown out to us does not pass the smell test. Your blog doesn't add up and you know it too.

[plooger]

This is a good example of what's wrong with Americans, nowadays, the focus on the home run, the big play, as opposed to putting in the day-to-day effort necessary to achieve gains. One election is not going to turn around 30 years of voter apathy and complicity in bringing this country to its current state. (And this is putting aside the flawed logic that McCain and the Republicans would somehow be the better choice for reform and change.)

The mind boggles.

[needavid]

So you want the democrats to stop giving money for sustainance to our men and women sent out to fight for their country in an illegal war they had no say in? If they are left in a foreign country without support you will be on your computer complaining about how unpatriotic democrats are. In case you have been in a coma for the last couple of years read up on how Bush "veto" every decision the congress made that he did not approve of. Since you voted him in twice, well I guess I'll have to agree with you; shame on you.

[bintk6]

Obama you have my vote. Clinton stop have dinner with the Superdelegates!

www.Stuffwhitepeopleliketshirts.com
www.IGotUGGs.com

[distant mirror]

But on GMA Hillary went after Obama this morning. She had the audacity to say her campaign dealt with rogue strategist Mark by demoting him whereas the Obama still had Goolsbee as part of their camp. She also said that Goolsbee had approached the Canadians. Hasn't it been reported that the Canadians contacted Goolsbee? Is Clinton going to get away these statements?

[frustratedinohio]

Why do you assume the statements are incorrect?

[plooger]

It's not an "assumption," ohio. The poster is seeking confirmation of their impression of the facts.

Canadians *did* contact Goolsbee. And the reported content of the discussion has since been called into question by the Canadians.

At best, Hillary was mistaken on the Goolsbee comment; but most likely she was just lying again. No big deal, though; most everyone recognizes that as her SOP, nowadays.

[2351]

You know that you have to verify everything that she says. She's just throwing stuff out there for the gophers.

[MarkieBee001]

she's like a second-grader who gets busted by the teacher and yells, "well, Sammy threw a rock too!"

[plooger]

Yes, Canadians contacted Austen Goolsbee. The reported content of the discussion has since been called into question by the Canadians. And, yes, Hillary will get away with these statements, but mostly because the media is probably getting to the point where they just don't see the point in fact-checking Clinton, anymore. It'd consume too much of their time to do so, and Hillary lying just isn't news, anymore -- unless it's something sensational.

[frustratedinohio]

Obama is full of shit anyway. He has a different plan every time he opens his mouth. The only truth ever said about his plans for withdrawal were probably from the woman who called Hillary a monster, when she said he certainly wouldn't stick to anything he said as a candidate.

[rosal]

You do sound frustrated. Chill out, the pro-corporate woman is toasted. Lies and love for Trade won't get her anywhere. Relax, and resign yourself. Maybe in 2012, she can run again. Hopefully, she will learn from this experience, No more fairy tales about the adventures of Rambo woman.

[msemper]

wow either you cant read or you are just stupid....­lol. Because obama have been very consistent with his view on the war.

[MarkieBee001]

I'd be frustrated too if I voted for Hillary before finding out about her Pro-NAFTA stance and now her deep ties to this Colombian necktie of a trade agreement. I'm frustrated in California that you guys in Ohio didn' end this mess. Texas held up their end, why not Ohio?

[pdsimdars]

For everyone. The other day on The Young Turks, they played John McCain arguing about not funding troops, pulling out immediately, etc. from different military actions where we were. Saying EXACTLY the opposite arguments he is now arguing FOR Iraq. It is AMAZING how perfectly diametrical his logic is when arguing about Clinton military actions as opposed to Bush's. How can a person's fundamental principles about war change so completely? Nothing too difficult for John 'the partisan Hypocrate' McCain.
I believe these clips were on youtube.

[babybabybaby]

this is why i only watch bbc america. the news outlets have betrayed the people they are meant to serve for corporate interests. i'd love to see them take a microphone to an office complex instead of a mall. they're probably scared of what they'd hear.

[MadeinAmericaProud]

PBS with Bill Moyer's Journal, Frontline
there is also the French channel news with English translations.

You can lots of money not buying TV on a monthly bill. the power of the purse will make them change. That is what black American did they boycotted the buses for one year. the supreme court had to beg them to take the bus in Alabama.

It more stop paying for the abuse, but we the people give our power away everyday, Then it cost 5 times as much to try to get it back.

[pdsimdars]

Every day, in every incident and situation I observe Obama and his actions and reactions, it is such a pleasure and a soothing balm to the soul to see that balance and judgment displayed. My only hope is that we are alert enough and deserving enough to have him serve as our president. What a fortunate nation we would be. What a man of principle and integrity.

[shanester]

amen

[rosal]

Double amen.

[MadeinAmericaProud]

count me in, I know we are in the hole. I am willing to follow him and also willing to do my part plus some to get us out of the hole for all America.

Anyone else, shit you are on your own. I am not with them. I do not care. Obama, yes we can

[suekzoo]

I vote with you!

Obama '08

[shaggles]

Obama comes off pretty good here. Frank Rich was right about the 100 years thing but it's an easy stick to grab to beat McCain with. I'm guilty of using it myself even though I knew it wasn't what he said. The interesting thing is how the media have jumped in to defend McCain. Did they jump in to defend Bill Clinton when his words were parsed and twisted? (Some of which Obama repeated.) No. Did they jump in to defend Obama when Sean Hannity started ranting about his not wearing a flag pin? Not that I ever heard. If I remember right they picked up the "story" and ran with it. Good luck to Obama once he secures the Democratic nomination because he isn't just running against McCain. He's running against the MSM. Who was that character in Beowolf? Grendel? If McCain is Grendel then the MSM is Grendel's mom. Lord help anyone who messes with their boy.

[gerrylong]

Meredith, we've just had seven years of the dumbest person in America in the White House.

So stop representing the Bush administration as though you were the official White House News Service.

McCain is just going to imitate the dumb Dubya, and continue the massive stupidity of the last seven years.

It was the irresponsible main stream media, such as yours, which allowed this gang of criminals to get into the White House, and to put the war over on the people.

Try once in awhile to remember that you're using the U.S. airwaves, which are supposed to support the people of the U.S., not this corrupt Bush administration.

[gonavy]

Very interesting how you say nothing about Meredith rubbing Obamas nose in his distortion of McCains words.

We hear what we want and we see what we want.

[mouselion]

Since McCain did state that it probably would be 100 years of occupation, how is it a distortion to present that he said that? Obama did respond to the question and stated that staying in Iraq is not a reasonable, realistic option.

[buddhistMonkey]

Probably because there was no distortion.

[Grannysue]

It's really sad that the media who are so complacent in this WAR and it's selling question anyone who really wants to end it? Sad because our military is broken, our economy is broken, our healthcare is broken and when a man stands up and offers rational alternatives the media turns on him. This is exactly how WARS are sold, by the talking heads in the media who offer opinion instead of facts, talking points instead of truth and bury the realities of WAR by not photographing the soldiers being brought home in coffins. They should be ashamed, but this is what happens when a country is being ran by Corporations, the media is being ran by large conglomerits and thugs.

[BethinIllinois]

Jake Tapper posted this morning about Obama's twisting of the truth on this matter.

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/04/obama-continues.html

And by the way -- Obama doesn't come off so well!

[emmav70]

oh, BethinIllinois, is it too hard to form your own opinon?

[Neoconstant]

Obama doesn't look good in a Jake Tapper article? Simply shocking!

[Highwind]

Haha. John McCain can go all year long about what he meant with the 100 years in Iraq thing. The point is that he wants to stay in Iraq and he has not told us what the definition for success in Iraq is actually. You have religious fundamentalist in Iraq. They believe that God is driving them to kill Americans and cause chaos. This is not Nazi Germany or South Korea we are talking about here. What is going on in Iraq is sectarian violence. We are not fighting Al Qaeda at all. Al Qaeda is in Pakistan and Afghanistan that is where we should be.

[atila]

oh wow! jake tapper! i think you and five more guys still read this guy's blog.....

[tonyrich]

And neither do you- McNasty lover

[rcampbell]

For any who did not read Frank Rich's NYT column, he went on to state that if Obama and Clinton only nail McCain on the 100 years comment (obviously the only point the media can concentrate on), they would be missing the opportunity to point out the dozens of other and far mare serious incorrect assumptions, mis-statements and errors McCain has made regarding Iraq.

[buddhistMonkey]

The point of Rich's article was drowned out by the idiocy of his opening paragraph.