Obama Takes Surge Criticism Off Website

WASHINGTON — Barack Obama's aides have removed criticism of President Bush's increase of troops to Iraq from the campaign Web site, part of an effort to update the Democrat's written war plan to reflect changing conditions.

Debate over the impact of President Bush's troop "surge" has been at the center of exchanges this week between Obama and Republican presidential rival John McCain. Obama opposed the war and the surge from the start, while McCain supported both the invasion and the troop increase.

A year and a half after Bush announced he was sending reinforcements to Iraq, it is widely credited with reducing violence there. With most Americans ready to end the war, McCain is using the surge debate to argue he has better judgment and the troops should stay to win the fight. Obama argues the troop increase has not achieved its other goal of fostering a political reconciliation among Iraqi factions.

After Bush delivered a nationally televised address on Jan. 10, 2007, announcing his plan, Obama argued it could make the situation worse by taking pressure off Iraqis to find a political solution to the fighting.

"I am not persuaded that 20,000 additional troops in Iraq is going to solve the sectarian violence there," the Illinois senator said that night, a month before announcing his presidential bid. "In fact, I think it will do the reverse."

Obama continued to argue throughout 2007 that the troop increase was a mistake. By the early part of this year, he was acknowledging that it had improved security and reduced violence, but he has stuck by his opposition to the move.

In a speech Tuesday, he argued that since the surge began, the strain on the military has increased, the United States has spent another $200 billion in Iraq, Afghanistan has deteriorated, the Taliban and al-Qaida have rebuilt and Iraqis have not made political progress. "That's why I strongly stand by my plan to end this war," Obama said.

McCain said Obama is failing to acknowledge success. "Today, we know Sen. Obama was wrong" to oppose the surge, McCain said.

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As first reported Tuesday by the New York Daily News, Obama's campaign removed a reference to the surge as part of "The Problem" section on the part of his Web site devoted to laying out his plan for Iraq.

The change was part of many broader changes that Obama spokeswoman Wendy Morigi said were made to reflect current conditions. She provided the full text of the old site and the updated version, which includes a new section on the recent resurgence of al-Qaida in Afghanistan and another on this year's negotiations over a Status of Forces Agreement that would detail the legal basis for the ongoing presence of U.S. military forces operating in Iraq.

The changes stress that Obama's plan to end the war is responsible and designed to improve national security. They include:

_ An updated Obama quote at the top of the page. The previous quote stressed how Obama had the judgment to oppose the "rash war" from the start. This was a popular message among Democratic voters and was meant to draw distinctions with primary rival Hillary Rodham Clinton, who initially supported the war. The new quote focuses on how ending the war will make Americans safer _ a message aimed at general election voters who are more likely to trust McCain on issues of national security, according to polling.

_ A description of Obama's plan as "a responsible, phased withdrawal" that will be directed by military commanders and done in consultation with the Iraqis. Previously, the site had a sentence that has since been removed that flatly said, "Obama will immediately begin to remove our troops from Iraq." Morigi said that his plan hasn't changed, but they wanted to expand the description. "There's not an intent to shift language," she said.

_ A new sentence that says Obama "would reserve the right to intervene militarily, with our international partners, to suppress potential genocidal violence within Iraq."

Only one of his plan's subheads remains unchanged, the first one _ "Judgment You Can Trust." That's a message the campaign wants Americans to embrace.

___

On the Net:

Obama's updated site: http://www.barackobama.com/issues/iraq

Comments

[adamsmith]

Good boy Winston, down the memory hole, old boy.......­..........­..

[Fotios]

The surge didn't reduce violence, the bribes to our enemies there did. The change in tactics did. The increased participation from the Iraqi military did. The Iraqi negotiations with Iran did.

So, yes it was successful, but is it sustainable? No. We cannot continue to pay these people to play nice. Even if we elect McCain, what happens when we stop paying these people and begin to withdraw troops? Have they made any political progress? Will the fighting escalate again? Will Iran get more involved in Iraq? How will the Sunni react when they realize that the Shiite Govt. is a puppet of not only the US, but also the Iranians?

[rollingdivision]

They need to reopen the memory hole they've missed quite a few surge isn't working quotes.

[cambio]

Wow, I wonder how long it will be before disgruntled Hillary supporters stop taking every (non)opportunity to disingenuously smear Obama. It looks like they are still going strong on HuffPo...

[freebeer]

Good question, I don't know the answer.

Here is one for you. I wonder how long it will take rabid cool-aid drinking Obama fanatics to understand that much (not all) of the Obama criticism comes from the PROGRESSIVES who want him to move more to the left?
Issues like FISA and his voting record on the wars are a big problem for many people who never considered Hillary Clinton as honest or viable.

[rollingdivision]

"I am not persuaded that 20,000 additional troops in Iraq is going to solve the sectarian violence there," the Illinois senator said that night, a month before announcing his presidential bid. "In fact, I think it will do the reverse." He was wrong, and now he's saying never mind about that, let's go on to the next thing. It's kinda eerily Orwellian, the Obama team of disciples searching far and wide across the internet to find and purge any and all information that big brother was wrong. Will they go after google cache and wayback?

[rasthedestroyer]

pol·i·tics
1. the science or art of political government.
2. the practice or profession of conducting political affairs.
3. political affairs
4. political methods or maneuvers
5. political principles or opinions
6. use of intrigue or strategy in obtaining any position of power or control

[rasthedestroyer]

Ok!! Rolling away, please go away, These are the players and these are the rules.... so you dont get confused ok Stop Hatein', it's not my fault your team SUCKS!!!!

[rasthedestroyer]

pol·i·ti·cian
1. a person who is active in party politics.
2. a seeker or holder of public office, who is more concerned about winning favor or retaining power than about maintaining principles.
3. a person who holds a political office.
4. a person skilled in political government or administration; statesman or stateswoman.
5. an expert in politics or political government.
6. a person who seeks to gain power or advancement within an organization in ways that are generally disapproved

[personalpolitical]

Only he was RIGHT about the surge, it didn't reduce violence, completely separate events reduced the violence, not least of which was the "success" of ethnic cleansing in Iraq:

http://www.thepersonalispolitical.com/2008/06/mccain-says-bringing-troops-home-not.html

[rollingdivision]

I believe the 90 percent reduction in violence was the result of global warming.

[rasthedestroyer]

You also think Elvis talks to you @ night... So what!!!!

[rwe]

have we seen a pattern since his speech of deflection and necessity in Feb about Wright?// Hey remeber when you guys compared ;this to a Dr King speech?/ Can anyone remember a few lines any more? Refine = Change =Flip

[rasthedestroyer]

rwe what's that stand for Right Wing Egostistical McCainiac.­. I just threw that last one in for fun.

[naluca]

Obama creates policy by first establishing a road-map which will appeal to the most voters and agree with the image of himself he has created, then cutting and pasting fragments of policy from others which might attract more voters, even if this means losing part of the original pool. The result is not integrated policy - it is a patchwork of catchphrases which, if read intelligently, often simply does not make overall sense. Remarkably, he is turning out to be most similar to George W. Bush and his team - pragmatic improvisers who unfortunately lack real integrity or, and this is a glaring problem, real imagination. But Bush - to his rather perverted credit - maintains an ideological consistency, though a dangerous, weird one. Barack will through pretty much anything in, as long as it increases the crowd he wishes to give the impression that he is in front of. This fellow is truly bizzare, and the "phenomenon" which has taken hold is a sort of "perfect storm" of political and social conditions. If he finds his way to the White House, it will at best delay a meaningful, effective, and conscionable development of a country which most of its citizens seem to favor - benevolent, smart, and with a flair for individuality and world leadership.

[uvymopkq]

Nothing different about McBama....­change you can depend on.

[Realbluesky]

Obama is no longer something special. He's just another democratic politician playing the political game. I once thought he was a leader. One that would stand up for American and Americans. Now he floats any way the wind blows. His vote on FISA ended it for me. FISA and telecom immunity is a direct assault on the Constitution. How can anybody have respect for him now?

[Sneaky]

Someone should throw a tally up. I wanna see who's flip-flopped more. This is almost like watching two John Kerry's run in two different parties (only more amusing, since one's mentally unfit and one's lacking in any serious integrety.­.. and I'm not sure which holds either title).

Hoboy. Poor US.

[NTO08]

Naomi Klein points out that Obama holds many conservative positions--that is, economical­ly...yet now we see he is doing it on not only social issues (guns, abortion), but on political ones (FISA, Surge)...t­his should send up HUGE red flags for anyone who claims to be a progressiv­e...anyone else might be fine with this, but true progressives should be angry, as they were on FISA...Oba­ma fans, you are being PLAYED again...ho­w much more will you excuse?

[brighterside]

The only flip flop that he's done so far is FISA. Other than that he has stuck with this principles on just about everything you mentioned.

Being played again? Maybe you should post your views in some rightwing blogger regarding McCain's flip flops? He's nothing more pandered his way thru during this election.

[hank48188]

They don't mind being HOODWINKED and BAMBOOZELED, the followers of Obama are sheep, not bright enough to see reality.

[morgan1]

Agreed. He cannot seem to make up his mind whom he wants to please. On the surge...It has not worked. All that has happened in Iraq is a massive purge of all the different groups living in areas. Violence is down because no one is left to slaughter in neighborhoods, villages or sections of Baghdad. The military is now holed up in the compounds so casualties are also down. Britain and Russia lost Afghanistan the same way we have lost Iraq. No one is reporting both (Surge and staying inside) when they talk about the "Surge". We are not winning and Obama it is becoming clear is merely another politician.

[AnotherMcIntosh]

"Someone should throw a tally up. I wanna see who's flip-flopped more."

With McCain, it is relatively easy. See Steve Benen's 61 Flip-Flops and Counting
http://www.alternet.org/election08/90956/?ses=ba87b9b84b548c5c7d0e1b49e96aa862

With Obama, it is a work in progress.


And, for those who want to squelch all criticism re Obama, yes I know, "we have to vote" for a Republican-wannabe because otherwise we will get the real thing. Got it.

[Sneaky]

Work in progress? McCain's is only easy because his campaign managers tell him to shut the heck up, since he makes an ass out of himself whenever he opens his mouth. Mister Obama's still talking, so the final score hasn't been settled yet. Obama's boys and girls need to tell their man to do the same, because his talking will be his downfall. Him giving his wife a stern talkin'-to wouldn't hurt either.

Then again, if they keep talking and keep showing America their true colors, maybe, just maybe, as I hold the slightest shred of optimism, We The People will finally be galvanized to act and do what really needs to be done to take back our country.

[rasthedestroyer]

I smells some Retread's. Where you all been hiding? It's only a matter of time before McFlubb crashes and burns. History shows he can't fly straight, so get your jollies off right now cause come Nov.... Need i say anymore

[Sneaky]

You're making an interesting leap if you think I'm supporting him after stating what I did about both individuals' "tactical position changes". Given how your boy's doing, I wouldn't be so confident. He needs to learn to shut up if he wants to actually compete with his across-the-aisle counterpart. Look at the way his numbers have dropped. Need I say anymore?

[Gitmo]

We have 140,000 troops occupying Iraq and yet Iraq still has a puppet gov't propped up by us and a puppet military propped up by us.
If you put 140,000 troops anywhere in the world the LEAST you should expect is a drop in violence. The whole point of the troop escalation ("surge") was to give the Iraqi's time to get their stuff together and they haven't, in fact they've told us to leave their country more than once now....mea­nwhile, the real war on terror (Afganistan) is falling a part because of Bush and McCain's uncalled for, "excellent adventure" in Iraq.


The fact that McCain calls himself a "foreign policy expert" is a complete joke.

[LiberTLover]

Would someone please ask McSimpleton if we stopped the $30 million being paid to the 100,000 Iraqi former insurgents­/terrorist­s (who used to try and often succeeded in killing US troops) to fight alongside US troops, would they still be on our side, and would the surge still be 'working' without that surge of $30 million every month?

[NTO08]

You ignore what is going on here...con­venient amnesia?

[111]

I don't believe the surge has worked even with the money being paid. I don't understand the people upset about a magazine cover but not this.

The trip to Iraq is pointless because the people Obama will meet with are the men put there by Bush because they were willing to support his agenda regardless of what they knew to be true. He will not speak to any dissidents. Nothing has changed in Iraq. Just like nothing was changed in that FISA bill that was abhorrent but suddenly wasn't so bad.

[nonconformist2]

PEOPLE (Well, only some of you):

The situation is Iraq is complex and does not lend itself to simple catch phrases or one liners. Nor does BHO's policy.

This endless whining and harping based upon a simplified and misleading attempt at "gotcha" politics is completely useless and counterproductive.

Read a newspaper. Come back when you actually know what you are talking about.

Liberals have no excuse acting like simpletons. That practice belongs to the republicans.

Enough said!

[NTO08]

The SIMPLETONS are those who believe Obama, no questions asked...

As Naomi Klein aptly points out, his superfans need to learn to question what he is doing and hold him up to the ideals he seemed to be stressing in primaries; if he cannot do that there are two solutions: don't vote, or vote third party...no other solution will do if he refuses to listen...

[kevenseven]

Ob ama won the nomination fair and square. He is the nominee of my party, case closed.

I was under no illusions of his being a left of center liberal, but I do know that he is well to the left of the other viable candidate, who is just a rethug in Dem clothing.

I have let him know in no uncertain terms how he has failed me on one issue in particular.

But as for the general, for a Democrat to fail to support Ob ama is purest treason to the party. You don't have to like it, but if you don't vote for him, you have no business calling yourself a Democrat.

[111]

It seems that there are people who prefer to suspend their critical thinking in order to put the Democratic party in office. In fact he embraces and wants to expand what has been called the "Bush" agenda right down to the faith based initiatives.

Funny -
domestic spying under Bush = bad
expanded domestic spying under Obama = Good

[rasthedestroyer]

Your opinion's belongs to someone else. So who's following who??

[rasthedestroyer]

Thank u for not conforming, i totally agree.

[swift goat pet for truth]

"A year and a half after Bush announced he was sending reinforcements to Iraq, it is widely credited with reducing violence there."

By Corporate Media who parroted Condi's mushroom cloud act, Rummy's "We know where they are" act, and Bush's "Mission Accomplished" act.

Zero cred.

[nonconformist2]

Love your screen name!

[awcbuddy8]

So. What's going on in Iraq o wise one?

[Actionmac]

a quagmire..­.

[kevenseven]

Certainly not the development of any sort of stable, independent government with the ability to run the country.

And without that, you got shxt.

[abby4ever]

Just about nothing is going on in Iraq. It's as close to a failed state as you'd want---or not want---to get, thanks to our 'expert planning'.