July 15, 2008
Posted: 12:15 PM ET
CNN

Watch Obama calls Iraq war a distraction.

(CNN) — Sen. Barack Obama on Tuesday called the war in Iraq a "dangerous distraction," and said more emphasis must be placed on the battle in Afghanistan.

"As should have been apparent to President Bush and Sen. [John] McCain — the central front in the war on terror is not Iraq, and it never was," Obama said in what his campaign called a major policy address on Iraq, Afghanistan and national security.

Watch: Obama: We will lead again

Obama said part of his new strategy will be "taking the fight to al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan."

Full story

Filed under: Barack Obama • John McCain • Popular Posts


WORST PERSON!!!!   July 15th, 2008 4:04 pm ET

Texas Trail Dog–They can afford to wait until the cowards of America folds up and go to sleep again on their porches waiting for another wine cooler or malt liquor beer watching for the mailman for their welfare checks that are going to be much larger if OBAMA GETS INTO OFFICE..
****************************************************************************
SAY DOG….. I don't Drink nothing but Kool AID now… Got my GED TOO……..Mr Obama gave me HOPE I can be anything I wanna be
KEEP HOPE Alive got that from my boy Jessie…..and Trail dog put all that anger under your feet and walk on by in other words Chill!!!

Javid Radfar   July 15th, 2008 4:02 pm ET

It seems senator Obama fails to comprehend the situation in Middle East. The whole world, including the United States, is involved in a war against terrorism. There is a conception that if United States withdraws its troops from Afghanistan and Iraq, eventually the Americans will be immune from terrorist attacks. This, by far, is the most incorrect conception one could have. Premature Withdrawal will only help the extremists to settle fanatic regimes in those countries. Subsequently, those regimes will provide safe heavens for terrorist organizations and the results will be more attacks on US soil.
Westerners must learn; there is no geographical barrier for terrorist activities. If the terrorists are not eliminated, sooner or later they end up on your backyard; just like 9-11. Senator Obama does not have the ability to lead Americans against the terrorism.

RON democrat turned independent   July 15th, 2008 3:56 pm ET

give obama time and he'll tell us how the surge was his idea from the start. did you hear him say he would have all of iran's neighbors join him in putting pressure on Iran to curb their nuclear power. as this man no shame when, Clinton proposed that same tactic he made fun of it. he is one sick puppy, all he can do is spend spend spend. he is so hooked on it, his venues are getting larger and larger. he is constantly having press conferences and making speeches to tell us how much he will give give give . hello, we are almost broke as it is so who who who is going to pay for it. taking troops out of Iraq to send to Afghanistan will not be free. just because you stop fighting in Iraq doesn't mean you stop paying your troops,. and filling our obligations elsewhere . who who who is going to pay for that. what a joke

GB   July 15th, 2008 3:49 pm ET

Freida.. what planet are you on? He's said the same thing from the beginning. Get a freakin clue.

Herman in LA   July 15th, 2008 3:44 pm ET

Just brilliant, just darn brilliant

I can say anymore

Obama

Independent in Iowa   July 15th, 2008 3:41 pm ET

Just so everyone knows, I'm supporting BO because he is the lesser evil of the two. That doesn't mean I like candy and will be riding on the "Hope" bus. Obama is going to get picked on, YES - get over it.

He's quick to point out other's flaws and he's not immune to the same treatment.

Brian from Knoxville   July 15th, 2008 3:41 pm ET

Let's take down the Taliban first then take down whoever attacks us. Who cares about the Iraqis, not anyone in my newspaper delivery route.

karen-phoenix   July 15th, 2008 3:39 pm ET

Read Obama's website!!! He has been saying this from the very beginning!!!! I watched his whole speech this AM and it was right on!!!!
I DO NOT WANT OLD EXPERIENCE IN WASHINGTON ANYMORE!!!!
Go Obama!!! AND I'm 64–I want youth to take care of me now–not anyone any older than I am!! I even forget things at my age.

wycliffe, NJ   July 15th, 2008 3:37 pm ET

So McCain should read an Economic Book Before making his economic plans.

obama 08

Daniel Wagle   July 15th, 2008 3:31 pm ET

I wish people would stop bashing Hillary. Hillary meant only to authorize enforced weapons inspections and from the beginning said that war in Iraq should only be a last resort. You can always find some vote which you can use against any Senator. Also, Hillary opposed the war LONG before this election, in fact in 2005. Obama falsely claimed that she only opposed it in time for the election. If you want us to vote for Obama, leave Hillary alone. Also, European powers have unsuccessfully in history tried to control Iraq AND Afghanistan. Therefore, I truly don't think EITHER war has that much chance of success, so I don't think Obama really shows that great judgment in only selectively opposing wars. I oppose ALL wars.

Lorna, NY   July 15th, 2008 3:30 pm ET

After reading some of the comments, I realize that the reason we have these idiots in office is because we are a country of idiots. The few independent thinkers know that Obama has been saying this for years. He was the first one to say this, not McCain, not Clinton. Wow, I can't beleive how many idiots are in this country who have the right to vote. There should be an intelligence test required before voting.

Jesse - San Antonio TX   July 15th, 2008 3:21 pm ET

Didn't he chair a committe that held oversight over Afghanistan but was too busy running for a job he isn't qualified for (he's better qualified to be a motivational speaker)?

Also in response to Tjaye in LA, it was the Saudi Arabians who attacked America, not Afganistans.

David in Illinois   July 15th, 2008 3:16 pm ET

Once again Obama has it right 100%. Iraq was a distraction, a horrific, bloody, treasury-draining mistake. Blame Bush. Blame Cheney. But most of all, blame McCain, because he thinks it has been such a wonderful success.
We're not going to stay in Iraq for 100 more years McCain. Hopefully we don't stay much more than 100 days. And you can't have my son, Mr. McBush.

Texas Trail Dog   July 15th, 2008 3:16 pm ET

This is not the jungle where one tribe goes to another and simply kills all the men then takes that tribe over. WE ARE PLAYING IN A FIELD OF GIANTS WITH MODERN DAY WEAPONS THAT CAN KILL THOUSANDS IF NOT MILLIONS AT ONE TIME. Thinking of Afghanistan is fine, but in the meantime we cannot and should not just withdraw from Iraq. THIS WILL GIVE THE AL QUIDA AND TALIBAN RENEWED HOPE. ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS WITHDRAW BACK INTO THE MOUNTAINS AND TUNNELS WHERE WE CAN'T FIND THEM THEN WAIT. THEY KNOW THAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE NO STOMACH FOR STAYING THE COURSE. We have flat out quit too many times now. So they will wait. Bin Laden and his followers are patient people. They can afford to wait until the cowards of America folds up and go to sleep again on their porches waiting for another wine cooler or malt liquor beer watching for the mailman for their welfare checks that are going to be much larger if OBAMA GETS INTO OFFICE..

Freida, NYC   July 15th, 2008 3:16 pm ET

Here he goes again, flip flop, flip flop, flip, flop………… Gosh! Obama, please get a grip!

joyce   July 15th, 2008 3:12 pm ET

Neither of them know for sure what will get us out of Iraq or do they know for sure what will happen in Afganistan.
They both know what they want to happend but neither of them know how to make it happen

rick-philly   July 15th, 2008 3:12 pm ET

Dan, don't you mean Iran is bordered on the west by Iraq and on the east by afghanistan?

Dimslie   July 15th, 2008 3:12 pm ET

The guy reminds me of Carter in full flight. Right before the 1980 election, the mini-series Shogun was the talk of the nation. As the election drew near, there was an editorial cartoon showing a caricature of Carter wearing the Samurai dress (sloppily) and awkwardly waving around a Samurai sword. The caption was: "Sho-Nuff, the story of a Georgia boy who, in the last weeks before the election, tried to master the martial arts". That same week, Sam Donaldson (of all people), gave a report on Carter foreign policy and ended by saying: "More and more, Jimmy Carter's foreign policy sounds like the advisor he spoke to last." Obama is the second coming of Jimmy Carter. And, the Dims are locked into this clown.

Ian   July 15th, 2008 3:11 pm ET

I thought the terrorists from 9-11 were from Saudi Arabia?

dr.no   July 15th, 2008 3:11 pm ET

he has called for more attention on afghanistan for years!dumb republicans are too concerned with stealing iraq's oil to do anything about it!

Ian   July 15th, 2008 3:10 pm ET

What's the point? Bhutto already said, matter of factly, that Bin Laden is dead.

LA   July 15th, 2008 3:09 pm ET

Obama has been making good calls on the war. Bush is just starting to do what Obama was calling for over a year ago.

Jon   July 15th, 2008 3:09 pm ET

Obama always eats the last piece of pizza, and he never gives his friends any gas money, even though he lives out of the way from the movie theater!!! Don't vote for him!

NotFallingInLine.org   July 15th, 2008 3:08 pm ET

Maybe the 2008 Obama should tell the 2007 Obama to pay more attention to Afghanistan.

Why didn't he use his power in the U.S. Senate as chairman of the Senate's subcommittee on European Affairs, which has jurisdiction over NATO, to do something about Afghanistan? The failed leaders of the undemocratic Democratic Party who have been in control of the Senate for the past 18 months appointed him the chair of that committee in January 2007!

Barack Obama: Empty Promises, Easily Broken.

NFIL

Timothy   July 15th, 2008 3:07 pm ET

Obama, is a very intelligence man and can lead this country.People need to get over Obama's color and recongnize this man's brilliance.Period. FULL STOP

richard   July 15th, 2008 3:07 pm ET

McFlipFlop's foregin policies are an orgasm of intellecutal anarchy and growss deficiencies in judgement. As much as I dislike Bush, he at least appears to know who he thinks he is. McFlipFlop doesn't seem know himself at all. The campaign is a extended job interview. Those sort of errors would not be tolerated by most businesses. Imagine applying for a job that requires you to know the difference between Iraq and Iran and you show otherwise. Imagine applying for a job that requires you understand who the world powers are and you forget that the Soviet Empire was divested. If Obama made such STUPID mistakes the McCain camp and the Fox (fixed) network would be jumping all over those mistake. Enough is enough. It is time to call McFlipFlop either uninformed, ignorant, or both when it comes to foreign policy. Obama needs to pounce on that during the debates.

Ryan Indianapolis   July 15th, 2008 3:05 pm ET

I love it when Obama speaks out of both sides of his mouth…..If it was up to Obama we would have retreated last year before the Surge was put into place and would have been defeated and Iraq would have been run by Terrorist and IRAN….Obama is running on sound judgement and that is Laughable.

Southern view   July 15th, 2008 3:02 pm ET

Did he tell Pakistan that we are taking the fight to Pakistan? Pakistan has hundreds of millions of people and an army trained and supplied by — guess who. Pakistan is also a nuclear power, with our support, I believe.

Taking the fight to Pakistan is not a possibility. The best we can hope for is that Pakistan will end its support and harboring of Al-Qaeda and take a stronger position vis a vis Pakistani Taliban. But that hope is very dim right now. Maybe Obama should be traveling to Pakistan.

Pam, WI   July 15th, 2008 2:59 pm ET

McCain says he knows how to win wars? When he actually wins a war he can say that, until then he only knows how to get shot down!

E. POWELL I MD, E POWELL MD II & ER. POWELL MD   July 15th, 2008 2:58 pm ET

LEADERSHIP BY EXPERIENCE HAS GOTTEN US TO THIS POINT IN
WORLD BEHAVIOR TOWARD US AS A PEOPLE.. THIS IS MAN DOES SHOW PROMISE. IF THE WORLD SEES SOMETHING IN HIM THAT THEY DON'T SEE IN MCCAIN. IF WE AS A PEOPLE IN A COUNTRY
THAT SUPPOSE TO BE LEADERS OF THE WORLD CAN'T SEE THE SAME - "WE DESERVE WHAT WE GET".

A. Boston, MA   July 15th, 2008 2:55 pm ET

How come McCain never speaks on how bogus WMD and the Iraq war is? He has no position b/c he can't bump heads with Bush. He speaks of winning the war. It was a win win situation from the beginning. They want us out and McCain wants to stay to fulfill the GOP agenda.

Obama 08

EMJ   July 15th, 2008 2:54 pm ET

Scrolling down the posts I was surprised to see someone say Obama is not the nominee and then threw out a 'Hillary 08′ slogan. Well if that is the case McCain isn't the official nominee either so why doesn't everything stop so we can gauge what Hillary thinks about all this. Good grief already, give it a rest. Seeing the continued hate spewing posts by Clinton supporters against Obama at this stage is beyond pathetic. If you really need an example of ignorant people who actually believe all the false rumors about the Obama's parodied on the New Yorker cover, that would be not only a whole bunch of backwards minded Republicans but evidently a few thousand Hillary supporters as well.

Change I Can Believe In   July 15th, 2008 2:53 pm ET

Obama's sign reads "Judgment To Lead" so that must mean that he has judgment to lead. Who needs to think for themselves?

Really   July 15th, 2008 2:52 pm ET

Why shouldn't we have invaded Iraq? Everyone keeps saying that. I hear we invaded Iraq for oil. Really? You must be driving your solar powered car otherwise you would know that oil prices have gone up. Then there is the arguement that it has costs us too much. So what is the price for freedom? Is there a magic number? Next war we should set limits. 1,000 lives and $500 billion. If we can't liberate a country or destroy terrorists that want our ultimate destruction under that price, we should not get into it. Next time someone attackes us, we will tell them to stop it because defending it would be over our threshold.

Brandon Hillary PUMA for Mc Cain-Pa   July 15th, 2008 2:52 pm ET

Judgement to Lead—What a "fairytale" no actually he's a nightmare…

New Yorker Cover—Rocks !!

Doug, New Jersey   July 15th, 2008 2:51 pm ET

Obama could call out a plan to invade the moon and the Moore-on.org kool aide drinkers here would be all for it talking about how brilliant the plan is.

Keep in mind that these are the people who were quick to come out and stick up for Rev. Wright when the truth about him and Obama broke, claiming that he was just telling the truth. So keep in mind that these Liberal-Democrats think this government created the aids virus to kill black people.

BTW, read Michelle's thesis from Princeton, I wish Obama stayed a Muslim rather than having Michelle and Jeremiah turn him into a sick, hateful black liberation theologist. A lot of Muslims are good peaceful people, unlike the Obama's and Rev. Wright's of this world.

Frank   July 15th, 2008 2:50 pm ET

Hey Obama….the Taliban is in Afganistan….just thought you should know.

Bayou Joe   July 15th, 2008 2:49 pm ET

The truth is neither Obama nor McCain has the answer to the War against the Islamic Jihadist. The reason they don't have the answer is because they either don't understand the enemy or do understand the enemy but are afraid to tell the American Public who the enemy is and what their goals are:

This War is over 2000 years old. It is a religious/ideological war. Islam and Christianity are incompatible and the goal of Islam is to eliminate all non-believers in Allah. So no matter how many Islamic
Jidahist you eliminate, their will always be another one to take his or her place. Second the enemy takes it's war seriously and will do anything to win, including self-sacrifice. We on the other hand want to do it in a civilized manner. So we handicap our soldiers and give them guidelines. Unfortunately the other side doesn't understand or give a crap about guidelines. Their objective is to kill as many of the infidels they can. They don't care if the infidels are in a Church, Moslem temple or Synagogue. They don't care if they are non-combatants, women and children. Their goal is clearly defined.
We on the other hand do not have clear goals. The only country that ever fared well against Islam was Spain. The year was 1492, the same year that Columbus discovered America. After 800 years of
Muslim occupation, the Spanish drove them out of Spain. How did they do it ? By force until the otherside noticed that unless they stopped all of them would meet Allah. Now even Spain does not have the Cojones to meet the enemy and destroy it.

Ted   July 15th, 2008 2:44 pm ET

Obama changes the signs on the front of his podium as much as he changes his mind… on policies and friends.

Peter (CA)   July 15th, 2008 2:44 pm ET

Who should have gotten Bin Laden?

Remember August 2001…Bush had worked so hard for 6 months, he took the whole month off? Didn't read his briefings…including one titled "Bin Laden determined to attack within the US".

Those of you who say Obama has no positions….well, here is one. Go to his website to discover the others.

McCain may have experience but as another poster rightly pointed out…experience does not guarantee wisdom. Bush has lots of experience now and he continues to make the same dumb mistakes.

8 years of the country going downhill is plenty. And, seriously, stop with the Obama-will-turn-us-into-Muslims stuff. That shows a new level of ignorance.

Ilona from Alberta   July 15th, 2008 2:44 pm ET

Hey, pretty much everyone has not been to Afganistan but it doesn't take a trip to a war zone to figure out that it is Afganistan that is rebounding and needs dire attention.
The war on terror began and ends there.
Iraq had and does not have anthing to do with 911 and everybody and their dog knows it. Where's Osama? who cares right? - You got Saddam though (and only to the tune of trilions)……whooopee!

Osama is a forward thinker….not McCain

Obama 08   July 15th, 2008 2:44 pm ET

I like McCain's new foriegn policy dig on Obama. He says that Obama couldn't possibily know anything about Iraq or Afganistan because he has never been there.

Dear Mr. McCain,

Am I wrong for thinking that I would rather go to heaven than hell?
I have never been to either place.

Obama 08!

lane   July 15th, 2008 2:43 pm ET

Are you kidding

For someone who has chaired the committee that coordinated NATO particpation in Afganistan and never held a meeting in two years to be a critic shows how irresposible and quick to blame others for short comings. sound more like rev wright and blame whites for all his communities ailments. easier to blame and not take resposibilty on his inactions. no integrity, no vision (all scripted) arrogant idiot

Relevance Recognized   July 15th, 2008 2:43 pm ET

Yes, Obama is right. It's in America's own interest to proactively vote for a leader to change the mess Bush got us into. McSame will make it worse

Wisconsin   July 15th, 2008 2:43 pm ET

Sounds like a mixed message to me and completely opposite of what he was saying just a few months ago.

Nice try LIER.

Obama has always been against Iraq and in favor of fighting the actual terrorist in Afghanistan.

BROOKLYN=Lier

Obama has said the same thing all along, this is not something new.

Nice trie but you are LIERS

This has been Obama's stance from the start. I know all the Republicans will stop at nothing to rip him down and support McWar, Bush, and Big Oil.

You are showing us all one thing,

Republicans NEED to LIE to win!

Republicans NEED to LIE to win!

Republicans NEED to LIE to win!

Republicans NEED to LIE to win!

Republicans NEED to LIE to win!

Republicans NEED to LIE to win!

Bill From Florida   July 15th, 2008 2:42 pm ET

I am sick of you Obama supporters saying Obama didn't voe for the
war. You stupid ninny's , he couldn't vote and how do you know how he really would have voted, he Flip Flops everyday. This is the "Yes We Can" speech again, I was against the war from the beginning..
What a bunch of BULL.

Anonymous   July 15th, 2008 2:42 pm ET

Obama continues to make policy decisions without knowledge of the facts. The usual Democratic message of "Don't bother me with the facts when I know I'm right".

And I guess his promise about bringing the troops home includes a little "R&R" stop in Afghanistan.

Dave   July 15th, 2008 2:39 pm ET

why can't we get 38 of the states together to dissolve the federal goverment!

that would be nifty

Jim - Tucson   July 15th, 2008 2:37 pm ET

They're posting this same blog on FOX. We need more Obama supporters to go there and post. Then come back to CNN, of course.

not important   July 15th, 2008 2:36 pm ET

Obama is right. History should not repeat itself. Everybody should remember the Soviet Afghan war.

FLIP-FLOP MC BUSH   July 15th, 2008 2:35 pm ET

Mc Bush has NO IDEA ! of what he's talking about. Barack was right way back in January. All of the news stations are reporting that Brack had it right. Now Mc War keeps attacking. Does he know anything else to do other than attack Barack? GUESS NOT! What a MC FOOL. I was a Republican but I switched and will cast my vote for Barack, I feel safer.

ILUVOBAMA   July 15th, 2008 2:35 pm ET

lol… I meant to say thanks "to people say No to McCain" for putting Robert in his place.

Ken   July 15th, 2008 2:31 pm ET

The insurgents in that region are traveling back and forth from Iraq to Afghanistan, So called freedom fighters from all over the mid-east region are contributing and recruiting to fight the west. However Taliban and Al-Queda are HQ'd in Afghan, If we focus to much in Afghan they'll move to Iraq and vice versa, What a mess the Republicans created, almost like it's done on purpose to keep power in the executive branch

Joe   July 15th, 2008 2:31 pm ET

That's the way Oama, make plans because you of all people know how to win a war, blooming idiot, you will never get elected and all the people on here that constantly complain are so nieve to the actual facts. Sad but completely true. You should all get jobs with the media!

Cindy   July 15th, 2008 2:30 pm ET

Obama's focus has always been Afganistan. He was against the war in Iraq, not Afganistan. he was ridiculed in one of the debates for suggesting we bomb the Pakistan/Afganistan boarder. Now Bush/McCain want to bomb Iran. Again, the focus shifts away from Afganistan. The job in Afganistan is not done, and the reason for that is because we keep shifting our focus elsewhere.

Bin Laden must really hate Obama… he can't shake the guy's focus off him. Either that, or he maybe he loves Obama, since Bush has been neglecting him. I can't imagine the terrorist who orchestrated 9/11 enjoys being neglected.

Sean   July 15th, 2008 2:29 pm ET

What a great outline of what Obama would do as President, and how he'd do it. It amazes me that people still insist he's offered no clear outlines of his policies when, frankly, McCain has offered NOTHING even close to comparable to this piece from Obama.

Obama has shown once again that he has reasoned, intelligent, constructive, positive plans for the country should he win the Presidency. McCain would only offer business as usual….business that has already led us into financial dire straits, a nationwide mortgage crisis, a war that's nearing a decade in age, and the resulting deaths of thousands of Americans and tens of thousands of Iraqis.

The choice is clear this year for anyone who has endeavored to be objectively informed about their options in this election.

Obama '08!

Thomas. Illinois   July 15th, 2008 2:29 pm ET

Can't wait for the debates to start… Obama will rip mcCain apart…

ILUVOBAMA   July 15th, 2008 2:27 pm ET

people say No to McCain July 15th, 2008 1:00 pm ET

Robert July 15th, 2008 12:36 pm ET

___________________________________________________

Geezzz…I couldn't have said it any better…. Thank you Robert

Mary   July 15th, 2008 2:25 pm ET

Oh, I heard McWar will try to “rip” one …….at his age……. I smell something bad!!!!

RB TX   July 15th, 2008 2:24 pm ET

Foreign Observer - Irak? Go back home you illeterate wanna be immigrant.

Go with experience- McCain

Obama has never been to Afghanistan but claims he is an expert on what is happening on the ground. He also want to pull troops from Iraq and increase troops in Afghanistan.
Sounds like a mixed message to me and completely opposite of what he was saying just a few months ago.

Go McCain

Jerry in Boston   July 15th, 2008 2:23 pm ET

Rick said - "Iran has been a constant source of trouble in that area ever since your past "great" leader Jimmy Carter let it become an Islamist country."

So by that logic, Ronald Reagan and his support of the Mujahideen against the Soviets, created the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Taliban, thereby facilitating the 9/11 attacks?

Oh wait…that's actually true.

NotFallingInLine.org   July 15th, 2008 2:22 pm ET

Why hasn't Obama had the good judgment to use his power in the U.S. Senate as the chair of the subcommittee that has jurisdiction over NATO and our efforts against Osama and the Taliban in Afghanistan? He could have been doing so much to keep us secure and to stop those who would do us harm over the last 18 months, but he's done nothing.

Obama's style of deceptive flip-flop politics and his endless empty promises are not credible. They're disgraceful.

Knoxville NFIL

Tammy From Ohio   July 15th, 2008 2:20 pm ET

This is the first time I have ever put on a blog, but I do read them. I don't understand if your not an Obama supporter, the Obama people
call you names, say your crazy and out of touch. Since when as an American do people tell you what to believe, who to vote for and what you can say???
I am a Democrat and have been for 20 years, but will not vote in this election. I saw all the buzz on CNN about the cover of the New York magazine. To alot of people this is who Obama is. I have read and followed internet back and fourth and I cannot see one thing Obama
has done while in politics. He did not do the things he said in Chicago,
Most of the time he voted present in congress. This man is VERY untrustworthy. He is not the poor little kid from the getto as he wants you to believe, he was raised wanting for nothing, traveled the world
and had a very educated mother.

So Obama people vote for him, but quit trying to shove him down everyone's throat.

MCCAIN 08   July 15th, 2008 2:20 pm ET

All you Hillary supporters need to go home. We do not need you to win this election

McCain 08,12

Laidetea   July 15th, 2008 2:18 pm ET

This war has never been about 9/11 retaliation nor Osama Bin Laden. McAlzheimer admitted a coupled of months ago that this war was about oil and then he denied making that statement. Bush had to pull McCrime Shame to the side and tell him stop telling the Americans the truth.

America wake up…..the war is all about the oil. It not about keeping the peace with the other countries. This so call War is bringing United States to point of having another Great Depression. People, we need to keep McGramps out of the white house at all cost or elsa we will see an endless war, more homes abandon, more jobs lost, and higher fuel prices never seen before.

Obama 2008-2012

Jimmy P   July 15th, 2008 2:17 pm ET

This guy is such a fool!

Rave   July 15th, 2008 2:17 pm ET

Maybe IRAQ is the only thing that McPain could spell with his limited brain. Spelling Afghanistan would be too difficult for him.. so he doesn't care about that.
OBAMA (2008 -16)

Pam, WI   July 15th, 2008 2:15 pm ET

Obama had been saying this all along. Was it not McSame who agreed with osama bin ladin that the war front is in Iraq? yet McSame claims to have superior judgement. apparently his military experience has not taught him much.

Let talk about the truth!!   July 15th, 2008 2:13 pm ET

Just How Many Lives Lost is enough. Fighting a battle where no one wins and American Taxpayer is footing the bill. Why can't the protect the Land, Air, Sea around the US and reduce our expenditures how can we continue to pay this bill and having nothing to show for it….

Over 4500 Death in a booming that kill less than 3000 who's not doing the math…

Nikki, Florida   July 15th, 2008 2:13 pm ET

Obama is saying what we should have been hearing for the past 7 years!!!!!!

Richard, FL   July 15th, 2008 2:12 pm ET

I guess, Joe, that it would be bad that spending money on fuel alternatives might have lead to less oil dependency or that we might have actually caught the man responsible for 911, rather than spend billions invading a nation that had NOTHING to do with 911.

When Bill Clinton tried to kill bin Laden, many Republicans criticized him for trying to divert attention from the Lewinsky scandal. Bush had every bit of intelligence data that Clinton had PLUS 8 months more and totally failed to prevent it. Bush was so unconcerned about our safety that he spent the month before 911 on vacation.

"I'll repeat what I said. I truly am not that concerned about (bin Laden)"
— George Bush, president who read "The Pet Goat" while hundreds died in our streets.

Willy   July 15th, 2008 2:11 pm ET

I bet you could not find Afghanistan on the map bHo, shut up !

Donna   July 15th, 2008 2:11 pm ET

It seemed that our "leaders" forgot about the war in Afghanistan until Obama brought it back up..now McOld is trying to jump all over it…sadly we don't have enough troops to fight a was in EITHER country so regardless of the plan that Obama lays out, someone will LOOSE…it is inevitable and we shouldn't continue in a war just to "save face"…..

This wasn't Obama's doing so it will be very hard for him to fix the MISTAKES by Bush and his posse!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PUMA-SF..he is already at the "TOP OF THE TICKET" or weren't you paying attention to the Primaries? go ahead and vote for McCain..who cares?

CB   July 15th, 2008 2:11 pm ET

OBAMA IS RIGHT ON! He is so forward thinking, it sickens me to think people actually support McCain.

kelly WI   July 15th, 2008 2:11 pm ET

We have a war on terror. Get used to it. The terrorists were driven out of Afghanistan into Iraq. We see the 2 wars on terror in those 2 countries. we do not see the covert actions being done all over the world.
Don't try to demonize OIL. Ours and the worlds economies run on oil. It fuels the economic engines. At this point in time we need all we can get. If you're mad about it yell at Pelozi and gang who are stopping us. Obama will be for drilling too.
There is NO immediate magic wand fix for this. If it was that simple it would have been done. Being jealous of rich people does you no good.
The combat troops will leave Iraq when the time is right. No matter who is president. And troops will still be in the region for stabiltiy.
Just like in all the other countries we have kept bases and troops for generations.
It boggles the mind how some people can be so simplistic.
I would suggest you read articles by people who know what they're talking about and skip the campaign speeches.
It's time Obama and his supporters grew up and faced reality.
McCain/Romney

Tyrone   July 15th, 2008 2:11 pm ET

What a Double Standard

Rev. Jackson made some comments, about Obama that was caught on camera …….And the white pundits, ran with it. They love to make it look like blacks, are against blacks . That is how they will spin it . Now just about two week ago Wesley Clark made comments about John McCain and it was treated . As a attack on a hero ! No one said that they would look into the allegation made by Clark . Rev. Jackson had criticize Obama for saying black men should be more responsible as fathers. The problem Jackson and I also had with Obama comments. Obama said black men and NOT some black men. I was offenden as a father of 4 with a grandfather that was marry to my grandmother for 55 year til her death. He also raise 4 children. Who are all marry now over 40 years. All to black men. I was marry and divorce and became a single father. I receive FATHER OF THE YEAR at my son school. I alway find it funny how the white pundits love to spin hate and divide in the black community. But said nothing about there white community. I have never heard white pundits mention white on white crime or child molesting in the white community both very high in numbers. High school drop out is high in the white community and getting higher each year. There is know mention by the white control media. The problem with this double standard is that whites get to listen to the news and walk away thinking that blacks are that bad bad people . And whites are the victim and the good people that have to put up with horrible non-whites!

Love for God   July 15th, 2008 2:11 pm ET

People please lighten up, life is too short, Get a life.

BROOKLYN   July 15th, 2008 2:11 pm ET

It sure did take a while… Guess this must be good for the political ratings…

What ever happened to "no more politics as usual"???????

Guess that did not happen either.

Karen   July 15th, 2008 2:11 pm ET

I want to vote for a president that doesn't think more troops, more killing, and more war are solutions. Now that the primaries are over and we're seeing the real Obama, the prospects of him as president are frightening. He needs to shut his mouth for the rest of the campaign and return to his mantra of inspirational rhetoric. When he's elected, the Democrats in Congress can try to fix the mess we're in.

Richard   July 15th, 2008 2:10 pm ET

Hillary Supporter for a true American- McCain!

Barack HUSSEIN Obama what do you know, you are ALL talk!

Nando, Florida   July 15th, 2008 2:10 pm ET

Mccain is a Idiot and should be Tar and Feathered !!!!!

paperclip   July 15th, 2008 2:09 pm ET

I may not be totally sold on Obama, but McCain scares the hell out of me. This man, McCain, supported building a road to nowhere in Florida so that the land out in that direction could be sold at a higher price and benefited only a few investors. Why??? He doesn't know who the enemy is in Iran. He mixes up their names all the time. Will we end up killing our allies by mistake and all McCain can say is - oh I forgot who our enemy was?. He is against abortions and voted against birth control being covered on insurance.. But voted for a bill that would allow Viagra to be covered on insurance. Where is his common sense???: I

Obama 08'   July 15th, 2008 2:09 pm ET

Did the surge work because we put more troops in out because the radical leaders called for a cease fire???????????

Jeff Long   July 15th, 2008 2:08 pm ET

Obama treats as a vindication a recent statement by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki calling for a timeline for withdrawal of U.S. forces. But Maliki, playing to his domestic politic audience, can't be taken at face value. Neither Maliki nor anyone around him talks of an unconditional 16-month timeline for withdrawal as being remotely plausible. His defense minister says Iraqis will be ready to handle internal security on their own in 2012 and external security by 2020. So there you have it.

Substance over Hype!!! McCain '08

Fishers, Indiana   July 15th, 2008 2:08 pm ET

Barack Hussein Obama would want more attention on a Muslim country - this does not surprise me!

Eric in Ca   July 15th, 2008 2:07 pm ET

Do you ignorant, ill-informed poster ever stop and realize the divisive bigoted statements. I guarantee Obama and any other high level congressman receives briefings that the MSM and the general public don't. I don't think you necessarily have to have traveled to iraq or Afghanistan to know the conditions on the group. Your beloved Bush doesn't even know the price of gas here at home!

We can't afford 4 more years of a disastrous Bush Admin. / McCain Policies!

Obama has my vote PERIOD. FULL STOP!

Richard Conn Henry   July 15th, 2008 2:06 pm ET

Once Obama is (I hope) elected, he should meet with the current leaders of dear Pakistan (all of them) and clean out the vipers, with them. Osama is a brainy rat. I pity him.

David from Ohio   July 15th, 2008 2:05 pm ET

Will you Hillnuts please go away? Like she had any foreign policy credentials. Oh I forgot about her heroism under fire in Bosnia.

Rachel   July 15th, 2008 2:05 pm ET

People need to get with it Obama did not cast a vote against the war he did not have a vote. If he was so concerned about Afganastan why did he not hold more than one hearing for his chairmanship of he Foreign Relations Subcommittee for European Affairs? The one with oversight over NATO, troops from which are entrenched in Afghanistan somebody answer me that.

Rick   July 15th, 2008 2:04 pm ET

To all you "talking-point" dems that constantly repeat the line that Iraq is such a huge mistake…..have you ever looked at a map? Iran sits right smack in between Afghanistan and Iraq. Iran has been a constant source of trouble in that area ever since your past "great" leader Jimmy Carter let it become an Islamist country. If we have a presence in both Afghanistan and Iraq then we put Iran in a pretty bad spot strategically. I'm not saying that Irag was a great idea but what I'm saying is that I don't know, you don't know and nobody will know for another 10 years whether it was a good idea or not so stop repeating like parrots everything that the dems and the media tell you to say.

Texans for Obama   July 15th, 2008 2:04 pm ET

I heard Obama's talk on foreign policy. He did an excellent job! There are people on this blog that need to stop hating on the man. This man is very intellegent and articulate. Obama does his research before he speaks and he knows what he is talking about unlike George Bush and John MCain. Hillary is out of the race now, so all of those still crying about her loss needs to move on with their lives and give it up now. I am sure people are tired of hearing about Hillary . I know I am tired of the whinning,

The economy is in shambles, banks are failing, there are 2 wars going on, food and gas prices are very high, and people are losing their jobs.There will be many more companies and banks going under before long. John McCain does not know anything about the economy,McCain is too old. If George Bush at 62 has a bad memory what about McCain's memory at 72? We need a big change in America. Obama is young, smart, and he will have people in his cabinet just as intelligent. I am praying this man becomes the president. I do not want my grandkids future in Iraq. God help America, this economy is going to get worse before it rebounds!

Obama 08'   July 15th, 2008 2:04 pm ET

If anyone watched the speeches to day by Bush and Then Mccain they were almost the same, It is amazing how McCain still has not grasps the idea that with today technology everything you say is recorded. In a previous democratic debate 0bama said that we never more troops in Pakistan and that the war we should be fighting, if there was a chance to take out Bin Laden even if it was not approved by the govenment that he waould take it,,, he was laugh at by all democratic nominees and this also turned into a question for the republican debate and John McCain said Obama was out of touch.. Pay attention people they are all folowing Obama lead.. And McCain is saying he cares about the troops and the burden this war is puting on them, Yet last month Pakistan was not his priority he was reeving up to fight Iran…Our economy is in the tank we are spending BBBBillions of dollars a day fighting this war, The Government is not stressing that the Irag government pay for their own war while their government is raking in millions of dollars in revenue… How is your bank account, How is your Pension,What is the value of your house….. This should be a no brainer,,, People wake up the hillary barack fight is over .. Den=mocrats unite and lets take our country back from these oil men who have broken our country and killed our children

David Orbach, New York, NY   July 15th, 2008 2:03 pm ET

Justin,

It isn't about how many insurgents were killed in the Afghan prison break, it's about how many were freed, that will cause us more difficulties down the line.

gluv   July 15th, 2008 2:02 pm ET

"know that even a successful war against Iraq will require a US occupation of undetermined length, at undetermined cost, with undetermined consequences. I know that an invasion of Iraq without a clear rationale and without strong international support will only fan the flames of the Middle East, and encourage the worst, rather than best, impulses of the Arab world, and strengthen the recruitment arm of al-Qaeda.

I am not opposed to all wars. I’m opposed to dumb wars."

-obama in oct. 2002

doc stone   July 15th, 2008 2:02 pm ET

he should have aleast one meeting with the senate committee on nato, not once i feel, no i know i'm being forced to choose obama, but he is not my choice, he likes the title but not the hands on, he had better get alot more involved in the job he wants because I am going tobe one of those that said " told u so "

Hillary for v.p. if not your a 1 termer like carter I'll be watching u buddy

Belle1   July 15th, 2008 2:01 pm ET

Please ask Senator Obama to RESIGN from his subcommittee on the NATO oversight in the war in Afghanistan!

It has been over 2 years, and he STILL has NOT held one subcommittee meeting. He has Senators writing him letters begging him to hold a meeting….if he can't do that job, how on earth do you think he will do a good job as President?

If he is going to do nothing, let someone else be in charge!

Anonymous   July 15th, 2008 2:01 pm ET

Obama questioned the need to go to war while the rest of us waved the flag and supported. In restrospect, his judgment was correct and no amount of spin or fear-mongering from the GOP changes that. Since the lead general in Afghanistan recently stated that more troops were needed, Obama seems right on the money. The "frontline" of the war on terror is in Iraq because we're there and that's the 5th or 6th reason the GOP has given for why we're still in Iraq.

GIFTY   July 15th, 2008 2:00 pm ET

Obama judgment is poor.

Poor Obama

Janet   July 15th, 2008 2:00 pm ET

The Democrats rightly blame the Bush adminstration for BinLaden because they had the intelligence and didn't use it. Read the 911 commission report. You republicans will beleive anything that a white person tells you. That's why you idiots elected Bush twice and the country is in the toilet.
Don't Moderate this CNN

Jo   July 15th, 2008 2:00 pm ET

Obama may say that he will go after Afghanistan and Pakistan, but he is just not realistic. If you leave Irag, you just give them another home to go back to. At this point no one makes since. We need Hillary back!

E.C.Coleman   July 15th, 2008 1:59 pm ET

Obama is NOT brilliant in the least, and he doesn't have the ability to lead his way out of a brown paper bag. This guy's 'a nothing' who is running for President. Gee…maybe I will, too! I haven't done anything either and have not one bit of experience or any qualifications. Is this all it takes to be President? Dah! Obama is a JOKE as a leader.

Tony   July 15th, 2008 1:59 pm ET

If Obama's answer to the Iraq war is to pull the troops out of Iraq and send them to Afghanistan I only have one thing to say.

I WON'T BE VOTING FOR EITHER CANDIDATE COME NOVEMBER!!!!!!

gary   July 15th, 2008 1:58 pm ET

OBAMA DONT B.S. OUR COUNTRY. CONGRESS ISNT GOING TO LET YOU DO NO MORE THAN BUSH CAN DO. YOU ARE ALL CHEAP TALK. IAM REALY GETTING SICK OF THIS WHOLE ELECTION THING. OUR COUNTRY IS HEADED FOR A BIG FALL ,AND O.B. SURE THE HELL ISNT WHAT WE NEED TO LEAD OUR COUNTRY. THE BEST CANIDATE WAS SWIFTBOATED OUT OF THIS RACE. YOU O.B. FOLLOWERS DONT THINK IT WAS HER CAMPAGNING THAT LOST IT. O.B. PAID OFF THE DNC ETC. HRC WINS A STATE HE GETS ENDORSE, SUPER DELIGATES PUSH HIM OVER THE LINE ,WITHOUT LETTING THE PRIMARIES END. YOU LOST MINDED YOUNG FOOLS ONLY BELIEVE WHAT YOUR CON MAN O.B. TELLS YOU. WRITE THIS IN YOUR BOOK. WE ARE HEADED TOWARD THE BEGINING OF WORLD WAR 111. READ THE BIBLE.

simple thought   July 15th, 2008 1:58 pm ET

here will be a surprise in nov. obama will loose.
democrat for mccain

Joe Bloggs, Haiku, HI   July 15th, 2008 1:57 pm ET

I love it! You righties criticize Obama for his inexperience, not visiting Iraq or Afghanistan and not holding meetings..blah…blah!

AND YET…..he was RIGHT on both Iraq and Afghanistan!

1. We should NEVER have invaded Iraq; and
2. Obama has been saying for years that we whould be concentrating more troops in Afghanistan in going after the Taliban and Al Qaeda.
(and there are still some ignoramuses above who have been drinking the right-wing koolaid so much that they don't know that Obama has been saying this for years. He didn't need to wait until the Taliban started re-emerging and killing more U.S. troops to know that we should have finished the job there! That's JUDGMENT!)

McCain may be old, but his judgment is very suspect.

So today, we know that Obama exercised sound JUDGMENT about both Iraq and Afghanistan w/o waiting for someone else to tell him waht was obvious to him!

Who needs BS meetings when you have the ability to see and speak the truth?

It's going to be so refreshing having an intelligent and honest president for the first time in decades.

Janice   July 15th, 2008 1:56 pm ET

Sean Hannity has been to Afghanistan more than Obama.

Scott L   July 15th, 2008 1:56 pm ET

Why do Democrats blame Bush for Bin Laden? Bill Clinton should be the one to blame for not getting him when he could have. But Democrats don't believe in that kind of stuff….yet look what happened.

E.C.Coleman   July 15th, 2008 1:55 pm ET

Obama is clueless. He's now beginning to be really pitiful. Why is this man running for President? He's totally unqualified for the office and lacks total experience….so much so that he's scary. Obama can't handle it, and doesn't know what he's doing or saying about anything in this world. Does this guy think he's the very first person who knows about wars, Iraq and Afghanistan? Has Obama now declared himself an authority of everything? He's totally ignorant and just wants to hear himself speak….. what a jerk.

NObama   July 15th, 2008 1:55 pm ET

So Obama is willing to take on Pakistan. Does he realize that Pakistan is a nuclear power? Does he know the relationship between Pakistan and India and China?

His ignornace is dangerous.

Wisconsin   July 15th, 2008 1:54 pm ET

Why is Obama saber rattling with Afghanistan?

Because the terrorist are based in and near Afghanistan, its the war that McSame doesn't care about.

Obama was against the war while McWar and Hillary were voting for it.

Lisa   July 15th, 2008 1:54 pm ET

Let's load up the buses and take this thing to Denver. It's obvious little kids voted for Obama, what do they know, they're still learning their ABC's and 123's.

Chanda Cincinnati Ohio   July 15th, 2008 1:54 pm ET

Wow!!! Focus on the people who ACTUALLY DID attack us on 9/11. Why didn't I think of that! Or better yet, why didn't the voters of this country when they re-elected the terrorist of a president we have now!!!!

Obam '08!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Doris,Memphis,TN   July 15th, 2008 1:53 pm ET

Barack is fighting two wars in the United States.

1.)Hill+Bill +their supporters +crooks(Jesse Jackson)(David Remnick)

2.)Gramm + McCain + Cheney + Rove + Fox TV +Bush+ Racists

Barack you are the strongest man in the world.
You deserve the presidency and two dogs.

Blayze Kohime   July 15th, 2008 1:53 pm ET

@ Robert and all those who say Obama doesn't have the experience to lead. Do you realize that Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt both had less experience than Obama does now when they were elected? Other presidents with mounds of experience did terrible jobs comparatively, and it's hard to uphold the 'political experience counts' argument in the light of great presidents having had very little. A chart I saw on experience of all the Presidents we've had thus far showed no correlation at all between experience and quality of the President, because political experience is not the only experience. Do some research before you eat the propaganda.

Livonia, MI   July 15th, 2008 1:52 pm ET

Un Amigo Presidente! Viva Obama!

Jamaal Kansas   July 15th, 2008 1:52 pm ET

bring the troops home from Iraq so we can Concentrate on afghanistan which is the main reason this so called war on terror is being waged Obama is a brillant canidate he wanted the focus on afghanistan long before those troops were killed there that is a good decision maker right there on the other hand Mccain aka Mcbush he want to stay in iraq and waste billions of dollars when the Iraqis want us to get out as well unfortuantly Bush and his Older Brother Mcbush aka Mccain don't listen to reasoning America MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE THIS ELECTION NO MCBUSH

DMAC in ID   July 15th, 2008 1:51 pm ET

In reading some of these I am wondering if some of you know that we have been in Afghanistan and loosing people for to long with minimal troops. Bush and Chaney took their eye off the ball in going after bin Laden, I still think they should have gotten him by now with all the technology we have. If we can read a license plate from outer space they should be able to get some kind of fix on him.
We have a very big job over there with bin Laden and their poppy fields and getting the country on its feet and independent with a different way of life than depending on drugs for their income.
To bad the media is so enthralled with Obama and dropped the ball on the coverage of the Afgan War.

karen-phoenix   July 15th, 2008 1:50 pm ET

Obama is brilliant!!! He's right on the money!!! Listen to him!!! Young, educated, excellent judgement and willing to listen to others. What more could we ask for!!!! NO MORE OLD EXPERIENCE in Washington!!!! Clean the town up Obama and maybe, just maybe the American people will have a chance!!!

bumble bee   July 15th, 2008 1:50 pm ET

Wasn't Sen. Obama the head of the Afghanistan Committee in the senate? What exactly did he accomplish in that role?

PUMA-SF   July 15th, 2008 1:50 pm ET

As head of the freaking committee on Afghanistan he should have been having meetings all along. If you want to blame someone for the deterioration in the region you can blame him!! This guy is not qualified to be president and if he is on the top of the ticket my vote will go to McCain.

Puma Power

T-n-EP   July 15th, 2008 1:50 pm ET

Distraction????? What Barack Hussein Obama is doing, is setting the stage to switch military forces from Iraq to Afghanistant… and I mean entirely.

Know the facts   July 15th, 2008 1:49 pm ET

Senator McCain talks frequently about his support for the surge, but if he had the judgment to oppose this misguided war from the start, there never would have been any need for a surge.

bridgette   July 15th, 2008 1:49 pm ET

Everyone is interested in Iraq and Afghanistan. If you are an American citizen you should be interested in it. You can fault him if he wasn't in the Senate at the time too sit in on those hearings. But did it really matter. Those two people at the head of this administration had this plan before they ever stepped foot into that office. They were going to have this war regardless of what anyone said.

Chris from NY   July 15th, 2008 1:49 pm ET

Really,

As a citizen of this country you are entitled to run for the president of United States. It doesn't mean you will be lecetd. It doesn't mean people or any one for that matter will share your vision. If you don't know how to give a constructive criticism. Go get a life.

Joe in NJ   July 15th, 2008 1:49 pm ET

Oh, and one other thing. If that idiot Bill Clinton had gotten bin Laden when he had the chance, we would have avoided this whole mess.

Joe in NJ   July 15th, 2008 1:47 pm ET

Let's see. If we had done what Obama said we should have done, instead of invading Iraq we should have focused our efforts on Afghanistan and Pakistan and also spent billions on looking into alternative energy. Translation: we'd still be a trillion dollars in debt and nutcase Saddam Hussein would still be in power.

Now, Obama says if he is president he will focus our efforts on Afghanistan and Pakistan. I guess he'll achieve this by the money he'll raise by taxing the rich. We'll still have a trillion dollar debt though. And yes, he'll pull our troops from Iraq but just send them next door instead of bringing them home.

Mike, Syracuse NY   July 15th, 2008 1:47 pm ET

I'm sick of this 'judgment' argument. Obama made one speech in 2003 about the war, and now he claims superior judgment. Meanwhile he's flipped on everything under the sun. So was his judgment on FISA wrong before, or now? How about the Mexican fence he voted for before, and now speaks against? Or NAFTA? Obama's 'judgment' seems to be to take whatever position polls better. His argument as a 'leader' would be a lot more impressive if he'd ever led anything in his life. This guy is so totally, completely unqualified to be President that it's sickening he polls above single digits.

Deb, Allentown, PA   July 15th, 2008 1:44 pm ET

Jon, Pittsburgh, PA - You lose confidence in BO every day??

Funny, I gain more and more confidence and feel better about my choice every single day.

In fact, I'm going to call my local campaign office right after I post this and sign up to volunteer.

Michael Lorton, Virginia   July 15th, 2008 1:43 pm ET

One believes this, the other believe that, the strategy is; the answer is……makes a person want to vomit. What American is [solutions] that are effective and benefit [all] Americans. Reality is that the corporate giants govern this nation, and Congress is their to help support their needs……..they always have and always will…..Now you may say that this statement is not ture; ask yourself a question, when was the last time a poor person offer you a job?

DJ, LA, CA   July 15th, 2008 1:43 pm ET

Worse than a distraction. It's a scam, perpetuated by lies.

Lisa   July 15th, 2008 1:43 pm ET

Let's load up the buses and take this thing to Denver. It's obvious little kids voted for Obama. What do they know they're still learning their ABC's and 123's.

Don Colony14Author, Mt Prospect, IL   July 15th, 2008 1:42 pm ET

First Obama wanted to end the war, now he only wants to move it. How about if we win it instead?

If Obama withdraws troops from Iraq simply to send them to Afghanistan, the terrorists will follow them there - and continue to be funded by Iran and Syria. Frankly, I think it's better to do our terrorist killing from existing Iraq troop bases, so we don't have to waste money moving them. (Or does Obama want to pay Halliburton more logistics fees?)

Our troops have probably killed more than 20,000 Al Qaeda members and terrorists in Iraq. Would it matter had that been done in Afghanistan or Pakistan instead? No, the democrats would simply have said we were wasting time focusing on Afghanistan and Pakistan when we should have been focusing it on Iraq.

I don't care where we kill the bad guys, as long as we keep them off American soil. Any one of the 20,000 terrorists that have been killed in Iraq had the potential to enter the United States and cause another September 11 attack. I'm glad they weren't given the opportunity.

Jeff Long   July 15th, 2008 1:41 pm ET

@Military Man

I agree with you completely.

VB Lincoln Park NJ   July 15th, 2008 1:41 pm ET

Kudos to Senator Obama for telling it like it really is!!

Shame on Senator McWrong.

Military Man   July 15th, 2008 1:40 pm ET

QUOTE:
"People, please do not let these gallup, newsweek and other polls sway you from voting for Barack Obama. The main stream news media is using this tactic to get McBush elected…."

The only thing I don't agree with is how you're suggesting that the media is showing Obama in an unfairly bad light. Quite frankly, it's the exact opposite, and CNN is one of the worst ones out there. Pretty much every media station has been overwhelmingly kind/bias to Obama. America will decide in November. As evident by the last two presidential elections, the only polls that count are the polls that open on election day.

Obama? No thank you.

Jeff Long   July 15th, 2008 1:40 pm ET

You Obama supporters are a trip! How about you tell your messiah to go to Afghanistan first and then decide how to implement his policies. He is going to do nothing but flip flop on you again. He is not fit to be the next president. Why would you start to season your food, before you even taste it first. Obama does not know what he is doing!

Really   July 15th, 2008 1:40 pm ET

I may decide to run for President. I have 5 points. I will change politics.
I will end poverty in the US. I will do this through change.
I will turn our country green. I will change everything.
I will change our dependence on oil through alternate energy sources.
We will lead in the World and all other countries will embrace us. Either your for change or your against it.
The rich and big bad corporate america will get what's coming to them. We will leave them with change in their pockets.

Vote for me. Did you know that I am all about change? All I need now is a good speech writer to put this altogether.

Larry, Hazleton, Pa   July 15th, 2008 1:39 pm ET

Finally, someone who is willing to go get Bin Ladin and his gang - no matter where they hide - it's about time. We wasted 6 years in Irag and for what - "NOTHING" Our troops are hero's but should have not been ordered to do what they are doing - Bush/Cheney should be brought to justice for what they have done. McCain just spews out the same ole B.S. He may in fact be worse than Bush because he should know better - given his history of military service.

Xavier, Saint Louis, MO   July 15th, 2008 1:38 pm ET

Obama is correct! We should have never invaded Iraq. Osama Bin Laden wasn't in Iraq. Oil was and is in Iraq. This Iraq war is about greed. It has nothing to do with "FREEING THE IRAQIS". If America was so concerned about freeing people, then why don't we free the people of China or Cuba? Please that's the LIE Bush told the American people, but I'm not buying it. I didn't buy it then and I'm not buying it now!

Arnie, NY   July 15th, 2008 1:37 pm ET

Does Obama do anything other than "call" for things? What has he done that can be measured?

David Goldman   July 15th, 2008 1:35 pm ET

OBAMA HAS BEEN ON THE MONEY ABOUT IRAQ & AFGHANISTAN.

AND GUARANTEED, WILL DO A BETTER JOB WITH BOTH,

BY BRINGING THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO HELP.

BUT THEN, UNLIKE BUSH & MCBUSH, HE DOES HAVE

A WELL EDUCATED MIND & LANGUAGE SKILLS. GO FIGURE?

Scott, Wichita   July 15th, 2008 1:35 pm ET

You havent been paying attention to either Afghanistan or Iraq for years, Barack

Why the change of heart?

Is it because the Iraq war is finally starting to wind down, and your key anti-Republican statement is vanishing with it?

Trying to keep eveyone's mind off the fact that maybe, just maybe, the surge WORKED?

YOU ARE THE REAL IDIOTS   July 15th, 2008 1:34 pm ET

Some on your that are still chanting Hillary Clinton are BONEHEADS! Hillary Clinton voted for the Iraq war and then tried to be against that war when it was going badly. Obama has said from the beginning of the primaries that the U.S. needs to focus on Afghanistan since Al Qaeda attacked the U.S. Al Qaeda was based in Afghanistan and Pakistan and not IRAQ. If Bush had focused on Al Qaeda and getting BIN LADEN and not Iraq and kissed up to Pakistan, then BIN LADEN may have been captured by now. Only a REAL IDIOT would suggest that we focus on Iraq. I guess the BUSH-McCain policy shows us that they are the REAL IDIOTS are there SUPPORTERS TOO.

aware   July 15th, 2008 1:34 pm ET

Give it up Obama!

You only have judgement to follow. You grabbed Hillary's ideas, you grab McCain's ideas, and now, you even grab President Bush's plans. :(

Obama has been consistently wrong on Iraq and now that the surge has been a success and President Bush is announcing possible troop withdrawals with some reasignment to Afghanistan, Barack does the copy-cat again.

Al Qaeda? How about the Taliban drug lords in Afghanistan.

The presumptive nominee, Barack, is the great pretender, and he will lose!

McCain 08, the only wise choice! :)

Will, NJ   July 15th, 2008 1:33 pm ET

Which is what we should have been doing! Instead we've been following the Bush/McCain strategy of treating our military like an expendable pet.

Matt   July 15th, 2008 1:33 pm ET

Why is Obama saber rattling with Afghanistan?

Why is he such a warmonger?

Why doesn't he realize we can't stop these people from fighting, they've been doing it for centuries.

Obama = Bush

Tejano   July 15th, 2008 1:32 pm ET

Putting Obama in the Oval Office would be like my parents putting the Fox in the Chicken coop. All the Chickens will be gone in minutes.

The New Yorker may be Satire, but their is a reason that Obama and his wife are perceived by the American Public as pictured in the magazine. All you have to do is read his own book and the writings of his wife in College to discern this for yourselves. If that is not enough,
check out their friends… Rev. Wright and Bill Ayers, just the tip of the iceberg.

Nom Deplume   July 15th, 2008 1:32 pm ET

and LESS on my socialist economic agenda!!!

Wisconsin   July 15th, 2008 1:31 pm ET

Re-using the 2004 campaign slogans are we?

No Same problem, war in Iraq

Bush and McCain don't care about what Americans wants or needs.

Really   July 15th, 2008 1:31 pm ET

Its amazing. Now Obama wants to start fighting in Pakistan and he wants to increase the war in Afghanistan. We cant we just leave those people alone. No more Obamaush. No more Obama wars. We need a guy that knows what he is doing. I suppose that if we pull out of Iraq that will give the terrorists a new home once we hike around the mountains in Pakistan.

M.S. Indiana   July 15th, 2008 1:31 pm ET

McCain, if you turn your tv on you will get live news about Iraq, if you buy news papers and read them you will get news about Iraq to too. If you talk and listen to the Iraq government you will understand more… If you talk and listen to the American people you begin to get knowledge…

So McCain what is your excuse for your stance on Iraq ?? The people and the leaders of Iraq do not want us there, your people, the American people do not want us there, the rest of the world do not want us there…

The Iraq government says it need a time table for us Americans leaving their country, so they can secure it and stabilize the region. Us being there just makes life chaos… Gives the terrorist org. candidates to recruit, so they can fight of an evil empire…

What!!!   July 15th, 2008 1:31 pm ET

Now is this the advice of that committee he chairs? What is it again? I am not sure he knows.

Ex-Republican for Obama   July 15th, 2008 1:31 pm ET

It's enlightening to see how many of McCain's supporters are completely misinformed. It's a shame that we have so many uneducated idiots in this country.

Obama is staying the course on his original vote way back in 2002. To suggest he is somehow borrowing this, makes you look like an absolute misinformed fool. Much to Clinton's credit, SHE borrowed it from HIM. Much to McCain's discredit, he has not. He wishes to stay the course and continue to fight a war that has already failed.

Rejoicing about some insurgency working (which it is) is an abstract way of refusing to admit that the whole war is a failure. There are no WMD's in Iraq. We aren't wanted there by their government. So inform me, what is working again? Nothing is working when the war is not supposed to be happening to begin with!

Wake up and smell the coffee, we are in a war that was started for the wrong reasons and the war on terrorism, finding Bin Laden, failed miserably. Get out and admit you were wrong, or continue with a war that is being fought now for the WRONG reasons? I smell a bad stench and it's eminating from the republican party. Eradicate it!

interesting   July 15th, 2008 1:31 pm ET

Isn't the economy weakening, why is he talking about Iraq right now?

Chris from NY   July 15th, 2008 1:30 pm ET

EXPERIENCE IS NO WISDOM. HAVING BEEN TO IRAQ AND AROUND THE WORLD IS NOT A PREREQUISITE TO RUNNING FOR THE PRESIDENT OF UNITED STATES.

King Solomon of the bible had no experience when it came to ruling his people. But he asked God for the wisdom to make a good judgement when ruling the people. God gave him wisdom and he became the wisest and prosperous man that ever lived. All you need to govern the people is knowledge and wisdom. And Obama's got both. Give credit where it's due. The guy is brilliant.

Morningstar   July 15th, 2008 1:30 pm ET

After almost eight years of republicans in the White house where is our country now?

When Bush stole the elections from Al Gore, the gas price was about $1.50, today it is getting closer to $4.5. This 300% increase. Now all of you who have a salary increase of 300% or more, please vote for McCain other wise drop the old man!

Our money is not even accepted in many places in Europe because the dollard has lost it value, our banking system is balking; the morgages are stinking, we are at war where we should not be. Why do we still want a republican in the White house? What will a 72 years old man who love war and think that we are in the 1950s bring to us?

There is no way I can vote McSame!

interesting   July 15th, 2008 1:29 pm ET

Confused again? Please talk to Petraeus and then talk about Iraq. What has it been 900 days since your last visit?

MurphyMorseJohnson   July 15th, 2008 1:29 pm ET

Obama and his advisors are correct.

DianeD, Whitestone, NY   July 15th, 2008 1:27 pm ET

Be careful for what you pray/wish for….you just might get it!

Cheryl   July 15th, 2008 1:27 pm ET

It's simple. If you think the Republicans have done a wonderful job of this war, vote them in again. If you think they've screwed up royally, try someone new.

Bulldog   July 15th, 2008 1:27 pm ET

First McCain said Obama was irresponsible for saying he would attack Al Queida in Pakistan if their was solid intelligence. Since calling Obama 'irresponsilbe' our miliarty has attacked Al Queida 4 times in Pakistan.

McCain calls Obama naive and reckless for wanting to set a timetable to get out of Iraq. The sovereign Iraq government demands we set a timetable.

McCain calls Obama reckless and an appeaser for saying he will sit down with leaders of countries unfriendly to the U.S. 3 months later the U.S. successfully appeases and negoitiates with N. Korea ('axis of evil') and they begin to dismantle their nuclear plants.

Who has the judgement?