Hey Obama quit talking out of the side of your mouth. Talk directly to us. You say one thing, next time you have changed horses in the middle of the stream. Quit using those big words that you learned in Harvard and talk to the people. We are not all politicians and just want the truth. Please give us a straight answer.

Be careful too, Jesse has a sharp knife.

Wanting to bring the troops home ASAP shows his lack of support for them? Please! Stop-lossing and military commitments without defined goals are what's really unpatriotic and insulting to the troops.

Im a military member. Iraq is a touchy subject to me, for this reason I usually do not discuss it. Im hurt every time I hear of one of my brothers/sisters have died in this war but Im more hurt when I think about how there is a good chance that they are dying for no reason… I joined the military because of the benifits for myself my wife and my daughter. I realize it is a serious job and I will do WHATEVER is asked of me, however I feel what we are doing at this time is wrong. Im a "flip-flopper" I guess. After 9/11 I wanted to be the first one over there and I wasn't even active duty yet! Now that I've learned Ive changed my mind

Nobama,
what's fun with you is you never come up yourself with any fact. Beyond the complete absence of knowledge that all your posts reveal, otherwise you would have tried to contradict any point I made, it shows how GOP power is strictly based on people's ignorance. Not this time.

The whole point of the "War On Terror" is to keep the American people fearful. Just as the "War On Drugs" did. As long as we are scared, the government can and will take more of our freedoms.

BOTH DEMS AND REPUBS ARE TAKING OUR FREEDOMS AWAY!
Bush and the Patriot Act and Obama voting FOR FISA!! The list goes on and on. No one is talking about this. Many people say that the eavesdropping without a warrant is fine because they don't talk to "terrorists" overseas. Well, what happens when the definition of "terrorist" is expanded?

We've now lost Habeas Corpus. All of these new laws do not make us safer. They perpetuate the idea that we must have the goverment say what we can and can't do, rather than us telling the government. We don't need a Nanny named Uncle Sam.

Barr '08!! for freedom and individual responsibility!!

His judgement is IMPECCABLE!!!!!!

Obama….We are stategically in place to make Iran think twice about their flaunting international pressure of their nuclear program. They are in a corner thanks to us being in Iraq! You are laughable in your misguided rhetoric.

Ahhhh, it seems we're getting out of the silly season and into the serious season. It's time to bring the boys, (and the girls) HOME.

BARACK OBAMA 08

"Matt, Manchester, CT July 15th, 2008 9:11 am ET

"I want to use all elements of American power to keep us safe, and prosperous, and free." So what does Obama propose he do, specifically, to accomplish this? His supporters get so indignant whenever people ask for specifics, it's really telling of their shallow support and lack or real substance. Let's stop patting ourselves on the back for supporting a black candidate and get down to the details of what he will actually do."

Matt, why don't you be more specific? I think you're under the impression like so many others that he's already the president. Gramm was right. There are alot of whiners. If McCain was Black, who would you vote for? My money's on Barrack.

He's intelligent, he's honest, and he will be my president in January.

Oh, and he's cute as a button.

Someone old enough to be his mother.

Barack 08

Looks like Barack Obama isn't doing as bad as Hillary and her supporters had hoped, wanting everyone to believe that Obama was doomed without dear old Hillary. Well apparently Obama doesn't need her.

"A new Quinnipiac poll shows Obama leading McCain nationally by nine points, 50%-41%. Per a release, “Independent voters split 44%-44%… Sen. McCain has a slight 47%-44% edge among men voters and a larger 49%-42% lead among white voters. But black voters back Sen. Obama 94%-1%, while women support him 55%-36%. Obama leads 63-%-31% percent among voters 18 to 34 years old and 48%-44% among voters 35 to 54, while voters over 55 split with 45% for McCain and 44% for Obama.”

Mike from Syracuse

Put your money where your mouth is and join up please. We need you over there. I'm serious. And tell Cheney and Rumsfield that you want more boots on the ground. It was their idea to outsource the war, and do as much as they can with weapons (defense contractors) instead of infantry (you, if they would have you)

What's more of a distraction is Senator Obama's flip-flopping tactics. Which ever way the wind blows. Almost every day the Senator flip-flops on most issues just to keep voters confused.

Also, the New Yorker's cover depiction is something that's on the minds of a considerable number of voters. Including some black voters. The Reverend Jackson???

Stay tuned!

He sure is right, and I guess 9/11 was a distraction to him as well. Where/what is his plan to fight global terrorism? In the middle east probably.

Obama is dead on here. I just wish he was Hillary or Wesley Clark. Oh well…. I sure hope he gets in. Although I worry he will blow it for the Dems if he performs poorly.

If we had used diplomacy prior to entering this war, this country would have been better off. But, since we have hot heads in office, we are where we are today and we deserve it. WE PUT THESE IDIOTS IN OFFICE. This election is too important for us, we need to do our research, pay attention to what is going on, because any decision we make will follow us for the next 4 years.

Make your pick everybody. Do you want to go to war with Iran or Pakistan?

I have 21 years of service… I've spent a year in Iraq embedded on an Iraqi FOB as an advisor. I've spent an addtional year is other CENTCOM locations. I've lived, worked and fought with the Iraqi people. Most of you have no idea what you are talking about.

Going in is no longer an issue… we are there. Leaving will cause genocide… so if that's what you are comfortable with… so be it. But don't be under any false hope that it will lead to anything else.

For those of you on here who have served… I'm not speaking to you… Your opinion has my respect on this issue.

He's just trying to avoid the New Yorker magazine cover by focusing on Iraq again, which was the main reason people hate Republicans (when Iraq and Mid East have become democracy countries one day, you all the hypocrite haters will see how our sacrifices make us the greatest nation).

Come on Barack, you're too sneaky, but there will be kind of New Yorker magazine and Japanese monkey ad to come, not because of Republicans (like your jihad supporters and darling media do to always blame the Republicans), but because it is the truth, your truth color, senator (inexperienced senator but yet want to lead the country).

Come people lets be real war cost money and if we keep on spending money the way we have we will be where africa is at now . I know alot a people don't understand obama and thinks he is just talkin . but if each one of u people would just sit back and read and research what this man stands for then u might change your opion about him . For the years that I have studied politcs I have learned that the first people to go negative is the main one who would vote some like bush into office twin and now we are on the verge of hitting rock bottom as a country and the same people who voted for bush is at it again . just remember u as a person decided at one time in your life to change the way you are as a person so stop lookin to the left and come to the middle and we might just have a chance to see another election obama 08

We should have got Osama Bin Laden 7 years ago but no we are in Iraq because Bush wanted to finish what his fater never could and that is get Saddam Hussein. Now Saddam is dead and Bin Laden is in Afghanistan Sipping Lattes and watching while while Americans are losing there live in Ira

carol, janey, obama is a disgrace,

maybe it would help if you actually READ the article instead of the headline. CNN is the one who writes the headlines you know.

Many of you should start closing your mouths and open up your minds a little. You might actually learn something.

"This war diminishes our security, our standing in the world, our military, our economy"

Wrong, wrong, wrong and wrong.
Our National security is better, no more attacks here.
Our standing in the world improved, Libya, N Korea disarmed nukes.
Our Military performed outstandingly well.
Our Economy problems are NOT directly coupled to peacekeeping in Iraq.

I'd love to agree with Barrack, but his steady stream of Anti-American rhetoric is wearing awfully thin. The last bit about bolstering our economy by withdrawing troops a completely weird proposal. Just think what the price of oil would be if Iran invaded Iraq after our retreat? Well?

carolflowery…… The severely ignorant right speaking up again in feeble defense of this failed [R] administration and its war effort in Iraq. The shrill backlash is now familiar: anyone who questions them and their policy is unpatriotic and 'hates' the military. The goal is to bury dissent and democratic analysis by the public: a first step in a descent towards totalitarianism.

And while demonizing the current messenger of protest, the right forgets that this war of THEIRS is being led by a hypocritical putz, who didn't have the guts to go fight in a war that he was proselytizing for when he was warm and safe on daddy's college campus. Just as it was then, he and his neo-true-believers now think its just fine to send and sacrifice the sons and daughters of OTHERS to fight in a war that suits their political agenda.

As the messenger of protest in this story suggests: let's get on with the real fight on terror. Apparently the right has no stomach for the real fight.

Iraq is a distraction from the important problems that America is facing.

It would not have been worse if Bush and Cheney had chosen to invade Brazil instead of Iraq. We would still have thousands of dead soldiers being shipped home, except from South America. The world would be no safer from terrorists. The budget would be just a big a disaster. Conservatives would be yelling "Support our boys in Brazil!" and "Our boys in Brazil have not died in vain!"

Oil prices would be a little lower today if we had invaded Brazil, actually, because Saddam Hussein would still be selling oil on the black market and that would exert a downward pressure on oil prices.

The only reason we are still in Iraq is because we invaded Iraq. In short, the purpose of the War in Iraq is to repair the damage done by our invasion of Iraq. Our soldiers there, like the soldiers who died in Viet Nam, have died for no reason.

Janey/MI,
Are you people that stupid? How many times does it need to be said? IRAQ DID NOT ATTACK US ON 9/11!!

president bush is calling us whiners ,now,too.says we dont know anything about economics.jan. 20th cant come soon enough.at least hes not on the ballot.

"This war diminishes our security, our standing in the world, our military, our economy, and the resources that we need to confront the challenges of the 21st century. By any measure, our single-minded and open-ended focus on Iraq is not a sound strategy for keeping America safe"

FINALLY, a politician who actually has a clue about REALITY!!!!

we are NOT safer, we have INCREASED and STRENGTHENED our enemies, our economy is TANKING, our troops need to be HOME with their families, oil is a FINITE resource and needs to be left in the past where it belongs…and we can thank bush/cheney for every single one of these fiascos!!!

bush/cheney are a DISASTER. and january cannot get here soon enough, i want president obama leading MY country, not these greedy, elitist thugs!!!

Eric,

Give me a break! Look at the facts and the context before regurgitating leftist propaganda.

People Your Ignorance is Frighting!
JBH – don't look now but Schools are already teaching our children other languages – duh! In a global world what would suggest? Please return to the stone-age!
And for the millions of Harvard grads before Obama, just maybe learning a second language wasn't a requirement as it is and should be for most universities! Knowledge is Power! Stop being divisive !

Janey/MI,

Obama is absolutely right!
The sole purpose of the Iraq war was for OIL and for Bush to settle his father's score.
Now that oil is almost $150/barrel (compared to $20/barrel when the war started), it's clear that the war was a complete waste of time, money and precious lives (both American and Iraqis).
What we need to do is get out of Iraq and go after the terrorists who attacked us – they are hiding in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Why is this so difficult for some of you nut-jobs to comprehend?

GM IS CUTTING MORE JOB AND AMERICANS CAN'T AFFORD GAS TO GO TO WORK.

BE AWARE PEOPLE WE NEED TO REGAIN OUR COUNTRY.

AMERICAN AGAINST FREE TRADE.

GO OBAMA.

US military policy had been to be able to conduct two regional conflicts simultaneously (eg Afganistan and Iraq). However, Bill Clinton gutted the military to the point that we can only conduct one, and that not without extensive use of the reserves. From 1989 to 1999 US active duty forces were reduced from 2.1 million to 1.4 million people. The Democrats have always been soft on defense, expecting our troops to do more with less. If we had the force structure we need, we could do both Iraq and Afganistan.

The troops can take a little criticism about the war. It's NOT about the troops, it's about the POLICY. God bless our troops and all who have gone before them, defending our freedom, and all who will follow. But remember, they're that key word FREEDOM — as in freedom to dissent, to question, to oppose.
I too think Iraq has been one collossal distraction from the true war on terror. This war was 100% UNNECESSARY. And now it's bankrupting our country, threatening our very economic survival; even more dire, it has cost us precious young men and women. Their families are the ones paying the ultimate price. Their sacrifice can NEVER be repaid. And we honor them. But those deaths didn't have to happen, not in Iraq, to further the fight against terrorism.
Obama has it 100% correct.

It's hard to understand why people keep saying that Obama could have more pull as President and then be able to implement policy…First, the two dem candidates Hillary and Obama are Senators in the majority party, each on powerful committees: Senate Armed Forces and Foreign Relations, respectively.

How, after the Dems promised to pull out of Iraq (to win senate elections), can they keep whining that we can't get out of Iraq? They have the power, but want to blame someone else for it not getting done. If they can't do it as Senators, why would one do it as President. They are just pandering to emotion to get elected.

Vote for real freedom and change….Barr '08!!

Bravo, Olivia!

Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah…………………………………………………………………………………blah blah blah blah……………………..

One thing I notice is that Senator McCain is always happy to travel overseas to check on the war and other countries. This speaks to his life long military background. He's a permanent soldier. So it's easy for him to say that Senator Obama shouldn't have an opinion on the war until he goes on a "Fact Finding Mission."

The problem with that logic is that Reagan wasn't a military man, neither was Bill Clinton or George W. Bush. Maybe Bush should have gone on a few more fact finding missions and listened to some real intelligence (instead of fabricated intelligence.) before sending our children into Iraq.

Bottom line is who ever becomes the next President will have to make sound decisions with or without military experience. Reagan did it and so did Clinton. As for GW, well…..

jan,you are aliar!al-qaeda was not in iraq ,until we invaded ,based on more lies,that you and yours perpetuate.

So, Obama is making a "major" speech concerning Iraq and Afghanistan BEFORE actually going on the fact-finding mission? So then what is the point of the fact-finding?

Also, if Obama believes Afghanistan to be the real threat, why has he not convened a single meeting as chair of the subcommittee that can actually do something about NATO forces in Afghanistan?

To Janey in Michigan: IRAQ HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH 9/11. Please stop pretending there is a correlation betwen the two. And Senator Obama has thanked us plenty by supporting legistlation such as the new GI Bill (which both Bush and McCain opposed). Tell me, who REALLY supports our veterans?

Jan – I love the comment about how "Osama's terrorists were in Iraq until we chased them out." Are you THAT delusional??? Al Qaeda in Iraq did not exist until sometime around 2005. THEY WEREN'T THERE BEFORE WE SHOWED UP.

DWE5050 is absolutely correct. Though I cannot give specific numbers, suffice it to say that large numbers of soldiers who have either served in Iraq or are there now are Obama supporters. I still serve in the military and the number of those who have declared they are voting for Obama grows every day.

But what do I know? I guess since I support Obama I must not be a patriotic; never mind that I've worn the uniform of this Nation for the last 14 years…

NotFallingInLine.org,

So our answer is to vote in John McCain who has stayed less time at the job and voted on fewer bills than any other senator, Even a senator who has been out for almost ten months due medical illness?

You are an idiot who tries to look smart!

The government of Iraq is demanding a timetable for U.S. troop withdrawal. What are we going to do, refuse? The Iraqi prime minister is calling for that because his rival Al-Sadr is demanding a popular referundum on a U.S. withdrawal. That referendum would win by over 70%. Are we supposed to ignore that?
I think that many nationalist groups in Iraq are now reducing their attacks on our soldiers because they think that the Iraqi government might succeed in standing on their own two legs without the American troops.
This is a window of opportunity, where we can have real victory for democracy and self-determination, isolate the Al Qaeda types from the Iraqis, and bring our troops safely home.

Iraq is distracting because things are starting to turn around in that regain… and afterall only doom-and-gloom issues can ensure an Obama victory in November

It is painful for the intelligence to still read comment defending the war in Iraq. Beyond the fact that Iraq was no real threat, that the war was badly managed and is responsible for big deficit, that it gave Iran more influence to the whole region, that war diverted us to really go after real threats, including Afghanistan. It is quite scary that the average american, and I include Mccain, has no clue about foreign affairs and other cultures. Let's not forget Mccain still does not make the difference between Shia and Sunni. We can not afford four more years of GOP politics. The economy, our security and our reputation in the world would not survive such a disaster.

John,

THANK YOU for your service!! We all owe you a debt of gratitude.

Pray tell, what is his plan for Irag? First is he going to start wthdrawing troops as soon as he take office or is he going to consult with the joint chiefs of staff and the officers in the field. He has been on both sides of these questions. We know he is a serial flip flopper and how can we be sure of anything he says. He has 'flipped on the war, abortion, trade,guns, FISA and on and on and on.

There are more soldiers who are with Obama then mccain. I know this becuase I am one of them, bush, cheny, hannaty, oreily, limpbau,
coltergiest, and malkin are all cowards they talk tough but like dick cheny would rather get diferments instead of fighting the fight they got us into, dick cheny got 5 diferments during the veitnam war, and bush joined the national guard like the cowards that they are……. This war is and will forever be know as an absolute disaster.

BARACK THE VOTE!!!!!!!!

BARACK / SEBELIUS 08

That’s why the second goal of my new strategy will be taking the fight to al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan.,” says Obama.

From his own words, Obama wants to go to war with Pakistan. What happened to all the anti-war people? Why are you not singing the blues about this? I know, you can't because you fallow Obama to the end of the earth and he can do no wrong.

If McCain said that you all would be out in force saying Mcwar doesn't care about the troops. Well now it is my turn to say Owarmonger doesn't care what happens to our troops, he is putting his presidency above the lives of the sons of America. I believe that is what you would be saying If McCain said he wanted to go into Pakistan. Isn't it , tell the truth.

PUT THIS THOUGHT THROUGH THE GRIST MILL….

Bush isn't done yet. He's liable to launch on somebody at the eleventh hour just to prove what a big, tough, smart guy he is.

Then talk about distracted!!!

Everything about the Bush Administration evolves around a carefully crafted network of distractions so they can get their agenda done while everybody is focused elsewhere!

And to those who think Iraq was a threat in the first place, go back and read the published reports by the Mossad where they laid out Iraq as a blowhard, eunoch nation of no substance, because if Iraq had had the WMD's, Israel would have handled it in the same fashion they handled Iraq's nuclear power plant when it went on line – they destroyed it, immediately!!!

Right now we need real leadership, and that starts at the round table of peaceful discussion with a firm hand. The people's of lower Asia, the Moslem-dominated regions, do not want Western interference or presence on their soil, and they have made that clear. The British, at the height of their power, found this out and had to withdraw. Now is the time to stabilize that part of the world and allow them to settle their internal differences just like our country had to do after the Revolutionary War and the Civil War, and we did it with no outside interference!

And keep in mind, if that part does become a bonafide threat, we have the capability of "solving that problem" with any of the weaponry at our disposal, if that becomes the last resort.

We need to stay in Iraq for as long as it takes to defeat the Iranian Al Quada terrorists. We should not get distracted by going after Bin Laden and the Taliban. As a true war hero, John McCain is automatically qualified to be President and understands the long term commitment needed to win in Iraq.

Stay the Course!
McCain 08

As an Iraq veteran I agree 100% with Senator Obama. I get enraged whenever I hear people invoke 9/11 and Iraq in the same sentence. These are the same people who freak out about the rise of Iran; and yet they seem to forget that Iran rose to power because of us. As much as we hated Saddam, he kept Iran in check.

Of course once I point out that Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11 people respond with how evil Saddam was and that he had to go. Granted, he was a bad man, but yet you don't see us invading Darfur or Burma either. How many people are dying over there because of evil dictators?

Senator Obama is 100% correct in that the War on Terror is not in Iraq. We are fighting thugs and militias over there, but yet we are not doing a thing that will bring those to justice who were actually responsible for 9/11. Granted no plan for withdrawal from Iraq is going to be a good one, but then again neither is "staying the course." In Iraq you have bad solutions and worse solutions. Obama's call for withdrawing is a bad solution, but McCain's call for us to stay is worse.

VETERANS FOR OBAMA!

TO CAROLFLOWERY:

This soldier's family does not find anything offensive about what Senator Obama is saying. My nephew and daughter will be in Iraq this week and my son in Kuwait. what I do find offensive is you and ignorance.

They are going to do their work but we all know is that their work is rooted in lies. The warmongers that currently take up space in the whitehouse are war criminals. They have sent and are continuing to send our US troops on missions that they have deceived and flat-out lied to the American public about.

Yes, our troops are brave and good, but they are not dumb. They follow politics and knows that they have a mission to do, regardless of the idiot that commands them. Have you served in the military? Well please, do us a favor and try not to show your ignorance, ok?

From Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama:

'I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction.'

Do you realize how much American wealth has been lost promoting this pointless war in Iraq? I can't believe anyone with half a brain would want to go on with it for another 100 years.

President Obama will find a way to exit Iraq with dignity, respect, peace and victory.

OBAMA '08!!!

Obama's comments are not disrespectful toward those that are serving…they are MORE respectful than those that have promoted this war and what have we gained for it?

If I had a child serving, I would be very angry…but very supportive of him/her and ….thankful to those that are serving….but want their service to be MORE respected!

I watched "The Selling of Iraq" last night….I would suggest more people watch this movie which I think will answer some questions as to who really benefit from the US at war at the expense of our honored soldiers serving and losing their lives. Very eye-opening and disheartening if true..

Mr. Obama, I don't trust anything that comes out of your mouth. One day you say this and tomorrow you say that.

McCain will win.

Bravo….God help this country if this man does not become the next President of the USA. Just look at where we are right now vs. 2000. George Bush and the neo-cons have single handedly destroyed this country.

Like another poster wrote above, why have you not convened your committee which has jurisdication over that area in Afghanistan? Yes, that's right, you've been too busy running a campaign to worry about Afghanistan until now when the rhetoric benefits you, but your actions haven't. I ask of you to stop talking and tell us what you have done already in your brief time in the Senate – like running on hating the war but voting for evey funding and Iraq war bill going rather than voting against them. Talk is cheap – your actions or lack of, speak volumes! What it says to me is you vote on what you think is best for your own political career and nothing more. Purely self interest!

The frustrating thing to me about all of this is that it appears that Sen. Obama and many of the Democratic leaders in the Congress do not accept the fact that WE ARE IN IRAQ and we need to deal with that fact. It is not a "distraction", it is a reality. The Dems keep harping back to "..we should have never gotten here…", as if they want to go back five years and start all over. We can't, so let's figure out what is best considering where we are and what is happening in the Middle East — look at the entire area, not just Iraq or Afghanistan or Pakistan singly. For one, there has been a significant shift in the internal affairs and actions of the Pakistani leadership, which has significantly contributed to the increased activity in Afghanistan.

Do you think our success in Iraq has driven the bad guys to seek new territory to exploit? I do. Do you think our Congressional leadeship's continued talk about failure and withdrawal and the success of Sen. Obama's campaign — based on ending the war and immediate withdrawal — has emboldened the bad guys? I do.

Now, if I were them, what would I do? I'd seek a safe haven, like undeveloped Pakistan, attack the lesser forces in Afghanistan for training, and await the outcome of the United States' presidential election and then decide what my next strategy is.

So why are the Democrats showing the rest of the poker players their hold cards while the betting is still occurring? Because, in my humble opinion, success in Iraq will prove them wrong and their actions since the war began will have been shown to be arrogant, their judgement will be shown to be poor, and they don't like crow.

Surprise!

NAACP endorsed Obama!

Where is Osama? You remember him, the guy who planned 911.
Saddam is dead, but Bin Laden is still free.

It's about time!

Thiss is a very good approach. Gets my nod because it goes against the grain of what the Bush/McCain has tried and is obviously failing. I am prepared to give it a try.

When this war is over whats the pay back going to be a post dated check

Question I would like to know. If barack hussin obama wants our children to learn spanish in our wonderful country and he doesn't speak the language. Then what language(besides English) can he speak, read, or write that would then give him the oppurtuntity to be accepted in Harvard Law school? I do know that to be accepted in any major college you have to have at least two years of any language beside English.

JBH

Blah, Blah, Blah….Obama is big talk. He is a light-weight and does not have the qualifications for President…EXPERIENCE.

He would be a great debate professor at a liberal University, but not a President of the Greatest Country in the world.

This is not time for amateures…the Presidency isn't like a Union apprenticeship; it's not on the job training.

He may have been a good Community Organizer in the South side of Chicago, but is not Presidential material.

The war in Iraq started 5 years ago, those were different times; and that situation, had to be dealt with, then. This is a "new" day, with different threats, but "our" enemies are still "out there", with the same goal……………………………." to kill, us!". What's different , now!

I THINK THAT AMERICA SHOULD FOCUS MORE ON ITS OWN INTERNAL PROBLEMS. GENERAL MOTORS IS CUTTING JOBS AGAIN. THIS SHOULD BE A CONCERN TO ANYONE WHO LOVES THIS COUNTRY.
WHY ARE WE USING FOREIGN CARS MORE THAN AOUR OWN CARS?
WHY ARE WE SHIPPING OUR JOB OVERSEAS?
WHY CAN'T WE COMPETE AGAINST ASIAN AND EUROPEANS?
THESE SHOULD BE THE QUESTIONS THAT AMERICANS NEED TO ASK TO THEMSELVES. OUR COUNTRY IS GOING DOWNWARD AT A VERY FAST SPEED.

AMERICAN AGAINST FREE TRADE AND WAR

GO BARACK HUISSEIN OBAMA 08 AND 12

This war did not show the real threat from the middle east. There would not be 9/11if the Bush adminstration did not sit in a school reading a children book while terrorist attacked our country. If the leaders of the United States of American would have chosen more of diverse energy policies instead of pading the pockets of the big oil industry, and decimating the lands, and interfering in the lives of the people of the middle east like everythings else that you touch, we would not be in this current situation. Don't blame Barrack Obama for the failings of the Bush, and the Republicans because they got in there. Someone needs to get us out. There is no way that you can pin this on Obama.

Is is a shame because some people will object even in the end for party favor against the best interest of this country.

CNN has not posted this for two days now, but it does relate to this article. Read Vincent Bugliosi's "The Prosecution of George W Bush for Murder" and tell me that Bush had anything other than distraction and cash for his buddies…the man should be impeached, and CNN should be covering that! Bet this will never be posted by the status quo loving CNN.

NotFallingInLine.org,

Do you really believe those comments you made? Or is it that you think others will believe you. Obama has done and is doing what he is elected to do. He is not he first U.S. Senator that ran for president while he was still serving and won't be the last. In that case, Clinton nor McCain was doing what they were elected to do.

Hate has really blinded many people to the point that when the man tells the truth, it is still negative comments about him. This is a sad day in America.

Obama 08

Reading the dissenting comments I gather Four things
1. An ill-informed electorate. (read info from other websites other cnn)

2. Please show me where anyone of the 9/11 terrorist highjackers were from Iraq. Show me where we've found WMD (the reason to attack a sovereign nation). Meanwhile the Al-Q and Taliban (9/11 conspirators) forces have hidden in the mountainous regions of Afghanistan bordering Pakistan. When we had Pakistani Prez Musharef in our corner we did nothing.

3. Bush & Co. where enablers of the Taliban & OBL

4. I know most of you won't do any research but yet you'll continue to type divisive words on a blog, rather than truly understanding the issues.

So why should Latino, Black, Asian, Gay, whomever trust the McCain /GOP? When you spit your divisive & bigoted rhetoric at one group/individual we know it's only a matter of time before you turn on another group! Think!

Yeah,

Iraq is a distraction because we should have never been over there in the first place. Afganistan is the ones who attacked us and Bin Laden!! They hunted Saddam Hussein down like a dog and continue to let Bin Laden go. Our intelligence is not that dumb, they found Saddam!!

Does Barack Obama really think the American people are stupid enough to believe that, if we believe in him and elect him president, he'd be able to solve our problems in Iraq in less time than he has been the chairman of the U.S. Senate’s subcommittee on European Affairs, the subcommittee that has jurisdiction over NATO and the efforts against Osama and the Taliban in Afghanistan, which he has supposedly chaired since January 2007?

He could have been doing something about enhancing our security and dismantling terrorist organizations around the world with his power as a U.S. Senator for the last 18 months, but has done nothing other than give us his own style of deceptive flip-flop politlics and empty promises.

Please.

Knoxville NFIL

The debt from Iraq is nowhere near 1 trillion dollars. If we are going to be concerned about national debt, let's be concerned about our purchase of foreign oil. We spend 5 times more money on oil than we do on Iraq. And the Iraq war debt partially goes to American companies, while the oil debt goes directly to foreign governments. It's time to address the energy solutions we have at home and to uncouple the limitations on energy providers to access resources right here in America. America needs clean renewable energy, but it needs access to fossil fuels while we develop the infrastructure to move past them. We cannot return to the stoneage if we are to advance to an eco-friendly era of conservation.

LETS ADDRESS THE REAL PROBLEMS IN AMERICA, NOT JUST THE ONES THAT MAKE GOOD SPEECHES.

Obama's point is correct in that we are in Iraq as a result of bad strategy to begin with. McCain's response about making strategic recommendations without understanding the ground issues is wrong. That was the problem with Iraq in the first place.

One must know his intent prior to taking action and then one plans actions to achieve the intended outcomes. That was not done in Iraq.

"Sen. McCain said _ just months ago _ that Afghanistan is not in trouble because of our diversion to Iraq. I could not disagree more. Our troops and our NATO allies are performing heroically in Afghanistan, but I have argued for years that we lack the resources to finish the job because of our commitment to Iraq," Obama said.

While McSame has accused Obama of favoring surrender in Iraq by outlining a troop withdrawal timetable, McCain told reporters on Monday, "I think we need to do whatever is necessary (in Afghanistan) and that could entail more troops." (You see? Why wait until things turn haywire before you take action – because you lack good judgement like Obama!!!)

The man is dangerous. Plain and simple. I pray for the troops and what this man will put them thru. Don't trust him.

Leave the politics out of this and us just common sense. We entered this war in response to 9/11. We waged a war on a country that had nothing to do with 9/11. For that reason alone this was wrong. The war that we should have waged took a back seat to the President's own agenda to control more oil. If we do not want those 3000 americans lives lost on 9/11 to be for nothing we have to get those who did harm to them. Right now we do not have enough troops or money to wage both wars.

By using common sense we can only EFFECTIVELY fight one war at a time. We have to stop fighing a war that should have never happened and somehow ralley the country to win the war in Afghanistan. Whether you ae a Dem. or a Rep. you have to agree with that. The Iraq's want us out and we have a war we have to win elsewhere.

Get our troops out of Iraq and, if you have to, send them where they should have been sent in the first place – Afghanistan.

You have the judgment to make the right call and we trust you to be our next leader.

Let the haters hate and the naysayers say "nay" but in the end you are Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."

God already knows your future, you are merely walking it out and those of us who know the word of the Lord can see Jeremiah 29:11 manifesting in you. Let Messy Jesse say what he will and let the GOP do what they will and the New Yorker draw what they will; however, the word of the Lord spoken before the foundation of the Earth regarding your life is what will stand in the end.

God Bless You Sen. Obama

Iraq has been a distract from the beginning. It distracted us from Afghanistan, the Economy, Mortgage crisis, National Debt, No Congress and the Bush Mafia & Friends tell us to Shove It.

With all due respect Carol, I don't see how Obama's analysis of the war can be construed as an attack on the military and their families. He simply realizes that our single-minded focus on the war in Iraq is causing the situation in Afghanistan and other places to deteriorate. And the job soldiers "were hired to do" is whatever their commanding officers tell them to do. So if the next president feels that they better serve our country somewhere else, that is where they will go.

If you read the statements made by both Obama and McCain, a difference is apparent. Obama has goals. Ideas for making us a safer nation. To end this war with Iraq, to defeat the terrorists, to make friends with other countries again. I agree with him and maybe he doesn't exactly know how we aregoing to achieve these things, but it's a better start than John McCain whose only goal is to attack Obama about not going to Iraq yet.

Obama '08

Wow now CNN has started to parce a couple of words out of Obama's speeches before he even delivers them. I know there are some folks at CNN with connections to McCain but you should at least try to look impartial. By the way isnt it funny how Obama continues to always be right before others come to that conclusion such as the growing threat in Afghanistan. No mention about the new poll….You spent a week going over the bogus newsweek poll.

he's so right.iraq has been a debacle,based on lies,at the cost of so many lives.bush should go on trial alongside the leader of sudan,for causing approximately the same number of deaths.while not genocide,it is an awful lot of dead people he is responsible for.

Blah, blah, blah. Easy to say but how do you plan to do all this? Empty rhetoric, empty words. Empty suit. You will do and say anything to get the office, but NOT WITH MY HELP. It would be a disastet. I pray the idiots who support you wake up in time.

MORONS:
WE ARE NOT SAFE AND EVERYONE KNOW THIS
WAKE UP AMERICA
IT IS TIME TO GET OUT OF IRAQ
BARACK THE VOTE !!!

It's better to start somewhere with a little hope than to stay at the bottom of the pole looking up. We have become a country of nay sayers, no one in their right mind wants to be involved with us. America we need help we are so aligned with hate and haters that the anti christ is laughing all the way to the bank and his aides are lapping at our heels.

McCain, the one that's supposed to be more knowledgeble about world events just talked about Checkoslovakia recently, which hasn't been a country since January 1, 1993. It split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Obama is the one that should lead this country, not McCain. McCain should retire.

He isn't against a secure country, and he's not against our troops. If you look at what he says, he says he wants to make sure our troops are not stretched to thin. He says he wants troops to be where they will be most effective and successful. He says that when they come home, they come home as heroes, who are taken care of. How are any of those things offensive to soldiers?

I don't understand those who say Obama doesn't give details. I could explain to you, in detail, his plans for the economy, environment, national security. He says them all the time, in detail. I just think some people don't listen or choose not to hear those aspects.

Obama IS the dangerous threat facing our country.

So far, Mr. Obama has been right on Iraq, right on Iran, right on Afghanistan, right on Pakistan, right on Syria. So far, Grampy has been confused about Sunni and Shia, confused about Czechoslovakia still being a country, wrong about Al Qaeda in Iraq, wrong about Afghanistan, vague if at all aware of Pakistan and Syria.

re: Griff

Couldn't we keep America on it's toes for less than 4000 lives and 1 trillion dollars in debt?
For instance, we could go after the real Al-Queda threat instead of one we created. Or we could shore up our port security.

Um Carol,

My Dad is in Iraq AND BOTH OF US AGREE WITH OBAMA!!!!!

So then why is Candidate Obama going to Iraq?

He needs to visit Afghanistan, where the REAL war on terrorism should be being fought.

Listen to Obama!!! He has been RIGHT on everything he has said!!! He has forsight and great judgement!!! He says sometimes he is an imperfect messenger. People listen to this man!!! He has common sense, education, youth and NO OLD EXPERIENCE!!!!

Obama in a landslide.

Terrorism does have a way of distracting us and the rest of the world. While the war in Iraq may have been mishandled, it very well may serve as a step in defeating the forces of evil. There were those who unsuccessfully attempted to negotiate with the Nazis, but there occasionally arise enemies who are hell-bent on destruction and no amount of diplomacy will deter them. This is when resolute strength is needed.

Americans for McCain '08

Its been a distraction since Dubya started beating the war drums. Its sad that so many have lost lives so that the Bush Administration could line the pockets of Haliburton, KBR, Blackwater, etc.

Obama is 100% correct here. For all his so called experiance, I wish McCain understood that.

There are so many issues facing our great nation, that it is important as voters that we understand where both candidates stand on the issues and not get distracted by crazy talk. Both candidates have very comprehensive layouts on their websites. It our duties as Amercican voters to read and listen to both.

That's my next president. I love it.

Obama 08

Distract us? Irregardless of whether or not we created this problem, it is now a huge problem, not a distraction. Iraq will easily spawn huge long and short term complications if not handled properly. It isn't a mere annoyance, its a real issue. He can't just brush off its significance like that. Obama's lack of experience and expertise really scares me.

Obama is talking about supporting our troops by creating a logical plan and then people like "carolflowery" try to throw it back in his face by saying he is turning his back on the troops.

What world are you living in carol?? Do you think it is logical to support our troops by putting them in harms way for a misguided war.

By the way, you say "finishing their work" but NO ONE has ever given me a clear indication of what "finishing their work" or "winning this war" even means.

The "War on Terror" is the same as the "War on Drugs". They can never be won. You can't win a war against an ideology. Until Americans understand that, we will be stuck wasting billions of our tax dollars and making our country more financially insecure.

i know that limbaugh, and hannity, and bush, and mcbush will tell you that when obama taked office america will be in grave danger. but really, how much safer are you now, than before 9/11? your president wanted to sell ports to a country that harbors terrorists. this administration had an illegal bidding process that allowed haliburton to take control the oil fields in iraq. this admistration lied about wmd's, still looking i guess!! bin laden, the master mind behind 9/11, was allowed to get into pakistan. and your president said that we would follow him into any country that harbors terrorists, another lie. iraq was a smoke screen that put the american soldier into harms way for personel profit. and the al-queda network is just as strong if not strong than they were before 9/11. this war was supposed to be about getting back at the terrorists that struck on 9/11, but we now know that was a slight of hand trick to make us look the other way. the admistrations campaign strategy was to scare the american people into voting for the most corrupt president in history for the second time. no one is saying the american soldier is blame for what is going on in iraq, or afganistan. the point is completely being missed by people who want to listen to limbaugh, and hannity, and o'reilly, who would tell you that a democrat will get you killed. and unfortunately, the small minded people who listen to these people will believe them. the nazi's had no choice but to believe thier government, if not the were killed. but in this day of making up your own mind, and getting your own information, we still get ours from the propaganda machine of the republican party.

Republicans dont want to capture Bin Laden,hes been their ace in the hole.

Obama's referring to Iraq as a 'distraction' once again illustrates his awful lack of experience in foreign affairs. This guy is amazingly impressed with himself and dangerously ignorant of what's going on in the world.

Instead of pontificating proudly, he could explain to those 27 Iraqis murdered by Al Quaeda yesterday, and the thousands of others killed and maimed in the past, why their defense and wellbeing is a distraction. What's REALLY important to Mr. Obama? Getting elected?

I find it so interesting that some say Sen. Obama is "just speeches". First, this is the election season. He's not president, so what presidential action can he take? Second, his speeches outline issues and decisive plans for resolution. So really the "just speeches" comments are just rhetoric from opponents with no real basis.

Also interesting, is that Sen. Obama as drawn much focus back on the forgotten war in Afghanistan. That is where the terrorists are and it was he, not Sen. McCain or Pres. Bush, that drummed home that point again and again and finally people are listening!

He is well-informed and has the skill for cutting through the smoke and identifying the real problem. He also is not afraid to tell us the truth about what the resolution will involve. He's a leader!

I am so hopefull, I pray that he means what he says. We need our America back, I love America, but we are not what we used to be. I'm embarrased of what we have become. I really feel if he reallly believes in what he is saying we could be so great again.

ANOTHER "major speech"??

Get over yourself already Obama.

During his trip to Palestine, does he plan to re-deliver the sermon on the mount? That Jesus dude, didn't do a vey good job first time around.

Exactly!!! Why are we in Iraq, when bin Laden is in Afghanistan? I'll tell you why:

Because "Saddam tried to kill my daddy" © Dubya

What a colossal waste. We should be going after the people that actually attacked us, not settling old scores.

Yap, yap, yap!

All you do is talk! How about SPECIFIC and REALISTIC plans?

Do you ever actually DO anything other than give speeches and
run from one official title to the next without doing anything REAL?!

Sir, you are an amateur!

Folks, read the article in New Yorker even if you don't like the cover.
It's an eye-opener!

TESTIFY My friend. The war is a major distraction. Lets bring back our standing in the world and be proud.

If you really think that Iraq distracts us, just nuke it.

We can cover every square mile of the planet in radioactive fire 5 times over.

If we don't have a "distraction" like Iraq, our military will atrophy, and be completely useless when the next conflict arises

OBAMA SPEAKS THE TRUTH! HE IS WILLING TO SAY WHAT 99% OF AMERICANS ARE THINKING! END THIS WAR AND FIGHT THE REAL ONE IN AFGHANISTAN!

9 AMERICANS KILLED THIS WEEK IN AFGHANISTAN BUT WE ARE SPENDING TRILLIONS IN IRAQ…???

translation: "I have no idea how foreign policy works so let's please stop talking about it."

I think the war is dragging down our economy and we sould soon seek a way to come out it and reestablish ourselves as a world leader in everyway.

notfallinline.org sounds like that bitter knoxville guy that used to comment on here. I bet he's a puma-tard. And he still sounds bitter.

Such wisdom.

Barack Obama is wise beyond his years……his presidency will change America and the world. Obama2008

Dear carolflowery

Which part of his speech should the brave men and women of the armed forces find offensive ? And how does getting out of Iraq make America insecure ? A failed economy sure does. And you can thank Dubya for that.

Thank You Senator Obama…you are on point with this one. The conflict in Iraq was a mistake from the word go. If the people of iraq wanted democracy that bad they would be marching and dying for it themseleves a long time ago. As easily as the are killing are brave men and women with rsb's they could have got Saddam. Like Obama, i was againist going to iraq. Why the heck would you attack a country that was no threat to you no means what so ever?

Just say the word Almighty Barry – and all the world problems will be healed!! Perhaps Barry is the Distraction?

In all due respect sir, dont you realize there are soldier's families that are laying their lives on the line that probably find your words very offensive no matter what you or others might think. By the way, they are doing their job they were hired to do. They are finishing their work.
Unlike you who has never completed anything but a couple of books and speeches, oh yeah, and graduating from our most prestigious law schools. You couldnt have done this without a secure country.

carolflowery….beautifully said!!

Tony — PUT UP OR SHUT UP!
Typical politcal rhetoric. All politicians talk, lie. Don't tell us, show us

WHAT WOULD YOU DO???

how many of our sons and daughters have to die in Iraq while McCain, Bush and Chaney ignore the real enemy in Afgan? since Bush has been in office our "value" has decreesed by $1,000,000.00
the oil companies stand to make Billions in profit in Iraq-you do the math.
dumpmccain.com

Just a trip back in time?! The good old days!
After my 3rd infantry vacation trip to Iraq (Gulf war One). We had that country under control. Saddam only control a small part of the country, but large enough to keep Iran afraid to do anything.

Afgans were running to the hills because 10th Mountain, The 82nd and SF was crushing them! UNTIL THEY WAS TOLD TO REPORT TO IRAQ!!!!!

NOW WE GOT TO GO BACK AND START ALL OVER AGAIN?
IRAQ WAS NOT THE CENTER OF TERROR-AFGAN WAS!
LET DO IT RIGTH THIS TIME! THEY GAVE US 9/11!

Why is everyone making such a big fuss over the cover of the New
York Magazine? They are showing the truth, Oboma needs to get
used to the truth being printed.

Another Major speech from Obama..blah, blah, blah, yakkitty schmakkity, yadda , yadda…. How many speeches is this now about 200 ?
This guy is full of hot air and loves to hear himself talk. If he is elected President, prepare for the "Dark Ages" ( no pun intended)

Obama is right again. Iraq was never a threat and is not one now except in the eyes of the republicans. The true threat is the taliban and al Qaeda in Afghanistan.

This man is dangerous! Sure, we all would like to end the war in Iraq, and everywhere else. Do you people really think we can just say – whoops, that's it, we're going home".? Come on, climb back down out of the NOBAMA cloud and join in reality. And, fools who think that one partial black man can do all of this all by his little ol self, better think again!

And proceeding with recless abandon as you are proposing Mr. Obama is shear lunacy!!!!!!!!!!

Ok what do you people want….You say you want details about his Iraq plan, the minute he does people come out and explain, people complain that he shouldn't give specific details about his plan. Common sense is going to tell you that he can't give out very specific details to the public. John McCain on the other hand hasn't said anything beyond I was right about the surge. Ok, well what's next? (crickets chirping…). We can not sustain the war in Iraq look at our economy job losses, bank failures, wall street crashing, high gas prices. I mean come on. I shudder to think about what this country would look like if we 4 more years of these ridiculous policies. His own supporters can't even say what he would do different than Bush, when asked the question they draw a blank. They don't know where McCain stands b/c he has flip flopped 61 times this election.

Why is it a "major speech" everytime he talks?

VotePact

** Nader/Gonzalez 2008 **

Obama has no idea what he is talking about…..We are not in a time that we need a democrat as a President. Seriously, look how bad things were when we had our last democratic president Clinton.

As a nation we were attacked 5 times while he sat back and did nothing. I dont agree with Bush going into Iraq however that created a place for the military to fight Al Qaeda to which they are doing a fine job.

Clinton on the other hand we just kept getting sucker punched by Al Qaeda and the democrats seemed to be fine with it.

Lesson learned now is not the time to roll over

If we don't stop extending our troops all around the world in nation-building missions, then we're going to have a serious problem." — George W. Bush, Jan. 2001. Before the war, White House economic adviser Lawrence Lindsay estimated the cost at $100 to $200 billion. So the White House got rid of him and "re-estimated" the cost at $50 to $60 billion. It's now over $500 billion.

Obama sir please bring our troops home and end this war…

blah blah blah, that's what I hear when he talks. How can anyone trust this man's statements. He has abandoned every policy that got him the nomination. He out and out lied about public financing, He betrayed the American people with FISA, he flipped on gun control and faith based initiatives, he let women down with his abortion stance. He sounds more and more like George Bush on the war everyday. He's going to listen to the Generals on the ground, he is now telling us. Isn't that what the Bush administration has been telling us all these years. I'm so glad I didn't support this man, HIllary would have stood by her primary promises, this man is a fraud.

The purpose of the war has changed so many times its not even funny.

At one time it was WMD, we found them and destroyed all of them (Saddam and his sons).

After WMDs were gone Bush took up 27 million Iraqis that he didn’t know what to do with. Iraq sunk to the blink of civil war and Al Qaeda found a new haven in Bushes watch in Iraq.

Then we decided to spread democracy in the Mid-East. I don’t care what rock you just crowed from under. There has never been one success story of spreading democracy with the barrel of a gun.

Sad thing is we are $1 trillion in debt and nothing to show for it.

BREAKING NEWS: GW Bush plans to hold a news conference at 10:20 AM e.s.t. today. He will open with a statement about steps to help stabilize the housing and financial markets and his lifting of the executive ban on offshore oil drilling

Bush did this last minute news conference in an attempt to steal attention away from Obama's Iraq policy speech today at 10:45 am e.s.t. The GOP is playing presidential political games with Bush and McCain, because McCain is suppose to offer a rebuttal to Obama's speech today only a few minutes after he finishes.

Hopefully Bush will deviate from his news conference so that Obama can effectively tie McCain and Bush together on major policies!

The current "administration" dropped the ball on the "War on Terror" when they outsourced the job of getting Osama bin Laden to the drug dealing warlords at Tora Bora who let him go. Iraq should never have happened and was always about the oil…Don't believe it? Ask Ray Hunt!

Carol:
I am quite sure that their families would rather have them home than fighting a never ending war. Their is no victory in Iraq. It is a civil war that has been waged for centuries by religious factions.

The editor of the New Yorker is suffering from a serious case of "being out of touch" and hubris if he does understand why most people find the cover image offensive. The message of fear should have been delivered another way….this is truly a disasterous case of bad judgement.

War cost who's getting Paid:

Nicholas D. Chabraja Chairman and CEO General Dynamics Corp. $17,683,972

Robert J. Stevens Chairman, President and CEO Lockheed Martin Corp. $15,687,137

There salaries is small in comparison to Friends of Vice President Chaney..

While Military Men and Women die on the Battle ground..

He's right.

We're paying for the war – while the Iraq government is handing out their "oil profit" money to their citizens. It's been tough for them, but they need to stand up now and fight for their own country – they have the money and the people.

I agree that the war is taking away resources that could bolster the economy, but Mr. Obama can you please come up with an economic plan that is not pure junk? I seriously question your economic knowledge if your planning to almost double the capital gains tax and create an oil windfall tax. Those are some scary policies. I agree with Obama on the war but I can't support him unless he comes up with better economic plans. McCain's economic plan at this point is significantly better than Obama's and could swing my vote to the red if Obama doesn't smarten up.

Obama is full of crap as usual. The only reason we haven't won in Iraq is because we are not fighting to win and using are full force. We have enough power in two weeks of proper use to put these countrys back a 100 years. Instead we want to build nations and make everybody a democracy on the republican side and the democrats don't want to kill anybody and have human rights. Personally I think we should have never attacked Iraq and left Hussien in charge of these fanatics. The type of leadership he used was approipiate for these nut jobs. History shows you that the people who conquered the world did not try winning their hearts and souls but killed as many as they had to to win and get in control and they let "GOD" sort out the good ones from the bad ones.

I fail to see why saying that Iraq is a distraction would be offensive to soldier's families?!? As a veteran, I would think those soldiers and their families would welcome somebody who understand just has useless this war is, and who plans to resolve the issue. Folks, the most peace loving people I know are military – because when somebody decides to go to war, THEY have to fight it!

So stop the "shame on you" posts while you're safe in front of your computer at home… Iraq IS a distraction and we need to regroup. Most of the ignorant will say that leaving now is surrender – but we lost this war the moment we entered it. America – WAKE UP or you deserve the crud that our politicians keep feed us!

Carolflowery: What are you talking about? The reason why he is adament about making sure that we are focused on the right war, is because we have our sons and daughters in harms way. He wants to make sure that if we are putting them at risk, we are doing so in a smart, and necessary way. He understands that there are soldiers' families who are grieving. So, because he wants to make sure that their grief and mourning is not caused by incompetence of the government, he is being offensive to those families? Surely, there is no way that you can find fault with the fact that he wants to make sure that we are doing only what is absolutely necessary and not keeping our children in the lines of fire just so that our ego will be satisfied.

Dodd? Really? This is a man who thinks Americans are overreacting to the financial crisis, while getting the sweetheart deal on his mortgage. Webb was a good possibility, but if Obama were to pick Dodd, and claim "new politics", i guarantee he will lose even more support than he already is.

Carolflowery, why don't you wake up? I am so sick and tired of the delusional people in this country thinking that somehow keeping our military in danger, we are "supporting the troops." Obama wants to support our troops in the best possible way – by leading them out of harm's way instead of continuing to risk their lives in an unwinnable war. The best way to support the troops would be to give them the resources to succeed; not by extending their stays, not providing them the proper equipment, and keeping them away from their loved ones for months on end. Obama is right that this country should focus on using all of its resources in our foreign policy, instead of solely focusing on military solutions. If we used all our resources, we could better manage the military, could bring our troops home on leave after they've been overseas for a reasonable time period, provide better compensation and benefits, provide better veteran care, etc. If you supported our troops, you would agree that they should not bear the burden alone, rather than just letting them all lay their lives on the line while you sit in the comfort of your home typing away, happy to let them continue fighting a pointless war.

We never should have gone into Iraq in the first place. We need to get out of there as soon as humanly possible, and Mr. Obama is the only candidate who can get us out.

It's amazing how Obama haters give McCain such an easy ride with all of the mistakes he's made and his utter lack of details in his own plan. There isn't a single McCain policy proposal that makes any genuine sense, and yet it's Obama's intelligent ideas that get ridiculously picked apart as though some word-mincing is proving anything. Nothing that McCain has done has made this country any better. in fact, it's a lot worse with his help. Why would you vote for someone with a proven track record of hurting the country and promises more of the same? Get real people

President Cheney and puppet Bush took their eye off the ball and went after Saddam Hussein and giving Iraq FREEDOM AND LIBERTY. (blahblah blah)

Meanwhile we let Buin Laden go and the Taliban regain strength in Afghanistan.

WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN AFGHANISTAN AND ONLY AFGHANISTAN FROM THE START.

Bush may be a "war president"—-but he and his boss Dick Cheney do not know how to fight a war.

Obama will change the course and focus more on Bin Laden!!

McCain wants to "stay the course" (as Bush would say).

Hitler Gave Great Speeches Too….Didn't mean he was qualified to lead.

Tony: "Put up or shut up"

He can't show you unless he is elected. So vote for him.
Obama '08-16

America will once again lead the world, but she first needs a great leader and you Obama will never be that leader…

H.R. Clinton is the only true legitimate leader America has at this time and place.

You are the illegitimate nominee and we will correct that come the Denver Convention when H.R. Clinton's name will be placed in nomination for The First Roll Call.

PumaPac, Just Say No Deal, the Denver Group and thousand of other for Clinton affiliations will see to it!!!

Come and join us in Denver August 24, 2008 and witness an historical fact, where in America every vote counts. Where candidates are ELECTED and not SELECTED!

NotFallingInLine.org July 15th, 2008 9:11 am ET

Really, Obama? Iraq distracts us? Maybe so, but what has distracted you from doing the work you were elected to do in the U.S. Senate, like convene the subcommittee on European Affairs that has jurisdiction over NATO and the efforts against Osama and the Taliban in Afghanistan, which you have supposedly chaired since January 2007?

Do you really think the American people are stupid enough to believe that, if we believe in you and elect you president, you'd be able to solve our problems in Iraq in less time than you've been the chairman of the U.S. Senate’s subcommittee on European Affairs?

Please.

Knoxville NFIL
—————————————————————————

What's distracted him since January 2007? It's called running for Commander in Chief, where ultimately, if elected, he can effect greater change than chairing a subcommittee, which really has no true pull.

And Obama forgot to mention that he will line our streets with gold. So this one man will now solve all our problems — how exciting — a bit "touched in the head," Obama?

Carolflowery,

For your information, most soldiers in iraq support obama! They all wanna come home. One of the worst thing you could do to a soldier is to ask him or her to fight in a war he or she does not believe in. Most or our soldiers don't believe in iraq war.

They know that those that killed thousands of americans on sept. 11 have never been in iraq, they are in afghanistan and the wazaristan territories of pakistan. The sooner we realized this, the better.

Pls bring our troops home. May God bless america.

Senator Obama has always said that Afganistan was more of a threat to us than Iraq. Maybe if we had gone to Afganistan instead of Iraq especially after the relevations that have come out in recent months.

Carol and everyone else critizicing Obama, why dont you join the military. To all who talk about being real americans and how if we leave it will be the same as surrendering, why dont you join the military? I have been there twice and never want to go back. Many in my unit never wanted to be there but you cant say that, because it would lower morale.I now have a new leg and a new arm. I say leave the Iraqis to their country and let us attack the real people who attacked us. We are only there to have a friend of ours in power, Mailiki is not even respected where I was.

————he is 100% right————

carolflowery July 15th, 2008 9:18 am ET

In all due respect sir, dont you realize there are soldier's families that are laying their lives on the line that probably find your words very offensive no matter what you or others might think. By the way, they are doing their job they were hired to do. They are finishing their work.
Unlike you who has never completed anything but a couple of books and speeches, oh yeah, and graduating from our most prestigious law schools. You couldnt have done this without a secure country.
————————————————

How are his words offensive to the families of soldiers? He described the soldiers as "brave men and women". In fact, in this politcal season I've heard no disrespect from both McCain and Obama towards are soldiers and their families. Some of McCain's comments have been questionable, but you can gather their true meaning.

We have already toppled Saddam years ago. The Iraqi government is requesting a timeline for our removal. The surge worked in some aspects. What is our purpose there? We need to withdraw with careful deliberance.

This just goes to show that Obama really has no clue about foriegn policy. If he gets elected (which is doubtful) he's going to screw up this country worst than Bush. I'm African American and I will not vote for this guy just because he's black, charismatic and gives emotional speeches.

LMAO!!!

Iraq is a distraction?

Why is everything except talking about Obama's empty rhetoric a distraction?

I really can't believe this clown is doing as well as he is.

Iraq is not only a distraction but a complete failure. Our brave men and women continue to fight a "war for oil. "

I am still waiting for all those "couch warriors" to step up to the plate and fight this war they defend. Enough is enough!

Latinos for Obama!

we are fighting the WRONG WAR……..the real threat is in afghanistan and pakistan.

OBAMA '08

Go get 'em Obama! Any fool can become single-mindedly focused on only one task, like McCain and Bush are on Iraq.

Over 4,000 troops dead, continuing war costs of $10 billion per month, current total cost of Iraq War over $600 billion, Afghanistan becoming more deadlier than Iraq for troops, Al Qaeda operating in Pakistan, Iran taking a more militant posture against America, and the strain of military troops threatens to break the US army and marines.

Meanwhile, McCain has not offered a clear and concise policy on Iraq. The only thing McCain says is that "we will be there a long time, maybe 100 years. My friends, we must not surrender!"

What kind of freakin' plan is that?!?!

A friend once said, "Our enemies will win by destroying us
financially".

Well, McCain/Bush/republicans have certainly made that
possible. We are well on our way to destruction, due to
an unjustified war, an economy falling apart, broken
education,medicaal systems, innocent men and women
dying daily, largest deficit in the history of our country.

We are more secure? That most certainly is up for
debate.

Good point McCain. Obama already has his mind made up. He will not be viewing Iraq with an unbais opinion. Obama just loves giving speeches. It is very helpful for his campaign to tell me if his speech is a major one or not. I want to know when he gives an average one or even a minor one.

I just got back, and its refreshing to have a public figure speak intelligently about this war. A sober approach to cleaning up this disaster is greatly appreciated.

obama,you are such a disgrace. You don't have the slightest idea what you are doing.God help this country if we allow you to go any further.

David, MD–who made you the expert on which war to wage? Just another elitist who has no idea of patriotism! Just follow Obama to the ends of the earth–He doesn't want to finish the war because of his ego -wants to make afghanistan his own war! Hypocrite. Osama terrorists were in Iraq until America chased them out.

These are just words, just words. Great talking points. No substance. Boy I feel so much better listening to him. I can't wait until he sits down with Iran and talks to them. He better becareful on Afghanistan. The war is starting to go bed there too. Once that starts than the small group will be protesting that war too. Then what will he do. I know Immediate surrender and withdrawl.

Yes it distracts us but there's nothing we can do about it…. Iraq is like a child of your own… when we invaded it, we hoped it would turn out great. It turned out like the biggest idiot…. who does one blame? the child or ones own sperms? but regardless, if the child turns out an idiot, it will absolutely distract us, but we still have to pay attention to it otherwise it might become a bigger idiot!!!!

I heard he has another "MAJOR" speech scheduled for today. So what exactly are non-major speeches for Obama.

Thanks for telling the truth, Senator Obama!

January 20, 2009 END OR AN ERROR!!!

Obama is the only one distracting us.

McCain NEVER talks about Afganistand because it is failing. He only talks about Iraq and always loves to tout how the death toll has decreased but never mentions the surges main purpose was to get the Iraqi government to get itself together which has been a failure. McCain only tells PART of the story. You want to tout a fact finding mission. Then McCain needs to go back and check out the facts because he isn't telling them.

carolflowery, how in the world are BO's words offensive to soldier's families? Please tell me how a concern for our armed forces and a plan to best utilize their abilities can offend anyone?

So Iraq is a distraction to this man? Maybe he should rather thank all of the brave soldiers for making his country safe–I am sure people who have lost loved ones in 9/11 and Iraq do not consider this a "distraction". Whether he believes in this war that his fellow dems voted for or not, he should be more patriotic towards soldiers who have given him the right to say such awful things. What an offensive man! Every American should be insulted by this coward. My nephews fought in both Gilf wars, and still love the USA.

to paraphrase some stats from Trumbo '4000 dead=300 tons of bone and flesh=12,400 pounds of brain matter=5000 gallons of blood=184,000 years of life not lived=10,000 children who will never be born (the last, we can probably afford; there are already too many starving children in the woeld today…'..relevance? some other stats:
720 million dollars (what we spend in Iraq in a day) would provide 423,529 children with health care, 34,904 four year scholarsips for university students, and 6,482 families with homes.
My point being, barack…lest you lost your bearings (for which, incidentally, by voting FOR FISA last week–which has essentially rendered the 4th amendment moot "Say it aint so, Barack!", you have gave a pretty good indication that you have), IRAQ is STILL the main issue…it is from the Moron's incompetence, deception, ineptness, waste of American blood for oil that is, in the last analysis at the base of all the problems we have faced in past 8 years. It is time for the Moron to go…unless you return to the roots which you spoke of in the campaign…the number one issue being Iraq…and, even though you said you would have all the troops out within 16 months (subsequently moving to the right on THAT statement, do not lose sight of the fact that, at an average of 2 a day, another 900 plus americans will have lost their lives in that time….I'm depressed.

I like the excerpts of the speech. Obama must be very direct and very aggressive in his tone. He must take control of the Iraq issue again, an issue that defined his primary campaign and that defines him. As a firm supporter of the U.S. military, our fighting men and women in uniform, and our veterans I TRUST OBAMA 110% to free America from Iraq, concentrate our focus back on the "Forgotten War" of Afghanistan, capture Bin Laden, and bring our brave men and women home, finally, back to their loved ones.

Peace Through Victory!

After 8 years of Bush, it should be abundantly clear that there is a vast difference between withdrawing as soon as practical and staying as long as necessary.

Barack understands the need to not have a failed state in Iraq, but unlike the right, he seems at least aware that that needs to be balanced against OTHER PRIORITIES. That level of pragmatism is lost on Bush and McCain seems to be followng in that same direction.

NotFallingInLine.org,

I can tell you what won't work for us, "Staying the course" in Iraq by electing McSame. Anybody will be better than McBush.

He's right, Our government has tunnel vision when it comes to Iraq. It's like they don't see the forest they only see one tree. We as americans are better served when we have made our country as save as possibe. A good offense is what we need.

For those that noticed the fact that Obama is the 'presumptive' nominee and like to say it because they think he won't be the nominee, please realize that McCain is also the 'presumptive' Republican nominee.

At the convention, the presumptive nominee becomes the nominee. It's the same basic effect that after the November 4th elections, one of the candidates will be the president-elect.

Once he is sworn in in January, he becomes the president.

In all due respect sir, dont you realize there are soldier's families that are laying their lives on the line that probably find your words very offensive no matter what you or others might think. By the way, they are doing their job they were hired to do. They are finishing their work.
Unlike you who has never completed anything but a couple of books and speeches, oh yeah, and graduating from our most prestigious law schools. You couldnt have done this without a secure country.

au contraire…

That is correct

Obama '08

The current president has waged this war as if there were no cost to us. When asked about the wisdom of the war, he says the world is safer without Saddam Hussein. That may be true, but is the world safer with a U.S. govt. under the burden of an extra $1 trillion in Iraq debt? Is the world safer with U.S. troops stretched thin across the globe because of our Iraq commitment? Is the world safer with Osama bin Ladin on the loose and Afghanistan slipping back into civil war with a resurgent Taliban?

Obama knows that war comes with costs, and that any such expenditure must be weighed against other possible investments, such as going after al Qaeda, improving domestic infrastructure, etc.

No! Mr Obama. What it does is show the real threat from the Middle East. It keeps America on it's toes… To ignore Iraq would be a major mistake…

barack obama has been right all along the terriost are not in iraq but in afghanstan the taliban has been gaining strenght due to our strechted military and most of our troops in iraq we have negletected afghanstan that is no flip flop on his part he has been right all along the iraq war has not made us any safer well i know who im voting for and not the canidate that wants to stay in iraq oh maybe 100 years im voting for the canidate thats been right all along obama 08

Mr. Obama, you are absolutely correct, while we focusing strictly on the Iraq war, our men and women were crying out loudly for help in Afghanistan. We the "Retired Vets for Obama" are so happy that we will finally get a president that concentrate on more than one security issue at a time. We salute you Barack Obama!

McBush thinks that Iraq needs democracy. McCains friend Charlie Black was a lobbyist for dictators and then said the he didn"t do anything wrong.

It sounds good, but how are you going to do this?

"I want to use all elements of American power to keep us safe, and prosperous, and free." So what does Obama propose he do, specifically, to accomplish this? His supporters get so indignant whenever people ask for specifics, it's really telling of their shallow support and lack or real substance. Let's stop patting ourselves on the back for supporting a black candidate and get down to the details of what he will actually do.

PUT UP OR SHUT UP!

Typical politcal rhetoric. All politicians talk, lie. Don't tell us, show us!

Really, Obama? Iraq distracts us? Maybe so, but what has distracted you from doing the work you were elected to do in the U.S. Senate, like convene the subcommittee on European Affairs that has jurisdiction over NATO and the efforts against Osama and the Taliban in Afghanistan, which you have supposedly chaired since January 2007?

Do you really think the American people are stupid enough to believe that, if we believe in you and elect you president, you'd be able to solve our problems in Iraq in less time than you've been the chairman of the U.S. Senate’s subcommittee on European Affairs?

Please.

Knoxville NFIL

AMEN!!

thoughtful, pragmatic, realistic…..excellent.