On washingtonpost.com, Shear falsely suggested Obama made contradictory statements on withdrawal from Iraq
SUMMARY: The Washington Post's Michael Shear falsely suggested that Sen. Barack Obama has changed his position on U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq since September 2007, writing that when Obama was "[a]sked to make a withdrawal timeline pledge during a debate last September," he "declined, saying that 'it's hard to project four years from now,' " but that Obama now says "he will remove all combat brigades from Iraq within 16 months of becoming president and will leave 'some troops' in Iraq to protect U.S. embassy personnel there and carry out targeted strikes on terrorists." But contrary to Shear's suggestion, Obama did not make contradictory statements.
In a May 15 post on washingtopost.com political blog The Trail, Washington Post staff writer Michael D. Shear falsely suggested that Sen. Barack Obama has changed his position on U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq since September 2007. Reporting on a speech that Sen. John McCain gave that day, Shear wrote that the speech "envisioned an America that, by 2013, 'has welcomed home most of the servicemen and women' " serving in Iraq, and that "[b]y that time, McCain said, 'the United States maintains a military presence' in Iraq, 'but a much smaller one, and it does not play a direct combat role.' " Shear also reported that when "[a]sked to make a withdrawal timeline pledge during a debate last September, Democratic Sen. Barack Obama declined, saying that 'it's hard to project four years from now and I think it would be irresponsible. We don't know what contingency will be out there.' " Shear continued: "But more recently, Obama has said he will remove all combat brigades from Iraq within 16 months of becoming president and will leave 'some troops' in Iraq to protect U.S. embassy personnel there and carry out targeted strikes on terrorists."
But contrary to Shear's suggestion, Obama did not make contradictory statements. During the September 26, 2007, MSNBC debate, host Tim Russert asked Obama, "Will you pledge that by January 2013, the end of your first term more than five years from now, there will be no U.S. troops in Iraq? [emphasis added]" Shear reported Obama's answer but not the question -- which was about the withdrawal of all troops, not, as Shear suggested, the withdrawal of most troops. Obama responded, "I think it's hard to project four years from now, and I think it would be irresponsible. We don't know what contingency will be out there," as Shear reported. Obama also said: "What I can promise is that if there are still troops in Iraq when I take office ... then I will drastically reduce our presence there to the mission of protecting our embassy, protecting our civilians and making sure that we're carrying out counterterrorism activities there [emphasis added]." Thus, contrary to Shear's suggestion, Obama's statement in September 2007 about withdrawing most troops, while leaving a troop presence in Iraq, is consistent with what Shear quoted Obama as saying recently.
From Shear's May 15 post on The Trail:
Just last month, McCain said that "to promise a withdrawal of our forces from Iraq, regardless of the calamitous consequences to the Iraqi people, our most vital interests, and the future of the Middle East, is the height of irresponsibility. It is a failure of leadership.''
But the speech he gave this morning envisioned an America that, by 2013, "has welcomed home most of the servicemen and women who have sacrificed terribly so that America might be secure in her freedom. The Iraq war has been won."
By that time, McCain said, "the United States maintains a military presence" in Iraq, "but a much smaller one, and it does not play a direct combat role."
Asked to make a withdrawal timeline pledge during a debate last September, Democratic Sen. Barack Obama declined, saying that "it's hard to project four years from now and I think it would be irresponsible. We don't know what contingency will be out there."
But more recently, Obama has said he will remove all combat brigades from Iraq within 16 months of becoming president and will leave "some troops" in Iraq to protect U.S. embassy personnel there and carry out targeted strikes on terrorists.
“He’s a patriot who has the best interests of his country at heart.” (John McCain, on Ahmed Chalabi, 2003. )
“I remain confident that we will find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.” (John McCain, June 11, 2003.)
“Absolutely. Absolutely.” (John McCain, asked by Chris Matthews, “you believe that the people of Iraq or at least a large number of them will treat us as liberators?” March 12, 2003. )
“There’s no doubt in my mind that we will prevail and there’s no doubt in my mind, once these people are gone, that we will be welcomed as liberators.” (John McCain, March 24, 2003.)
“I think the victory will be rapid, within about three weeks.” (John McCain, January 28, 2003.)
“It’s clear that the end is very much in sight…It won’t be long. It, it’ll be a fairly short period of time.” (John McCain, April 9, 2003.)
“Well, then why was there a banner that said mission accomplished on the aircraft carrier?” (John McCain, responding to assertion by Fox News’ Neil Cavuto that “many argue the conflict isn’t over,” June 11, 2003. )
“I’m confident we’re on the right course.” (John McCain, March 7, 2004. )
“We’re either going to lose this thing or win this thing within the next several months.” (John McCain, November 12, 2006. )
“My friends, the war will be over soon, the war for all intents and purposes although the insurgency will go on for years and years and years.” (John McCain, February 25, 2008.)
Even better per Johnspeak today, the war will be over by 2013. If there is an insurgency, it will be handled by the Iraqis.
Yes indeed, he's been consistent everyday that remains from noon to noon.
His secret, a regular supply of Gritty Kitty Kitty Litter.
I might have that backwards. History will little note, nor long remember, my terrific feelings...about it.
"The failure of the Iraqi state would be a disaster," he said at a lunch sponsored by the Christian Science Monitor, according to an audiotape of the session. "It would dishonor the 900-plus men and women who have already died. . . . It would be a betrayal of the promise that we made to the Iraqi people, and it would be hugely destabilizing from a national security perspective."
In late winter, 2008, on the campaign trail, Obama says he wants to bring the troops home yesterday -- you decide
Senator McCain:
2 questions:
1. What is your strategy for reaching this happy state of affairs in 2013?
2. What is Plan B?