Obama answers GOP criticism

[Neil D]

Ok, war hawks...here's a chance to slam one of the leading contenders of the democratic race for president. Obama finally says something!... What's your take on this?

By John McCormick

Making a relatively rare public appearance in his home state, Sen. Barack Obama responded Friday in Chicago to Republican criticism that his vote this week against an Iraq spending bill is the equivalent of "waving a white flag" to terrorists.

"The way that we are going to show that we support the troops is by [starting to bring] some of them home," the Illinois Democrat told an international convention of more than 1,200 members of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists. "That's our message to George Bush. That's our message to John McCain. That's our message to Mitt Romney. That's our message to the Republicans in Congress. It is time to bring this war to a close."

His speech at the Hyatt Regency Chicago came after a vote late Thursday in Washington where Obama and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) were in the minority in opposing an Iraq war spending bill because it didn't contain a timeline for withdrawing U.S. troops.

Those votes triggered blistering Republican responses, including from GOP presidential candidates Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

"I was very disappointed to see Sen. Obama and Sen. Clinton embrace the policy of surrender by voting against funds to support our brave men and women fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan," McCain said in a Friday statement. "This vote may win favor with MoveOn and liberal primary voters, but it's the equivalent of waving a white flag to Al Qaeda."

Obama, meanwhile, pointed to the high level of security McCain needed for his recent visit to Iraq.

"Sen. McCain required a flak jacket, 10 armored Humvees, two Apache attack helicopters, 100 soldiers with rifles by his side, so he could stroll through the market in Baghdad just a few weeks ago for a photo op," Obama said. "That's the truth in Iraq. The truth is this war has cost us thousands of lives and made us less safe."

Late Friday, President Bush signed the bill at Camp David and applauded bipartisan efforts to get the measure to his desk by the Memorial Day recess.

In his speech, Obama said the status quo in Iraq is no longer acceptable.

"I know the toll of this war," he said. "And what I know is that what our troops deserve is not just rhetoric. They deserve a new plan."

The African-American union members at the gathering are an important potential constituency for Obama. His campaign hopes they will go back to their respective states with a greater interest in his candidacy after seeing him in person.

Obama stressed that he has worked with union members since his earliest days as a community organizer on Chicago's South Side and pledged his commitment to their agenda.

"I know who brung me to the dance," said Obama, who met privately with a smaller group of union leaders after his speech. "And I know who is going to take me on to the next dance."

After spending the start of his Memorial Day weekend in Chicago, he is set to campaign in New Hampshire on Sunday and Monday, before flying to Iowa for an appearance in Davenport on Monday night and a speech on health care Tuesday in Iowa City.

[Dr. Shane]

Quote:

"That's our message to George Bush..." "And what I know is that what our troops deserve is not just rhetoric. They deserve a new plan."

What is his message to the terrorists that will take over Iraq and its oil wealth and use it to launch attacks on the US and other non-Islamic nations?

While it is true our troops deserve a plan, as do the people of Iraq and the tax payers in the US who are footing the bill, we are getting nothing more than rhetoric from the Democratic side of the isle. As much as it has been criticized, at least the White House has changed course with the surge and is showing they have a new plan, although it may not be any more successful than their past plan.

The Democrats may have a plan. Nancy Pelosi at least has went over and talked with King Terrorist of Syria. I think that is a start. However one has to wonder if the Democrats want to see a peaceful end which would had the Bush Administration a victory or want to see a withdrawal resulting in a bloody civil conflict that could be blamed on Bush.

If we want to make peace with our enemies we need to talk with them. I tend to believe that Syria and Iran are supporting the insurgency in Iraq because they fear the US may take action against them once we are successful in Iraq. If we can come to terms with Syria and Iran, they may stop supporting the insurgency in Iraq and Iraq will settle down significantly. Henry Kissinger, a Republican, brought an end to the Vietnam War through diplomacy. What we need is another Henry Kissinger to work out something with Iran and Syria.

[olger]

hmmm

[Dr. Shane]

Well we know the real reason both Obama and Hilary voted against the funding is because they are both front runners in the Democratic primaries. If one had voted for it they would have knocked themselves out of the race.