I have had a wonderful visit so far and excellent conversations, but we have several more meetings over the next two days and at that point, I'll give you a general assessment. ...
Maliki had a lot to say to Der Spiegel magazine. He reportedly endorsed Obama's 16-month timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops. Maliki has since said there was a "transcription error"; he wants the U.S. out by the end of 2010.
Fine, call it a timetable, timeline, "time horizon," timeout. If Obama is elected President, he should embrace the plan proposed during an earlier unpopular war – declare victory and get the hell out.
Obama hopes his swing through the Middle East and Europe will burnish his national security and foreign policy credentials. The major television network anchors and correspondents are fawning tripping over each other, but the unprecedented media coverage may turn off the very voters he needs to reach.
A new Rasmussen poll found that 78 percent of Republicans believe reporters are trying to help Obama win the election. No surprise there since "liberal media bias" is a GOP talking point.
Surprisingly, 21 percent of Democrats think the mainstream media is in the tank for Obama. Still, it's no big deal. But it's a very big deal that 50 percent of "unaffiliated" voters – swing voters – think the traditional media are giving Obama preferential treatment. Swing voters will take with a grain of salt favorable coverage of Obama's interaction with military commanders and foreign leaders.
A recent New York Times-CBS News poll found that only 57 percent of white voters think it's "very likely" or "somewhat likely" that Obama would be an effective commander-in-chief. So, good news out of Iraq may not allay the doubts of the 40 percent of white voters who say it's "not too likely" or "not at all likely."
They say there's no such thing as bad press but too much press may be giving Obama some outside help he doesn't need.


1. Talk before Action...........Who doesn't think or speak about a
plan(given the facts) before taking action. That's what he is doing!
TAKING ACTION!!!!
Think before you speak Then, Take Action for that matter!!
That's what smart, well prepared people do!
Obama has stated over and over again what he felt was a good
plan.(given the facts he has researched)
He did not need to be anywhere to research the Facts on the War. We
as a people even can research such facts on the Governments website!
Now that he is actually moving forward to assure his plan WILL be
headed in the right direction for our troops as well the people of
Iraq, McCain and everyone is being critical!
Why??????
Because Obama knows what he is doing!!!! And Mc Cain is going insane
with all the coverage Obama is getting. He can't keep up!!!! It's
KIlling him. lol
I can see it all over his face when he speaks. Man is Mccain
irritated. Obama is an itch that Mccain just can't scratch!!!
Obama's original plan (sitting down, having talks) was taken so well,
that even the Bush Administration started a jump on it. That even now,
everyone is proposing a troop withdrawal! lol Copy Cats!!!!
Please, I'd rather be Original, the Originator.
It's good to see everyone jumping on Obama's Band wagon. It
proves......they even think he just may be right. He said it first,
but they want to try it first! Please!
He was belittled for saying he would sit down with other roge
leaders....and see what happened...Bush jumped on that 1. Even as far
as talk about pulling out our troops.
After Obama's trip, I am sure he will carefully take in to
consideration all he has learned and revise his original plan if he
sees necessary!
Intelligent, Dilligent, yet Savy and Commanding!Persuasive!
Impressive!
Easy to talk to .....easy to get along with.
No threat.......only a man who will try to do his best for the people
of America, as well, all of our friends and allias.
If no one stands up and brings Peace Unity Love and Respect back to
the Face of America, we will be continually hated from those who now
see America as a reckless, Bullying country who always Starts War on
others who do not follow it's rule.
We as a people need America to care for Americans First......and then
Help all of those(other coutries) in need.
But first our Government should take care of it's People!
I really hope Obama is ready for the heavy tasks of being President!
There will be a lot of backstabbing, people trying to hold him back,
prove him wrong, and make him look bad!But I feel he is Young, Strong
and more than ready to handle the JOB as Commander in chief!
He is So in touch with us as a People!
He spoke and now he Is taking ACTION
cybervee at 2:11PM on Jul 22nd 2008