Sometime during the next few weeks, Barack Obama will make a much anticipated visit to Iraq. (Ironically, the time frame is being kept secret for security reasons...which I find extremely interesting on many fronts). The news of his impending trip has sparked a media love fest that wants to portray him as a diplomatic hero. Someone risking his own personal security to save us from the Iraq War. In comparison, John McCain has made three trips to the Middle East over the past four months and barely makes the ticker tape at the bottom of most cable news outlets. I wanted to provide some commentary regarding Barack Obama's trip to Iraq:
Point #1: Barack Obama has impeccable timing. Conveniently, Obama has chosen to visit Iraq after many months of continued successes. Recently, the Bush Administration communicated with the Iraqi PM ,Nouri al-Maliki, about seeking a general timeline for troop withdrawal. A huge issue that has been criticized by many who have been adamantly against the war. This latest development comes after a significant decrease in violence and an increase in stability within the Iraqi borders (something Obama refuses to acknowledge on the campaign trail). Troop numbers, within the last few month alone, have dropped from 170,000 to 145,000 and are expected to continually decrease (especially with the UN mandate expiring on December 31). However, the important part of these ongoing conversations is the realization of security goals and continued democratic improvements by both parties involved(Iraq and U.S.). 10 of the 18 provinces in Iraq are currently under Iraqi control. Barack Obama would be walking into a much different situation had the U.S. followed his blueprint concerning the Iraq War. There would be chaos, dramatic increases in sectarian violence, overwhelming terrorist propaganda, political unrest, increased Iranian influence, and a deeper hole than we could ever imagine. Barack Obama is "self-promoting" too little too late. He continues to preach about military situations that we are slowly, but safely, executing. However, Obama has decided to play the "oblivious card" in regards to these issues. Sooner, rather than later, the American public will outsmart this political stunt.
Baghdad family's woes far from Obama spotlight
Bush drops refusal to talk about Iraq timetable (Personally, this article is titled incorrectly. It's not a refusal in policy, it's an appropriate action based on results.)
Point #2: Some recent comments from the Iraqi people concerning Barack Obama's trip and policy toward the Iraq War: "We are worried that he might win the presidency and pull out (American) forces because chaos would prevail in Iraq and militias would return." — Mohammed Abbas, 19, Shiite primary school teacher in southern city of Hillah. "I wish God would inspire Obama to do something in the interest of the Iraqi people." — Harith Abdullah, 52, Sunni engineer in Baghdad. "I think that after visiting Iraq, Obama will change his mind about pulling out American troops because the security in Iraq is more stable with the forces here." — Bahra Khalid, 39, Kurdish teacher in northern city of Irbil. "America is like a giant company whose only concern is profit. Obama's visit is for propaganda." — Sami Hassan, 36, Shiite engineer in Baghdad. "The American forces will not withdraw whether Obama wins or not. If they withdraw, that would create a big vacuum and Iran would be the first to fill it." — Ahmed Samih, 55, Sunni official in Ministry of Higher Education in Baghdad.
Point #3: Barack Obama has been all over the map regarding his position on the war. Yes, he has consistently been against the war, but his position regarding the military execution and military strategy has been inconsistent at best. Should we trust a presidential candidate that shifts positions without accounting for the progress that has been made on the ground? Can we trust a presidential candidate that day after day is oblivious to this progress and discredits the current administrations work towards success? Since 2002, Barack Obama hasn't been the most consistent politician in his views for the Iraq War. In fact, he has looked utterly foolish and, at times, has looked totally incapable of making such decisions as our Commander in Chief. Barack needs to understand that this "War" is vital to the stability of an entire region. It is vital to the spread of democracy. It is vital to the future security of not only the United States, but the rest of the free world. Barack Obama has proven to be irrational and a populist concerning the Iraq War. It's not about the decisions made to appease those looking for the flavor of the week, it's about the decisions made to commit to success, security, and stability. All have been overlooked by the inexperienced, junior Senator from Chicago.
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free." ~Ronald Reagan
For a presidential candidate who has based his whole platform around being "against" the Iraq War, he better find something else solid to stand on. With four months left until the November elections, an eternity in politics, Obama better hope that the Iraqi success doesn't catch up to him too fast...or he might be out of a job.
Commander-In-Chief?
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