To Surge, Or Not To Surge
As we all know by now, Barack Obama has announced that, even knowing what he knows now, he would still oppose the troop surge. Right wing bloggers and columnists have jumped all over this. Why? Because obviously, the surge has worked. So simple minds wish to hit on this point as if they finally found “Waldo” of “Where’s Waldo” fame. I like to go a little deeper, so I found the transcript of the Couric interview of Obama. There is some really interesting stuff in here.
Couric: And base your decision still on conditions on the ground as well?
Obama: Well, as I said before … I would not be doing my job if I’m not paying attention to the facts.
Couric: Before the surge, as you know, Senator, there were 80 to 100 U.S. casualties a month, the country was rife with sectarian violence, and you raised a lot of eyebrows on this trip saying even knowing what you know now, you still would not have supported the surge. People may be scratching their heads and saying, “Why?”
Obama: Well … because … what I was referring to, and I’ve consistently referred to, is the need for a strategy that actually concludes our involvement in Iraq and moves Iraqis to take responsibility for the country.
Notice, Obama says that he would not be doing his job if he ignored the facts? But when, in the next question, he is handed a fact, what does he do? He ignores the fact that the surge is already doing what he says he wants done. By quelling the uprising, the surge has moved Iraq towards taking responsibility for their country, and getting us out of there. It wasn’t until after the surge that Al Maliki asked us to give some kind of time frame for when we would leave. Why? Because before the surge, it wasn’t possible. Violence was still too strong, and death tolls too high. This is so obvious that even Obama can see it, as he proves here.
Couric: But talking microcosmically, did the surge, the addition of 30,000 additional troops … help the situation in Iraq?
Obama: Katie, as … you’ve asked me three different times, and I have said repeatedly that there is no doubt that our troops helped to reduce violence. There’s no doubt.
Couric: But yet you’re saying … given what you know now, you still wouldn’t support it … so I’m just trying to understand this.
Obama: Because … it’s pretty straightforward. By us putting $10 billion to $12 billion a month, $200 billion, that’s money that could have gone into Afghanistan. Those additional troops could have gone into Afghanistan. That money also could have been used to shore up a declining economic situation in the United States. That money could have been applied to having a serious energy security plan so that we were reducing our demand on oil, which is helping to fund the insurgents in many countries. So those are all factors that would be taken into consideration in my decision– to deal with a specific tactic or strategy inside of Iraq.
Notice, he admits that it was successful, but says he feels that money would have been better spent elsewhere. So, Mom and Dad of our American Troops, let’s see what causes Obama thinks are more important for our financial interest than keeping your sons and daughters alive, shall we? Oil conservation, and a serious energy plan. Well, Barack, if a serious energy plan is that special to you, why don’t you have one yet?!?! But either way, where would we be today had we applied his plan? Where does Obama envision us if we had gone in the direction he had wished?
Obama: Katie, I have no idea what would have happened had we applied my approach, which was to put more pressure on the Iraqis to arrive at a political reconciliation.
What?!?!? You’ve got to be kidding me. Doesn’t a plan, by definition, require that you have some kind of idea where it will take you? If you have no idea, is it really a plan? How could it be? If one has no idea where there plan will lead to, how can they ask someone to follow them? “Let’s go.” “Ok, where are we going?” “No idea.” Is that Barack’s definition of leadership?
This interview is mind boggling. How did this guy win a Senate seat, let alone a primary? It’s clear that the best strategy for G.O.P. victory in November requires a plan. I have one. Let this guy keep talking!!! And unlike Barack, I do have an idea of where this plan will lead. I’m off to work on McCain’s Inaugural Address.
