"He Doesn't Understand"

John McCain has recently emphasized that presumptive Democratic Nominee Barack Obama "doesn't understand" the situation in Iraq. McCain, who calls for a stay-the-course strategy in Iraq, considers Obama naive for supporting a plan for troup withdrawal. Senator McCain, you and your Republican hounds are the only ones left who support a stay-the-course strategy in Iraq.

Senator McCain, is it possible for you to listen to Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki? He supports Obama's plan for withdrawal. Is it not important to listen to the man who is in charge of the country you have caused so much trouble in? Senator, in 2004, you said, “If it was an elected government of Iraq ... I don't see how we could stay when our whole emphasis and policy has been based on turning the Iraqi government over to the Iraqi people.” Conditions on the ground have only improved, so I don't see the difference.

President Bush and Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki agreed to "a time horizon for meeting aspirational goals in Iraq." This is a step in the right direction. Even President Bush is beginning to warm up to the idea of withdrawal. So what comes next everybody? A semi-flip-flop.

"John McCain supports reducing troop levels based on the conditions on the ground and the security of Iraq and if, and only if, that is consistent with a ‘time horizon’ then of course he would support that policy,” a McCain spokesman said.

Here is what this boils down to: John McCain, not Barack Obama, doesn't understand the situation in Iraq. To some degree it doesn't even matter how long we want to stay in Iraq. America has a say no doubt, but when they want us out we should respect Iraqi wishes. It's their country. Senator McCain, it's not your war, it's the Iraqi's war. You don't know best about when to leave. Leave this decision to those who do know best.

Image Courtesy of NY Times
Spokesman quote courtesy of politico.com

-Martin Page