Posted on 09/15/2008 2:27:43 PM PDT by Plutarch
The New York Post is no friend of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. Any knock of Obama by its editorial writers and op-ed columnists should be taken with the whole bag of salt. That´s likely the case with this stunning allegation that´s making its way around the internet courtesy of Post Columnist Amir Taheri. He alleges that in a private talk with Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari during his visit to Iraq in July, Obama allegedly tried to talk Zebari and other Iraqi leaders into stalling the phased withdrawal of U.S. troops from the country.
The alleged reason for the Obama request for a foot drag on troop withdrawal says Taheri was to give him an election boost. The Post´s Taheri allegedly says that Zebari says Obama put it this way, "He asked why we were not prepared to delay an agreement until after the U.S. elections and the formation of a new administration in Washington." If true, this would be politically duplicitous and cynical election tact. It would be a huge body blow to Obama in light of his oft repeated mantra that he wants the troops out of Iraq as quickly as militarily possible.
Obama has at times shaded the mantra and said that he´d rely on the commanders on the ground to determine the pace of the withdrawal. But even that wouldn´t make the charge any less damaging to his credibility on Iraq—again if the charge is true.
The Iranian-born Taheri who reports the alleged "private" conversation between Obama and Zebari has been roundly and repeatedly slammed as a rabid, political ax grinding neo-con shill. He may well be that and more. Still, the charge is out there, so Team Obama please say that it´s nonsense.
Earl Ofari Hutchinson is an author and political analyst. His new book is How the GOP Can Keep the White House, How the Democrats Can Take it Back (Middle Passage Press, August 2008).
The truth will have to come from the Iraqis. Obama’s going to deny the charge even if true.
It’s in the hands of Mr. Taheri now, notes? photos? recording? And Mr. Zebari of course, If the Iraqi pols back this up it’s curtains for Barry.
I’m with an earlier poster who held that in July they probably thought an Obama presidency was “inevitable” so they gritted their teeth and put up with his idiotic bombast.
Now, however, the ground has shifted and I would imagine they would happily do whatever it took not to be sentenced to four years of this oaf.
If it ain’t on tape. It never happened.
Hussein will learn well from Bill Clinton,,,,
"DENY, DENY, DENY"!!
“If it ain’t on tape. It never happened.”
Under that line of reasoning, Bill Clinton never got a Lewinsky.
Or something there within or hitherto.
If it IS on tape, we have an October surprise. Keeping my fingers crossed.
If it aint on tape they never said it.
If it aint on the dress they never had sex.
;)
LOL
“If it ain’t on tape. It never happened.”
“Under that line of reasoning, Bill Clinton never got a Lewinsky.”
It wasn’t on tape, it was on the Blue Dress!
Doesn’t make a difference regardless if there is a tape or not. Media will gloss over and play it off as “Neo-Cons over reacting” or some BS like that. No difference at all in my opinion.
It was on Rush this morning. He had names, details and the reason was so if Obama is in the WH when the callout occurs, he, THE ANNOUNTED ONE, can take credit for the final pull out.
Doesn’t make a difference regardless if there is a tape or not. Media will gloss over and play it off as “Neo-Cons over reacting” or some BS like that. No difference at all in my opinion.
War Zones on the Itinerary
New York Times, The (NY) - June 17, 2008
Author: JEFF ZELENY
It’s not just battleground states on the itinerary for the presidential
candidates. Senator Barack Obama said Monday that he also intended to visit Iraq
and Afghanistan before the November election.
One day after Senator John McCain met with Iraq’s foreign minister, Hoshyar
Zebari , Mr. Obama spoke to Mr. Zebari by telephone. Mr. Obama said he was
“encouraged” by reductions in violence in Iraq, but added that the United States
should withdraw troops at a pace of one to two brigades a month, with a goal of
removing most combat troops in 16 months.
“We have no interest in permanent bases in Iraq,” Mr. Obama said.
Among the issues being discussed between Mr. Zebari and the presidential
candidates is a long-term security accord between Iraq and the United States.
While the Bush administration would like to see an agreement reached by
midsummer, Mr. Obama said he opposed such a swift timetable.
“My concern is that the Bush administration, in a weakened state politically,
ends up trying to rush an agreement that in some ways might be binding to the
next administration,” Mr. Obama said, “whether it’s my administration or Senator
McCain’s administration.”
Mr. Obama , who has not been to Iraq for more than two years, said last month
that he would like to visit. After speaking to Mr. Zebari , he sounded more
definitive, saying, “I told him that I look forward to seeing him in Baghdad.”
Mr. McCain has invited Mr. Obama to take a joint trip to Iraq, a gesture that
Mr. Obama dismissed as a political stunt. Alex Conant, a Republican Party
spokesman, said it had been nearly 900 days since Mr. Obama visited, in January
2006.
Mr. Obama did not say Monday when he would be going, but said it would be
“before the election.”
//
Obama aide signals shift on Iraq policy
Washington Times, The (DC) - July 8, 2008
Author: Donald Lambro, THE WASHINGTON TIMES
EXCERPT
In a lengthy telephone call last month with Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari , Mr. Obama appeared to send a signal that his plan was far less rigid than he earlier suggested. Mr. Zebari said the presumptive Democratic nominee “reassured” him that he would do nothing to jeopardize Iraq’s security gains. “He will not take any drastic decisions, or reckless actions,” he said.
I heard this on FoxNews this morning and Dan Senor said that the Iraqi’s Talibani is very direct and wouldn’t say somethign that wasn’t the truth. Obama has been busted. He wanted the glory of what President Bush was already working on and once again his underhandedness blew up in his face.
Biden did it. That darn Biden is going to ruin Barack’s chances.
He has about as much chance as a young boy in Barney Frank's bedroom of worming his way out of this one.
bttt
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