Obama- visiting Iraq "Not Relevant"

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-02-2008
Obama- visiting Iraq "Not Relevant"
38
Thu, 05-29-2008 - 2:08pm

Oh...and it's from the AP ;)

Obama considers Iraq visit amid GOP criticism

1 hour, 6 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - Barack Obama — increasingly under fire from John McCain as he appears poised to win the Democratic nomination — said he is considering a trip to Iraq but dismissed as a "political stunt" an invitation by the Republican candidate to make the visit together.

McCain and Obama have increasingly targeted each other as a November general election showdown between the two men seems inevitable. The discussion about Iraq, largely sidelined during the primary battle, is likely to factor prominently in the general election and Obama has rallied to counter McCain's criticism that he lacks foreign policy experience.

The Democrat, vying to become the U.S.'s first black president, told The New York Times that the possible trip would be to talk to the U.S. troops and commanders and not to "try to score political points or perform."

McCain, a decorated Navy pilot and former Vietnam prisoner of war, has built much of his candidacy on his foreign policy and national security experience. While he supports continued U.S. military involvement in Iraq, Obama has called for a quick withdrawal of the troops.

In a campaign appearance in Nevada, a western U.S. state where both candidates have recently sought to shore up support ahead of the November race, McCain said Obama was "driven to his position by ideology and not by the facts on the ground"

McCain, who has been to Iraq eight times, said the first-term Democrat senator "does not have the knowledge or the experience to make the judgments. Presidents have to listen and learn. Presidents have to make judgments no matter how popular or unpopular they may be."

The Republican Party joined the fray Wednesday by launching an online clock to count the days since Obama last visited the war zone. By their count, it has been 871 days.

Obama, who spoke to reporters on his airplane Wednesday night as he flew home to Chicago, said it's "not relevant" that he has not been to Iraq since 2006 and that McCain was using the argument as a diversion.

Obama made his only trip to Iraq in January 2006 as part of a congressional delegation.

McCain, who was on a fundraising trip with events in Los Angeles and Reno, Nevada, seemed offended that Obama characterized the invitation for a joint trip as a political stunt, saying it showed Obama's "lack of appreciation of the importance of this issue."

(Rest of article at:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080529/ap_on_el_pr/campaign_rdp)

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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-18-2005
Thu, 05-29-2008 - 2:14pm
I'm wondering how it's "not relevant" since he wants to be Commander in Chief and therefore the head of
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-02-2008
Thu, 05-29-2008 - 2:19pm

it would sort of destroy his platform on Iraq if that were the case ;)

I feel like its time for a PSA: "The More You Know..."

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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-18-2005
Thu, 05-29-2008 - 2:20pm
I'm just thinking outloud now. He says he wouldn't want to go for poltical stunts. Does he think that every time John McCain(or anybody else that's gone over) goes purely for poltical stunts? That would be a horrible thing to assume, if that is what he is thinking. If he wants to know what the troops are doing what better way to find out then to go over there? If the candidates go, I think they ought to have access to all situations. Not just the good, not just the bad. I'd want a well rounded trip for either man.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-18-2005
Thu, 05-29-2008 - 2:21pm

I feel like its time for a PSA: "The More You Know..."


I can picture the star going across the tv screen right now LOL!

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-02-2008
Thu, 05-29-2008 - 2:37pm

"Does he think that every time John McCain(or anybody else that's gone over) goes purely for poltical stunts? That would be a horrible thing to assume, if that is what he is thinking. If he wants to know what the troops are doing what better way to find out then to go over there? If the candidates go, I think they ought to have access to all situations. Not just the good, not just the bad. I'd want a well rounded trip for either man."

I had the same thought.

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Community Leader
Registered: 09-14-1997
Thu, 05-29-2008 - 3:13pm

According to the article, the name of the thread is a little misleading. Obama did not say that visiting Iraq was not relevant, but the fact that he hasn't been there since 2006 is not relevant. He is thinking about going, but not with McCain.


Community Leader
Registered: 09-14-1997
Thu, 05-29-2008 - 3:21pm

Just a thought, how many Senators have visited Iraq since 2003?


iVillage Member
Registered: 01-02-2008
Thu, 05-29-2008 - 3:59pm
I don't care how many senators have been there. I care how many presidential candidates have been there and are willing to go there.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-02-2008
Thu, 05-29-2008 - 4:04pm

First of all, "Obama, who spoke to reporters on his airplane Wednesday night as he flew home to Chicago, said it's "not relevant" that he has not been to Iraq since 2006 and that McCain was using the argument as a diversion, " doesn't fit into the thread title.

Second of all, catchy titles get attention now, don't they? ;)

And finally, I happen to disagree with Mr. Obama. It absolutely IS relevant that he has not visited Iraq since 2006. There have been lot of changes in leadership, in policy, and in results since 2006. The fact that Iraq absolutely is going to be a sticking point in this election makes it VERY relevant that he hasn't been there since 2006, and at that, only been there once.

But then again, as a junior senator, I suppose it IS a bit unfair to expect more experience out of him.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-29-2003
Thu, 05-29-2008 - 5:03pm

Good question. I looked it up because I was curious myself.


At least 76 senators have visited Iraq in the four years of combat, including 38 who have made the trip in the last 12 months, according to a survey by The Hill. But at least 18 senators have not traveled there at all.

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/have-you-been-to-iraq--76-sens.-say-they-have-2007-08-01.html

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