Obama set to formally end Iraq war

[Roger Perry]

Obama was an early critic of the war, speaking out against it during the U.S. invasion in early 2003 and promising during his presidential campaign to bring the conflict to an end. The White House sees Tuesday’s benchmark as a promise kept and has gone to great lengths to promote it as such, dispatching Vice President Joe Biden to Iraq to preside over a formal change-of-command ceremony and raising Tuesday night’s remarks to the level of an Oval Office address, something Obama has only done once before.

Administration officials have been careful to avoid equating the end of the combat mission with a mission accomplished. That was the phrase on the now-infamous banner that flew on an aircraft carrier seven years ago when President George W. Bush declared an end to major combat operations in Iraq, a symbol the Bush White House came to deeply regret as the war dragged on.

Ahead of Tuesday night’s remarks, Obama also planned to speak with Bush. While Bush’s decision to invade Iraq was criticized by many — including Obama — the troop surge Bush ordered in 2007 has been credited with tamping down violence in Iraq and helping keep the country from falling into a civil war. Among the unanswered questions about Tuesday’s address is whether Obama will give Bush any credit for the role the surge played in leading the war to its end.

http://www.capitolhillblue.com/node/33051

[Buzz]

There you go bringing up Bush again. Don't you know he's not president anymore?

[Roger Perry]

There you go bringing up Bush again. Don't you know he's not president anymore?

Was just trying to give him a little credit. I guess that is not allowed either.

the troop surge Bush ordered in 2007 has been credited with tamping down violence in Iraq and helping keep the country from falling into a civil war.

[Buzz]

I was just trying to beat the wingers to the punch.

[road kill]

I was just trying to beat the wingers to the punch.

Yeah, your rapier like wit beat us all to the punch.
We were trying to think of what to say, but you saved us.

Is the Daily Show on now??

RK

[depittydawg]

Obama was an early critic of the war, speaking out against it during the U.S. invasion in early 2003 and promising during his presidential campaign to bring the conflict to an end. The White House sees Tuesday’s benchmark as a promise kept and has gone to great lengths to promote it as such, dispatching Vice President Joe Biden to Iraq to preside over a formal change-of-command ceremony and raising Tuesday night’s remarks to the level of an Oval Office address, something Obama has only done once before.

Administration officials have been careful to avoid equating the end of the combat mission with a mission accomplished. That was the phrase on the now-infamous banner that flew on an aircraft carrier seven years ago when President George W. Bush declared an end to major combat operations in Iraq, a symbol the Bush White House came to deeply regret as the war dragged on.

Ahead of Tuesday night’s remarks, Obama also planned to speak with Bush. While Bush’s decision to invade Iraq was criticized by many — including Obama — the troop surge Bush ordered in 2007 has been credited with tamping down violence in Iraq and helping keep the country from falling into a civil war. Among the unanswered questions about Tuesday’s address is whether Obama will give Bush any credit for the role the surge played in leading the war to its end.

http://www.capitolhillblue.com/node/33051

I can't give Obama much credit here. The war was winding down when he rode into Dodge. He could, and should have brought the troops home a long time ago. Also, his escalation of the Afgan war flies in the face of his clam at keeping his promises. At a time when critical domestic needs mandate attention and resources, he has not responded fast enough in cutting military spending and stimulating economic activity at home. So far he still gets a C- on my grade card.

[Buzz]

Is the Daily Show on now??

RK

I thought Jon was going on vacation?

[Clay Rogers]

So, if the war is really over and the US military is not conducting combat missions in Iraq anymore, why is there still over 5000 special operators left in country? And before you say for support, special ops role is not support, never has been and never will be. Special Ops is combat oriented and thats a fact. So maybe, just maybe this is just an act to make him look good about fulfilling a campaign promise he made.

[dnf777]

And before you say for support, special ops role is not support, never has been and never will be. Special Ops is combat oriented and thats a fact. So maybe, just maybe this is just an act to make him look good about fulfilling a campaign promise he made.

Special ops does whatever is asked of it by the chain of command. That includes psyops, and other support roles, in addition to combat operations.

[dnf777]

Hey, lets all pay attention to Paul Wolfowitz's comments. He was so RIGHT ON when he assured us that the war would pay for itself, and wouldn't cost taxpayers much at all!



There is no shame in washington.