Re: [MLUG - DISCUSSION] A Man of Seasonal Principles

[Mike Miller <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

On Sat, 5 Jul 2008, Jerry Gamblin wrote:

> Mike asked for it, so I will deliver...
>
> http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/03/AR2008070302451.html
>
> If he is right about Obama's Iraq flip flop, sorry "change of policy", I 
> will literally LMAO.


I think he has Obama figured out.  I might explain it a little differently 
though.  Obama is running in different elections as time moves forward -- 
first he was trying to distinguish himself from other other Democrats, 
then he was trying to defeat Hillary Clinton with only Democrats voting, 
now he is trying to defeat John McCain with all Americans voting, not just 
Democrats.  It's a case of shifting constituencies and to represent all of 
us he needs to be more centrist than when he is trying to appeal primarily 
to Democrats.

Regarding Iraq -- Obama will never be like McCain on Iraq.  But he is 
definitely leaving the door open to a longer stay in Iraq and not just a 
quick pull-out.  That is necessary because when troops start to leave, 
there will probably be more fighting among Iraqi factions.  Then what do 
we do?  Public opinion today favors rapid withdrawal, but what will the 
public be saying once the withdrawal is underway?  Obama is anticipating 
that and saying that withdrawal will be contingent on its effects -- he'll 
start to pull out troops and will see what happens.  McCain will not try 
to leave.  I like the Obama plan better because it will put pressure on 
the Iraqis to handle their own internal affairs.

Mike

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