’)So, let me get this straight, Sen. Obama says what he has said for almost two years now – that he will draw down troops from Iraq in a responsible matter while consulting the generals… and the media sees some kind of change? Are the barbecues on John McCain’s palatial ranch that good that they have to resort to this sort of distortion so early?
MORE: TPM on how wrong they are.
I’ve read this page three times now and I have yet to see the words “consult with the generals”. I *DO* see his call for a immediate 16-month hard no-ifs-ands-or-buts deadline for withdrawing troops. Twice. And I do see a call to consult with Iran and Syria (about the aftermath). But the generals? Nope.
Oliver:
The media has been this stupid for a long time no. Want further proof? Look at Steve Benen’s post about the Associated Press today.
“I’ve read this page three times now and I have yet to see the words “consult with the generals”.”
Then maybe you’re looking in the wrong place:
Regarding McCain’s barbecue:
The front page of the East Valley Tribune (that being the cities to the east of Phoenix) today touted an AP/Yahoo News survey showing most Americans would rather barbecue burgers with Obama.
…Actually, I think the whole thing’s frankly asinine as it produced exactly the same numbers as simple “Who do you prefer?” polls are giving us, but since we’re on the subject of barbecues…
most Americans would rather barbecue burgers with Obama.
He’s welcome here anytime.
How stupid?
Blue Dress
Enron
Which got more press?
Obama’s dancing around on the Iraq issue is beginning to give me the same feeling that I had in 1968 about Richard Nixon and Vietnam.
PTCruiser:
Obama is not dancing around Iraq. He’s said the same fu-kin’ thing from the beginning. Don’t let the stupid ass media fool you. FISA is another story.
The media isn’t stupid. They are bought and paid for.
Amen, soullite. Hard news doesn’t sell cars.
I’m sorry, but when has Obama said he’ll “consult the generals” with regard to how long troops are going to stay in Iraq? He’s stated in no uncertain terms, that the troops will be out by the end of 2009.
when has Obama said he’ll “consult the generals” with regard to how long troops are going to stay in Iraq?
I’m lookin’, Jay, but I can’t find where anyone has claimed he did. He has said he would consult with them about conducting a withdrawal, not how long the U.S. will sustain its presence. At the same time, I believe his often-stated timeframe was “16 months” which would put the end of the pullout in mid-2010.
I’m lookin’, Jay, but I can’t find where anyone has claimed he did. He has said he would consult with them about conducting a withdrawal, not how long the U.S. will sustain its presence.
Ok. If you say that’s what he meant, I’ll accept that.
However, the middle of 2010 is different from what he has said in the past.
Here he is talking about not having “artificial deadlines”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kFrFIFizkU
Here he is in January of this year saying he’ll bring the troops home by 2009:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFJMBfqL63Y
Now it’s 16 months from when he takes office. Doesn’t that indicate he’s changed his views on this over time and that it does indicate even the potential for more change on the horizon?
That was the first time I’d heard the 2009 bit. Yeah, it’s all pretty imprecise. Sixteen months. 2009. The difference doesn’t concern me much. He’d probably be better off to speak in vague generalizations.