Obama acknowledges Gen. David Petraeus..but will make his own decision

2008-07-22 08:55:02

#1

Catbox: forgiveness; +505|6714

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080722/ap_ … i_ea/obama

Obama acknowledged that the U.S. commander in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus, does not want a timetable for withdrawal of U.S. combat forces.

"He wants to retain as much flexibility as possible," Obama said. "What I emphasized to him was ... if I were in his shoes, I'd probably feel the same way. But my job as a candidate for president and a potential commander in chief extends beyond Iraq." Obama said he also needs to take into account the security needs in Afghanistan, the views of the Iraqi government and the potential domestic uses for the money now being spent in Iraq.

he says he understands the General... but will still do what he want's... pretty strange to not listen to your General on the ground...
especially with only 1 visit there himself... right or wrong about the war... he needs to do what will keep the situation from deteriorating...
will he change his mind as things continue to get better in Iraq?

Love is the answer

2008-07-22 09:02:54

#2

13rin: Member; +977|6477

[TUF]Catbox wrote:
will he change his mind as things continue to get better in Iraq?

Will he change his mind? You bet. Probably all ready has. Probably will chang it back tomorrow before flipping back to whatever is the most popular view just before the election.

I stood in line for four hours. They better give me a Wal-Mart gift card, or something. - Rodney Booker, Job Fair attendee.

2008-07-22 09:04:41

#3

Havok: Nymphomaniac Treatment Specialist; +302|6673|Florida, United States

Will Obama change his mind on withdrawal from Iraq? Absolutely not. He's been advocating the removal of American armed troops from that nation for years.

2008-07-22 09:05:54

#4

CommonSense: Banned; +51|5934|New York

Obama won't leave Iraq nor will McCain. They both know they can't.

2008-07-22 09:09:43

#5

AussieReaper: ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°); +5,761|6151|what

Out of Iraq and into Afghanistan.

Although, I don't think that's real change.

2008-07-22 09:09:49

#6

Catbox: forgiveness; +505|6714

Havok wrote:
Will Obama change his mind on withdrawal from Iraq? Absolutely not. He's been advocating the removal of American armed troops from that nation for years.

yes he has been against the war... and up until a few days ago said we weren't making any progress
he will get out of Iraq... regardless of the consequences...

Love is the answer

2008-07-22 09:12:16

#7

Mason4Assassin444: retired; +552|6660|USA

Petraus can run for President if he would like to make executive decisions.

2008-07-22 09:28:06

#8

Mekstizzle: WALKER; +3,611|6619|London, England

TheAussieReaper wrote:
Out of Iraq and into Afghanistan.

Although, I don't think that's real change.

Yes it is, it means the U.S will start to actually fully focus on the war on terror and those Taliban and AQ bastards and not get sidetracked by stupid Iraqi internal matters. Also, AQ in Iraq, which happened because of the US invasion, are largely gone now. Now it's time to finish off the bulk in Afghanistan and Pakistan

2008-07-22 09:36:34

#9

FatherTed: xD; +3,936|6498|so randum

Shifting back to Afghanistan would be logical tbh - it's the reason America went to war in the first place tbh, and it's been pretty much neglected since the US moved to Iraq

Small hourglass island
Always raining and foggy
Use an umbrella

2008-07-22 09:40:33

#10

sergeriver: Cowboy from Hell; +1,928|6755|Argentina

Mmm, some posts are being magically deleted.

2008-07-22 09:46:07

#11

Catbox: forgiveness; +505|6714

Mason4Assassin444 wrote:
Petraus can run for President if he would like to make executive decisions.

so listening to your Generals is not a good thing to do...? lol good plan...

Love is the answer

2008-07-22 09:50:30

#12

AussieReaper: ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°); +5,761|6151|what

Mek-Stizzle wrote:
TheAussieReaper wrote:
Out of Iraq and into Afghanistan.

Although, I don't think that's real change.
Yes it is, it means the U.S will start to actually fully focus on the war on terror and those Taliban and AQ bastards and not get sidetracked by stupid Iraqi internal matters. Also, AQ in Iraq, which happened because of the US invasion, are largely gone now. Now it's time to finish off the bulk in Afghanistan and Pakistan

That's the thing though, when the US moved into Iraq many insurgents moved into Pakistan (you could suggest possibly Osama did also). Had the focus been on AQ in Afghanistan it wouldn't have been possible. Hindsight is a wonderful thing though.

Problem is I can't see the US having any influence on AQ in Pakistan without huge support from the Pakistan government and population. By now it may be too late.

And it's unfortunate that Iran is still rattling it's sabre, (or trying it's best to). North Korea has been quiet for a short while now but I believe that the United States can't put enough pressure on each of the countries at the same time.

Having to deal with Iran, Iraq, Pakistan and then possibly North Korea is not a good scenario, but it may well be one that is required.

2008-07-22 09:54:03

#13

Spearhead: Gulf coast redneck hippy; +731|6688|Tampa Bay Florida

[TUF]Catbox wrote:
Mason4Assassin444 wrote:
Petraus can run for President if he would like to make executive decisions.
so listening to your Generals is not a good thing to do...? lol good plan...

We live in a democracy, not a military dictatorship. Elected officials make the decisions, not the military. Petraus is in charge of handling the situation in Iraq, not the USA.

We the people decide what happens, not the commanders. Thats what makes this country different from... say.... North Korea... or Nazi Germany.

Last edited by Spearhead (2008-07-22 09:54:18)

2008-07-22 09:57:33

#14

acEofspadEs6313: Shiny! Let's be bad guys.; +102|6690|NAS Jacksonville, Florida

Spearhead wrote:
[TUF]Catbox wrote:
Mason4Assassin444 wrote:
Petraus can run for President if he would like to make executive decisions.
so listening to your Generals is not a good thing to do...? lol good plan...
We live in a democracy, not a military dictatorship. Elected officials make the decisions, not the military. Petraus is in charge of handling the situation in Iraq, not the USA.

We the people decide what happens, not the commanders. Thats what makes this country different from... say.... North Korea... or Nazi Germany.

Awesome.

So you, with no experience in the art or warfare, can tell MY commanders what to do? Thanks for the assurance that I'll have to patch up and, sadly, drag away Marines from combat doing my job because of armchair generals. Awesome.

2008-07-22 09:58:05

#15

Poseidon: Fudgepack DeQueef; +3,253|6535|Long Island, New York

Spearhead wrote:
[TUF]Catbox wrote:
Mason4Assassin444 wrote:
Petraus can run for President if he would like to make executive decisions.
so listening to your Generals is not a good thing to do...? lol good plan...
We live in a democracy, not a military dictatorship. Elected officials make the decisions, not the military. Petraus is in charge of handling the situation in Iraq, not the USA.

We the people decide what happens, not the commanders. Thats what makes this country different from... say.... North Korea... or Nazi Germany.

GODWIN'S LAW, GODWIN'S LAW!

-ahem-

Gentlemen.

2008-07-22 10:17:47

#16

Catbox: forgiveness; +505|6714

Spearhead wrote:
[TUF]Catbox wrote:
Mason4Assassin444 wrote:
Petraus can run for President if he would like to make executive decisions.
so listening to your Generals is not a good thing to do...? lol good plan...
We live in a democracy, not a military dictatorship. Elected officials make the decisions, not the military. Petraus is in charge of handling the situation in Iraq, not the USA.

We the people decide what happens, not the commanders. Thats what makes this country different from... say.... North Korea... or Nazi Germany.

We are.. talking about Iraq...genius... and are you saying that Obama shouldn't take advice from his Generals on the ground...?

Love is the answer

2008-07-22 10:29:30

#17

Spearhead: Gulf coast redneck hippy; +731|6688|Tampa Bay Florida

acEofspadEs6313 wrote:
Awesome.

So you, with no experience in the art or warfare, can tell MY commanders what to do? Thanks for the assurance that I'll have to patch up and, sadly, drag away Marines from combat doing my job because of armchair generals. Awesome.

Its called democracy. If the people don't want American troops in Iraq, then we will leave. Simple as that.

FYI there are plenty of people within the military who support pulling out. So your argument fails.

[TUF]Catbox wrote:
We are.. talking about Iraq...genius... and are you saying that Obama shouldn't take advice from his Generals on the ground...?

Of course he should take advice. Thats exactly what he's doing.

But he also has the right as president to reject that advice. And if the American people agree, then he will be president. If they disagree, then McCain will be president. Welcome to democracy.

Poseidon wrote:
GODWIN'S LAW, GODWIN'S LAW!

-ahem-

Gentlemen.

If you think Generals should have the right to overrule elected officials decisions, then what the fuck. When did I call anyone a Nazi? I'm explaining the differences between the USA and military dictatorships.....

Last edited by Spearhead (2008-07-22 10:33:13)

2008-07-22 10:35:58

#18

acEofspadEs6313: Shiny! Let's be bad guys.; +102|6690|NAS Jacksonville, Florida

Spearhead wrote:
acEofspadEs6313 wrote:
Awesome.

So you, with no experience in the art or warfare, can tell MY commanders what to do? Thanks for the assurance that I'll have to patch up and, sadly, drag away Marines from combat doing my job because of armchair generals. Awesome.
Its called democracy. If the people don't want American troops in Iraq, then we will leave. Simple as that.

FYI there are plenty of people within the military who support pulling out. So your argument fails.

You're missing the whole point of what I'm saying. It's not just about Iraqistan and Afghanistan. It's about conflicts in general.

I'm a United States Navy Corpsman. Which means I get to go with the Marine Corps to be a combat medic. Which means I take care of injured Marines.

If "the people" get to decide on how wars are fought, then "the people" make my job a whole lot harder due to the fact that most of them don't know anything about the military.

"We vote we need to attack this stronghold with 1,000 enemy defenders, even though we have only 250 men! Our military can pull it off"

As I said. More work, which is bad in my case, that I have to do by dragging wounded and dead Marines away due to "the people" telling commanders what to do.

2008-07-22 10:40:12

#19

Pug: UR father's brother's nephew's former roommate; +652|6540|Texas - Bigger than France

My thoughts on Petraeus is he's a good commander. He did very well with Iraq once he took over.

My hope isn't he keeps out of the political side, and he's not drawn into the political aspects by others.

In other words, the guy is the arms and legs...the brain is somewhere else. If Obama/McCain tells him to get out, then he does it. It really sucks when a good commander gets axed because of political garbage.

2008-07-22 12:20:25

#20

Drakef: Cheeseburger Logicist; +117|6360|Vancouver

I believe Obama said it himself, when he acknowledged that advice from military commanders is valuable, but is merely part of one area of governance. Its relevance must be considered in relation to other areas, when the executive concern is not merely military decisions, but political decisions as well, and not only considering one region of the world.

2008-07-22 12:36:47

#21

Spearhead: Gulf coast redneck hippy; +731|6688|Tampa Bay Florida

acEofspadEs6313 wrote:
You're missing the whole point of what I'm saying.

No, you're missing mine, Drakef explained it perfectly

Drakef wrote:
I believe Obama said it himself, when he acknowledged that advice from military commanders is valuable, but is merely part of one area of governance. Its relevance must be considered in relation to other areas, when the executive concern is not merely military decisions, but political decisions as well, and not only considering one region of the world.

thank you....

2008-07-22 13:12:07

#22

KEN-JENNINGS: I am all that is MOD!; +2,973|6630|949

[TUF]Catbox wrote:
he says he understands the General... but will still do what he want's... pretty strange to not listen to your General on the ground...
especially with only 1 visit there himself... right or wrong about the war... he needs to do what will keep the situation from deteriorating...
will he change his mind as things continue to get better in Iraq?

War is politicized - virtually EVERY politician will say anything to get elected. I honestly don't think the progress in Iraq is what he is worried about; I think he is worried about what he (and his campaign staff) thinks the "public" wants in regards to this issue.

2008-07-22 15:59:07

#23

Stingray24: Proud member of the vast right-wing conspiracy; +1,060|6443|The Land of Scott Walker

[TUF]Catbox wrote:
... will he change his mind as things continue to get better in Iraq?

Not if but when. If he is elected, you can bet your last dollar he'll do a 180.

Btw, this is the right answer.

CommonSense wrote:
Obama won't leave Iraq nor will McCain. They both know they can't.

/thread

Last edited by Stingray24 (2008-07-22 16:00:19)

2008-07-22 17:24:47

#24

FEOS: Bellicose Yankee Air Pirate; +1,182|6409|'Murka

Honestly, I think that is one of the smartest things Obama has said so far. That's why it's called military advice, not military decision. The CINC has to take that advice into account along with diplomatic, political, and economic to formulate the best way ahead for a given situation.

"Best" being "best for the country", not necessarily best for a particular situation.

“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
― Albert Einstein
Doing the popular thing is not always right. Doing the right thing is not always popular

2008-07-22 17:38:36

#25

TrollmeaT: Aspiring Objectivist; +492|6670|Colorado

Flip-Flop anyone? Mccain FTW.

BF2S Forums Obama acknowledges Gen. David Petraeus..but will make his own decision

[TUF]Catbox wrote:

Havok wrote:

TheAussieReaper wrote:

Mason4Assassin444 wrote:

Mek-Stizzle wrote:

TheAussieReaper wrote:

[TUF]Catbox wrote:

Mason4Assassin444 wrote:

Spearhead wrote:

[TUF]Catbox wrote:

Mason4Assassin444 wrote:

Spearhead wrote:

[TUF]Catbox wrote:

Mason4Assassin444 wrote:

Spearhead wrote:

[TUF]Catbox wrote:

Mason4Assassin444 wrote:

acEofspadEs6313 wrote:

[TUF]Catbox wrote:

Poseidon wrote:

Spearhead wrote:

acEofspadEs6313 wrote:

acEofspadEs6313 wrote:

Drakef wrote:

[TUF]Catbox wrote:

[TUF]Catbox wrote:

CommonSense wrote:

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