Maliki Endorses Obama...Sort Of

by: Chris LeJeune

Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 19:48:59 PM EDT

BERLIN (Reuters) - Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki told a German magazine he supported prospective U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's proposal that U.S. troops should leave Iraq within 16 months.
In an interview with Der Spiegel released on Saturday, Maliki said he wanted U.S. troops to withdraw from Iraq as soon as possible.
"U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama talks about 16 months. That, we think, would be the right timeframe for a withdrawal, with the possibility of slight changes."

However, PM Maliki did not want to get too deep into a full endorsement.

Asked if he supported Obama's ideas more than those of John McCain, Republican presidential hopeful, Maliki said he did not want to recommend who people should vote for.
"Whoever is thinking about the shorter term is closer to reality. Artificially extending the stay of U.S. troops would cause problems."

So, he doesn't want to tell people who to vote for, but "whoever is thinking about the shorter term is closer to reality". Well, let's see. Obama is thinking 16 months, and McCain is thinking 100 years. Any math whizzes want to figure out which one is shorter?

So, just what is McCain's response regarding this?

"His domestic politics require him to be for us getting out," said a senior McCain campaign official, speaking on the condition of anonymity. "The military says 'conditions based' and Maliki said 'conditions based' yesterday in the joint statement with Bush. Regardless, voters care about [the] military, not about Iraqi leaders."

Why would is "domestic politics" require him to support a withdrawal if the Iraqis want us there? This is an open admission that the majority of Iraqi voters oppose our continued occupation. But he clears that up at the end; "voters care about [the] military, not about Iraqi leaders".

Chris LeJeune :: Maliki Endorses Obama...Sort Of

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Maliki Endorses Obama...Sort Of | 3 comments

16 months or 100 years? (0.00 / 0)

I'll take a stab at that! How about... it would depend on the meaning of...just kidding.

Perhaps another question would be this - which time frame would SEEM shorter, from the troops' perspective. And, wouldn't that depend on whether or not everyone would start getting serious about the business of promoting and facilitating a political solution to this mess?

As I see it, a political solution isn't on the horizon or 16 months away or even 100 years, for crying out loud! And, I don't see any sign that a political solution is even on the agenda for Obama, McCain, or Maliki. In which case, a withdrawal that would have been completed YESTERDAY wouldn't have been soon enough!

By the way, a question...if I may...just exactly how much of Baghdad is Maliki actually in control of these days and does central government authority extend anywhere outside of the capital?

by: Elizabeth Miller @ Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 19:41:44 PM CDT

That is a very good question (0.00 / 0)

By the way, a question...if I may...just exactly how much of Baghdad is Maliki actually in control of these days and does central government authority extend anywhere outside of the capital?

Maliki is very popular among the more affluent Shia. However, the majority of the Iraqi people do not approve of his leadership. The poorer, more rank-and-file Shia are more closely aligned with Sadr, especially since his is a nationalist movement. The majority of Maliki's UIA either originated in Iran, or has been exiled there for an extended period of time. Therefore, most of the population see them as Iranians, even if they were technically born in Iraq. Sadr's father was a fierce opponent of Saddam, and this wins him a lot of favor among the majority of the people.

"No U.S. soldier ever dies in vain because they're carrying out the missions of their commander in chief. And we honor all the service that they've provided." - Barack Obama

by: Chris LeJeune @ Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 19:57:49 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

As far as I understand... (0.00 / 0)

...Sadr is probably the closest there is in Iraq to political leader who is capable of being part of a process that would ultimately lead to a power-sharing agreement...and he may not be close enough!

And we haven't even mentioned the Sunnis and quasi-autonomous (sort of) Iraqi Kurdistan.

You know what...the more I think about this the less hopeful I am that Iraq is going to turn out good for anyone.

Of course, that's when I start thinking that the only hope - not guarantee - that Iraq and all of us have rests with Senator Obama's selection of Joe Biden as his running mate and Vice President with Special Portfolio on Iraq...in waiting.

Sorry...I just couldn't resist another shameless plug for what may be the best chance we all have for the promotion of a political solution and the withdrawal of US troops without leaving a failed state behind...not to mention the prevention of the total fragmentation of Iraq - which would be in no ones best interests!

by: Elizabeth Miller @ Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 21:08:08 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Maliki Endorses Obama...Sort Of | 3 comments

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