The Iraq Withdrawal Time Frame

[VolinArizona]

Any chance this announcement is a strategy by the Republicans to help McCain win the election?

Think about it - the BIGGEST hurdle McCain has and will deal with is his stance on staying in Iraq for a very long time. It's a war that Americans don't support anymore, and I honestly believe it was the only thing in McCain's way - although it was a HUGE problem.

Now, we get this timeframe talk, and now, McCain's biggest hurdle has been taken out of the race.

Thoughts?

[Fine Vol]

He just lost an important campaign manager. Is this minuscule?

[allvol123]

I'd say no. This election is about the economy again and energy within that. Most Americans have forgotten about Iraq since the media has reduced their reporting on Iraq. Reduced reporting due to things going so well.

[oklavol]

I think it would help McCain some, but the country more. The country needs a psychological lift like that, a lot of people are struggling right now, especially people in banking, construction, financial sector, etc. There's no confidence in the govt right now, especially Congress then Bush.

[GAVol]

Originally Posted by allvol123

I'd say no. This election is about the economy again and energy within that. Most Americans have forgotten about Iraq since the media has reduced their reporting on Iraq. Reduced reporting due to things going so well.

I agree completely. It's all about the economy right now. Whoever sells the best "recovery" plan will win.

[T-TownVol]

McCain's biggest obstical is the "geezer" factor.

[UT IE 95]

I thought I saw on the news this morning that the Iraqi PM was supporting the presidential candidate with the quickest withdrawal plan. And the commentator said this clearly favors BHO. I'm on the road so I must have missed the JSM3 announcement of a timeline.

On a side note - I'm in Seattle for the weekend, and there are more bums here than any city I've ever visited. In my 48 hrs here I have been panhandled no less that 15 times. Other than that, this is a beautiful city.

[MG1968]

not so fast, fans of the Obamassiah

Iraqi PM disputes report on withdrawal plan - CNN.com

"U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama talks about 16 months," he said in an interview with Der Spiegel that was released Saturday.

"That, we think, would be the right time frame for a withdrawal, with the possibility of slight changes," he said.

But a spokesman for al-Maliki said his remarks "were misunderstood, mistranslated and not conveyed accurately."

Government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said the possibility of troop withdrawal was based on the continuance of security improvements, echoing statements that the White House made Friday after a meeting between al-Maliki and U.S. President Bush.

[volinbham]

Originally Posted by UT IE 95

On a side note - I'm in Seattle for the weekend, and there are more bums here than any city I've ever visited. In my 48 hrs here I have been panhandled no less that 15 times. Other than that, this is a beautiful city.

Hard to imagine it could out "bum" San Francisco.

[Rasputin_Vol]

Originally Posted by VolinArizona

Any chance this announcement is a strategy by the Republicans to help McCain win the election?

Yes

[tim]

Originally Posted by volinbham

Hard to imagine it could out "bum" San Francisco.

Pelosiland. Where the bums get a stipend for...well, being a bum. Brilliant. And possibly the second coming of Amsterdam.

[UT IE 95]

Originally Posted by tim

Pelosiland. Where the bums get a stipend for...well, being a bum. Brilliant. And possibly the second coming of Amsterdam.

I have recently been to Amsterdam, San Francisco, and Seattle. I can tell you, hands down, the easy winner of the "most bums" award goes to Seattle.

[KB5252]

Originally Posted by Rasputin_Vol

Yes

Wrong. It is a result of the recent success the surge has had (Which the average American has heard little about.). McCain will listen to his military people and base plans and strategies depending on their input.