Monday, July 14, 2008

The Goal

So what we thought was a promise was a goal. What we thought was an unqualified
timetable is not. What we thought was his determination to issue new orders
really wasn’t. But whatever he committed to the American people he is still
committing.

Can you imagine if he had said this during the primary? Hillary Clinton would
be the one with the White House redecorating plans now. (I can understand why
McCaskill was pleading to get back to the economy.)

However, what we don’t hear, and I am beginning to wonder if we
will, is any recognition from the Obama that we need to build upon the success
of the surge and not allow Iraq to drift back into chaos. From his op-ed in the
New York Times the answer appears to be “no.” Notice how he shies from any causal connection between
the surge and gains we have achieved: “the Sunni tribes have rejected Al Qaeda.”
And why was that? Could it be because the U.S. troops gave them confidence that
we would remain and fight to defend the population?