TPMCafe: Obama Slams White House Iraq Report--says "War should never have been authorized"

[flpoljunkie]

Obama Slams White House Iraq Report
By T. W. Farnam

Barack Obama just issued this statement reacting to the interim report out today from the White House, which claimed that the results of the surge in Iraq have been mixed, with progress on some fronts:

"Does this White House think that we don't know how to turn on our televisions? Don't tell us we're making progress in Iraq when the last three months have been some of the deadliest since this war began for our brave troops who have sacrificed so much. And don't tell us it's progress when the Iraqi leadership has done nothing – nothing – to take the political steps necessary to end their civil war. This war has only fueled the terrorist threat whose strength is now at pre-9/11 levels. It should never have been authorized, never have been waged, and it must end now.”

Note the "never have been authorized" line, which slips in a subtle attack on Obama's chief primary rivals, Hillary Clinton and John Edwards, who both voted to authorize the war.

http://electioncentral.tpmcafe.com/blog/electioncentral/2007/jul/12/obama_reacts_to_white_house_report

[BeyondGeography]

1. And it was all so predictable

Sad that this party has so few candidates who actually opposed this disaster from the start.

[Donna Zen]

2. Good...the winning issue

I have absolutely NO candidate in this race, but I caution my fellow Democrats to understand that to win in 08 we must be able to thrust the guilt of this ill-conceived war onto the republicans. Obama, Kucinich, and Gravel can do just that. Of those three, Obama currently has the biggest mic.

[rufus dog]

4. Which is why I support Obama

In early 2005 I decided that my next choice for President would have to have opposed the war. (at that time I didn't know Obama's position, knew about Kucinich and Dean) But if I could figure out from day 1 that the war was a huge blunder then whoever I support should at least be that smart. I was fully aware of how some were playing politics with the issue and following the popular public position. That is a politician, not a leader.

That being said, in the GE I don't think it will be that big of an issue! Not that I believe it is acceptable to be a politician first and a leader second, but I think the candidates will get a pass.

[msongs]

3. now if he would just VOTE to end it :-) nt

[maximusveritas]

6. He already has. We just need more colleagues to do the same m/t

[zulchzulu]

5. Obama is turning up the volume a little more each day

He's going to be blasting at full volume by the time 2008 arrives. I'm jacked in and ready...

[jefferson_dem]

7. That's the point, eh. Great to hear Obama is talking straight about the cold, hard truth.

Shouldn't those who rubber stamped Chimpy's war plan be help accountable for their obviously tragic misjudgment?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYATbsu2cP8

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=107&session=2&vote=00237

[ShortnFiery]

8. Thank-you flpoljunkie for the article. Obama speaks truth to power!

I would be so proud to have a man as honorable as him as OUR next President. :-)

WE CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN. Go Obama! :patriot: :applause:

[illinoisprogressive]

9. gobama!

[Ethelk2044]

10. I agree with him. The war needs to end