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"In his role as commander on the ground, not surprisingly, he wants to retain as much flexibility as possible in terms of accomplishing that goal," Obama began. "What I emphasized to him was, you know, 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 repeatedly dodged the question. Instead of a choice between listening to Petraeus and taking his own advice, Obama spoke about the competing demands on a commander-in-chief: whether it would be more pressing to send more troops to Afghanistan or spend more money at home.

Seated beside him in the searing heat and dust were his two travel buddies, Sens. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) and Jack Reed (D-R.I.). The two will not be traveling on to Israel and Europe; going forward, Obama exits the military aircraft (used as part of a congressional fact-finding tour) and takes a seat aboard his newly-repainted campaign plane.

But the bipartisan duo's presence in the battle zone helped to underscore Obama's call for the U.S. to move beyond political conflict-especially where national security is concerned. "Regardless of who becomes the next president, Democrat or Republican, I think we're all going to have to strip away the ideology, we're going to have to strip away the politics," Obama said. "The issues are too serious, and reality is reasserting itself."

Obama's balancing act won't get any easier as he heads to Israel Tuesday night. McCain has done his best to try to step on Obama's publicity; the Republican, mindful of the fact that a sizable chunk of the campaign press corps is paying special attention to his rival this week, has been pounding Obama for saying that if he had it to do over again, he would still oppose the Bush administration-backed surge. And McCain's camp has even let flower rumors that he may be on the verge of picking a vice-presidential candidate this week-a move that would certainly spin the spotlight back McCain's way.

But as rough as the American political drama can be, Obama knows Israel's realpolitik is rougher. A bizarre attack in Jerusalem near the hotel where the candidate will be staying was just the latest reminder of the policy stakes of the trip-and the ultimate decision Obama hopes it will influence come November.

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Posted By: joe_mama @ 08/05/2008 11:27:01 PM

Sport --

The stand I take is: the one who retaliated is JUST AS GUILTY AS the one who started it.

But then again, my children don't fight because they know it's wrong.

JM
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Posted By: tiredofobama @ 07/30/2008 11:50:43 PM

Cloudosmoke. I think that you missed Pearson's point. He probably meant that Obama was not a Congressman when the whole thing was voted on in 2003. That was ONE year before Obama was elected.

As far as McCain not thinking on his feet, your pal Obama isn't good at it either. When Terry Moran peppered Obama with questions about the surge, all Obama did was stutter and stammer around. He gave a very incoherent answer. Yeah when Obama has his prepared speech of CHANGE, HOPE, YES WE CAN he does alright. But in answering pointed questions he doesn't strike me as being the fastest thinker.

As far as policies for Obama: no energy policy, economics (raise taxes), foreign policy (appease terrorists and dictators). It sounds like you better stick to watching Bill and Ted's Big Adventure (DUDES and DUDETTES). This election is definitely too big for you.
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Posted By: Cloudosmoke @ 07/29/2008 8:27:39 AM

Where did I say I lied? Obama was voted into Congress in 2004 so yeah that does make him a Congressman. He didn't and still doesn't support the war. I don't support the war and the Americans that vote him into office in November will say, "we didn't support the war." So get over yourself and give up on trying to call people out, you don't know squat. Flip flop is a GOP invented phrase, so use it on your own candidate. I see you still on that same old Rev. Wright material... it's outdated my friend. If that's all you have, then you have no argument.

McCain on the other hand, doesn't have a platform for the ecnomy other than standing in front of a restaurant or in front of cereal looking like someone applying for the store manger position. Obama has presented his Social Security, Economic, Energy, Foreign Policy, Global Poverty and even addressed Black America platforms. What has McCain presented, not a thang... not a thang. =)

McCain will not make ground because he is too busy whining about Obama this, Obama that. He doesn't know where he is half the time, much less he can't even read a map to know what country is what and which Continent is where. He can't remember how he voted on issues when asked so he obviously didn't think to hard about whether to say yea or nay because he was following suit to the Republican votes. This election is too big for you. Stay on the porch.