you mean he isn't serious? [rquoter] You can watch the full interview here The discussion of Iraq begins around 3:45. For all the chatter about Obama adviser Samantha Power's calling Clinton a "monster," another set of remarks made on her book tour in the United Kingdom may be equally threatening to the Obama campaign: Comments in a BBC interview that express a lack of confidence that Obama will be able to carry through his plan to withdraw troops from Iraq within 16 months. "He will, of course, not rely on some plan that he’s crafted as a presidential candidate or a U.S. Senator," she said at one point in the interview. Power downplayed Obama's commitment to quick withdrawal from Iraq on Hard Talk, a program that often exceeds any of the U.S. talk shows in the rigor of its grillings. She was challenged on Obama's Iraq plan, as it appears on his website, which says that Obama "will remove one to two combat brigades each month, and have all of our combat brigades out of Iraq within 16 months." "What he’s actually said, after meting with the generals and meeting with intelligence professionals, is that you – at best case scenario – will be able to withdraw one to two combat brigades each month. That’s what they’re telling him. He will revisit it when he becomes president," Power says. The host, Stephen Sackur, challenged her:"So what the American public thinks is a commitment to get combat forces out in 16 months isn't a commitment isn't it?" "You can’t make a commitment in March 2008 about what circumstances will be like in January of 2009," she said. "He will, of course, not rely on some plan that he’s crafted as a presidential candidate or a U.S. Senator. He will rely upon a plan – an operational plan – that he pulls together in consultation with people who are on the ground to whom he doesn’t have daily access now, as a result of not being the president. So to think – it would be the height of ideology to sort of say, 'Well, I said it, therefore I’m going to impose it on whatever reality greets me.'" "It’s a best-case scenario," she said again. Obama's and Clinton's have both refused to promise a firm timeline for withdrawal, even by 2013, because of the changing situation on the ground in Iraq. But Power also seemed to depart from Obama's optimism that his plan is likely to work. Power identified herself in the interview as an "informal adviser" to Obama. "I've never been in politics before, I've thought of being on a show like this defending a presidential candidate before, and I wouldn't do it if I didn't agree with him," she said. UPDATE: A Clinton adviser -- though, unlike Power, not a member of her campaign team, recently told The New York Sun similar things about the New York Senator's position.[/rquoter]
just watched the whole thing- it's not pretty. ms. powers gets utterly savaged. wish we had that kind of aggressive, hard hitting media here.
"You can’t make a commitment in March 2008 about what circumstances will be like in January of 2009," I've been saying this forever. All these plans are dumb - Clinton, Obama, and McCain. The reality is going to be somewhere in between. We're not going to get out as quick as Clinton/Obama plans/claims, and we're not going to be as involved as McCain plans/claims. And ultimately, the decision on what to do there will be based on circumstances on the ground a year from now - not now. Hopefully Powers plays a key role in an Obama administration if he's elected. She's able to look at things from a pragmatic, rather than political, lens.
Your lack of knowledge as to things to do in Brussels severely affects your credibility in the field of foreign affairs, given that it's the home of the Berlaymont. moules frites? It's more like foolish bleats, when coming from YOU. You are accordingly suspended from comment on European affairs for a period of no less than 12 calendar months.
Samf, I've worked in Brussels, or as you may know it, Bruxelles. I'm keenly aware of the things to do in the city. Given your tastes, I'd recommend a full day of sightseeing at the Iron Atom. That should keep you busy and entertained. I will withhold my additional suggestions and valuable travel advice until you address the content of basso's original post. HTIA
I have been to Bruges, but not Brussels. Anyway, She's absolutely right, and that sounds smart. Have a plan, but be ready to change it if it is best for the troops, Iraq, and the U.S. The withdrawl will still happen, and right now nobody can know the exact situation. Meanwhile he will have a plan to get us out which he's talking about now. It doesn't mean he isn't serious. It shows he realistic, and not rash, and stubborn. I like it.
You're all a bunch of fops and dandies. I'm going to eat dinner over a campfire on Saturday night... <iframe width="300" height="300" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=h&s=AARTsJqzARj-Z8VnW5pkPMLMmZbqrJcYpw&ll=42.829842,-124.550221&spn=0.009442,0.012875&z=15&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=42.829842,-124.550221&spn=0.009442,0.012875&z=15&source=embed" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small>
I really hope she is brought back in any Obama administration. <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Hx1l0LnI7HU"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Hx1l0LnI7HU" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>
