To Be Announced...

While I was looking for where any of the candidates would be, I found this from Instapundit.

Barrack Backtrack, we should call it. A verbatim, direct, exact, unedited, portion of a transcript from the Larry King show with Barrack Hussein Obama...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) OBAMA: And if George Bush doesn't listen, then we're going to make him listen because it's time for us to bring our young people home.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: It can be tempting to look at the challenges in Iraq and conclude our best option is to pack up and go home. That may be satisfying in the short run, but I believe the consequences for American security would be devastating.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: Senator Obama, you disagree with that. He says it would be devastating to leave now. You say no.

Why not?

OBAMA: Well, first of all, I don't know anybody who's been talking about packing up and going home. I think that everybody has recognized we've got a major national security interest in the region, particularly in Afghanistan, where we're starting to see the Taliban resurgent al Qaeda strengthening.

So, under my plan, and I think most other proposals that have been discussed, what we want to do is make sure that we've got some forces that are over the horizon to help stabilize the situation in Iraq. Also, forces placed in Afghanistan to make sure that we're finishing the job there.

Over the horizon. I love that. Would that be the other side of the globe?

Then, reading later in the transcript...

KING: Well, how about more troops now, though?

OBAMA: ... even those who are supporting -- but here's the thing, Larry -- even those who support the escalation have acknowledged that 20,000, 30,000, even 40,000 more troops placed temporarily in places like Baghdad are not going to make a long-term difference.

What the militias are essentially doing is they've just pulled back. They've said as long as there's these increased troop presence, we'll lie low, we'll wait it out.

As soon as the Americans start leaving and redeploying into other areas, we will come back in because we haven't changed the underlying dynamic of the situation, and that is essentially that the Shia and the Sunni don't trust each other, have been unwilling to engage in any serious concessions toward each other and the various players in the region, like Iran and Syria, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, have not been effectively engaged and are instead funding these various conflicts inside Iraq in ways that are damaging to the Iraqi people.

So what we have to do is make sure that we're taking seriously the diplomatic efforts in the region. We need a diplomatic surge. We need a surge in negotiations among the various parties inside Iraq.

So, by having more troops in now...the "militias" (PS: our Founding Fathers would be proud to be associated with people who use children for bombs) are holding back until we leave?

And you want us to leave to somewhere "over the horizon" while we negotiate with "players in the region" like Iran, Syria, and one would assume - "various parties" inside Iraq like al Quada?

This makes more sense...
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Labels: barack hussein obama, iraq

UPDATED BELOW

Knew it would happen. Predicted it would happen. It happened...

Barack Hussein Obama has made an err...

Before the full week of apologies and explanations begin, let me say that I believe he meant it...meant to say it exactly as he did...and believes it to this day...

Obama: Lives ‘wasted’ in Iraq

“We ended up launching a war that should have never been authorized and should have never been waged, and to which we now have spent $400 billion and have seen over 3,000 lives of the bravest young Americans wasted,” Obama said.

Forces: U.S. & Coalition/Casualties (Lives Wasted) in Iraq

Was this guy's life wasted too? See previous post: Truth from Frontline Iraq

UPDATE

The full week of apologies and explanations begin...See?

Obama apologies again for saying soldiers’ lives ”wasted”

NASHUA, N.H. - Illinois Sen. Barack Obama repeated his apologies for an offhand remark that the lives of U.S. troops killed in Iraq were ”wasted.”

He immediately apologized on Sunday, saying the remark was ”a slip of the tongue.”

Sometimes, a "slip of the tongue" has more to do with the truth than a simple mistake. Methinks he let the truth as he sees it slip out.

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Labels: barack hussein obama, iraq

It is usually those who need to...that first ask:

Vilsack wants to debate Obama in Iowa

DES MOINES (AP) --- Former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack has challenged Illinois Sen. Barack Obama to a debate before union activists in Iowa later this month to talk about "central issues confronting America."

In a letter, Vilsack said he's willing to fly out immediately after [a] Nevada debate [on Feb 21] to attend a similar forum in Iowa.

You forgot to say, "please" Governor...
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Labels: barack hussein obama, vilsack

All right...I'll pile on too.

Biden on Obama: First Mainstream African-American...who is bright and clean

Senator Joe Biden [the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee] is equally skeptical—albeit in a slightly more backhanded way—about Mr. Obama. “I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy,” he said. “I mean, that’s a storybook, man.”

But—and the “but” was clearly inevitable—he doubts whether American voters are going to elect “a one-term, a guy who has served for four years in the Senate,” and added: “I don’t recall hearing a word from Barack about a plan or a tactic.”

(Audio of comments)

This little quip sound-bite certainly won't last as long as Senator Trent Lott's "joke" about Strom Thurmond.

Reason? Biden is a Democrat and all he has to do is "explain himself" and/or "apologize" and that will be the end of it.

It's already started and I predict the whole hubub will be over - everywhere except right wing blogs - in about 48-hours.

See?


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Labels: barack hussein obama

The Washington Post is scolding bloggers and others for citing the full name of the man of the moment in the campaign for President.

Sticks, Stones and Mr. Obama

IT'S BECOME a fad among some conservatives to refer to the junior senator from Illinois by his full name: Barack Hussein Obama. This would be merely juvenile if it weren't so contemptible. Republican lobbyist Ed Rogers, on "Hardball," was one of the early adopters of this sleazy tactic. "Count me down as somebody who underestimates Barack Hussein Obama," he said.

Yes, it's juvenile...I admit it. My whole theory about electing a President with a goofy name was kind of juvenile. But I still think it's a legitimate theory.

Mr. Obama's slimers seem to think such name-calling and Muslim-baiting can score points with the American people. On the contrary, Mr. Obama's multicultural background (his father was Kenyan, and he spent several years living in Indonesia with his mother and stepfather) ought to be viewed as a plus.

Can it truly be sliming and "name calling" by calling someone by their name?

The senator, however, does not use his middle name. Those who take pains to insert it when referring to him are trying, none too subtly, to stir up scary images of menacing terrorists and evil dictators. They embarrass only themselves.

Maybe...but to be further juvenile...I didn't start it. Democrats did...

• I remember years ago being warned that because Ronald Wilson Reagan had six letters in each of his names, he was the anti-christ. It's still a theory today...even though he's dead.

• I remember when using the full name of George Herbert Walker Bush was an insult...an attempt to portray him as part of American monarchy...an elitist.

• I referred to William Jefferson Blythe Clinton for the very same reason. Turnabout was fair play. I remember candidate Bill going to great pains to avoid his real name.

• George W ran on his middle name as one of his attributes. He won.

• John F Kerry tried to run on his middle name and initials as being representative of the original JFK. He lost.

• Hillary Rodman Clinton can't seem to figure out which name to use or whatever. I still don't know why she uses the Rodman thing. Most of the feminists who worry about such things have faded into history and I don't see too many people using dual-names as I used to.

So, bottom line....I'll take the Washington Posts criticism under advisement. I'll form a blue-ribbon committee and get back to you on that one.

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Labels: barack hussein obama

And so it begins. The hype is truly out of control.

I don't know how it is the media finds these lame stories. See my earlier post about Barack Hussein Obama.

Iowa Blogger Thrilled At Obama's '08 Ambitions

Some Iowans are thrilled to hear that the man called the rock star of the Democratic Party is making moves to throw his hat in the ring for 2008.

Illinois Sen. Barack Obama took the first steps toward running for president Tuesday by filing papers to form an exploratory committee.

Iowan Jordan Oster said he's so excited about Obama that he's found a way to tell the world.

"This is my blog -- IowansForObama.blogspot.com. I'm definitely going to show my support and I hope others do, too," Oster said.

Oster started blogging three weeks ago, concentrating on Obama's Iraq strategy and photos of the senator.

Since he "started the blog three weeks ago" posting has been very light for someone so jazzed about Barack Hussein Obama. He must know someone at KCCI in order to get them to do a story about a blog that has only 2 posts so far.

And I don't know if the reporter ever actually researched the story (probably not) because after checking out the blog myself, I found no photos and nothing about his Iraq strategy on the blog. Nothing.

Like the rest of America...he must not know much about him.

Labels: barack hussein obama

Herein is my first Presidential Candidate Way Too Early To Tell But I'm Going To Get In Front Of This Bulldozer Of Publicity analysis of the 2008 Campaign.

Jeez...I can't believe I'm doing this so soon, but I've got a few things to say about this Barack dude.

I guess he looks nice, but I'm a man so I'll leave the judge-him-on-looks stuff to the ladies in the audience.

I've never heard him speak or make a speech.

I haven't read his book.

It would be totally unfair of me to make a judgement on his qualifications for the Presidency, so I won't do that at all. What I will do is make fun of his name and analyze his support and supporters so far.

Part I: There's no way in hell that America is going to elect someone with the name Barack Hussein Obama. It just ain't gonna happen. Call it silly, but we don't elect people in the United States for the highest office in the land with funny names. Dole, Dick Lugar, "Fritz" Mondale, Dukakis, Kucinich...they just don't have a Presidential "ring" to them. And I judge a candidate's worth on how fast I can come up with a joke about their name. Barack Hussein Obama is too easy...heck, Ted Kennedy has already done that for me and he wasn't joking.



The hype so far, is impressive. A simple email sent to supporters generated a lot of buzz. Although the word "gravitas" hasn't been seen too close to his name in many of the stories, most everyone acknowledges he has some charisma...

Obama takes first step toward '08 bid

Iowa Democrats will have the first say about whether Illinois Sen. Barack Obama is the answer to the party's renewed hope for capturing the White House - or simply a new but untested celebrity.

The addition of Obama to the growing field would present Iowa Democrats with a black candidate who ranks near the top of national polls and the party's first contender born in the 1960s.

My bold highlights will be important for you to remember near the end of this post.

Tricia Zebrowski of Iowa City, who attended the steak fry, said Obama's "sensible" style and newness to national politics could unify Democrats.

"We need someone - and this may sound cheesy - who can win hearts and minds," the associate professor at University of Iowa said.

"Sensible style" sounds awfully close to acknowledging the shrinking lack of anyone sensible in the Democrat party. The party is split pretty wide...and the far angry left is taking over.

Davenport Democrat Sherrie Dietz said she probably will not support Obama because she thinks he cannot win.

"I don't think America is ready for a black president," said Dietz, a clerk in a labor union office. "And I think he's too new and doesn't know enough yet."

And Sherrie begins moving me toward my point.

Part II: The Democrat party is desperately seeking - er, consistently searching - for the next JFK. And outside of Clinton (who mucked it up with his public boorish behavior), Barack Hussein Obama is as close as they're going to get in 2008. JFK 2004 John Kerry didn't have the personality...maybe just the looks and the home state.

As a matter of fact, lest you think that the "Obama is untested" trick on the part of Republicans is going to work...I would caution you to consider the original JFK. Many Democrat bloggers and underground workers are already writing the comparison talking points.

His lack of experience will work to his advantage too. So what if he only served 2-years in the Senate before running for President. He doesn't have any votes to apologize for...or try and "nuance" away from. He won't have many "Obama voted for XXX" commercials to have to defend all the time. Kerry got killed in that department. And don't forget...the current President didn't have that much experience either. No doubt Obama will begin reminding us of that in - oh, about 2-minutes from now. At some point, the media will get to him and he won't be "the Annointed" much longer. It always happens that way.

Labels: barack hussein obama