Now, Clairvoyance Is a Political Asset for Obama
If only the past were the past, and American politicians could get beyond scoring easy points.
Really, Senator Barack Obama's political courage and articulation is remarkable, but let's call it what it is: luck. And, let's not, in our collective guilt, grasp for a political leader who possibly (but, unlikely) does not have a comprehensive foreign policy perspective, or the grit to espouse it and adapt with it (unlike Governor Bill Richardson). Being right is not good enough, because there are no right answers, just lucky breaks, and second-best policies. What's crucial now is that the American people through its leadership agree upon the best policy in as public a manner possible, with all the major players present, and stake America's destiny on the outcome. We don't need leaders holding back for selfish or partisan purposes waiting for the next sea change to produce a video or transcript.
And, Obama's plan for withdrawal is a statistical mistake. Setting a timetable for withdrawal is a tactical disaster waiting to happen. But even comparing Obama's plan and Senator Joe Biden's 5-point plan, Obama's timetable is unrealistically fast and risky. It also looks like 'cut and run', whereas the strength of Biden's plan is its emphasis on creating a federal Iraq and letting theater commanders set their own timetable. Even Senator Clinton's plan threatens a 90-day deadline, if there is not a re-authorization. No plan discusses Afghanistan. There's a good compromise plan to be built around the Biden, Clinton, and Edwards plans (this is one issue where I disagree with the Richardson campaign).
Fine, Obama called it, and that's impressive, but he lacks the experience to continue on the same level, and his Iraq plan proves it.
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