We should not talk about the past - we should talk about where we are now

[kentuck]

Paraphrasing, that was John McCain's response to Barack Obama in their exchange about the Iraqi invasion. It started when Obama answered a hypothetical question posed by Tim Russert at the debate the other night. When asked what he would do if the troops were withdrawn and al Qaeda reorganized, Barack Obama said he would send troops back in to quell the violence. John McCain used that response to point out to Obama that al Qaeda was already in Iraq. They were on the run but they were there now.

In response to McCain, Obama said there were no al Qaeda in Iraq until McCain and Bush decided to invade that country. McCain then said that we should not talk about the past. We should talk about what we are right now.

The past is not meaningless. Obama should point out that where are right now, in terms of leadership and judgement, is the same place we were at in 2003. John McCain has indicated he would do nothing different from George W Bush. That is where we are now. We do not want a leader that will run our country into another ditch. His judgement was lacking then and it is lacking now.

[Alex K]

1. the past is never meaningless!

past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior!

[TwilightGardener]

2. John McCain wants a blank slate. It doesn't work that way, Johnny!

[grasswire]

3. Is Obama prepared to ask his attorney general...

...to prosecute the crimes of the Bush administration?

Yes?

Will he commit to that?

[kentuck]

4. Good question.

For caution purposes, should he wait until he has more "protection" before he makes that statement?