Obama: McCain's timetable shows "convergence around proposals we've been making for year and ahalf."

[jefferson_dem]

Obama responds to McCain's criticism
Posted: Saturday, July 26, 2008 10:10 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: 2008, Security, Obama

From NBC/NJ's Athena Jones

LONDON -- During a 15-minute press conference outside of 10 Downing Street here today, Obama responded to McCain's criticism of his five-country swing through Europe and the Middle East, as well as his Republican rival's comments on a timetable for withdrawing troops from Iraq.

"It's hard for me to understand Sen. McCain's argument. He was telling me I was supposed to take this trip. He suggested it, thought it was a good idea," the senator told reporters, some of whom were seated on the ground in front of him and or standing on the sidewalk across.

"John McCain has visited every one of these countries post-primary that I have. He has given speeches in Canada, in Colombia, Mexico," he continued. "So it doesn't strike me that we've done anything different than the McCain campaign has done, which is to recognize that part of the job of the next president and commander-in-chief is to forge effective relationships with our allies."

McCain's comment that a 16-month timetable for withdrawing from Iraq could be good -- adding that it would have to be based on conditions on the ground -- was a sign that "there has been some convergence around proposals that we've been making for a year and a half" on this and issues like increasing troop levels in Afghanistan and negotiating directly with Iran, Obama said.

"The fact that John McCain now thinks that it's possible for us to execute a phased withdrawal -- I think that's a positive thing," he said. "And if the Administration believes that as well, then I will, I will be fully supportive."

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http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/07/26/1226532.aspx

[Barack_America]

1. The doddering old fool walked right into this, like a glass door.

The increasing number and frequency of blunders is staggering.

[Bonn1997]

2. Talk about going soft on your opponent

I can't imagine how harsh McCain would be (or even Bill Clinton would be) if his opponent had criticized his view and then later come to endorse a nearly identical view. I can imagine claims that the opponent is flip-flopping and has no guiding principles other than to say whatever is necessary to win the election.

[karynnj]

4. This is far better than that - why snipe about flip flop when you can take credit

for people following your plan. Just take credit for being right. (To see that without parties assume Kerry had opted in in 2007 - would he have gained anything had he called Obama and Clinton on flip flopping because they voted against Kerry/Feingold, but then shifted 6 months later? (Edwards did speak in favor of Kerry/Feingold. I think it would have looked tacky and hurt the possibility of unity behind that shift in policy.)

I think even the top Obama surrogates will take Obama's tone - that McCain is following his lead. That incident5ially works to say Obama was right on the things McCain called him inexperienced on and even better the statement will likely infuiate McCain. Far better than silly flip flop calling.

[Triana]

3. That's right - that's EXACTLY what McSame's proposals are and I hope the Obama campaign...

...repeats that over and over and over - points it out incessantly - because it's true and because it bears repeating.