Obama's Trip Changes McCain's Position On Iraq, Again

[jefferson_dem]

Obama's Trip Changes McCain's Position On Iraq, Again
from Open Left - Front Page by Chris Bowers
John McCain, July 9th (emphasis mine):

ABC News' Jennifer Parker Reports: Sen. John McCain Wednesday suggested Sen. Barack Obama may alter his promise to withdraw US troops from Iraq within 16 months after meeting with US. General David Petraeus, the commander of US forces in Iraq.

"I'm glad that he is, for the first time, asking for a sit down briefing with Gen. Petraeus and I'll be very interested in what his position on Iraq is when he returns," McCain said during a satellite interview with ABC News' Charlie Gibson Wednesday from Pittsburgh.

John McCain, July 17th (emphasis mine):

Obama in a speech this week stuck by his pledge to withdraw U.S. combat forces from Iraq in 16 months, a policy McCain said would sacrifice the security gains that have recently brought a measure of stability to parts of the country.

"This success that we have achieved is still fragile and could be reversed," McCain said on his campaign bus. "And if we do what Sen. Obama wants to do, then all of that could be reversed," and leave behind chaos and Iranian influence, he said.

In a town hall meeting in Kansas City, McCain said troop withdrawals must be governed by the situation on the ground, "not some artificial, politically inspired" timetable.

John McCain, July 25th (emphasis mine):

BLITZER: So why do you think he said that 16 months is basically a pretty good timetable?

MCCAIN: He said it's a pretty good timetable based on conditions on the ground. I think it's a pretty good timetable, as we should -- or horizons for withdrawal. But they have to be based on conditions on the ground.

<SNIP>

http://www.openleft.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=7165

[speedoo]

1. K&R. Thanks for posting this. nt