Enough With The He-Said-She-Said Over Iraq

I was going to write a non-partisan evaluation of all three presidential candidate's positions on Iraq, but I can't. I just read in detail McCain's published position on his website, and it is so repugnant to me, I cannot offer any sort of authentication to it. McCain's position is not only "pro-Iraq." It is a manifesto of continued occupation of Iraq, increase of military presence, nullification of Iraqi domestic government, and insinuation of US interests in the Middle East in general. McCain offers us a conqueror's claim of territory. If McCain has his way, it will not be "foreign oil," it will be tribute paid to an overlord. I am repelled and sickened. Any lingering sympathies I may have had for McCain are destroyed. I am eating my own words: McCain is Bush With A Brain. Let me echo Nancy Pelosi in saying, "We must have a Democratic president."

For Clinton and Obama, again, let me urge unity. Their positions are almost identical, with only nuance level differences. Clearly, both Democratic Senators are pro-withdrawal, pro-America, and pro-Iraqi autonomy. Enough with the he-said-she-said. I will reiterate: it only matters what they will do about it. Obama is crying foul that Clinton "supported the war." I find that a broad claim, as what she actually did, along with more than half of congressional Democrats, was authorize the use of military force in Iraq, which in spite of liberal cries against it, was a reasonable choice. Clinton also spoke in favor of heavy UN involvement, coalition building, mediation before military action, and heavy Senate oversight. Clinton has said that Obama may be misrepresenting his position on Iraq, and that he may in fact not even be planning to carry through on his claims of immediate solutions. What I believe is Obama may find himself mired in partisan politics and jockeying for position, and would have to make some compromises. Compromise, which is the result of successful cooperation seems consistent with Obama's position to me, and I feel he would be equally diligent in his pledge to get out of Iraq. Clinton has a more detailed plan by far, but that does not prove Obama would be bad at it, or that he would not have a more flushed out plan by January 2009. Obama has a higher moral claim to his position because he has clearly opposed the war, strongly, since the start. That does not prove that Clinton is insincere in her position, and her impassioned support of the human tragedies in all corners of the Iraq mess. I think both Clinton and Obama are genuinely concerned with the well being of the Iraqi state, and in managing the visceral elements of the war like refugees and bereft American families, veteran affairs and ongoing safety protocols.

Comparisons to FDR could be damaging for both of them in this matter, but I do see a good deal of Rooseveltian sentiment from both Clinton and Obama, which I can only agree with. Clinton approaches Iraq from the long-view perspective, whereas Obama treats it as a critical but independent situation. Iraq and Afganistan have been ongoing issues for the US since the late 80's, and every President since Carter has had to confront Middle East issues. Iraq figured strongly in Bill Clinton's administration, and this is an area where Hillary may well fairly claim more experience. This does not dismiss Obama's positions or potential successes.

Both have indicated that they chiefly agree with each other on Iraq. I believe this is one of those times that Clinton and Obama should present a strong united front. Allowing campaign rhetoric, debate biases or negative campaigning to undermine a united Democratic front on solutions to Iraq is a bad, bad idea. New polls are suggesting that support for the ongoing Iraq quagmire is at an all time high again, and McCain is going to capitalize on that to make his pro-Iraq war mongering seem like a good idea. If this trend continues, Clinton and Obama are going to have to make very strong cases for being in favor of balanced management, not dramatic withdrawal. Although the economy is taking a front seat in the issues, I believe the successful spin on Democratic solutions to Iraq will be management not "withdrawal." Focus on coalition and transitioning, steady insertion of multi-national forces, and inclusion of Iraqi dominated government officials can win the argument.