Obama outlook

SPEECH: The World Beyond Iraq, By Barack Obama, March 19, 2008

Bit more forceful than McCain's call. Whether she's associated right now or not, I'd expect Power to appear high in any Obama White House.

(Thanks: Patrick O'Connor)

Comments

[David Emery]

I'm just not convinced by arguments that say "End the war by pulling our troops out to pressure the Iraquis to solve very hard internal problems."

There does need to be a discussion on strategy, but strategy starts with some envisioned end-state. This is what all 3 candidates need to articulate, and then we can discuss how to get there. The voters need to judge both the validity of the end-state, and how achievable it is...

[Louis Heberlein]

Readers should use their Find instruction to see how often the writer uses the word 'power' to create an impact on the reader/listener rather than more appropriate words like 'influence, promote, inspire, etc.' Very clever.

[HMSS]

I like Obama's style, he is a [L]iberal with a conservative like demeanor. However, I am afraid the left will get too much access. I don't want people like Ron Dellums, Dennis Kucinich, Barbara Lee, Jim McDermott and the like getting any more influence. I've lived around Dellums and Lee, those bastions of morals. Where the hell is that $1,000,000 "Your Black Muslim Bakery" borrowed from the City of Oakland?!?! Mr. Dellums? Ms. Lee? They're all quiet now.

But I am not sure if the evangelical right will get access with McCain. Bush certainly gave them a direct link.

[Dirk]

Depends on what you mean by Iraq David?

If, like Peter Galbraith, you mean a place south of the green line, I think you're wrong.

[Elmer Humes]

This speech reminds me of the nieve righteousness of Jimmy Carter instead of results of Kennedy, Nixon & Regan which he mentions. I match these beautiful words with his extreme lack of experience in foreign policy and I end up with very little confidence he could/would implement the grand strategy Tom Barnett has been evolving. Will McCain be better? Well at least I am not worried he would be another Jimmy Carter.

[Michael]

Ok, I sent you a link to an article I'd initially heard about from you. I feel like half a cent waiting for change now . . . :P

Having recognized the taste of toe-jam in my mouth, I have a non-rhetorical question for Mr Hughes and others who've made similar comments: What does adequate foreign policy experience look like? When Obama addressed the experience issue in his speech, what part of it didn't ring true?

[Mike O'Toole]

My dream team fantasy has long been Tom and Sam arguing across the table at an Obama Administration cabinet meeting.

[Dirk]

O'Toole

You too!?! I thought I was the only one who'd noted the chocolate meets penutbutter quality of their work.