Obama's Iraq betrayal. Update: McCain Camp Responds
By Rizzuto

Mon Sep 15, 2008 - Today, Columnist Amir Taheri dropped a bombshell that has as of this writing gone relatively unnoticed by the mainstream media. If his claims are accurate, Senator Obama conducted negotiations with the Iraqi government. Not only would Obama’s actions constitute an undermining the US State Department, but it is also highly illegal and punishable under the Logan act, which forbids unauthorized citizens from negotiating with foreign governments. Taheri writes in today’s New York Post:
WHILE campaigning in public for a speedy withdrawal of US troops from Iraq, Sen. Barack Obama has tried in private to persuade Iraqi leaders to delay an agreement on a draw-down of the American military presence.

According to Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, Obama made his demand for delay a key theme of his discussions with Iraqi leaders in Baghdad in July.

"He asked why we were not prepared to delay an agreement until after the US elections and the formation of a new administration in Washington," Zebari said in an interview.

Obama insisted that Congress should be involved in negotiations on the status of US troops - and that it was in the interests of both sides not to have an agreement negotiated by the Bush administration in its "state of weakness and political confusion."
I try to stay away from hyperbole (not always successfully), but this is a betrayal on so many levels, if true.

First and foremost, it is a betrayal of the American people. To conduct negotiations advocating for policy that run counter to State Department and Military puts the American people in danger.

Second, this is a betrayal of the members of the United States Military. To use them as pawns to give himself a political advantage in the presidential election is unconscionable. The military has earned these draw downs with their blood, and Obama has seemingly mocked that sacrifice.

Finally, and no doubt least importantly, it’s a betrayal of his anti-war constituency, whom he is playing for saps.

This defines audacity. If true, Obama should end his bid for election to the highest office and start a legal defense fund.

There should without a doubt be an investigation into Taheri’s claims.

Update The McCain camp responds.

Update II Did Obama confirm Taheri?.





RELATED TOPICS: Iraq | Election '08 | Obama | ALL TOPICS

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