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| The One Did It -- The Iraq Negotiation Report is True |
| 2008-09-17 |
| Stolen from HotAir.com STANDING BY THE STORY The Obama campaign spent more than five hours on Monday attempting to figure out the best refutation of the explosive New York Post report that quoted Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari as saying that Barack Obama during his July visit to Baghdad demanded that Iraq not negotiate with the Bush Administration on the withdrawal of American troops. Instead, he asked that they delay such negotiations until after the presidential handover at the end of January. The three problems, according to campaign sources: The report was true, there were at least three other people in the room with Obama and Zebari to confirm the conversation, and there was concern that there were enough aggressive reporters based in Baghdad with the sources to confirm the conversation that to deny the comments would create a bigger problem. Instead, Obama's national security spokeswoman Wendy Morigi told reporters that Obama told the Iraqis that they should not rush through what she termed a "Strategic Framework Agreement" governing the future of U.S. forces until after President Bush left office. In other words, the Iraqis should not negotiate an American troop withdrawal. According to a Senate staffer working for Sen. Joseph Biden, Biden himself got involved in the shaping of the statement. "The whole reason he's on the ticket is the foreign policy insight," explained the staffer. |
| Posted by:Sherry |
| #36 You are very good at thinking crookedly, Anonymoose. A very useful skill, that... especially when one is honest. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2008-09-17 19:22 |
| #35 The funny part about this is how the Pentagon, the Bush administration, and the Iraqis had taken all of this into account even before Obama was a candidate. It is called prior planning. The assumption had to have been that the Democrats would eventually find some way of screwing things up, just like they did in Vietnam. So Iraq *has* to be completely prepared for independence by next inauguration day. If Obama is elected, immediately the Iraqis might *demand* that US forces leave their country without delay. Any hesitation, for any reason, and they will protest to the UNSC that the US mandate is over. And Iraq will do this because we have told them ahead of time that they will have to do this, to protect them from the bitter hatred of the Democrats. Otherwise, Bush might order US forces out of Iraq and into Afghanistan, as Plan 'B'. Iraq could then erect barriers to their return, and the Pentagon could complain they don't have the funds to bring troops back to Iraq. Whatever works. The Pentagon has a long and angry memory of congress and the Democrats betraying them, and they are not going to let it happen again. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2008-09-17 16:59 |
| #34 Mhw is correct about the Logan Act being a high bar. However, Obama cleared it with the ease of an olympic pole vaulter. |
| Posted by: Mike N. 2008-09-17 16:57 |
| #33 I believe the O-Man (or his 'team') didn't want the "Strategic Framework Agreement" to go forward now as they wanted to make it look like the Iraqis suddenly changed their minds and fell under his 'spell' once he was sworn in as president. This would make his first '60 days' look like he was actually accomplishing something. He was trying to play the 'arab game' with respects to saying one thing and doing another. Unfortunately for him, the Iraqis have a tad more experience in the 'deception' department. |
| Posted by: Mullah Richard 2008-09-17 16:03 |
| #32 If you interpreted the Logan Act in a very restrictive way, all the hundreds of Governors and Mayors who take foreign trips to brag about the companies in their State/City and how much they can do for the foreign govt are guilty (or get the govts to invest in commercial real estate in their states). I think there is in effect a very high bar to leap to commit a crime here. MHW I do not believe so, mhw. The separation of powers distinguishes the government of the United States from individual states, so those entities are not covered. In addition,t he logan act, per the quote, relates only to discussions relating to disputes and controversies, so strictly promotional activities with foreign powers is permissible. It is when, as a condition for some agreement, that the foreign government wants the visitor to intercede on behalf of that foreign goveernment in a dispute with the United States, or run interference to oppose a policy of the United States government that would adversely affect the rest of the country, then the Logan act applies. |
| Posted by: Ptah 2008-09-17 15:36 |
| #31 CF, agree completely. Another talking point SP should open up with, especially since she is now scheduled to be interviewed by Katie Couric. |
| Posted by: USN, Ret. 2008-09-17 14:58 |
| #30 The problem is OP that the MSM will willingly provide him all the cover he needs. And there are a *lot* of people who still rely on the MSM for all their news. If the MSM doesn't metion it - these people will never know. All they will know is that Palin doesn't know what the Bush Doctrine is and whatever bullshit lies Charles Gibson and the gang will tell them. |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2008-09-17 14:49 |
| #29 You can't hit him with the Logan Act! He's a citizen of the world.... |
| Posted by: Cornsilk Blondie, formerly known as Swamp Blondie 2008-09-17 14:40 |
| #28 This POS doesn't seem to know when to stop digging, does he? I hope enough people are smart enough to see through the flim-flam and NOT put this "person" into a position of trust. He's not worth it. |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2008-09-17 13:51 |
| #27 If you interpreted the Logan Act in a very restrictive way, all the hundreds of Governors and Mayors who take foreign trips to brag about the companies in their State/City and how much they can do for the foreign govt are guilty (or get the govts to invest in commercial real estate in their states). I think there is in effect a very high bar to leap to commit a crime here. |
| Posted by: mhw 2008-09-17 13:17 |
| #26 H/T Gateway Pundit In response Move America Forward PAC released an ad this morning slamming Senator Barack Obama for his disgraceful political games with the US military: The ad |
| Posted by: Sherry 2008-09-17 11:52 |
| #25 Logan Act Any citizen of the United States, wherever he may be, who, without authority of the United States, directly or indirectly commences or carries on any correspondence or intercourse with any foreign government or any officer or agent thereof, with intent to influence the measures or conduct of any foreign government or of any officer or agent thereof, in relation to any disputes or controversies with the United States, or to defeat the measures of the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both. This section shall not abridge the right of a citizen to apply, himself or his agent, to any foreign government or the agents thereof for redress of any injury which he may have sustained from such government or any of its agents or subjects. |
| Posted by: Woozle Unusosing8053 2008-09-17 11:51 |
| #24 They should impeach Bush for allowing this to happen to Obama. If Bush hadn't gone to war in Iraq then Obama would not have had to have this secret negotiation on delaying the SFA. Its all Bush's fault, don't you see! |
| Posted by: Jack is Back! 2008-09-17 11:44 |
| #23 Now who will have the b***s to pursue an investigation? Posted by Ulusoling Hatfield4645 You know who. The soon to be former Governer of the 49th state to join the Union, that's who. The only real question is how far will she get with this once she's inside the Beltway? |
| Posted by: DLR 2008-09-17 11:33 |
| #22 |
| Posted by: Woozle Unusosing8053 2008-09-17 11:31 |
| #21 Taheri stands by his original comments and rebutes Obama's rebuttal here |
| Posted by: Anon4021 2008-09-17 11:30 |
| #20 and there was concern that there were enough aggressive reporters based in Baghdad with the sources to confirm the conversation that to deny the comments would create a bigger problem. It didn't 'leak' because the Maliki government didn't want it to. Apparently the Maliki government doesn't see Obama as being the strong horse (for now), and is hedging its bets. |
| Posted by: Pappy 2008-09-17 11:21 |
| #19 Tell 'em about the 'Malefactors of Great Wealth,' John! |
| Posted by: Fred 2008-09-17 11:17 |
| #18 Mark Levin, a right wing radio host from DC urges all of us to call or email Congress and the White House demanding a Special Prosecutor be assigned to expose the democrats connections with the Fanny Mae and Freddy Mac meltdowns. I urge the same. We collectively stopped the Dubai Ports World which was just a Muslim business from their takeover of our ports. We can certainly pressure the president and Congress to sacrifice some of their corrupt in trade for our taxes. The offenders will all be donkeys, so get those calls going. It's our country only if we are willing to take it back. |
| Posted by: lollypop 2008-09-17 10:56 |
| #17 McCain is on it: Expect ads to follow... |
| Posted by: DarthVader 2008-09-17 10:55 |
| #16 Who cares! Palin bought a used tanning bed! That is what's important. -- Talking heads of the media... |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2008-09-17 10:55 |
| #15 Question: What circulation is this story getting outside the web? And the article (posted elsewhere on today's Burg) about McCain pointing out Fannie and Freddie's malfeasance: how far is that circulating? How does one find out whether people are actually aware of these things? I'd like to know. The local birdcage liner gives the election ten inches of general news now that Mr. Obama is struggling. Sound bites on TV and radio are not particularly enlightening. So, is the word getting out? Thanks. |
| Posted by: mom 2008-09-17 10:31 |
| #14 An empty suit with lots of bad advisors from the Clinton adminsitration. Besides being #2 in donations from Fannie and Freddie, a Freddie official responsible for this mess was in charge of VP vetting. |
| Posted by: Danielle 2008-09-17 10:15 |
| #13 Hussein keeps trying to burnish his management skills. I'd say this demonstrates his ability to manage a large criminal enterprise, which his entire campaign is. I keep getting mailers from the fool for a donation. Maybe I'll get a very large shovel on my next trip to Home Depot and donate that. Keep digging idiot. |
| Posted by: Woozle Elmeter 2700 2008-09-17 10:11 |
| #12 This won't mean a hill of beans. Obama cannot prevent Bush from ordering the vast majority of US forces from Iraq to Afghanistan, then Iraq refusing to allow their return, saying they are "unnecessary." On top of that the Pentagon would suddenly develop a major budget shortfall, and be unable to shift the personnel back to Iraq without a major new appropriation passed by congress. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2008-09-17 09:25 |
| #11 Asking for soldiers to stay in harms way to benifit an election is treason. I know he will never get nailed for this, but if he wins, we know the military are pawns for his own benifit. Just F&*king wrong. God help America |
| Posted by: 49 Pan 2008-09-17 09:23 |
| #10 He just did it to improve his street cred with the left. |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2008-09-17 08:34 |
| #9 Amir Taheri's response in the NY Post here. |
| Posted by: Mike 2008-09-17 08:19 |
| #8 I agree, OS. However, no one has ever actually been prosecuted under the Logan Act, and Obambi won't be either. It would be a great test case, though. |
| Posted by: Spot 2008-09-17 08:03 |
| #7 No one. Treason and sedition are tolerated by our government and lauded by the left. |
| Posted by: DarthVader 2008-09-17 08:02 |
| #6 Now who will have the b***s to pursue an investigation? |
| Posted by: Ulusoling Hatfield4645 2008-09-17 07:33 |
| #5 By the article, his National Security Dunce, Wendy Morigi, just admitted that he violated the Logan Act, OS. |
| Posted by: Mike N. 2008-09-17 03:29 |
| #4 If true then he is a criminal, under the Logan Act. |
| Posted by: OldSpook 2008-09-17 03:20 |
| #3 Now can we question his patriotism? The junior Senator from Iliinois is, at best, a phony, phake and a phraud. |
| Posted by: Mike N. 2008-09-17 03:07 |
| #2 So -- it's a difference of "demanding" and "delay." Already having a "What is the meaning of is?" moment? It was a pretty good sign it's true, when McCain release a press release concerning the statement. In case you haven't read this (I read it here first at Rantburg U... in a comment... yeaaaaa) H/T to oh.. I'm so sorry, I don't remember who. You can stand up if you want, but I won't ask you to stand up.) In the New York Post, conservative Iranian-born columnist Amir Taheri quoted Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari as saying the Democrat made the demand when he visited Baghdad in July, while publicly demanding an early withdrawal. "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, according to Taheri. . . . But Obama's national security spokeswoman Wendy Morigi said Taheri's article bore "as much resemblance to the truth as a McCain campaign commercial." In fact, Obama had told the Iraqis that they should not rush through a "Strategic Framework Agreement" governing the future of US forces until after President George W. Bush leaves office, she said. In the face of resistance from Bush, the Democrat has long said that any such agreement must be reviewed by the US Congress as it would tie a future administration's hands on Iraq. |
| Posted by: Sherry 2008-09-17 02:00 |
| #1 Worldview your way out of that one, Wonder Boy. |
| Posted by: tep 2008-09-17 01:58 |