To McCain’s invitation to visit Iraq together, Obama responded by saying it was a political stunt. Maybe in his eyes, but he sure would have benefited from McCain’s deep knowledge of war, army, and the progress made in Iraq.

Obama is letting not only his arrogance surface but his unwillingness to work on a bi-partisan level. How can he bridge, as he kept repeating, Washington and work hand in hand with both parties if he rejects the first one offered to him.

Obama cannot accurately assess the situation in Iraq because he didn’t even care to visit it more than once and only when he saw it as an essential step for his political agenda - and talk with the soldiers, the civilians, the generals in charge and see it with his own eyes. Isn’t it time he stops his monotonous leitmotiv that he voted against the war in Iraq, and show us that he has what it takes to be the Commander-in-Chief, by saying, all right, I was against it but now it is what it is, and let’s make sure I make the right decision for all involved and that includes the Iraqi people.

As McCain stated, to [stubbornly] set a fixed date for troop withdrawal would lead to chaos, genocide and increased Iranian influence, and if I may add, revert the country to a fertile ground for terrorism training bases and launching board for more anti-U.S. attacks, as it was during Sadam Hussein. Obama lacks the facts needed to make the right decision, and let’s face it he lacks experience because of his age and obvious indifference to international politics.

What can one conclude when Obama is willing to sit down with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, but refuses so far to talk with Gen. David Petraeus, the commander of U.S. troops in Iraq. I’ll let you be the judge.

OBAMA DOESN?T RISE TO MCCAIN’S CHALLENGE
By Maeve Reston, Scott Martelle, and Louise Roug(LA Times 5/29/08)
Abstract by Johana Nadler
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