Politico reports that during his testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee, General David Petraeus, named by President Obama to succeed Gen. Stanley McChrystal as the commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, was pressed by Senator Lindsey Graham on a recent letter sent by anti-war congresswoman Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) tying support for war funding to a plan for withdrawal.
Under continued questioning from Graham, Petraeus said that putting such conditions on war funding “would be contrary to the whole policy, which is conditions based.”
Those words — “conditions based” — are vital. They demonstrate to both our friends and our enemies that we’re not foolishly committed to withdrawal on an arbitrary date (in this case, July 2011). That Petraeus used these words isn’t surprising; he knows how to run and win a war. But it would help a great deal if his command in chief would as well.
Oh, that’s rich! Oprah can’t figure out whether to have the most popular female politician in the country on the ticket. Maybe she can get some tan shoe polish.
For her shoes, I mean. So they match her handbag.
Great move, Barry. Attack a woman because, why? She’s not “authentic” enough. Where have we heard that one before? But after that, what? Sarah Palin is principled, intelligent, effective and has accomplished more and has more executive experience in a variety of private and public positions than he has had. Look at his resumé. There’s nothing there and Sarah Palin shines a very bright light on that glaring absence. Then again, Barry did run Bill Ayers CAC Foundation, so effectively in fact that even Ayers had to fire him for incompetence!
On a political level, he has fallen into a trap, which is pitting himself against the oppositions VP candidate. My optimism is growing daily and I cannot wait for the debates. Maybe the possibility of Republicans being swept in on Big Mac and ‘Cuda’s coattails? I know, I’m dreaming for gold handed to me on a silver platter. I will settle for the gold.
Isn’t it kind of ironic that we are now comparing a potential president’s qualifications to a potential VP’s qualifications? Most astute minds will stop and ask themselves this question, and most rational people will come to the obvious answer: maybe, just maybe, the Democrats have their ticket in reverse.
What is the payoff to Hillary to do this hatchet job? The Supreme Court? I don’t see her doing anymore than necessary unless there is something in it for her.
Re: “maybe, just maybe, the Democrats have their ticket in reverse.”
See, that’s the beauty of this situation. If people do start to think about reversing the order of the Democratic ticket, what have they got? Joe Biden. A pompous clown. What an awful pick that was.
Real Palin plan: Dump Biden, Stepfordize Michelle, grovel before Hillary.
I guess it’s Oprah’s business if she wants to practice gender apartheid. But it seems to me that the GOP has to roll out its own female leadership to defend Palin. Hutchinson, Lingle, Dole, Blackburn, etc.
They simply cannot have any politicians’ wives defend Palin. They need women who hold or have held high office as well as those who have been captains of industry. If all the Dems can trot out are their lawmakers as well as those in the grievance industry (e.g., Steinem), the GOP can counter this effectively with their own collection of successful and accomplished women.
Gord: My thoughts exactly. Hill has already shown herself to be a team player for the party. Why go further and risk getting the No One (updated variation on the One) elected? Unless, sly dog that she is, she’ll go the motions, realizing that at this point there’s even money he won’t win after all.
By the way, a question via James Taranto at the WSJ: “What’s the difference between a ‘community organizer’ and a Chihuahua? A Chihuahua has a real job.”
Francis Beckwith, I honestly don’t think Warrior Mommy needs much help.
Not just politicians. Fiorino, Whitman (no, not Christine, Meg), who else?
Good point, Seth Halpern. BTW, I think you’re the first to allude to Xena, if that’s what you were intending to do. Nice touch.
ABC has a new poll out today on the VP picks that is fascinating.
The bottom line is that (shock of shocks) Palin appeals to voters on the right, but not so much to the middle. In terms of voting impact, she is a net negative for the ticket.
“At the same time, the story in the ideological center is different: Among moderates, Biden registers as a net 15-point positive for Obama. In the same group, Palin shows no effect on support for McCain. ”
Also, “fewer than half, 42 percent, think Palin has the kind of experience it takes to serve effectively as president if that became necessary. Far more say Biden passes the experience bar, 66 percent.”
I hope they send Napolitano to all 50 states and buy her some ad time on TV. Actually, McCain should offer to pay for it. She’s a repulsive figure dating back to her role in the Clarence Thomas slander. Contrasting her with Palin is a huge winner for the GOP.
HA! Go ahead Obama… put those old, boring hags on stage next to each other. They will make Palin look even more divine than she already is.
The Anchoress has the money quote on Obama’s attack surrogates. Visit he site and read it for yourself.
The whole pageant reminds me of “All About Eve.” Anyone else?
Here’s an opportunity for McCain to call on Carly Fiorina and Meg Whitman.
Al Meyers
That’s great! Yes, Sarah Palin is “Eve” but who is “Margo Channing”? Is it Obama or Biden?!
Palin’s resume is so thin she’s not qualified for anything at the federal level. Maybe she could negotiate fishing rights with the Russians, since they are right next door to Alaska. Best McCain can do is keep her away and hidden until the election. Don’t let anyone talk to her, much less the Mainstream Media. McCain should order her to talk only to Fox News, the party organ. Those folks over at Fox News are faithful partisans, they’ll find a way to make her appear qualified.