Is Obama flip flopping on Iraq?

It has not been a secret to anyone where Barack Obama’s position is on the war in Iraq. He is against it and has been against it since the beginning. Obama voted against the authorization to use force and voted against continued funding of the war.

Shortly before announcing his candidacy for president in November of 2006, Obama laid out his strategy for Iraq. At that time, Iraq looked like a lost cause, a quagmire, a country on the verge of sectarian civilian war, and Obama wanted out as soon as possible.

Obama’s plan was to immediately begin withdrawing troops from Iraq with a fixed timetable at a rapid pace. Obama even elaborated on his plan during a primary presidential debate against Hillary Clinton claiming; we would be out of Iraq in 16 months after he took office.

Today the situation in Iraq has changed dramatically for the better, violence and attacks are down at a monumental rate and the Iraqi government and Army controls most of the country. It would be safe to say the surge worked and great progress has been made, but not enough to change Obama’s mind for a withdrawal. Although Obama now uses a slight different tone, instead of bringing all the troops home Obama now proposes withdrawing most US troops according to a fixed timetable, set to the most rapid pace at which commanders have said American forces could be pulled out.

Iraq’s foreign minister Hoshyar Zerbari finds his proposal extremely disconcerting. Mr Zebari says after all the pain and sacrifices of the past five years, “we are just turning the corner in Iraq.” A precipitous withdrawal “would create a huge vacuum and undo all the gains and achievements and cause our enemies to celebrate.

Mr. Zerbari sent a message directly to Obama basically telling him progress is being made and he hopes any action Obama would take will not endanger this process.

Now here is where the story gets interesting. It was Obama’s reply that captured my attention.

“If there would be a Democratic administration, it will not take any irresponsible, reckless, sudden decisions or action to endanger your gains, your achievements, your stability or security. Whatever decision reached will be made through close consultation with the Iraqi government and US military commanders in the field.”

Say what??? That doesn’t sound like the same Obama position. What are we to make of this? Flip Flop? Is it a genuine change of mind on the situation? I have said since the 9-11 attacks the greatest threat and issue facing this nation is Islamic terrorism, and like it or not the greatest front in the fight against Islamic terrorism is now in Iraq. Whether you were for the war or against the war is irrelevant. It is now time to win the war.

So here we have a presidential candidate promising his supporters a speedy withdrawal…then we have a foreign minister say a speedy withdrawal would be disastrous...then the presidential candidate says we’ll consult with you on how to handle the situation… Can Obama really have it both ways?

I don’t know folks, perhaps he can…Zerbari says after talking to Obama he was reassured and now thinks there might not be much difference between him and John McCain on the issue of Iraq.

I guess that is what the Obama campaign means by “change you can believe in.” You can believe Obama will change his mind depending on who he is talking with.