McCain's Urge to Surge One More Time

John McCain gets another opportunity to say "surge."

We wouldn't have needed a surge if we didn't invade a country that we shouldn't have invaded, 4,000 and some troop deaths later and tens of thousands Iraqi civilians, many of them women and children, dead. McCain likes to say surge, surge, surge, but something else besides the surge could've worked as well. But we'll never know. And did anything really work? We just wreaked more havoc in the region. We need to offer non-military assistance.

Unless we're attacked, we should not be invading countries.

This is what we'll get if we elect a republican president -- more war. War, war, war. Intense war. War on new nations. I don't mind the republican stance on fiscal policy. I get it. But in volatile times like these, a republican president, could have serious consequences. Republicans aren't into diplomacy.

Obama's Speech on Iraq Aug. 31 Video

Live Stream Obama's Speech Aug. 31

Update: Speech is over. Video is here.
Update: What stuck out for me is Obama on victory: "we must earn victory through the success of our partners and the strength of our own nation." People on twitter seem to be amazed that Obama didn't trash Bush. That's not Obama's style. Obama is always gracious.

Here is a transcript.

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Obama's Speech at Fort Bliss: Thank You and Welcome Home

Obama says his speech tonight at 8 pm eastern is not a victory lap. Here is partial video:

Full video and transcript:

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Behind the scenes video:

Obama Meets With Troops in El Paso Texas

This is a live audio stream scheduled for 1:10 pm eastern. Tonight at 8 pm eastern, Obama speaks on Iraq. Obama's full schedule is here.

Obama Addresses the Nation on End of Combat in Iraq Aug. 31

Obama will address the nation from the Oval Office tomorrow at 8 pm eastern time. Earlier in the day, he'll meet with troops at Fort Bliss Army Base. He'll also speak with George W. Bush prior to his speech. Here is Obama's schedule for tomorrow. All times are eastern, except for the noted local times.

8:30 AM	The President departs the White House en route Andrews Air Force Base South Lawn Open Press
8:45 AM	The President departs Andrews Air Force Base en route El Paso, Texas Andrews Air Force Base Travel Pool Coverage
12:30 PM	The President arrives in El Paso, Texas Local Event Time: 10:30 AM MDT Biggs Army Airfield Open Press
1:10 PM	The President meets with troops Local Event Time: 11:10 AM MDT Fort Bliss Army Base Travel Pool Coverage
2:20 PM	The President departs El Paso, Texas en route Andrews Air Force Base Local Event Time: 12:20 PM MDT Biggs Army Airfield Travel Pool Spray
5:55 PM	The President arrives at Andrews Air Force Base Andrews Air Force Base Travel Pool Coverage
6:10 PM	The President arrives at the White House South Lawn Open Press
8:00 PM	The President addresses the nation Oval Office Pooled Press

West Wing Week Aug. 27

Obama Speaks on Troop Withdrawal in Iraq

Obama Makes Surprise Stop in Iraq to Give Medals of Valor

Obama made a surprise stop in Baghdad to give out 10 Medals of Valor to the troops. He stopped in Iraq instead of Afghanistan because of proximity. Listen to Obama address the troops here (apparently there's only audio). We need to transfer control to the Iraqis, he said.

On a trip shrouded in secrecy, President Barack Obama flew into Iraq on Tuesday for a brief inspection of a war he opposed as a candidate and now vows to end as commander in chief.

"There is still a lot of work to do here," he said.

Obama's motorcade rolled past troops standing at attention, en route to a meeting with several hundred men and women among the 139,000 American forces stationed in the country.
....
Obama was expected to award 10 medals of valor to U.S. troops, meet with generals and speak with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki by telephone. The president had originally been scheduled to meet with al-Maliki in person but officials said dusty conditions meant helicopters were unable to fly to Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone. MSNBC

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Obama, restricted in travels in Baghdad by a dust-storm, was welcomed by Gen. Ray Odierno, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, at Camp Victory near the airport. About 600 troops awaited the president at he Al Faw Palace at Camp Victory, where Obama met with Odierno and other officials.

The president said he was there "to say thanks to the troops. They are doing extraordinary work... They're just putting their heart and soul into this.''

The president emerged from a meeting with Odierno and National Security Adviser Gen. Jim Jones to a main, chandeliered room where troops were assembled for their visitor.

"Hail to the Chief'' was piped into the palace, with huge American flags draped for a backdrop.

"Thanks to all of you,'' Obama said. "I am so honored,'' and, as one called out, 'I love you,' the president replied: "I love you back.''

The president thanked the troops for their strain, their sacrifice and the controversy and difficulty that they had confronted, calling the transformation of Iraq to a fledgling democracy an "extraordinary achievement."
.....
Acknowledging the repeated tours of duty that many have served, the president said, "Michelle and myself are with you every day'' and he pledged: "As long as I'm in the White House, you are going to get the support that you need...."

Army Spec. Joshua Tisdale, 24, of Pekin, Ill., making his second tour, has been at Camp Liberty for three months. "It makes me feel like he actually cares to where he'd come out here and talk to us.,'' Tisdale said of Obama's visit.

Sgt. First Class Floyd Robinson, 38, of Bessemer, Alabama, said: "Soldiers need to see their commander in chief... It gives everybody great pride knowing that he just took office, but he still stopped by to say a few words."
Read more at the Swamp

What Iraqis Believe

Seems to me, there's lots of room for Obama to make significant diplomatic headway. We're seen as world conquerors. I'm sure Bush McCain see us as world conquerors too, or what did Bush call it? Oh, yeah, freedom marching. 

Time: Indeed, while many Iraqis say they like Obama, few are optimistic about the difference he can make for their country as a result of his one-day visit, or even as President. "They are all the same — Democrats and Republicans, their agenda is the same, and that is to exert American control all over the world," says Nasir al-Saadi, a parliamentarian in the Sadrist movement, which is fiercely opposed to what it sees as the U.S. occupation of Iraq. In the central Baghdad neighborhood of Mansour, local Sunni community leaders — and political enemies of the Sadrists — say much of the same thing. "American policy does not depend on the President. When a new President comes up, he just continues the pre-set policy," says Sunni Awakening leader Ahmed Bassam. Although Obama reportedly discussed the future of the U.S. troop presence in Iraq with Prime Minister Maliki, Bassam remains skeptical. "American policy for Iraq was probably set 20 years ago," he says. "So I don't think American forces are going to leave. But maybe small things will change. Obama said on TV that if he wins the election, he will designate $2 billion for Iraqi refugees outside Iraq."

Obama's Historic Stance on Iraq

An important reminder of Obama's long-standing stance on Iraq. He knew.

Obama Rejects McCain's Walk in the Park

let's go to iraq where everything is coming up roses, says mccain.