Maliki Wouldn’t Mind Obama Pullout Plan
Iraqi Prime Minister al-Maliki likes Sen. Barack Obama’s 16-month pullout plan:
U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama talks about 16 months. That, we think, would be the right timeframe for a withdrawal, with the possibility of slight changes.
First, realize Maliki sees Obama as the Presidential front runner. It’s rational not to rock the boat. Second, Iraq and the U.S. wouldn’t be in this situation if it weren’t for the surge that quelled violence. Here’s a key quote:
So far the Americans have had trouble agreeing to a concrete timetable for withdrawal, because they feel it would appear tantamount to an admission of defeat. But that isn’t the case at all. If we come to an agreement, it is not evidence of a defeat, but of a victory, of a severe blow we have inflicted on al-Qaida and the militias. The American lead negotiators realize this now, and that’s why I expect to see an agreement taking shape even before the end of President Bush’s term in office. With these negotiations, we will start the whole thing over again, on a clearer, better basis, because the first proposals were unacceptable to us.
On the surge Sen. John McCain had the superior judgment over the less-experienced Obama.
Third, a timetable or a change in “time horizon” in an environment of victory makes the U.S. and the Middle East more secure.
Allahpundit, Ace, and Steven Taylor have more.
“‘The Tenure of Coalition Troops in Iraq Should Be Limited’”
[…] Added: This is just flat-out funny. And I really feel compelled to respond to this little tidbit from The American Mind (my emphasis): First, realize Maliki sees Obama as the Presidential front runner. It’s rational not to rock the boat. Second, Iraq and the U.S. wouldn’t be in this situation if it weren’t for the surge that quelled violence. […]