A Blog Called Hope

Yesterday, Barack Obama sat down with Katie Couric to discuss his foreign policy objectives and the war on terror.

Here is the interview:

Senator Obama and Senator Reed land in Jordan for a summit with Jordanian leaders

Today, Senator Obama will partake in a private meeting with King Abdullah. Later in the evening Senator Obama and the King will be joined by Senators Reed (D-RI) and Hagel (R-NE), and top Jordanian officials, for dinner.

The group will discuss the role of the United States and Jordan in combating terrorism.

During meetings between Senators Obama, Reed, and Hagel, Iraqi Prime Minister al-Maliki expresses support of Obama’s plan for Iraq

Presidential candidate Barack Obama, accompanied by Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE), continued their whirlwind tour of the Middle East and Europe yesterday by meeting with Iraqi PM al-Maliki. The four men, along with United States Generals, discussed the United States’ role in Iraq and within the region.

During the conversation, the parties addressed Senator Obama’s plans for a withdrawal in 2010. Despite John McCain’s vehement opposition to a withdrawal, it certainly appears that Iraq itself wants such a timetable. The traveling party quoted al-Maliki as supportive of Obama’s plans and that Iraq wishes for “our continued help in training Iraqi security forces, helping conduct counter-terrorism operations, developing Iraq’s economy and advancing political compromise,” as opposed to continued United States military operations in the country.

Senators Obama, Reed, and Hagel will be in Jordan today to meet with the Jordanian royal family.

For more on this story visit, USA Today.

Senator Reed and Senator Obama arrive in the Middle East to discuss terrorism and the United States’ role in the region

Yesterday, Senator Barack Obama met with Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai to pledge his support to the Afghani government with their ongoing struggle with al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters. Senator Obama reinforced his position that winning the battle in Afghanistan, coupled with finding al-Qaeda leadership in the region, are major linchpins in winning the war on terror.

Senator Obama, Senator Reed, and Senator Hagel (R-NE) released a joint statement about the trip and our country’s role in helping combat terrorism in the conflict ravaged region and across the globe.

“Our message to the Afghan government is this: We want a strong partnership based on ‘more for more’ — more resources from the United States and NATO, and more action from the Afghan government to improve the lives of the Afghan people. We need a sense of urgency and determination. We need urgency because the threat from the Taliban and al-Qaida is growing and we must act; we need determination because it will take time to prevail. But with the right strategy and the resources to back it up, we will get the job done.” -Sen. Obama, Sen. Reed, Sen. Hagel, June 20, 2008.

In between touring Afghanistan and meeting local leaders and U.S. troops, Senator Obama found time to sit down and speak to “Face the Nation”. To view his interview, click on the video below.

As well, early this morning the three Senators landed in Iraq to meet with Iraqi PM al-Maliki. The group will discuss the Iraq War and a timetable for U.S. withdrawal; a move al-Maliki has publicly supported.

For more information on Obama and Reed’s trip, visit the Washington Post, CNN, or Associated Press.

In his own speech, John McCain responds to Obama and stands by the war in Iraq

Following Senator Obama’s lead, John McCain outlined his own plans for US foreign policy.

His major linchpin, as always, is the need for the United States to remain in Iraq for the foreseeable future.

“It is precisely the success of the surge in Iraq that shows us the way to succeed in Afghanistan. It is by applying the tried and true principles of counter-insurgency used in the surge — which Senator Obama opposed — that we will win in Afghanistan. With the right strategy and the right forces, we can succeed in both Iraq and Afghanistan. I know how to win wars.” -John McCain, July 15, 2008.

Hmm. Interesting.

John McCain knows how to win wars? History tells us that McCain has never been served as a General or Commander in Chief; so what qualifies him to say he “knows how to win wars”???

Aside from that obvious misstatement, there also remains McCain’s questioning of Senator Obama’s position on Iraq. Never has Senator Obama proclaimed our fate in Iraq is certain failure, never has he speculated that we cannot win both Iraq and Afghanistan. Senator Obama’s position, which McCain and his supporters are ignorant to, is that we should seek outside assistance in Iraq to enable the United States to re-focus our efforts in the war on terror ON terrorists, including bin Laden, sitting pretty in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

For a man who attempts to convey that he is a different person than President Bush and paints himself as a straight-talking independent thinker, it sure seems that John McCain has fully subscribed to the failed foreign policies of the Bush administration. This is the same ’stay the course’ mentality that has kept over 100,000 of our brave men and women in harms way. This is the same misguided, and detrimentally stubborn, attitude that permeated throughout our government during the 60s and 70s when McCain himself was serving our country.

Instead of offering something new, something that may in fact turn the tide in our country’s favor, it certainly appears that The McCain “straight talk express” has taken a detour down some perilous routes that Bush and Nixon have traveled in the past.

Citing Iraq, Senator Obama emphasizes the need to repair foreign relationships and shift our focus to adequately combating terrorism abroad

Proclaiming that the Bush administration, along with John McCain, have been misguided in their war on terror, Senator Obama re-emphasized his plans to withdraw troops from Iraq and refocusing our military efforts on finding Osama bin Laden and terrorist leadership where they truly are.

“In fact – as should have been apparent to President Bush and Senator McCain – the central front in the war on terror is not Iraq, and it never was. That’s why the second goal of my new strategy will be taking the fight to al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan… Al Qaeda has an expanding base in Pakistan that is probably no farther from their old Afghan sanctuary than a train ride from Washington to Philadelphia. If another attack on our homeland comes, it will likely come from the same region where 9/11 was planned. And yet today, we have five times more troops in Iraq than Afghanistan.” -Senator Obama, July 15, 2008.

Along with responsibly ending the conflict in Iraq and capturing Osama bin Laden and other terrorist leadership, Senator Obama outlined three additional foreign policy goals his administration will have:

• Securing all nuclear weapons and materials from terrorists and rogue nations

• Achieving true energy security

• Rebuilding our alliances to meet the challenges of the 21st century

Senator Obama proclaimed that we must rebuild the bridges the Bush administration has broken, and learn from our own history as a nation. What made America great and prosperous was our amicable relationships with foreign nations and our genuine sense of justice and democracy.

Barack Obama acknowledged that the past eight years have set us back, but he has also realized that these are challenges that can be, and must be, overcome in order for America to return to prominence on the world stage and ensure our everlasting safety. Senator Obama concluded his remarks by accurately asserting, “We know what is needed. We know what can best be done. We know what must done. Now it falls to us to act with the same sense of purpose and pragmatism as an earlier generation, to join with friends and partners to lead the world anew.”

For a transcript of Senator Obama’s speech, click here.

McCain surrogates launch personal assault on Obama; McCain stays mum

Unfortunately, it appears the gloves are off.

After months of spirited political debate on the Primary and Presidential trails, the McCain camp has commenced what is certain to be a series of attacks on Senator Obama’s character.

“Sen. John McCain’s allies have seized on a new and aggressive line of attack against Sen. Barack Obama, casting the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee as an opportunistic and self-obsesses politician who will do and say anything to get elected. McCain typically leaves the sharpened criticism to others, in the hope of being able to claim the high ground of conducting a ‘respectful’ campaign. But the abrupt shift in tone among his paid staff members, volunteer surrogates and other Republican staples of the cable news circuit is unmistakable, and it resembles the unified message the GOP used to paint the 2004 Democratic candidate, Sen. John F. Kerry, as a flip-flopper.” -Washington Post, June 30. 2008.

McCain likely will continue the charade that he is conducting a respectful and honorable campaign against Senator Obama, but the bottom line is his minions are not acting in such a manner.

These are the same people that responded with seething disgust when retired General Wesley Clark asserted McCain’s war record had nothing to do with McCain’s aptitude to serve as President; which is quite striking considering only four years ago GOP surrogates levied a callous assault on Senator Kerry’s (D-MA) decorated service record in order to blow a hole in his candidacy.

These are the same people that see terrorist attacks on our country as beneficial to McCain’s pursuit of the Presidency.

McCain appears to forget that ‘you’re only as good as the company you keep.’ McCain is surrounded by cold and calculated political personnel. It’s hard to imagine a way McCain could work so closely with such individuals without being either cognizant, or downright supportive, of the positions they present.

If McCain genuinely wishes to conduct an honorable campaign he must take appropriate steps to curb the wave of personal attacks and ignorant and insensitive declarations perpetrated by his supporters.

Senators Obama and Clinton rally in Unity, NH to unite the Party in ending the repugnant Republican reign in the White House

Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) joined Barack Obama on Friday in New Hampshire to show her support for Senator Obama and stress the need for change in the White House.

“The truth is, that in this election, we face an opponent with a very different vision of America,” Clinton, said. “In the end, after eight devastating years of President Bush, Senator McCain merely offers four years more.”

“For anyone who voted for me and now is considering not voting or voting for Senator McCain, I strongly urge you to reconsider. I hope you’ll stand with me. I hope you’ll work as hard for Senator Obama as you did for me,” Senator Clinton concluded.

Senator Obama then took the stage and echoed Senator Clinton’s sentiments. He focused on the necessity to shift away from the failed policies of President Bush; something he, and many other invested Americans, are certain Senator McCain will only continue.

“The choice in this election is not between the left and the right, between liberal and conservative — it’s a choice between the past and the future,” Senator Obama proclaimed.

In New Mexico, Senator Obama promises he will ‘live up to the hype’ that surrounds him

It all began with Senator Obama’s rousing speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. And since that moment, Obama has captured the eyes, the minds, and hearts of much of the American public. His popularity has only continued to grow as Obama eyes the United States Presidency.

Many conservatives, who continue to grasp at straws, cling to the hopes that Obama’s appealing platforms ring hollow. They bank on the fact that Senator Obama cannot be genuine about the sweeping changes he plans to make.

However, Senator Barack Obama has been swift to respond to his detractors; ensuring the public that the popularity that surrounds him is not merely hype, but a promising reality that the American people can believe in.

In interview with Matt Lauer, McCain proclaims bringing American troops home from Iraq is “not too important”

After several months of attacking Barack Obama for his ‘naiveté’ on Iraq, it seems McCain himself is the one of touch.

During an interview with Matt Lauer last week, John McCain was questioned about his stance on Iraq; particularly his position on a timetable for withdrawal. McCain took the opportunity to downplay the significance of the potential of our brave men and women returning home, and instead spewed more nonsensical foreign policy and took another jab at Senator Obama.

Here is a portion of Matt Lauer’s interview with the Republican Presidential candidate:

MR. LAUER: When the president, though, came up with this surge at a time where everyone, it seemed, was thinking the contrary, you endorsed it with great conviction and great courage. And a lot of people now say the surge is working.

SEN. MCCAIN: Anybody who knows the facts on the ground say that, yes.

MR. LAUER: If it’s working, Senator, do you now have a better estimate of when American forces can come home from Iraq?

SEN. MCCAIN: No, but that’s not too important. What’s important is the casualties in Iraq. Americans are in South Korea. Americans are in Japan. American troops are in Germany. That’s all fine.
American casualties and the ability to withdraw — we will be able to withdraw. General Petraeus is going to tell us in July when he thinks we are.
But the key to it is we don’t want any more Americans in harm’s way. And that way they will be safe and serve our country and come home with honor and victory, not in defeat, which is what Senator Obama’s proposal would have done.

So what’s not important to John McCain is soldiers’ being safe and spending time with their families and loved ones. What IS important to McCain is “victory”, what IS important to McCain is pride. Is pride and “victory” worth the 120,000+ American lives that are on the line in?…

“I would rather be a one-term President and do what I believe is right than to be a two-term President at the cost of seeing America become a second-rate power and to see this Nation accept the first defeat in its proud 190-year history…Let us understand: North Vietnam cannot defeat or humiliate the United States. Only Americans can do that.” -President Richard Nixon, 1969.

Couple these insensitive and ill-informed assertions with those he recently made about Iran, it is becoming clear John McCain does not have a handle on his own cash cow, foreign policy.