Barack Obama hits Hillary Clinton from an unexpected place -- the right. Obama has seen the poll numbers and he needs to make a strong statement about something... anything at this point. It could have been taxes, healthcare or some other red meat liberal issue, instead he talks tough militarily:
"Let me make this clear," Obama said in a speech prepared for delivery at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. "There are terrorists holed up in those mountains who murdered 3,000 Americans. They are plotting to strike again. It was a terrible mistake to fail to act when we had a chance to take out an al-Qaida leadership meeting in 2005. If we have actionable intelligence about high-value terrorist targets and President Musharraf won't act, we will."
Earth to Barack, do you have any idea what kind of blowback would be involved in that? Pakistan is jihadi central with more madrassas than any other country in the world. People who become radicalized go there for training to spread their vision of the caliphate far and wide, how much of a quagmire that would be is incomprehensible. They have lands there that are not governable and the Pakistani army will not touch. Anyone with an iota of military sense knows full-well that the 4,000 killed in four years in Iraq would be a monthly number in Pakistan.
Perhaps a few facts have slipped by Obama and his staff:
- Musharraf is in a shaky position and would be overthrown as soon as we crossed the border;
- Pakistan has a nuclear arsenal that could be shipped anywhere;
- Pakistan is an ally in the War on Terror, albeit one that is not as strong as we'd like; and finally
- Al-Jazeerah will take this and use it for propaganda purposes tonight and inflame those who we need in this ongoing battle. The irreparable harm done can not be measured.
This is pure desperation on Obama's part and one can feel that he knows that he has to make a splash. This was probably the wrong way to do it.
Let me be clear about one thing: If we had intel concerning the whereabouts of Zawahiri or Osama bin Laden, I would be all for a quick strike in which we get in, get out and deny the whole thing so as not to arouse the Pakistani population. For all I know, we may have pulled raids such as that off. I am not for a full-scale invasion.
Join us next week as we dissect Barack Obama's plans to invade the holy city of Mecca.
Update (8/1/07 1400): The comments below made me think of something I omitted. Are those who support Obama in what he said going to support President Bush if he invade Pakistan tomorrow based on intel showing where bin-Laden is? Would they feel the same if bin-Laden were shown to be in Iran? Ask yourself those questions Obama supporters.
Update 2: OK, just to make it easy, here's the money quote (I generally prefer for people to click through to the link so they get the gist of the entire piece):
Obama said that as commander in chief he would remove troops from Iraq and putting them "on the right battlefield in Afghanistan and Pakistan." He said he would send at least two more brigades to Afghanistan and increase nonmilitary aid to the country by $1 billion.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 5)
1. Oh dear, He's out for me. Too bad, I was going to vote for him. Now I can't support any of the 40+ candidates.
MJBower at 1:45PM on Aug 1st 2007
2. Your headline 'President Obama Would Invade Pakistan' is just cheap 'spin',twisting his words for the sake of sensationalism!
Grow up, get a life or something.
Gerald at 1:51PM on Aug 1st 2007
3. Why are you misrepresenting what Obama said? Your headline and the premise of your argument are completely FALSE, and twist Obama's words.
You were intelligent enough to include the actual quote, that was very good, keep it up. The problem is how you interpreted the last sentence: "If we have actionable intelligence about high-value terrorist targets and President Musharraf won't act, we will."
Please explain to me how "acting" on intelligence equates to starting a war with Pakistan? It doesn't! To Obama, "acting" on intelligence could mean simply a quick air strike, exactly the same action you would recommmend.
Jeebus, who said you could blog anyway? Try to be a little more objective in your future blogs, shall we? I mean, if you want to maintain any semblence of credibility, that is.
gkmoid at 1:52PM on Aug 1st 2007
4. So how crazy is Obama? All the while ragging on Hillary and W, he decides we need a third front with troops on the ground. Obviously, he is just a two bit politician willing to do anything or say anything to gain power and he thinks he need to add this to his image. Screw you Obama. Lets start thinking about Bill Richardson, a governor, a former ambassador, diplomat, Cabinet Secretary (Energy) and he is half Hispanic. The right man for right now. But wait we are the Dems lets get another idiot and nominate Obama so we can have 8 more years of Fred Thompson or McCain. Go lay down Obama you phony.
TomW at 1:52PM on Aug 1st 2007
5. OK, so then we can see the problem with ALL American politicians...they are simply willing to say anything to appease someone. Obama would open a second front (actually third isn't it?)in Pakistan all the while he is critcizing Iraq and Afghanistan. How nuts is that? I am a Dem but not a new wave national Dem Party guy I guess. I am just kind of a social justice liberal, old time Dem. No Obama, No to Hillary, maybe Bill Richardson's time has come. He is qualified, he is experienced, he is half Hispanic...Or we can just vote Republican again cuz they may do less harm. Amazing.
TomW at 1:54PM on Aug 1st 2007
6. I guess we know who you're voting for Scott. The simple minded, over the top hyperbole is typical of the blog, which is why this is your only outlet. I think Americans appreciate your "quick facts" on Pakistan, seeing as we all havent been paying attention. Thanks for your undying attention to detail. I think most Americans will see through your spin and realize Senator Obama is making a general point that as president he would be willing to take whatever steps are necessary to defend the country. I think its humorous that once a democrat begins talking tough on terrorism, the right starts feeling like there territory is being encroached upon.
fatcatmatt at 1:58PM on Aug 1st 2007
7. Does any one remember our relationship with Pakistan before 911? Musharaf himself is not a democratically elected president of his country. Secondly he presides over a country that has accomodated the hiding of our enemies and is not willing to take any action. Somebody tell me what Pakistan as a country has done to help in the war on terroe.
IF Osama is in Pakistan,which we all know he is, lets go get him.
Kamel Musah at 2:00PM on Aug 1st 2007
8. OK Fat Cat Matt and Lamal, I've added to the post and asked this question:
Update (8/1/07 1400): The comments below made me think of something I omitted. Are those who support Obama in what he said going to support President Bush if he invade Pakistan tomorrow based on intel showing where bin-Laden is? Would they feel the same if bin-Laden were shown to be in Iran? Ask yourself those questions Obama supporters.
Well?
Oh yeah, Matt, this is not my only outlet, I have several others and have been published numerous times. Your boy Obama is sinking fast and he's slapping one of our allies who we hapen to need right now. Obama is just as Hillary described him: naive.
Scott at 2:08PM on Aug 1st 2007
9. Anyone who reads the speech - and that would be an excellent idea by the way - will be as frustrated as I am at misleading and sensationalist headlines like this. If the general population doesn't pay close attention to what is actually SAID, rather than what the media wants us to believe was said, we will all be in serious trouble. Obama's speech went way beyond the subject of Pakistan. Read it.
susan at 2:09PM on Aug 1st 2007
10. Obama is totallyh unprepared to be our next President. Anybody ever hear of Alan Keys?
Mary at 2:43PM on Aug 1st 2007
11. Another shoot'em up cowboy.. And he is not even from Texas.. He needs to visit Pakistan and get the lay of the land/people/culture.. Or better yet go read the local/regional newspapers all available online for better Intel or education….. .. It's not like Sears Towers where you push a button and reach the peak and have a welcome wagon waiting... And I had high hope for this guy.. I guess next will be let’s invade North Korea and Iran… Deja vu all over again..
cowboy at 2:50PM on Aug 1st 2007
12. For Gerald and the rest of you, here's what Obama said:
Obama said that as commander in chief he would remove troops from Iraq and putting them "on the right battlefield in Afghanistan and Pakistan." He said he would send at least two more brigades to Afghanistan and increase nonmilitary aid to the country by $1 billion.
He said "in Afghanistan and PAKISTAN", so no, I didn't twist anything. Here's the link if you so wish:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070801/ap_on_el_pr/obama_terrorism_7
I was right, you were wrong (as the left is so very often). Leave you apologies in comments.
Thanks.
Scott at 3:16PM on Aug 1st 2007
13. hell no i dont agree do he have any family members ever dently not there are men and women are dying over there everyday bring them home if he wants to find the terroists send his ass over there i hope he never wins pres. he is a disgrace hes no better than bush
unknown at 3:30PM on Aug 1st 2007
14. Did Obama really say what the headline suggests?
Who wrote the headline? Before I condemn the comment, I need to know these facts.
jerry collins at 4:03PM on Aug 1st 2007
15.
Is Senator Obama becoming drunk with the smell of
power? The more I hear him speaking about foreign
policy the less convinced I am becoming about
supporting him.
Ed at 4:26PM on Aug 1st 2007