Sorry for this diaries brevity, but I really wanted to share this gem from Ambinder:
This could be one of those unexpected events that forever changes the way the world perceives an issue. Iraq's Prime Minister agrees with Obama, and there's no wiggle room or fudge factor. This puts John McCain in an extremely precarious spot: what's left to argue? to argue against Maliki would be to predicate that Iraqi sovereignty at this point means nothing. Obviously, our national interests aren't equivalent to Iraq's, but... Maliki isn't listening to the generals on the ground...but the "hasn't been to Iraq" line doesn't work here.. . .
(Via e-mail, a prominent Republican strategist who occasionally provides advice to the McCain campaign said, simply, "We're fucked." . . . - http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/arch ives/2008/07/mccain_campaign_responds_to _al.php
I just saw CNN report on the White House email "accident" that was mentioned in the rec list, and I thank them for turning this into a story that could dominate news cycles through Monday. Usually weekend stuff can die a quiet death, but this statement by Maliki can really help frame Obama's trip in a positive light, and put McCain on the defensive.
I would like to open this up to discussion, as I always find myself playing "Devil's Advocate" to tone down my optimism. Can anyone think of how the McCain camp could . . . with a straight face . . . spin this story better than using the "domestic politics" line?
Update [2008-7-19 18:36:13 by Veteran75]: It looks like the McCain campaign has updated their response, by basically taking credit for ? ? ? :Let’s be clear, the only reason that the conversation about reducing troop levels in Iraq is happening is because John McCain challenged the failed Rumsfield-strategy in Iraq and argued for the surge strategy that is responsible for the successes we’ve achieved . . . --- Tucker Bounds, spokesman John McCain 2008.. . . so are they admitting something?
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