Obama Proves He’s The New Sheriff in Town
Posted: Thursday, February 22, 2007
by Joseph Collins
Publisher / Columnist for Double Impact magazine
In the untamed streets of presidential primary politics, Senator Barack Obama is defying his critics, trading political bullets with the most dangerous gunslingers alive and redefining who may be the Democratic party's power broker of the future. If February turns out to be an indicator of things to come for the next two years, Barack Obama will beat Hillary Clinton for the nomination, win the White House and revolutionize a political process that is "hungry for a different kind of politics".
In a surprise attack from foreign head of state, Australian Prime Minister John Howard stated that (paraphrasing) if he were a terrorist, he would pray for an Obama victory in the upcoming election. In a deftly worded response, Obama countered Howard's unexpected meddling in American politics, and then quipped:
"We have close to 140,000 troops on the ground now and my understanding is that Mr. Howard has deployed 1,400. So, if he's ginned up to fight the good fight in Iraq, I would suggest he call up another 20,000 Australians and send them up to Iraq."
Knowing that both the British and Australian governments have faced withering criticism from their voters for sending troops to Iraq, Obama quickly put Howard on the defensive in an area in which he could not afford to respond. The blistering exchange ended abruptly with Senator Obama having the last word. Barack, who is married to wife Michelle, also a Harvard lawyer is quickly proving that people have vastly underestimated his intellectual mettle and his ability to stand up to the rigors of a rough-and-tumble presidential campaign.
In addition to demonstrating tactical toughness this month, Obama also played a strategic card that accentuates what is probably his greatest trump card among the American electorate his unwavering opposition to the Iraq War. This week, Obama sponsored The Iraq War De-Escalation Act of 2007, a short and to-the-point piece of legislation aimed at a gradual redeployment of U.S. forces now stationed in Iraq. By introducing this important legislation, Obama takes the high ground on the most critical and divisive foreign policy issue facing this country since the Vietnam conflict 30 years ago.
With a majority of Americans agreeing with his stance against the war, Senator Obama is able successfully navigate areas that his closest Democratic opponents can only tread water in. Given the fact that Senator Clinton authorized President Bush to invade Iraq and now is on record as opposing the war, she is faced with accusations of "flip-flopping" and being indecisive. John Edwards is a staunch opponent of the war in Iraq but is no longer in the senate. As a result, he and Senator Clinton can only watch from the sidelines as Obama sponsors a bill that is designed to hand Iraqis direct control of their own security and force President Bush to begin withdrawing troops from an increasingly lethal battlefield.
The Iraq War De-Escalation Act requires that all American combat troops be gradually withdrawn from Iraq between May 1 st of this year and March 31 st of 2008. It places responsibility for the security of the region squarely on the shoulders of Iraqi troops and police units, and only allows U.S. troops to remain in the region for training and force protection activities.
The legislation also restores the time-honored concept of balance of power between the president and Congress, a sore spot for many Americans and politicians of both parties who feel the Bush administration has trampled the Constitution and ignored the tenants of representative democracy. On one hand, the language of the bill provides the president with the ability to suspend redeployment if he deems it in the national interest, but it also allows Congress to pass a joint resolution agreed upon by both the House and Senate if they choose to disapprove of the suspension. The bill also requires the President to report to Congress every 90 days on the progress of the withdrawal, prohibits the establishment of permanent American bases in Iraq and ties economic assistance to Iraqi progress in quelling violence and instituting a peaceful infrastructure for governing.
Senator Barack Obama is quickly proving that he is very much up to the task of a bruising presidential campaign. However, in the process of bidding for the White House, he may also turn the political world upside down by proving that his opponents are not up to running against him. He has demonstrated that he is quite adept at making significant headway in the fundraising game, can hold his own in a battle of wits with political heavyweights, and knows how to leverage his strengths in areas where his opponents are wounded. It is very early in the race, but the skinny kid with the funny name from Chicago has a lot of Washington insiders scratching their heads and wondering what fireworks this summer will bring. Stay tuned America Barack Obama is just getting started.
Copyright Joseph Collins 2007
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)I also encourage SearchWarp's readers to "stay tuned" because Joseph Collins is just getting started! You are an excellent political anaylst and writer, Joseph. I enjoy reading what you have to say on the upcoming Presidential Election moreso than what's attempted in the news media. Keep going at it, Joseph. There's a whole lot more to come from you and I sit on the edge of my seat waiting in anticipation!Avis, thanks once again for commenting! This election is shaping up to be one of the most important and exciting in our lifetimes. It may be too much to ask that the candidates remain civil with one another, but it is my hope and prayer that ultimately, the next president does what we elect executives to do. Tackle the tough problems, remain responsive and leave the country better off than the condition in which they first assumed office. It's still possible if voters stand up and demand it!
“hungry for a different kind of politics". To quote you many of us are. I don't know much about Obama as yet but there is at least one area I totally disagree with him on and perhaps a few more. Frankly I really do not care what color, race, religion or any of that hogwash people like to use as excuses. I want a person of character, honesty, morals and values. I would like to see him speak to "comprehensive" immigration reform and "undocumented workers". I would like to see him speak to "free trade", The North American Union, Iran, Korea, Russia and above all I would like to not have him avoid the issues but speak to them so I can consider just what his plans are. I would like him to define how he and others who hold office can justify ignoring the breaking of law, the stealing of ID and the granting of amnesty all for committing crime? Now since he is a black American I am sure he knows there are many young blacks and poor whites who every single day have to struggle just like these poor exploited Mexican workers. As for Homeland Security ask BOA where these people are they certainly know. That aside, when is someone going to have what it takes to stand up and say the truth? When are they going to stop circumventing the real issues? Obama, you have everything it takes to win this election if you address it in truth. We really need another Tony Dungy, a black man of untold integrity and value who has won over multiple cities and in effect the nation and who has and does influence untold numbers. If you are that type then we are at the door of an amazing opportunity. No more" read my lips', no more "I did not", no more "we found weapons" and no more placing American second. You got the ball now let us see and hear by your words and above all your actions what your made of and where you stand on Iraq, our security, our military and all the other key issue confronting "all" Americans and not just those groups who can secure victory. However, if you are more of the same only in a nice package then you can forget about my vote and multitudes like me. You will certainly get the female and black and Hispanic vote and that is most likely what will happen regardless of any position you take. You will also either be the Candidate or Vice Presidential candidate after Hillory and that is a foregone conclusion. Good luck. I for one hope you are more in likeness of Tony Dungy!Robert, thks for commenting! I saw Obama speak yesterday in Austin. It was amazing to look out over 20k people (capacity crowd) and see 90% white faces. From what I can see, female, blk and Hisp. votes will only be icing on his electoral cake. Obama proves with every speech, interview and verbal exchange with opponents that he has achieved MLK's dream - to be judged by the content of his character (and intellect). Years after he wins the WH, some people will still be asking - what happened?
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