Obama's New Offense

My note to Ari Melber who talked about Obama's post-debate language, which has been much stronger and much more harsh.

Ari, while you're on the bus/plane, please throw this idea by Obama, Plouffe, or whomever...

To nail the lid shut on the issue of handling Iraq, Obama should point out over and over that the Iraqi's want us out. Add that ethnic cleansing has been completed - and the millions of refugees can attest to that. Our plan out is to help refugees return home, but only if the Iraqi government asks us to. And then we are done, home.

I've shut down my friends from the military who are still bush believers by pointing out that if Hillary Clinton were elected and the Chinese army killed her (they like the thought of that, sadly) and the Chinese army took over the US - they'd be making IED's and blowing up Chinese supply convoys... just like many Iraqis have done to us. Clearly, they're not all Iraqis conducting these attacks, but many are and the point still resonates when people picture foreign soldiers patrolling our streets.

There are many differences between Iraqi's and Americans, but pride in your nation and your abilities to solve your own problems is exactly the same.

Turn the conversation from, "OMG, what sort of devastation will ensue if we leave?" to "We tried to help, we broke fragile religious and cultural bonds, and all they ask is that we let them fix the mess we helped make. We can't ignore their sovereignty any longer. It is wrong. No one can answer 'what is winning?' because it's never been up to us to decide the answer - it is up to the Iraqi's. They have clearly said, 'we'll take it from here. Thanks.'"