WHITHER OBAMA?

Joe Scarborough was making much of this on today's Morning Joe show:

The [Iraqi] foreign minister said "my message" to Mr. Obama "was very clear. . . . Really, we are making progress. I hope any actions you will take will not endanger this progress." He said he was reassured by the candidate's response, which caused him to think that Mr. Obama might not differ all that much from Mr. McCain. Mr. Zebari said that in addition to promising a visit, Mr. Obama said that "if there would be a Democratic administration, it will not take any irresponsible, reckless, sudden decisions or action to endanger your gains, your achievements, your stability or security. Whatever decision he will reach will be made through close consultation with the Iraqi government and U.S. military commanders in the field." [Emphasis mine]

Joe pressed Harold Washington to explain away the conclusion one might reach that Obama does an awful lot of back-door reassuring that he really doesn't mean what he's telling voters (e.g., Canada and NAFTA during the Ohio primary). Harold responded by saying that Americans should be reassured that they'll have a CIC who'll do the responsible thing. Joe wasn't buying, and asked why doesn't Obama just tell that to the American people rather than campaigning on a fixed date withdrawal? Washington stuttered and had no good answer.

To the Blogger Boyz and all the rest of the BO kool-aid drinkers who have projected their hopes for a rapid end to the Iraqi conflict under a president Obama, I have eight words from history:

Nixon's secret plan to end the Vietnam War.

A lot of us hung our hopes on it. It was political truthiness as usual. Nixon had no secret plan, he didn't do what he said he would, and he didn't have to once he'd won the election.

What will you do when you find out that Obama has the same priorities as George W. Bush (keeping us safe from terror) and not as Hillary Clinton (ending the Iraq War, universal healthcare)? Do you really, looking at Barry's history and resume, get a good sense of what really matters to the man, what he'll fight for, how he'll govern?

I hope, I really do hope, that you're not in for an awful disappointment, even a betrayal. Because if you are, we'll all suffer right along with you.