This was the lede 2 hours ago. This is an attempt to paint Senator Barack Obama as a Waffler.
First let me state CLEARLY, there is no change, there has never been any change, and there will be no change in Barack Obama's position on ending the Iraq war. He has been saying since he entered the race that after "consultation" with the Generals on the ground, he would issue an order to the Joint Chiefs to prepare an immediate plan to end the war. He has said it will take 18 months, at the rate of one to two brigades per month, to get the troops home. He has said it may be necessary to leave a few troops in place to guard the embassy, and finalize the training of Iraqi police and military. That's what he said, that's what he is saying, and that is what he will do.
That is NOT how the raving Cable Guys and Gals are presenting a deliberate misreading of a statement he made this morning. And, although we know the press can't do nuance, this has Karl's sticky finger all over it.
"Look at him waffle", said Joe Scarboro.
"This will loose him Left Wing supporters", said Mick Smerconish. (sp?)
"He's just another politician changing his position to win", said nearly every single face who could grab a seat at the TV Table.
It is not true. Nothing has changed. But this certainly smacks of the kind of Rovian slime treatment we have all come to expect.
Now that McCain's campaign has hired that Rovian protege, Obama was forced to call a quick presser to say:
Democrat Barack Obama says he's always been open to refining his Iraq policy but blamed Republican John McCain's campaign for suggesting "we were changing our policy when we haven't."
The Illinois senator called a second news conference of the day Thursday to address the GOP criticism of him and resulting questions about where he stands on Iraq.
He said what he learns from military commanders on his upcoming trip to Iraq will refine his policy but "not the 16-month timetable" for withdrawing U.S. troops from combat in Iraq. He said what he learns could affect how many residual troops might be needed to train the Iraqi army and police.
Pay attention to this one. It will have Rovian legs if you let it.