There was a time not very long ago that most Americans had never even heard of Barack Obama. I unabashedly admit that I was ignorant of his very existence until he delivered the keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention in 2004. Obama's oratory captivated Democrats and he became an overnight sensation. Next thing you know, he's occupying a Senate seat from Illinois --and after merely a year-- vying to be Commander-In-Chief of the world's mightiest military.
It's quite obvious that Obama saw the US Senate as the quickest route to Pennsylvania Avenue even though he hasn't really done anything substantive there. Hillary Clinton has criticized his record as a state legislator due to his penchant for voting "Present", but I am more concerned over his record (or lack thereof) in the US Senate. He has missed nearly 40 percent of all Senate votes during the 110th Congress (190 out of 477) going back to early 2007. He has avoided rather than confronted controversial issues. Despite claiming unmatched opposition to the Iraq war, he has passed up various opportunities to cast his vote against it.
Although he portrays himself as the veteran's best friend, in his official campaign position on Iraq, he refers to the ongoing US presence there as "an occupation of undetermined length". Only leftist, anti-war, anti-military liberals actually use that kind of rhetoric, not those trying to reach out to America's vets. He also takes great pains to point out his belief that the calm in Anbar Province was not due to the recent surge. Personally, I could care less if it was due to the US military or a charm offensive by the Girl Scouts; the point being that the powder-keg that was Anbar Province is now under control and the additional forces have allowed us to keep it that way.
Having previously staked out his position that Iraq is a failure, Obama must maintain that position, or risk alienating the anti-war vote. Despite recent widespread successes, a declaration by Iraqi P.M. al Maliki that the Iraqi government had reached accord on a number of contentious issues and the confirmation Sunday that the US had killed the Mosul-based leader of al Qaeda in Iraq, Obama maintains that no progress has been made. He still wants an immediate withdraw of US soldiers - leaving a vulnerable few, while simultaneously asking me to believe that he'll do what it takes militarily if al Qaeda resurges.
In an exchange with John McCain last week, Obama claimed he would do what it took if al Qaeda tries to establish a base in Iraq. McCain sarcastically pointed out that al Qaeda was already trying to establish a base in Iraq. Obama's only comeback was to change the subject; to fall back on Democrat talking points and blame George Bush, saying "There was no such thing as al Qaeda in Iraq until George Bush and John McCain decided to invade Iraq". Barack Obama's campaign vision for ending the war in Iraq completely ignores the realities on the ground today. He refuses to acknowledge both military and political successes and still maintains that thousands are dying monthly.
I keep watching and listening to Barack Obama, trying to catch even just a glimpse of that supposed brilliance that so enthralls the masses; trying to understand why so many Americans would blindly follow someone who has offered up so little about the substance of his leftist agenda; so very little I can agree with as a US veteran. I have listened to his Senate speeches and his campaign rhetoric. I have examined his positions and his every vote in great detail and the only conclusion that can be drawn is that he is a slick orator with virtually no record who barely votes and has fooled millions of people into believing he walks on water.
Sooner or later, Americans will begin to ask what this man really stands for. For America's sake, I only hope they do so before November.
Copyright © 2006-2008 Jayme Evans - All Rights Reserved - http://warofwits.org/
