How will you people react when Obama doesn't withdraw troops?

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Vic

Elite Member
Jun 12, 2001
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I don't "eat what pro polticos spew." Thanks for the maturity :roll:

The issue here is that you're trolling FUD under phony "What if?" pretenses.

I could just as easily make a thread along the lines of "What if McCain implements socialized healthcare and takes all the guns away?"

You mean you actually eat what that politico spews when he says he supports free market healthcare and the 2nd amendment?
 

SAWYER

Lifer
Apr 27, 2000
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When did I say I support McSame? He is a lying poltico like the rest, you must have me mixed with someone else. And I most certainly am not trolling, I honestly don't think he will do anything and I am curious as to what his supporters would think if he doesn't.
 

Vic

Elite Member
Jun 12, 2001
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Originally posted by: Sawyer
When did I say I support McSame? He is a lying poltico like the rest, you must have me mixed with someone else. And I most certainly am not trolling, I honestly don't think he will do anything and I am curious as to what his supporters would think if he doesn't.

I didn't say you supported McCain. Read again.
My point is that, as much as they lie, every politician still has to serve the people who elected him. Or he doesn't stay in office very long.

And if you weren't trolling, then you would have been satisfied with Fern's earlier answer, which is the one most in line with current political reality. We're most likely leaving Iraq no matter who gets elected. And moving into Afghanistan, so don't expect an end to war anytime soon. But hey, we'd still have withdrawn from Iraq, so promise kept (at least as far as politicians figure it).

As to what his supporters will think, I'm sure the rabid anti-war crowd won't switch over to the warmonger party anytime soon.
 

Bitek

Lifer
Aug 2, 2001
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Originally posted by: palehorse
As an Obama supporter, I'm curious to see the reaction myself... I think I'm one of a very small number who realizes that a substantial number of our troops will stay in Iraq, for at least another 3-5 years, regardless of who wins the election.

Maybe it's too difficult for others to accept such a harsh truth... I dunno.

I'll be happy if he does what he promises, pull them out in a responsible way, and leave Iraq at least semi-functional. It doesn't have to be perfect, just good enough.

I was turned off of the other candidates who promised to pull them out "yesterday" as much as the ones that promised to stay forever (aka Bush Victory.)
 

Lemon law

Lifer
Nov 6, 2005
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If Obama is elected the next commander and chief and GWB does not succeed in getting totally booted from Iraq,
I think we will see a totally different approach to Iraq as Obama abandons a GWB my way or the highway and tries
all kinds of diplomatic options rather than just the failed military approach.

I do not expect Obama to get all of our troops out quick but I do have faith that Iraq will start heading towards some regional stability.

I could be wrong about Obama and find Obama will double down on the military like Nixon did in Vietnam, but I see better hope with Obama than I do with McCain.

And for that matter Obama has one advantages that GWB did not have. Because Obama has learned from GWB exactly HOW NOT to run a successful military occupation and get out after making progress. Lessons of inestimable value and quite instructive.
 

AAjax

Diamond Member
Feb 17, 2001
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Dont worry, his supporters will make excuses and rationalizations much like they do for his defacto support of the war and assult on our liberties that his voting record betrays.

"Change, you can beleive in" A used car salesman slogan if I ever heard one.


First when he perceived the wind is blowing in a hawkish direction he was all about nuking Pakistan, but the wind changes and now he is against the war. Never mind he voted to fund it, and civil liberties? Well, he just voted yes to the patriot act so he could "insure" that he had a say in it though his act of "compromise".

 

Lemon law

Lifer
Nov 6, 2005
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Originally posted by: Sawyer
Voted for the Patriot Act? I haven't heard anyone complaining, odd.....

Just like the congressional resolution for GWB to use violence as a last resort in Iraq, the patriot act did make some surface sense at the time. And for that matter, much of it still does.

The congressional mistake was trusting GWB at all and it was only a GWB&co decision that turned something with some up sides into a total giant mistake.

The blame is not in Obama, the blame is and remains with GWB&co who totally mis used any trust placed in him.

And for that matter, the original patriot act was passed right after 911, Obama did not cast his first Federal vote until 2005 as the newly elected Senator from Illinois. So Sawyer does not know what he is talking about because some patriot acts provisions were being modified for the better in 2005.
 

AAjax

Diamond Member
Feb 17, 2001
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Originally posted by: Lemon law
Originally posted by: Sawyer
Voted for the Patriot Act? I haven't heard anyone complaining, odd.....

Just like the congressional resolution for GWB to use violence as a last resort in Iraq, the patriot act did make some surface sense at the time. And for that matter, much of it still does.

The congressional mistake was trusting GWB at all and it was only a GWB&co decision that turned something with some up sides into a total giant mistake.

The blame is not in Obama, the blame is and remains with GWB&co who totally mis used any trust placed in him.

And for that matter, the original patriot act was passed right after 911, Obama did not cast his first Federal vote until 2005 as the newly elected Senator from Illinois. So Sawyer does not know what he is talking about because some patriot acts provisions were being modified for the better in 2005.

Heheh, I am redeemed :p

Seriously, there were those who didnt vote for it (for good reason) . I quess it didnt make sense to them. Obama had the advantage of perspective on the renewal vote. He chose poorly. Yeah, its all GW's fault. I mean George being as good of a speaker, as intelligent and a charismatic leader that he is. Im sure he could have fooled anybody :disgust:

Our elected representatives are there to protect and defend our liberties, the house and the senate are there to keep the executive in check, so pointing the finger is a cop out. Obama is guilty, as is every one else who enabled and sat by and played party politics and allowed these crimes to continue. But Im sure he had this in mind while he did little to nothing (in fact enabling GW's policy) Had he really stuck his neck out and did the right thing, what kind of media coverage would he be getting now?(look at Kucinich) Im sure he has our best intersts in mind, of course second only to his ambition.
 

Vic

Elite Member
Jun 12, 2001
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The renewal of the Patriot Act as passed by the Senate in 2005 was considerably different than the original 2001 version or the final 2006 compromise that passed the House (which junked most of the Senate's changes, particularly with regard to civil liberties) and was signed by Bush.

Let's stay informed and relevant here, eh people? Knee-jerking helps no one.
 

bamacre

Lifer
Jul 1, 2004
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I am surprised to see Obama say that we will not have any permanent bases in Iraq. I find it hard to believe he'll uphold that.
 

b0mbrman

Lifer
Jun 1, 2001
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Originally posted by: palehorse
Originally posted by: jpeyton
Okay guys, you're absolutely right.

If Obama takes office, commits our troops to Iraq for 100 years, cuts taxes for the wealthy and adds trillions to our national debt, fails to fix health care or provide education reform, murders my puppy and declares war on Iran, I will absolutely be critical of him.

I promise.

Feel free to make more "what if Obama fails" threads. Typically I would suggest doing the same for McCain, but his McBush policies are already proven failures; no "what ifs" needed.

Jpeyton, i believe the OP's question was a perfectly valid "what if?" -- one that you seem very reluctant to answer directly.

why is that?

Answer the question: If/when Obama maintains a substantial number of US troops in Iraq throughout his entire first term, will that bother you at all? Will you voice objections to it? Or will you blindly accept whatever excuses he gives as good enough?

My answer was easy because I do not expect any of the candidates to pull our troops out of Iraq. So, given that expectation, I obviously won't hold it against the one I vote for...

I suppose that makes my answer more difficult.

The means will be very important to me if the ends do not turn out as planned, that is we are 16 months into his presidency, and he has not started a phased withdrawal of combat troops.

As a proud member of "you people," I will be disappointed if we have not completed a phased withdrawal of combat troops and it is not the case that the following are true:
  • Obama has approached his top military commanders and made clear his intent to shift strategy to have a phased withdrawal at a rate that takes into account American safety, or at least clearly define an endpoint
  • Obama explicitly voices his intent to not have permanent bases in Iraq and states that the only permanent force we'll keep there will be enough to
  • Obama has publicly pressured Iraqi leaders to take the political steps toward reconciliation, using our re-deployment as the impetus
 

Robor

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Originally posted by: jpeyton
Originally posted by: lupi
Originally posted by: jpeyton
As long as he gets them out before 2108, that's better than what McSame promised.

lol. You are a walking case of hypocrisy.
Quick: what do you call a Clinton supporter voting for McCain?

Exactly. Pot meet kettle there. :thumbsup:
 

Xavier434

Lifer
Oct 14, 2002
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That's an impossible question to answer. I have no idea what is going to happen over the course of the next 2-3 years. There could very well be a legitimate reason which I support that involves most if not all of the troops remaining over there. However, let's assume that isn't the case. If he doesn't withdrawal troops then I will be very disappointed, but I will also know that voting for Obama was still the best shot at it happening sooner than later.
 

ClarkJF

Member
May 19, 2008
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idk, not at all? He even said he didnt plan to withdrawl right away, I would react very negatively if he went in and just withdrew right away, very irresponsible.
 

SP33Demon

Lifer
Jun 22, 2001
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Originally posted by: bamacre
I'm gonna make my sig even more bold than it already is.
Yep, I voted Paul as well. It wouldn't surprise me if Obama doesn't withdraw, but I hope he stands true to his word. We'll see.
 

RightIsWrong

Diamond Member
Apr 29, 2005
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I've noticed that a few of Obama's supporters (myself included) have answered the question very directly but have no follow ups to those answers.

I would agree that the OP is trolling in this thread simply based on that and the ever changing conditions applied to the original question. The following are all quotes of replies by the OP to other posters ANSWERING the original question:

Let's say that doesn't happen though

I agree, the blind supporters will become bumbling idiots. This is not be unique to Obama, every party/politician has this.

I thought you wanted them out now? You would be happy with that just because another full of shit politician has a date further out? Obama is just like McSame, another empty suit being controller by special interest groups.

*awaits side tracked reply with Bush, McSame etc thrown in*

That sounds like a convenient excuse and appeasement answer; basically nothing will change.

I don't know if any answer is good enough for the OP regarding this topic.
 

Xavier434

Lifer
Oct 14, 2002
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Originally posted by: RightIsWrong
I've noticed that a few of Obama's supporters (myself included) have answered the question very directly but have no follow ups to those answers.

I would agree that the OP is trolling in this thread simply based on that and the ever changing conditions applied to the original question. The following are all quotes of replies by the OP to other posters ANSWERING the original question:

Let's say that doesn't happen though

I agree, the blind supporters will become bumbling idiots. This is not be unique to Obama, every party/politician has this.

I thought you wanted them out now? You would be happy with that just because another full of shit politician has a date further out? Obama is just like McSame, another empty suit being controller by special interest groups.

*awaits side tracked reply with Bush, McSame etc thrown in*

That sounds like a convenient excuse and appeasement answer; basically nothing will change.

I don't know if any answer is good enough for the OP regarding this topic.

You are most likely correct. The OP created this thread just to stir up the hornet's nest and offer nothing productive or informative. Anyone could make a useless thread and title it the following:

How will you people react when Insert candidate here doesn't Insert something that candidate is claiming he/she will do here?
 

SAWYER

Lifer
Apr 27, 2000
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I think multiple people gave good answers, some people just don't like the topic. It's ok to have a million Bush-bashing threads or whoever, but don't dare even talk bad or question _____ !
 

Xavier434

Lifer
Oct 14, 2002
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Originally posted by: Sawyer
I think multiple people gave good answers, some people just don't like the topic. It's ok to have a million Current President-bashing threads or whoever, but don't dare even talk bad or question _____ !

Fixed

That's just the way of the world. It always will be.
 

bamacre

Lifer
Jul 1, 2004
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Originally posted by: SP33Demon
Originally posted by: bamacre
I'm gonna make my sig even more bold than it already is.
Yep, I voted Paul as well. It wouldn't surprise me if Obama doesn't withdraw, but I hope he stands true to his word. We'll see.

Me, too. I'd much rather see us leaving Iraq asap rather than being able to say "I told you so."
 

ericlp

Diamond Member
Dec 24, 2000
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Originally posted by: Sawyer
The same thing pretty much with the Senate elections, a lot of big talk from the Dems about what they will due and of course we know their approval rating are almost as bad as Bush's. if Obama or even McCain wins, we will not see a withdraw and we will be there for years to come.

Probably the same reaction you give when ever bush doesn't follow through with something... I mean..... what are you going to do?

I guess you could threaten to leave the country? Take him to small claims court... hehehe

Really, tho... what can anyone do...?