IRAQ: U.S. troops weigh in on Obama versus McCain

Few Americans stand to be as directly affected by the presidential race as the military forces deployed to Iraq, and while the military generally frowns on troops discussing politics publicly, it was impossible to avoid the topic early today as troops in Baghdad awoke to the news that Barack Obama had won handily over John McCain.

The military is a traditionally conservative organization. A recent poll by the Military Times in the run-up to the vote indicated strong support for McCain over Obama, but more research by the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonpartisan group that tracks campaign contributions of $200 and up, found that most of the money coming from men and women in uniform was going to Democrats, not Republicans.

Whom to believe? We decided to ask the troops themselves, who seemed more than happy to talk politics, both in e-mail exchanges and while eating breakfast early today at the War Eagle base in northeastern Baghdad shortly after Obama was declared the winner. Here are some of their thoughts:

Staff Sgt. Samuel Smith:

"I'm happy about it. American needs to see a change. Change isn't a bad thing," said Smith, who voted for President Bush in 2004. "I want to see someone different, to see if we can change the path of the United States."

Spc. Joao Jones:

"He's something different. Give him a chance," Jones said of Obama. Jones wasn't able to vote -- the Honduran native is still awaiting his U.S. citizenship. But he'd have voted for Obama. "I'd tell him the war has been going on so long, it's time to change."

Staff Sgt. Tracie Ward:

"For soldiers, we're worried about how the war is being fought," said Ward. She would not say whom she voted for, but acknowledged that troops would choose according to their personal concerns about the situation in Iraq and how it affects them. "If this individual is elected, how is that going to impact the misson here? As a citizen, you have to go with what direction you want to see the country go in. We're here because the American people wanted us here. They tell what they want through their votes."

Spc. Marie Anisca-Oral:

"The big issues for me were the economy and Iraq, and someone had to clean up ... the mess we're in. I think it's obvious we have a big mess," said Anisca-Oral, who favored Obama but worries about his ability to satisfy the demands of Americans wanting big change. "There's no way he'll be able to put the country on a good track in just four years."

Staff Sgt. L. Bennett:

"I think it's going to be a great change. It's going to be really difficult for him (Obama), but hopefully he won't fall into the same category as the previous one," she said, referring to Bush's growing unpopularity near the end of his term.

Cpt. Steven McGregor:

"Well, I'm a conservative. I voted for McCain/Palin. The biggest issue I considered this election was the global counterinsurgency America is fighting against terrorist Islamic groups," said McGregor, who disliked Obama's plan to pull U.S. forces out of Iraq. "I think [John] McCain is best qualified to act as commander in chief during this challenge. ... Obama is obsessed with an exit strategy and a timeline, which I think is a fundamentally flawed approach to Iraq and our conflicts elsewhere. McCain supported the unpopular surge, which I believe demonstrated his commitment."

Maj. Olaf Shibusawa:

"I voted for John McCain because of his understanding of the Iraq war, even though I think an Obama office would mean less deployments and time away from home. While I had my doubts on the surge, I did support it because I felt it was our last chance ... and in the end, I think it was a success. The question for me is if it is sustainable. John McCain has a much better idea of what the current situation is, and what the consequences are if we leave too fast and too soon."

1st Lt. James Talbott:

"I voted Democratic. Part of it was McCain's health, and the idea of Sarah Palin becoming president. I did like the McCain I saw in 2000. He was his own person. But in this election, he kind of towed the party line a little more. He was saying, 'Vote for me and you can get change,' but if you're voting Republican, how much can it really change?" Talbott added: "I think the most impressive thing to me is, even if Barack Obama does not turn out to be the messiah-like president everyone expects, after 200 years we've broken down one final barrier."

Maj. Ian Howard:

"I'm pleased with the outcome. I've been a Republican most of my life," said Howard, who believes Obama is a better candidate to tackle sticky international issues such as relations with Iran and Iraq's sovereignty. "This is the first time I felt like we really needed a change. I don't want to come back here for another tour. He [Obama] leans more toward 'once we're done, let's go home.' I think McCain has more of that war mentality, like 'we're gonna stay as long as it takes.' I think the way things have gone here lately, it's time to take the training wheels off. He [Obama] gives me confidence I won't be back."

--Tina Susman in Baghdad

Photo: Signs of patriotism at War Eagle, an Army base in eastern Baghdad. Credit: Tina Susman l Los Angeles Times

P.S. Get news from the Middle East in your mailbox every day. The Los Angeles Times distributes a free daily newsletter with the latest headlines from the Middle East, including the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. You can subscribe by logging in at the website here, clicking on the box for "L.A. Times updates" and then clicking on the "World: Mideast" box.

Comments

[Russell]

I recall reading about campaign contributions from troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. First off, only contributions of $200 or more were compiled and there were not that many total anyway. So the survey may not tell a true story - what about lesser contributions of like, $20? I suspect that there were many of these and they are totally overlooked.

[George]

James, it's clear you didn't read the article and know little about the military or taxes. It's clear the troops who voted for Obama did so because they thought he was the best choice for America. Grunts on the ground supported Obama. Guess they don't count in the conservative world. Never have, really. With a CinC who was an AWOL deserting draft dodger and a VP with 5--or was it 6?--draft deferments, it's hard to see how anyone wearing the uniform could vote GOP. But I guess the Gen. Jack Rippers of the world will always vote conservative.

Those 30-40 percent of Americans who don't pay income taxes under IRC sections 1 or 55 (the AMT) do pay FICA and other taxes. These are assessed under the Internal Revenue Code. They're taxes on gross income, not net income. But taxes in every sense of the term.

It's just the CEO's cashing in their stock options and taking their severance pay for running their companies into the ground that supported McCain. You know, the incompetents freeloading off their shareholders. Plus the trust-fund babies who don't know what the word "work" means. Except for the illegal aliens they hire as domestic servants. No wonder the Big Money crowd of the GOP wanted an amnesty.

[James]

So if you are a soldier who wants to fight for America, you vote Republican; if you are a soldier who wants to put in time and get a generous salary/pension, you vote Democrat. Sounds about right to me, and fits with the overwhelming Obama vote of those 30-40 percent of Americans who don't pay income taxes.

[Jaff Sassani]

Barzani and Talabani after the election of the President
Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden

The Kurdish people hopes that the new President of the USA
Will have some humanity to protect them from the evil and hateful Kurdistan mafia leaders
(masud Barzani and Jalal Talabani) and the regional power too.

The Kurdish people was liberated by the American forces in
Iraq. The Kurds started to be happy dancing for the liberation
From modern zuhak (Saddam Hussein). Zuhak was a ruler in
Kurdistan history who abused the Kurds like Saddam Hussein Government and the Kurdish and Iranian people was
liberated by Blacksmith Kawah from Zuhak.

The Kurdish people compared President Bush to Kawah for a while then they found themselves to
be ruled by two Kurdish
Family much brutal than Zuhak and Saddam Hussein.

The policy of the Bush administration in Iraq is “you support
Me and my effort in Iraq” will let you to do whatever you wish
To do in Iraq and Iraqi people. This is the perception of Iraqi
People and Kurdish people specially.

The Barzani family and Talabani family found out the hole
in the policy of the administration and they loved what was
available to them. They took dollars by billions and build
secret service in Kurdistan region to kill anyone who dears
to say anything about Barzani and Talabani corruption in the
region.

The US Government morally and humanly should be
Responsible for the well being of Iraqi people specially the Kurdish people whom loved America and American people.
The administration did not cared about the plight of the Iraqi
People at all. The Iraqi found the American to be cold
blooded people that is the perceptions of the Middle Eastern
people about America. So many dictators in the region are
supported by the America made the Kurds to understand
this is normal American policy for the people in the region.

For last few years Barzani and Talabnai become Saddam
Hussein for the Kurds. The Kurds begged American to help
But their plight dropped on the duff ears. They pureed in
money on Barzani and Talabani family so they can suppress
the population in front of the American officials. While
the Kurdish people never fought American forces like the
Arab counterpart in Iraq. So what is the difference if you love
American or hate American both are treated equally !!!

Now the Kurds hope that the new administration will help
them to be liberated from mafia family of Barzani and
Talabani and be protect by the USA forces or UN forces in the region.

[Pv2 shelley]

I believe oboma because bush and meccain think too much alot and like everyone else says we need a change. the war is nothing but a bunch of tax dollars being spent that we could use to help the american needs. why worrie about other countries needs when you have needs of your own for your people. I truly believe its all about the oil in middle east as well not the freedom. How can we go from finding the terroist of the 9/11 tragedy to iraqie freedom? can you answer that. by also knowing their is a man in office with an oil company and meccain is behind it all as well. if not obama i would of hoped for hilary because i know that bill and hilary again would of helped put this society back in good terms. but im sure obama has the help needed to get this place where it needs to be

[joe]

Cherry pick for the liberals much? what a rag.

[flurmflam]

Yeah, sure. How is it that absolutely none of the military guys I know supported Obama? LATimes, running out of personnel must not be interviewing, but sockpuppetting.

[Campbell]

This election has turned out to be a farse. Nothing has been accomplished or resolved. The housing crisis was rather timely.

[Campbell]

This election has turned out to be a farse. Nothing has been accomplished or resolved. The housing crisis was rather timely.

[Neil]

"towed the party line" ----> TOED the party line i.e stand with your toes on the party line.