Obama calls the commander-in-chief role an art, not a science

Last year's surge of U.S. troops in Iraq is widely credited with reducing violence in the country.

But Barack Obama says he still isn't persuaded that the troop-increase plan -- which he opposed, and John McCain supported -- deserves the credit. So why did violence subside?

In an interview Monday with Terry Moran of ABC's "Nightline," Obama attributed the improvement to "a combination of political factors inside of Iraq that then came right at the same time as terrific work by our troops." Those political factors included Sunni tribal leaders rising up against Al Queda, he said, and the "standing down" of Shiite militias "to some degree."

Obama also dashed the hopes of any optimistic peace activists that, as president, he would disengage the United States from overseas conflicts. One of the reasons he has set a goal of withdrawing American combat troops from Iraq in 16 months is that he wants to put more forces in Afghanistan where, he said, "we need at least a couple more brigades and right now we don't know where to get them from."

Yet disagreements with military commanders over managing warfare are inevitable for presidents, he said. "This is not a science," Obama said, "it's an art."

(UPDATE: Obama, at his news conference today in Jordan, said there has been “security progress” in Iraq over the past year, and now it’s time to work toward “a political solution.”)

-- Stuart Silverstein

Comments

[dave]

called propaganda.

[magf]

the person qualified to comment that the commander-in-
chief role is an art not a science is someone who has had experience synonymous with that role, military or civilian. mr obama does'nt qualify. enough already.

[Mark Billingsley]

To Magf, what was George W. Bush's CIC experience before he was (s)elected president in 2000? Oh, that's right, he flew jets in the Air National Guard when he should have been in Vietnam and was AWOL for 18 months. What was Ronald Reagan's CIC experience before he was elected in 1980? He filmed dozens of WWII featurettes for our troops on stopping STDs. So what was your point about experience again?

[wilbur]

I read somewhere that the most experienced candidate in history ( credentials in years of foreign service and appointments) was the worst US President, I can't recall his name.

So, so much for experience which J McCain touts. His arguments about experience making him a better C I C don't hold water.

G W Bush has proven, beyond all doubt, in his 2nd term, how little, experience (after a 1st term) accounts for making one a good C I C. Look where we are today with his experience which is essential the same as that of McCain.

Obama has shown to have all the necessary personal traits and above all the vision, judgment, temperament and drive to be a competent C I C especially with his Global world view worthy of America and the most powerful position in the world.

[Aiken Blue]

Vote for Obama! Pls visit WHYOBAMA08.org!!! :)

[Old soldiers never die]

Old soldiers never die and Obama should fade away if
American military superiority is to be preserved and
western civilisation assured of continued dominion.Obama's election would only precipitate the
establishment of a world Califate by the most barbaric
and repressive elements of the planet's most backward
philosiphy.

[Martin Van Duzen]

Wow - you people need to chill out and view some of the REAL art that is driving this election.

There are already many sites out there showing artists support for Obama (and not so much for McCain). My favorite is called The Art of Obama (http://www.artofobama.com) as it shows new art every day!