Here is the problem with that: Secretary of Defense Bob Gates and Secretary of State Condi Rice have already endorsed such talks. Clearly, with President Bush’s agreement. And, in fact, the US is already engaged in such talks. Iraq does not become the victory that John McCain hopes for by January 2013 without an agreement with Iran regarding a settlement of the security situation. In fact, the end to the latest all-out fighting in Iraq was brokered from Tehran.
Huh?
Obama isn’t referring to talks with Iran about Iraq. According to him and his senior foreign policy advisor, Susan Rice, their intent is talking to Iran about their nuclear program. Without pre-conditions and at the presidential level. Iraq has never been a part of that discussion for Obama. Team Obama’s ‘solution’ for Iraq is to leave because our presence is aggravating Iran. And AQ isn’t in Iraq anyway, they’re in Afghanistan.
Bush, Gates and Rice at the behest of the Maliki government have supported discussions that offer up the evidence to Iran that we have the proof they are providing arms and providing assistance, training and personal to Sadr’s goons.
So the Bush administration’s focus is about Iran meddling Iraq and Obama’s focus is talking Iran out of their nuclear ambition. Apples and oranges Bill. Of course, now Obama is trying to make some kind of apple/orange compote to make his naiveté disappear.
