So it appears that Obama has decided to state that the Surge has been very successful:
http://elections.foxnews.com/...
Is this a smart move? Arguments could be made both ways, but Obama has great political instincts and I think this will turn out to be a positive move.
Arguments pro and con below the fold...
Pro:
- Takes away the argument "Obama won't even give credit to the troops." Unfortunately, the judgment issue is still on the table. Obama will probably have to fall back on: we were fighting the wrong war in the first place and McCain had the wrong judgment on that.
- Shows Obama is willing to adapt and admit mistakes
Con:
- Obama's "surge has succeeded in ways that nobody anticipated" comment is too easily refuted by McCain, who can claim that HE anticipated it when no one else did. Obama should have had a more artfully phrased response prepared.
- Americans seem to prefern stubborn leaders (e.g. Bush) over thoughtful ones