I gave Barack Obama $25 today. Why does that matter? Because I maxed out for Edwards and had not contributed to Obama yet.
Why did I do it?
I'm still pissed about his move to the right the last few weeks. I'm not happy with his FISA vote. I'm not disillusioned, because I never was illusioned. During the primary I saw him as slightly left of center. I still do, and "slightly left" seemed to be overstating it lately.
I am a progressive populist and clearly to the left of Obama. Many of us here are. And he needs to know there is a left in this nation. We matter, because we often are right, morally and pragmatically.
McCain always has been worse, but that's not why I gave. It's because of something positive Obama did. Today, I saw the 2002 Obama whom I liked when I first heard about him in his Illinois race for the senate. The one who understands there are limits to the American Empire, the one who may not be fully comfortable with Empire. That's real hope.
He was right on many things today in his speech. Come around, after the fold, and I'll explain why I gave and what I like.
Here are some key parts of his speech on Iraq.
In the 18 months since the surge began, as I warned at the outset – Iraq’s leaders have not made the political progress that was the purpose of the surge. They have not invested tens of billions of dollars in oil revenues to rebuild their country. They have not resolved their differences or shaped a new political compact.
That’s why I strongly stand by my plan to end this war. Now, Prime Minister Maliki’s call for a timetable for the removal of U.S. forces presents a real opportunity. It comes at a time when the American general in charge of training Iraq’s Security Forces has testified that Iraq’s Army and Police will be ready to assume responsibility for Iraq’s security in 2009. Now is the time for a responsible redeployment of our combat troops that pushes Iraq’s leaders toward a political solution, rebuilds our military, and refocuses on Afghanistan and our broader security interests.
George Bush and John McCain don’t have a strategy for success in Iraq – they have a strategy for staying in Iraq. They said we couldn’t leave when violence was up, they say we can’t leave when violence is down.
snip
At some point, a judgment must be made. Iraq is not going to be a perfect place, and we don’t have unlimited resources to try to make it one. We are not going to kill every al Qaeda sympathizer, eliminate every trace of Iranian influence, or stand up a flawless democracy before we leave – General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker acknowledged this to me when they testified last April. That is why the accusation of surrender is false rhetoric used to justify a failed policy. In fact, true success in Iraq – victory in Iraq – will not take place in a surrender ceremony where an enemy lays down their arms. True success will take place when we leave Iraq to a government that is taking responsibility for its future – a government that prevents sectarian conflict, and ensures that the al Qaeda threat which has been beaten back by our troops does not reemerge. That is an achievable goal if we pursue a comprehensive plan to press the Iraqis stand up.
snip
We will forge a new coalition to support Iraq’s future – one that includes all of Iraq’s neighbors, and also the United Nations, the World Bank, and the European Union – because we all have a stake in stability. And we will make it clear that the United States seeks no permanent bases in Iraq.
Transcript of Obama’s Remarks on Iraq, National Security
That is quite important. He won't repudiate his position on Iraq. His plan is not fast enough for me, but at least he is going. That matters.
This was gut check time for Barack. He stood tall today.
Now I think he overstates the Al Queda threat in Iraq, because sectarian violence was the real problem, but that issue is not as important as ending our occupation.
And we're moving more troops to Afghanistan, and while not opposing that, I think we need to be careful and realistic. Many Americans will die fighting the Taliban. We need to have an exit strategy. Nonetheless, at this point in time, I do not oppose an increase of troops in Afghanistan.
But remember the Soviets in Afghanistan. We may be there a long time. Know what we are getting into and be realistic.
I am unsure of what his policy for Pakistan is. This is much like Vietnam where the Viet Cong found sanctuary in other countries. Yet, Pakistan is a very unstable place. Incursions into Pakistan without the support of the Pakistan government and many of their people could have severe unintended consequences.
There will be war and I don't like that, but the Taliban are reactionary pigs of the real kind who oppress their people and, especially, women. It is a more just war than the invasion of Iraq.
No permanent bases in Afghanistan, though.
So, today I gave $25 to Barack Obama's campaign (which apparently was matched by someone), probably the first of many contributions. But I won't be silent and when I think he is making poor policy choices, I'll be screaming about it.
You can count on it. By tommorow I may have all sorts of criticisms. Tough love for politicians is the only way to go. But today, he has my first contribution.
The other thing he said I really like is this:
One of the most dangerous weapons in the world today is the price of oil. We ship nearly $700 million a day to unstable or hostile nations for their oil. It pays for terrorist bombs going off from Baghdad to Beirut. It funds petro-diplomacy in Caracas and radical madrasas from Karachi to Khartoum. It takes leverage away from America and shifts it to dictators.
This immediate danger is eclipsed only by the long-term threat from climate change, which will lead to devastating weather patterns, terrible storms, drought, and famine. That means people competing for food and water in the next fifty years in the very places that have known horrific violence in the last fifty: Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. Most disastrously, that could mean destructive storms on our shores, and the disappearance of our coastline.
This is not just an economic issue or an environmental concern – this is a national security crisis. For the sake of our security – and for every American family that is paying the price at the pump – we must end this dependence on foreign oil. And as President, that’s exactly what I’ll do. Small steps and political gimmickry just won’t do. I’ll invest $150 billion over the next ten years to put America on the path to true energy security. This fund will fast track investments in a new green energy business sector that will end our addiction to oil and create up to 5 million jobs over the next two decades, and help secure the future of our country and our planet. We’ll invest in research and development of every form of alternative energy – solar, wind, and biofuels, as well as technologies that can make coal clean and nuclear power safe. And from the moment I take office, I will let it be known that the United States of America is ready to lead again.
Climate change is a national security issue. And a green economy is the only way to go. We need green jobs.
If you want to reward Obama for his policy choices, here's a link.
Barack Obama.com
And if you don't like where he is going, speak up. That's what democracy is. We don't worship leaders, who are but persons. We push them to do what's right. There is a critique to be made about moving wars to different venues. Make it. Speak up.
No one, not me, not you, and not Barack Obama, has a monopoly on truth.
Update I: I'm not too sure about that "clean coal" stuff or nuclear, but we'll fight him on that next year. :-)