Iraq

The other day Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said in an interview with the German magazine Der Spiegel that "Obama's remarks that - if he takes office - in 16 months he would withdraw the forces, we think that this period could increase or decrease a little, but that it could be suitable to end the presence of the forces in Iraq." The administration and McCain campaign immediately started questioning the accuracy of the translation, but the New York Times verified it independently. The Iraqi Prime Minister agrees with Obama's time table.

So what does this mean for McCain, aside from completely undermining his candidacy based on the need to stay in Iraq? Either he has to change his position or he proves himself a liar. McCain in 2004:

"Well, if that scenario evolves, then I think it's obvious that we would have to leave because - if it was an elected government of Iraq - and we've been asked to leave other places in the world. If it were an extremist government, then I think we would have other challenges, but I don't see how we could stay when our whole emphasis and policy has been based on turning the Iraqi government over to the Iraqi people."

My money is on McCain going back on his word.

-David Kleppinger, Morons.org Legislative Analyst