Key al Qaeda militant killed in U.S. airstrike

[Fair&Balanced]

It is interesting that Obama set out a clear policy towards Pakistan when he was campaigning in 07 and said:

“I understand that (Pakistan) President Musharraf has his own challenges. But let me make this clear. There are terrorists holed up in those mountains who murdered 3,000 Americans. They are plotting to strike again. It was a terrible mistake to fail to act when we had a chance to take out an al-Qaida leadership meeting in 2005. If we have actionable intelligence about high-value terrorist targets and President Musharraf won’t act, we will.”

For which his challengers jumped all over his ass:

“Sen. John McCain of Arizona, close to clinching the GOP nomination, called Sen. Barack Obama ‘naive’ today and…blasted him for advocating a bombing of Al Qaeda hide-outs in Pakistan,” the Los Angeles Times reports.

Sarah Palin’s pointed criticism of Barack Obama’s foreign policy agenda Tuesday morning included a swipe at Obama’s stated commitment to strike at terrorists inside Pakistan’s borders if they are in the sights of the American military.

“Senator Obama has also advocated sending our U.S. military into Pakistan without the approval of the Pakistani government,” Palin said. “Invading the sovereign territory of a troubled partner in the war against terrorism.”

http://firedoglake.com/2011/05/02/in...s-in-pakistan/

It is also interesting to note that Bush did not authorize strikes into Pakistan w/o prior Pakistani approval until 08, given that he had diverted so many of the resources to Iraq, where there was no terrorist threat to the US.

Presidents deserve credit for broad policy decisions that work and deserve the blame when those policies fail.

[classicman]

Originally Posted by Fair&Balanced

Presidents deserve credit for broad policy decisions that work and deserve the blame when those policies fail.

Agreed. The direction and the resources directed toward them. Not the actions themselves. Thats where the men/women who performed get the credit. (Which is what Merc is referring to)

[Fair&Balanced]

Originally Posted by classicman

Agreed. The direction and the resources directed toward them. Not the actions themselves. Thats where the men/women who performed get the credit. (Which is what Merc is referring to)

Everyone, including Obama, gave the appropriate credit to the forces that were involved and the intel.

Those "clowns" as he called the presidents, had a little great role than just giving permission. There would have been no action w/o the appropriate policy in place and resources committed to support that policy.

I recall Carter being blamed for the failed hostage rescue mission in Iran and Clinton being blamed for the failed mission in Somalia, even though they didnt participate in the mission.

Why do I think Mercenary would have found a way to blame Obama if this mission had failed?

[Sundae]

Originally Posted by Fair&Balanced

Why do I think Mercenary would have found a way to blame Obama if the mission had failed?

You may be right, but this is kinda pointless.
We know Merc's politicals and adjust to taste. Baiting helps no-one.

[Fair&Balanced]

Originally Posted by Sundae

You may be right, but this is kinda pointless.
We know Merc's politicals and adjust to taste. Baiting helps no-one.

I find him tasteless, but thats just me.