Obama Chooses Kahl Over Katulis

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It seems that Senator Barack Obama has finally taken sides: in light of his new "refining" re-examination of Iraq, Obama is taking the centrist approach being mapped out by Colin Kahl, rather than the leftist hyperventilation of the likes of Brian Katulis.

Many are describing this as political opportunism. Yes it is that, but it is also to be welcomed as a sign of maturity in Obama's Iraq discourse. I think the end result of all this is that Iraq will not be as critical an issue in the election debate come November, which means less Iraq-related assignments for leftie journos (...and less money).

I've always respected Colin Kahl, even though I may disagree with some of his conclusions. I've always had good things to say on this blog about his sober, methodical and rational approach in understanding Iraq. He's one of the very few real Iraq experts, on either side of the left-right divide, that I truly admire.

And even though I'd like McCain to win (...I just pasted McCain bumper stickers to my car yesterday!) and I know that Iraq is one of his strong-points, but I think that keeping Iraq out of the charged rhetoric of U.S. elections would be better for the people of Iraq, especially as they head into contentious elections of their own. McCain has plenty of other things going for him: he's a man of honor that one can trust, which can't be said about Obama."
Talisman Gate