The Associated Press
A U.S. soldier in Afghanistan
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Posted 39 weeks 7 hours ago
Was Obama's Army anecdote the truth or a lie?
Conservative bloggers are skeptical of this claim by Barack Obama at Thursday's Democratic debate:
"You know, I've heard from an Army captain who was the head of a rifle platoon — supposed to have 39 men in a rifle platoon," Obama said. "Ended up being sent to Afghanistan with 24 because 15 of those soldiers had been sent to Iraq.
"And as a consequence, they didn't have enough ammunition, they didn't have enough Humvees. They were actually capturing Taliban weapons, because it was easier to get Taliban weapons than it was for them to get properly equipped by our current commander in chief."
Was Obama telling the truth?
Thoughts
A Commander with experience to lead?
Submitted on March 5th, 2008 by AnonymousIf Sen. Obama had any military experience he might understand the decentralized nature of military leadership. Responsiblity lies with that Company Commander to ensure his soldiers were properly outfitted before sending them into harm's way. If not you elevate it to your chain of command, and worst case scenario you "beg, borrow and steal". I very much doubt the validity of this story.
Since most in government do not have military experience, it seems to be far easier to be educated by the internet and what the bloggers have to say about what the situation on the ground is. I heard that is the same as being there.
Here is one for you: "You don't go to a proctologist to get brain surgery." But I am sure our esteemed politicians would if it got them more delegates.
Obama quote on spllitting a company into two pieces.
Submitted on February 24th, 2008 by David AndersonYes it is possible, but not a rifle company. I do not doubt that this was mentioned to the Obama campaign. He does have an obligation to check facts before speaking and this he did not do. Shame on him for this lapse. He may qualify for editor at the NY Times if this presidential thing doesn't work out.
Now who is trying to scare people into voting for them?
Submitted on February 23rd, 2008 by Chuck_JohnsonBarack Obama tries to play it cool by citing anecdotal evidence of a slip up in the military command structure. It just isn't true. It's one of those stories that people try to make up to get attention. It's deliberately incendiary and will play very well in a general election, especially when it's throughly debunked.
Obama demogoguery works against him
Submitted on February 23rd, 2008 by Another skepticSen. Obama is telling a Reaganish welfare queen story, but nowhere as artfully nor convincingly.
Already seen by thinking voters as one of the most intellectually dishonest presidential candidates we've seen in decades, Obama is using demagoguery about change and Iraq in an attempt to win the White House.
Chavez is a demogogue. Hitler was.
We don't need one and can't afford one.
What Obama is complaining about is the lack of perfection in an imperfect world.
He, of course is perfect. That's why he and his wife aren't really proud of America. It ain't perfect.
Neither is he. He can't even think of a personal crisis, having been a golden boy all his life and married to a grad of Princeton and Harvard Law. These folks have never experienced failure of any magnitude, except for their failure to stay away from a Chicago influence buyer who's been indicted for fraud.
Look, Obama's story is so weak. Everyone knows that the troops in every war have been undersupplied at one time or another. Movies have been made. Books written. Truman won fame and eventually the White House by exposing military purchasing fraud and incompetence.
Military people are human, but I guess Obama and his wife aren't. They're perfect. Oh, yeah, he stinks in the morning says a disdainful Michelle. What a gal.
They're perfect. Except as parents. Their kids have had daddy home only 10 days in the last year. Now, that's really taking care of the troops.