IRAQ, AFGHANISTAN AND HILLARY ?

Senator Hillary, (the Hildabeast), Clinton is on a , "fact finding, " trip as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee to evaluate needs and investigate the President's strategy from a first hand look in the field. Translation, she wants the press coverage. Now to what she is saying. Madame Hillary in an attempt to sound like she knows what she is talking about is calling for a phase out of troops in Afghanistan, this as Commanders in the field have requested additional troops and the Afghan government wants our continued presence. Hmmm, maybe we could turn this into a phase out of Hillary. Anyway back to her plan. She is also calling for a, "redeployment, " of US forces out of the Baghdad area in Iraq, I would assume in an attempt to force the hand of the Maliki government into taking over all security whether they are ready or not. This too as violence in this one area called the Sunni Triangle consists of 80% of ALL the trouble in the entire country and Madame Hillary's, "plan, " is to leave the main area where we are needed the most. I am sure that this trip will afford plenty of photo ops with the troops to boost her stock as a viable Presidential candidate.

First her, "plan." - In Afghanistan there is still a certain amount of Taliban resistance this combined with recent intelligence that Al Qaeda is setting up base in Pakistan right on the border with Afghanistan combined with the insistence of the Afghan government that they not only want but need a strong US presence in the country and the request of additional forces by field commanders only underscores the need for a continued strong US presence. Yet Hillary's answer to all of this is to call for a phased pull out and basically ignoring the Commanders and the Afghan government. Let's see Commander in Chief 101 states that a good CIC listens to his field Commanders and requests of strong allies. Her next, "plan," involves Iraq and redeployment. It is well known that Baghdad and the surrounding areas is the problem in Iraq. It is also well known that Iraqi Forces are not yet ready to handle security solo. Thus the reason for the President's troop increase at the request of Casey and Iraq field Commanders. Again ignoring all of the obvious, Hillary's answer is redeployment out of Iraq. Sounds like her husband and Somalia during the infamous Black Hawk Down incident. When things get hot pull out and save political face.

Her probable motivation - Yesterday Barak Obama announced his exploratory committee for a Presidential run in 08. He has become the Democrat and media darling lately and it has long been known that Hillary has had her eye on the 08 nomination despite all of her deception to the contrary. Going to Afghanistan and Iraq, making statements about strategy and troop deployments etc., gives her a perceived look of being Presidential which has not been the case for Obama. Hillary will announce her bid for 08 most likely by Summer. Hillary is a savvy politician and of course she is a Clinton and knows how to use any means available to give a perceived look for the cameras. Remember the incident with her husband Bubba and the rocks shaped into a cross on the Normandy beach while walking in contemplation on the rockless beach ? Hillary works from the same play book as her husband and will manufacture any and all opportunities to give her an advantage over her opponents. The new Iraq strategy announced by the President and her position on the Armed Services Committee offered the ideal opportunity for political hay without having to officially announce her candidacy and making headlines at the same time as her rival for the nomination.

As 08 draws closer look for more Hildabeast Presidential type photo ops and especially after she announces her candidacy. She will use her Senate seat which she promised the people of New York in order to get their vote would be in place with her in it for the entire six years as a catalyst to the 08 nomination.

Ken Taylor