February 13, 2007 -- Sen. Barack Obama, all of 25 months removed from the Illinois state legislature, announced his candidacy for the presidency of the United States on Saturday - and immediately began trading harsh words with the leader of one of America's oldest and most reliable allies.
In the process, the freshman senator revealed truly breathtaking naiveté.
Obama more or less sparked the exchange two weeks ago by introducing legislation mandating a total U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq by March 2008.
The senator is entitled to his views, of course. As is Australian Prime Minister John Howard - who said Sunday that the proposal would have al Qaeda leaders in Iraq "praying as many times as possible" for Obama to be elected president in 2008.
In turn, Obama said he was flattered "that one of George Bush's allies on the other side of the world started attacking me the day after I announced" for president.
Howard's standing in this debate derives from the fact that Australia once again has troops deployed with U.S. forces in a war zone - as it did in both World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War and Somalia.
Indeed, the notion that Howard is no more than "one of George Bush's allies on the other side of the world" stunningly understates a political, economic and security relationship that extends back to the 19th century - and obtains to this day.
That Obama doesn't already know this - and respect it - gives deeper meaning to the term "not ready for prime time."
Insulting an old, trusted, and valued ally is something ONLY a stark raving socialist loon would do.
Rudi has already shown his true colors and Hussein came out of the gate similarly. Needless to say theres two lefties I won't be voting for.
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