(Newser)
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John McCain was right about the surge, so it’s natural he’s eager to talk about it. But thanks to that very success, Barack Obama finds himself, by luck or cunning, positioned perfectly, Thomas Friedman writes in the New York Times. As security improves, Iraqis want Americans to leave. If they don’t, Iraq will coalesce into a unified nation—unified against the US.
“More and more mainstream Iraqi politicians believe they are able to run their own affairs, and fewer and fewer mainstream Americans believe we are able to devote another presidency to Iraq,” Friedman continues. “All of which suggests that the right position on Iraq today is probably ‘McBama’—stick to a clear withdrawal timetable because post-surge Iraqi and American politics will tolerate nothing else—but leave yourself some wiggle room if things keep getting better, but not exactly on schedule.”