Obama strikes dagger into GOP defense doctrine?

[Roland99]

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/obama-strikes-dagger-gop-defense/story.aspx?guid=%7B972996D5%2DE50A%2D4EBF%2D85F6%2D84FFA9C3F41E%7D

LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) - In Tuesday's debate, Sen. Barack Obama repeated to his opponent for the presidency, Sen. John McCain, as well as the nation, that he wanted to "kill" al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden. Obama also said he would be willing to mount a surgical strike into Pakistan, a nation armed with nuclear weapons, in order to "take out" the central figure in America's war on terror if he was within the U.S.'s grasp.

For decades, Republicans have consistently won elections on the notion that the GOP is generally stronger on defense. But as Democrat Obama gains momentum in polls due to current economic troubles, is he also undercutting one of the cornerstones of Ronald Reagan's Republican revolution by talking tough on bin Laden?

...

While Obama and McCain differ strongly on how to handle the war in Iraq - Obama wants to pull out while McCain is willing to stay - the Democrat says he wants instead to divert those resources toward Afghanistan and Pakistan, where the Taliban and al-Qaida have re-entrenched themselves. McCain has said forces need to "finish the job" in Iraq, and is reluctant to launch a military operation into Pakistan, a nation considered friendly to the U.S.

Experts say Democratic presidents aren't exactly doves when it comes to defense issues, but public's image of the party is definitely softer than those of Republicans. Now, Obama's tough talk may undermine that thinking.
"It says, 'Hey, this is the guy who's responsible for all these problems. I'm going to go in and get him,'" said Lawrence Korb, a fellow at the Center for American Progress. Korb was assistant secretary of defense during Reagan's first term in office. "It undermines the narrative that you can't trust the Democrats to do national security."

[dkf]

1. I'm amazed its even an issue whether we should be looking for Bin Laden vs. staying in Iraq for yrs.

You would think any idiot would want to get the guy who attacked us first. But not McCain. He is ass backwards.

[Roland99]

4. But...but...but.... he knows how to get him!

Although the White House is mum on whether McLame offered up just exactly how to get him.

[bunkerbuster1]

7. We just have to elect McCain Preznit, and wait until January.

Can't be letting these super-secret OBL-killing methods out of the bag.

[Larkspur]

2. Both Obama and Biden implicitly called McCain a coward yesterday

when they said that McCain did not accuse Obama directly about Ayers in the debate. People are seeing McCain as all bull-pucky and no backbone.

[bunkerbuster1]

8. Hell, Obama called McCain a coward in his DNC acceptance speech!

I'm surprised that the line about how McCain "won't even go to the cave where he lives" didn't raise more eyebrows. I've gotta think McCain blew a gasket hearing it.

[On the Road]

3. I Cannot Believe McCain Handed Obama This Sword

by taking the line he did during the debates. Victory in Iraq, but we have to get the Pakistani's approval to go after Al Qaida? Obama scored big time with that one.

[Darkhawk32]

5. You have to strike at your opponents perceived strength. n/t

[central scrutinizer]

6. this is to defuse the Osama video when (if) it "appears"

Once again Obama is way ahead of the curve. Now if another OBL video magically appears in the next three weeks, he won't have to explain anything.