Quote Originally Posted by Total_Blender
Reps if I can

Obama opposed the surge because he was in favor of handing the Iraqi government the responsibility for its own security. Whether or not the surge worked after it was implemented has nothing to do with why he initially opposed it before it was implemented.

On his 4th Voyage Christopher Columbus was able to intimidate an unsophisticated society into supporting him by predicting a lunar eclipse, obviously Columbus already had a calendar telling him when the eclipse would be but the people absolutely believed Columbus created this great feat.

The Anbar Awakening Counsel started in 2005, their salary was paid by us, the U.S Government. The principle behind the Anbar Awakening is the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Sunni Tribes that were hostile toward American forces were paid to cease fire and work along side our troops against Al Qaeda.

The surge began in January 2007, and almost immediately violence drops? Violence doesn't just automatically stop, its a process. The surge certainly helped but I am hesitant to say it is THE reason why violence dropped in Iraq. But if someone knew this backdoor deal was being made in 05 and they knew the result.. why not take an action that would be interpreted as great based on the ignorance of the people?