Was Samantha Power Secretly Working for Hillary?

by D. Cupples  | Former foreign policy adviser to Barack Obama's campaign Samantha Power made a couple embarrassing mis-steps that shine a less-than-positive light on Obama's judgment and campaign.  The first was saying to a Scottish newspaper that Hillary Clinton a "monster."  The other gaffe was telling a British journalist this:

“He [Obama] will, of course, not rely on some plan that he’s crafted as a presidential candidate or a U.S. Senator…. You can’t make a commitment in March 2008 about what circumstances will be like in January of 2009" (Time; see video below)

True enough:  we don't know what the circumstances will be when the next president takes office. 

Here's the big question: if Obama knows that he can't validly commit to a withdrawal schedule this far in advance, why has he encouraged so many voters to believe that he does have a withdrawal schedule (say, 16 months)?

Couldn't Obama have just told voters that troop withdrawal is a complex matter that can't be planned this far in advance -- due to unforeseen circumstances?

Ms. Power's gaffe takes the spotlight off the issue of troop withdrawal and focuses it instead on the accuracy of Obama's campaign-related words.

This was not wise -- given that Obama just faced heat because his economic adviser might have told a Canadian official that Obama's tough stance against on NAFTA was campaign rhetoric.

BBC has a video clip of Power's interview. Memeorandum has commentary.

Related BN-Politics Posts:

* "New" Politics?  Obama "Punching," Wants Hillary to Concede

* Hillary Open to "Dream Ticket"...

* Hillary Clinton (Candidates' Positives, Part I)

* Obama: Because I Remember (Candidate Positives, Pt. II)

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Comments

[Kate33]

Samantha Power should not have been FIRED (or forced to resign). She should have been PROMOTED and given a hefty raise for telling the truth. She seems to be the only one in this entire campaign who has the tits to call Clinton & Co. on their ongoing race and religion-baiting smear tactics. Too bad Obama lacked the spine to support her, took the chicken-shit approach and caved to Clinton's demands.

I may vote for Samantha Power for President.

[D. Cupples]

I don't think she should have been fired or forced to resign, either.