"Ol' Gonorrhea don't miss nothin."

Naaah ... I think there is still a bountiful supply of Band of Brothers quotes available .. he, he.

To follow up on Titus's post about the reality of the office dictating, or at least curbing the initial idealism of fundamental "change" that a new president campaigns on ... we have our first example, and president-elect Obama hasn't even been sworn in yet.

As we all know one of the most talked about campaign issues (at least prior to the economic surprise) was Iraq. In fact, that front in our global war against Islamo-fascism was THE hot button issue that President-Elect Obama and his supporters rallied around prior to mid September, when Freddie and Fannie tanked. And their rallying cry was simple: "GET OUT!" Time lines, withdrawals, responsible disengagement, redeployment - all phrases and words used by Obama. Titus aptly noted multiple historical examples of 180 degree shifts when the candidate becomes the president. Well, word is now that Obama has asked Secretary of Defense Robert Gates to stay on for the first year into his presidency. Now think about that ... this is a man (Obama) whom passed up no opportunity to describe our entry into Iraq as a mistake. Screamed for withdrawal, defeated Hillary largely based on her "aye" Iraq vote, opposed the surge categorically, said our presence is the source of violence, etc, etc, and here he is asking the Sec Def of the much demagogued "Dubya"to stay on. It is a RINGING ENDORSEMENT of the surge, and the need to stay until we are victorious and have a stable Iraq. And more importantly an endorsement of one George W. Bush's current policy - after having ran on opposing that very policy for over a year! It is a simply STUNNING 180 degree turn. Reports on this story are anemic at best, but as the subject line suggests, I caught it (the story that is, not the STD).

I would assume that any died in the wool Obama supporter would expect him to clean house up and down the federal food chain given the level of anti-Bush sentiment and flat out hatred eminating from his supporters, and especially in terms of changing our current Iraq policy. Yet here he is confirming not only that he will "maintain" the Bush course on the one issue that united his party prior to economics, but maintain the same team! Add to that he has indicated no intention to replace Cent Com commander General Patraeus. Both Gates and Patraeus are huge advocates of the surge and "finishing the job." I think Obama fanatics should prepare for severe disillusionment.