Explain to me why Obama and Biden both ...

[ElNono]

In actuality, McCain questioning now would have even more of a positive affect considering that Obama has already aligned himself with Bush on that specific subject. Without that quote on record, it'd be much easier to just scoff at the question. You can't scoff at a question when you brought it to the table.

'Tis the slippery slope I'm talking about. Using Bush as a hammer against McCain is just asking for trouble. Especially when it's so unnecessary.

This is what you have wrong. It's Bush that aligned himself with Obama's position, not the other way around.

[JoeChalupa]

Bush aligned himself with the Obama plan.

[timvp]

This is what you have wrong. It's Bush that aligned himself with Obama's position, not the other way around.

Bush aligned himself with the Obama plan.

Yeah, thanks, that has been covered in the previous pages. I'm talking about aligning via this quote.

Barack Obama offered a clear plan. Shift responsibility to Iraqis over the next 16 months. Draw down our combat troops. Ironically the same plan that Maliki, the prime minister of Iraq and George Bush are now negotiating. The only odd man out here, only one left out is John McCain

If you can't see the aligning happening in that quote ... I'm not sure what to say. Everyone knows Obama had the plan first and Bush is now aligning with that plan. The point is that Obama/Biden is using their alignment with Bush currently to try to make the case that McCain is even worse than Bush.

[ElNono]

If you can't see the aligning happening in that quote ... I'm not sure what to say. Everyone knows Obama had the plan first and Bush is now aligning with that plan. The point is that Obama/Biden is using their alignment with Bush currently to try to make the case that McCain is even worse than Bush.

I know what you mean. But I think all Biden was trying to do was highlight that their plan for a pullout 'is the right thing to do' since it was currently being negotiated by the parties in the conflict. In a way, I believe it's their way to retort McCain critique that a pullout plan at this time 'is downright dangerous'.
That's the way I understood that. On the other hand, my understanding is that Maliki is the one trying to push that plan, opposed to Bush that, IIRC, keeps saying that he'll only hear to commanders on the ground before bringing anybody home.
To be honest with you, I thought pressing this point was important at the beginning of the campaign, because McCain seemed to be the more experienced in foreign relations. But after the first debate, I doubt they need to keep looking to legitimize their proposal by linking Bush into it. At this point, and with the current unpopularity of the war, all you have to say is that you want to end it and that should give you a good push.