WEEKEND REVIEW

OBAMA WORKING AGAINST U.S./IRAQ SECURITY PACT?: The President-elect was interviewed on 60 Minutes Sunday, and seemed to position himself in opposition to the security agreement working its way through the Iraqi parliament. U.S. officials have endorsed the language and seem headed toward an agreement that will result in American forces completely withdrawing from Iraq by 2011. Obama, however, is apparently intending to ignore the agreement and pull out much sooner and much faster, endangering the painful progress that has been made by Iraqi and U.S. forces. The following is text from the interview:

CBS) Kroft: Can you give us some sense of when you might start redeployments out of Iraq?

Mr. Obama: Well, I've said during the campaign, and I've stuck to this commitment, that as soon as I take office, I will call in the Joint Chiefs of Staff, my national security apparatus, and we will start executing a plan that draws down our troops. Particularly in light of the problems that we're having in Afghanistan, which has continued to worsen. We've got to shore up those efforts.

As soon as he takes office? What will happen, a rush for the exits? This is dangerous and irresponsible talk at a time when a tediously negotiated arrangement with American forces is being debated by a foreign government. It's possible they may interpret Mr. Obamas words as a rejection of the agreement, void any possibility of its passage, and doom any future security arrangements. The proposed treaty allows Iraqi courts to try Americans for certain crimes, probably a bad idea anyway. The point is that Obamas comments come at a time when he should remain silent on the issue. Just today JCS Chairman Mullen stated that he was comfortable with the 2011 withdrawal date, but that conditions on the ground should dictate the pace and scale of redeployment. What a novel idea. Mr. Obama continues to show his inexperience in military matters, preferring instead to bow to the pacifist elements among his supporters without regard to the consequences. We have admittedly paid a heavy price in blood and treasure for our efforts in Iraq, and simply fulfilling a campaign promise would be a sorry reason to demolish that progress. Hopefully his "national security apparatus" will inform Mr. Obama that now is not the time to leave Iraqi security forces on their own without American support. Those same advisers should also assure that Obama is aware of the history of large foreign military ventures in Afghanistan and allow General Petraeus to guide our efforts there. Obamas statements are dangerous and extremely uninformed.

BILLARY AT STATE?: Obama met with Hillary Clinton and is considering her for Secretary of State. Beside the fact that she is uniquely unqualified, Slick Willie is complicating matters. His Clinton Global Foundation has collected billions of dollars from dubious foreign sources, and there has been some foot-dragging about releasing information concerning them, both now and during the primaries. The very idea of Bill lurking around Foggy Bottom is creepy enough, but Hillary as Secretary is even scarier. A history of having tea with the wives of various foreign leaders seems her main qualification. What really is happening is Obama putting his main rival within his party in a position he can control. Hillary may end up holding the post, but it is Obama will set the policy she will oversee. These are the type of decisions those of us who voted against Obama were dread to see realized. One doesn't have to wonder how much influence Bill might have. Hillary has ridden his coattails to every position she has ever held, and this one would be no different. Even without Slick Willies problems, we only have to look at the closing days of the Clinton administration to see the type of shenanigans we can expect. The other individual reportedly being considered is Senator John Kerry, so there will be pain for conservatives no matter which one is chosen. Lesser of two evils, anyone?

POOR JOE: Senate Dems are poised to strip Joe Lieberman of his Armed Services chairmanship for daring to support John McCain for President. The Connecticut independent has been caucusing with the Dems, but has been vocal in his support for the Iraq war and other Bush administration foreign policies. Senator Lieberman has pulled no punches in criticizing Democrats for their soft war stances, and it appears he will now pay a price. He may end up remaining chair of the Homeland Security committee, much to the chagrin of the hateful left that wish to punish him. The Dems are showing once again that the left cannibalize their own when even slightly challenged by intellectually honest opposition within their party. Lieberman is an old line liberal when it comes to everything else, but his stance on the war has been admirable and impressive given the wrath he surely knew was coming.

McCAIN AND OBAMA CHAT: Senator McCain and President-elect Obama met for a chat today in Chicago. McCain pledged to help Obama anywhere he could, and Obama expressed his respect and admiration for McCain. It's unclear if McCain might be in line for any cabinet post. What is impressive is the fact that these two can meet in an amicable manner so soon after a contentious election. That points to the strength of our system and the acceptance all have for the outcome. In very few other nations could this happen, and we all should be proud as Americans that our elections are resolved in such an open manner and that the contenders proceed to meet and at least express limited support for one another.

PALIN ON TOUR: Former Vice Presidential candidate and Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has been making the media rounds. It has been interesting to see the level to which the left will stoop to discredit and insult her. It reminds me of the way they treated the Gipper. Just an amiable dunce, they say, borderline illiterate, they say. It is a measure of how threatened by her they really are. She is a conservative reformer and media star no matter what they throw at her. As the GOP grapples with where to go and what to do now, they could do a lot worse than Sarah. She should spend the next several years traveling and making speeches to firm up her support. This would enable her to make a serious run in 2012. Watch the left squirm and offend her as she goes. It's simply a measure of how much they fear her. It's interesting to point out that she is the fulfillment of all the feminist left has tried to achieve for years: wife, mother, career woman, leader. The fact that she holds traditionally conservative views, however, makes her a target of the first order. She represents a return to the values of Reagan that the GOP has ignored at its own peril, evidenced by the last election. Go Sarah!