There are allegations that Barack Obama violated the Logan Act while on his recent trip to Iraq. Its alleged that he attempted to negotiate a delay in troop withdraw until after a new administration is installed in Washington. Read about it below.
Obama has built much of his campaign for the Presidency on the fact that he has been against the war in Iraq from the very beginning and would demand an immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq were he to be elected President. Yet, on his first trip to Iraq recently, he is alleged to have attempted to negotiate a delay in troop withdrawal from Iraq. Its being reported that he attempted to negotiate this delay in troop withdrawal with Iraqi officials as well as with US commanders, including Gen. David Petraeus. All parties declined to participate in Obama’s plan.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari reports that Obama made his ‘demands’ the central focus of their talks while he was in Iraq.
“He asked why we were not prepared to delay an agreement until after the US elections and the formation of a new administration in Washington,” Zebari said in an interview.
Obama insisted that Congress should be involved in negotiations on the status of US troops - and that it was in the interests of both sides not to have an agreement negotiated by the Bush administration in its “state of weakness and political confusion.”
“However, as an Iraqi, I prefer to have a security agreement that regulates the activities of foreign troops, rather than keeping the matter open.” Zebari says.
Though Obama claims the US presence is “illegal,” he suddenly remembered that Americans troops were in Iraq within the legal framework of a UN mandate. His advice was that, rather than reach an accord with the “weakened Bush administration,” Iraq should seek an extension of the UN mandate.
The prospect of an Obama Presidency is of great concern to leaders in the Iraqi government. Many have been convinced that its inevitable that Obama will be elected. They are hopeful that once he is in office, he will modify his opposition to the liberation of Iraq. However, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has worried about what kind of debt Obama will owe the American anti-war lobby which needs for the Iraqi liberation to not just fail, but to be a disaster, in order to prove their paradigm that the whole enterprise is a foreign policy and strategic blunder. They are fearful they will be left to the same fate as the South Vietnamese were when American soldiers were forced to abandon them.
This appears to be an effort on his part to covertly interfere with the progress being made in Iraq in order to benefit his own political ambitions and to validate his own public statements about the war. If that is true, its beyond troubling that a man who wants to be President would jeopardize the security of the country, the lives of our men and women in uniform, the lives of the Iraqis and the stability of the Middle East in order to win an election.
But Barack Obama isn’t the only democrat who has interfered with high level negotiations with foreign governments. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Jesse Jackson, Senator John Kerry and former President Jimmy Carter have certainly taken it upon themselves to negotiate with foreign governments without the authorization of the United States government.
Congress established the Logan Act in 1799 making it a felony to interfere with the relations of the United States and foreign governments.
Any citizen of the United States, wherever he may be, who, without authority of the United States, directly or indirectly commences or carries on any correspondence or intercourse with any foreign government or any officer or agent thereof, with intent to influence the measures or conduct of any foreign government or of any officer or agent thereof, in relation to any disputes or controversies with the United States, or to defeat the measures of the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.
This section shall not abridge the right of a citizen to apply, himself or his agent, to any foreign government or the agents thereof for redress of any injury which he may have sustained from such government or any of its agents or subjects.
I’m sure that Obama supporters will be outraged to realize that he has actively but quietly campaigned to prolong the war in Iraq. I’m also sure that the main stream media will be all over this Obama scandal. Hopefully, the media will investigate this to the same extent they have investigated the sex lives of the Palin family.










September 15th, 2008 at 7:51 am
So Barack Obama wanted to delay troop withdrawals so the public would not notice the progress in Iraq? How much blood must be on the hands of Obama for his manipulation of the Iraq war.
September 15th, 2008 at 8:12 am
McCain is an angry short-tempered old man who loves a good war. He’ll not hesitate to put those Russians back in place, nor to invade those god haters in Iran.
I say bring on McCain and let the Republicans stay in power - it’s what we need!
And Palin seems to have his back so we know she’ll stay the course and kick off with the Rusians and Iranians should McCain keel over within the first 4 years.
Obama wants peace, mediation, negotiation and relationship building with the rest of the world - that is the last thing America needs!
We need more war! It’s what every red blooded American wants. It’s what McCain and Palin want.
Who do you think will be quicker to go to war with Russia and Iran? McCain or Obama.
FIGHT-FIGHT-FIGHT!
September 15th, 2008 at 8:13 am
I brought up the logan act a few months back when Carter went on his little trip to Syria and the middle east and moonbats were getting all excited because I said what Carter did was treasonous.
Obamas discussions with Maliki about projected troop withdrawls were all a big stinking PR/campaign/expediency stunt.
As he braged about how Maliki was embracing his withdrawl suggestions of 160/60 days/6 months, or whatewver the hell it was Bushand Co. had already long before been discussing various withdrawl scenarios.
The day before Obama started bragging about Malikis reception to his proposal Maliki was also praising other scenarios Bush mentioned that involved withdrawl sooner than later.
It was all a big stinkong joke designed ond reported to make it look as if Obama was the only one working on getting our guys out.
I think if anything Obama should be put in his place as it is not his position to be doing such negotiations, especially when the only real purpose is to gather votes.
And if its true that he wanted to delay withdrawls only to embarass the administration he should have his balls for dinner.
He knows damn well that the war and foriegn policy is and will be his weak point in this election, and that there is no way he can elevate himself in that issue other than to bring down those next to him.
His interview with OReilly made it abundantly clear that he will not conceed any success in Iraq with the credit going to us.
On one hand the left has said that the Iraqis are not doing their part, and yet they say that it was the locals in Anbar and not our soldiers that were instrumental in straightening that place out.
True, the locals did play a part, but only as informants. It took muscle and intimidation to move out the insurgency/Al Ouedas weapons caches and safehouses.
Thank a trooper today
September 15th, 2008 at 8:55 am
Ned, you have the question backwards. Other countries will be far more interested in challenging the US with an inexperienced president Obama. Ever heard of the Cuban missile crisis? The world would be a far more dangerous place with Obama in power. That’s pretty obvious.
September 15th, 2008 at 9:44 am
Ned , you have to pay attention to the fact that every crack pot dictator in the world from Hugo Chavez to Amajinedad wants Obama to succeed. Putin is damn close to being part of that gang also.
And its not cuz they wanna hold hands.
September 15th, 2008 at 10:04 am
I was searching for your front page story on McCain violating the Logan Act when he sent his “envoys” Lieberman & Graham to Georgia. Politico called said it “has something of a shadow government feel to it”.
http://www.politico.com/blogs/jonathanmartin/0808/McCain_in_charge.html
This was around the time he declared “we are all Georgians”. Well, speak for yourself, man. Ya ain’t president yet.
Jeesh, it’s almost as if his chief foreign policy advisor, Randy Scheunemann was a paid lobbyist for Georgia.
He was?
Oh, that explains everything.
W
September 15th, 2008 at 10:05 am
Ned , you have to pay attention to the fact that every crack pot dictator in the world from Hugo Chavez to Amajinedad wants Obama to succeed. Putin is damn close to being part of that gang also.
Ned, the people of the world, in a survey posted on this site, overwhelmingly want Obama to lead. This is because Bush is an international disaster.
W
September 15th, 2008 at 10:09 am
If this is true, and it must certainly be investigated with the same vigor Palin is being scrutinized for the public safety officer firing, then this could be a great benefit for the party. There would be no choice but to replace Senator Obama with Senator Clinton, and a Clinton/Biden ticket would be unbeatable.
A lot of friends are commenting about how this just shows that Barry isn’t ready and one week traveling around globe in front of cameras does not compare with Hillary’s extensive experience in international affairs.
If he had any character, he would step aside and accept a role as Vice President or Secretary of State, allowing him to develop on-the-job experience in a less dangerous role and be prepared in 8 years to run for President when he finally has learned about laws like this one.
September 15th, 2008 at 10:41 am
Waldo, big difference between speaking out against Russia and trying to meddle in U.S. policy before you’re elected to the Presidency.
If he really did try to do this, it shows an arrogance unbecoming a public official, especially one who is now consistently down in the polls.
September 15th, 2008 at 11:13 am
Redherky.
When the Palin investigation is complete the media and guys like you will be eating crow.
Wait untill the fact is heard that the trooper tasered his 11 year old step son and made death threats against Palins family.
Waldo. get real.
These crackpot dictators want someone they can push around and you know it.
September 15th, 2008 at 11:23 am
[...] I’m sure that Obama supporters will be outraged to realize that he has actively but quietly campaigned to prolong the war in Iraq. I’m also sure that the main stream media will be all over this Obama scandal. Hopefully, the media will investigate this to the same extent they have investigated the sex lives of the Palin family. http://www.rightpundits.com/?p=2057 [...]
September 15th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Waldo. get real.
These crackpot dictators want someone they can push around and you know it.
It is well-understood that OBL’s release of his pre-election message “endorsing” Kerry was to help Bush stay in office. It worked, and America has suffered as a consequence. It’s in the interest of nutcase terrorists to keep the US in a state of spending beyond its means, to have incompetent leadership bankrupting its economy. To keep us in a state of fear.
You’re worried about Obama being pushed around? Have you not seen the way McCain has caved on issue after issue, reversing his positions again and again in the last two years? Puh-lease.
You’re still not real, Mick. Get realer.
W
September 15th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
We have our first real, possibly verifiable violation of law by Obama with this issue. AND it’s being reported by a msm publication. Will this have legs? I guess it depends on what can be proven factually.
Let’s face it, the other allegations thus far have been based purely on Obama’s character (Ayers, Wright, closet Marxism, etc.). They could hurt him, but not really bring him down, unless something absolutely damning is revealed. A substantiated legal cause of action, however, would bring him down.
September 15th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
My guess is that there isn’t a single leftie, including Obama, that could tell you what the Logan Act is even if asked by that cheesy old school marm Charlie Gibson. Never mind what the
Bush Doctrine is.
September 15th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
My guess is that there isn’t a single leftie, including Obama, that could tell you what the Logan Act is even if asked by that cheesy old school marm Charlie Gibson. Never mind what the
Bush Doctrine is.
I’m a leftie, and I know what they are. And unlike some people running for vice president, I knew before Charles Gibson had to explain it to me. That’s cuz I, like, read the news and stuff.
W
September 15th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Waldo,
I’m a leftie, and I know what they are.
Well, uh like, I just betcha your mommy is, like, real proud of you.
September 15th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Waldo - I’m just curious about which interpretation of the ‘Bush Doctrine’ are you referring to? The one Gibson outlined or any of the other interpretations of the media creation?
September 15th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Well, uh like, I just betcha your mommy is, like, real proud of you.
Gosh, Hondo. Ya sound awful jealous. But if you study real hard, do your homework, and read up on current events, even YOU might know basic facts about foreign policy too!
W
PS- if you need remedial tutoring, I hear Joe Lieberman is good.
September 15th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Beth, I realize it’s fashionable now in certain circles to talk about multiple Bush Doctrines and how hard/unfair a question it was. But because I was paying attention at the beginning of the Iraq War, and there was plenty of public discourse on the subject, I know exactly what the Bush Doctrine is, and no amount of revisionism by you, George Will, or anyone else on the right can suddenly make it a “challenging” or “confusing” question.
W
PS- Besides, that totally-busted look on Palin’s face said it all.
September 15th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
Well, there you have it. Waldo may not always be right but he is never in doubt.
September 15th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
Well, there you have it. Waldo may not always be right but he is never in doubt.
But- I thought you right-wingers worship confident and wrong…
Oh, I get it. You were complimenting me in Republican! Thanks, and back atcha.
W
September 15th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Waldo,
It’s not meant to be a compliment just an affirmation of where you stand politically. It’s no mystery or a sign of much creativity to just regurgitate the material in the Port Huron Statment. Standard liberal jive that hasn’t changed since 1962. You now have a candidate that is with you chapter and verse. You must feel a tingle all up your leg.
September 15th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Waldo;
“It is well-understood that OBL’s release of his pre-election message “endorsingâ€? Kerry was to help Bush stay in office.”
Understood by who ????? Idiots ????
You got some documentation to back that up or just a backasswards interpretation stemming from BDS ?
“It worked, and America has suffered as a consequence.”
Gee, I cant remember being attacked yet since 911.
Only a moonbat would call safety “suffering”
“It’s in the interest of nutcase terrorists to keep the US in a state of spending beyond its means, to have incompetent leadership bankrupting its economy. To keep us in a state of fear.”
Which is why every crackpot dictator and terrorist wants Obama to win, and are endorsing him.
“You’re worried about Obama being pushed around? Have you not seen the way McCain has caved on issue after issue, reversing his positions again and again in the last two years? Puh-lease.”
Yea right.
What a bunch of sh*t.
The surge worked because McCain backs down ????
I guess its hard to push anyone around who only votes “present” all the time.
Obama and Biden have been wrong on every foreign issue E V E R !!
“You’re still not real, Mick. Get realer.”
Whatever.
At least I’m not a democrat
September 15th, 2008 at 10:02 pm
Obama would say or do anything to get elected. If elected, he would bring change all right … he would change everything that over 200 years of American history and tradition has achieved. He would have no allegiance to our country’s laws or customs. America would soon become a third world country with a totally weakened ability to defend itself. Since Obama talked his followers into believing and submitting to blind faith, instead of reason, Obama disciples are so emotionally invested in their messiah, that even if truth and facts are presented to them, they simply refuse to believe it. LIke lemmings, they would rather follow Obama off a cliff, than to accept the fact that he has been using them to achieve his personal ambitions. No Wright, no Farrakhan, no Pfleger, no Rezko, no Ayers, no mean Michelle, NOBAMA !!!
September 17th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
I don’t believe that Obama’s point was to necessarily slow the withdrawal, his effort was aimed at scuttling the negotiations for the security agreement for the US and Iraq. In that event, he could claim that the Bush Administration had failed. If the agreement is in place, he can’t easily say that we have failed as a country. It is clear that Obama’s interests are not the best interests of America or Iraq. His pursuit is that of power, not the security of the US.
I understand that an Obama campaign spokesperson has admitted that the conversation took place and that he asked Zebari not to complete the agreement with the Bush Administration, but to wait for a new administration. That by definition is a violation.