The president has wrapped up meetings at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa on the fight against ISIS, and is giving a quick address to an assembled gathering of troops. Of note, there was no golf, fundraising or a meeting with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist on this visit:
https://twitter.com/GrantGambling/status/512271055545966592
Maybe he’s finally learned that the optics of his job matter?
But the biggest takeaway from the speech will be this, which sounds a lot like a promise:
Obama, to military: American forces in Iraq "will not have a combat mission"
— Josh Kraushaar (@HotlineJosh) September 17, 2014
There will be boots on the ground, but not combat boots?
But just yesterday Gen. Dempsey said combat troops might be needed? It’s very confusing:
https://twitter.com/NoahCRothman/status/512275800939585536
https://twitter.com/NoahCRothman/status/512275942732214272
More:
Obama to troops who signed up to fight wars: Don't worry I won't send you to war and you should thank me for it. Go fight Ebola though.
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) September 17, 2014
Obama saying we'll only support Iraqi troops is like Harold Ramis in Stripes: "If we go into battle, I'll be behind you guys all the way."
— John Podhoretz (@jpodhoretz) September 17, 2014
He has no shame. Obama touting a "decimated" al Qaeda in a speech to our troops. "Core" al Qaeda of course.
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) September 17, 2014
"I will not commit you and the rest of our armed forces to fighting another ground war in Iraq," Obama says http://t.co/gVZc84H4lX
— The Boston Globe (@BostonGlobe) September 17, 2014
really glad Obama destroyed al qaeda so stuff like this not a worry oh wait it is http://t.co/67tlgiCAvo
— James Jay Carafano (@JJCarafano) September 17, 2014
For those wondering what the point of Obama's speech today, two words: Pep. Rally.
— Hayes Brown (@HayesBrown) September 17, 2014
Obama tells troops he will not commit them to a ground war in Iraq. Watch live: http://t.co/2xfX9y8XZC
— Washington Post Video (@PostVideo) September 17, 2014
The president reportedly travels back to D.C. at the conclusion of the speech.
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