Obama Intelligencer 2008 July 15

Afghanistan, Iraq and War on Terror
Obama criticized the Karzai government of Afghanistan for not doing enough to implement the basic functions of government and stabilize the nation. He also criticized the Bush administration for dividing its efforts, diverting resources to Iraq and allowing al-Queda and the Taliban to regroup in Afghanistan (Obama says he would execute bin-Laden). The candidate has long opposed the war in Iraq, having made it an issue in the primaries. He has proposed reducing forces in a Iraq, leaving enough to help fight al-Queda, within 16 months and adding as many as 10,000 troops to Afghanistan (Hall & Nichols).

Health Care
Obama proposed a tax credit for small businesses for up to 50 percent of the premiums they pay on behalf of their employees (Roug).

Poll: Opinion of Obama shifts from “about right” to “too liberal”
A Gallup poll show that from February to June, opinions of Obama have shifted more toward that he is too liberal. Still, the most common response was “about right” (43 percent in June) (Morales).

Resources
Morales, L. (2008 July 11). Fewer Americans See McCain, Obama Views as “About Right.” Gallup. http://www.gallup.com/poll/108775/Fewer-Americans-See-McCain-Obama-Views-About-Right.aspx, accessed 2008 July 15.

Hall, C., & Nichols, H. (2008 July 14). Obama Urges Shifting Focus From Iraq to Afghanistan (Update1). Bloomberg. http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aE6JSzRJpiw0&refer=home, accessed 2008 July 15.

Obama says he would execute bin-Laden. (2008 July 12). Birmingham Star. http://story.birminghamstar.com/index.php/ct/9/cid/420d9e49bcaa69d0/id/381452/cs/1/, accessed 2008 July 14.

Roug, L. (2008 July 14). Obama proposes health care tax credits for small businesses. Los Angeles Times. http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-campaign14-2008jul14,0,7130939.story, accessed 2008 July 15.