Obama has reportedly been working tirelessly with his top political strategists to perfect his looking-off-into-the-future pose, which many believe is vital to the success of his campaign.

I know you're laughing....just admit it....

isn’t as interesting as a world tour of thugs and killers

I had thought of something along the same lines, I figured he'd feel right home with despots, since nowadays he's got a long list of topics that are "off-limits"

Obama's advisers have created a computer model to simulate the optimal looking-off-into-the-future pose.

That's so "dead-on" (if Olbermann hears that, he'll launch into another loony rant)

I have to wonder what the advantage is for McCain to make the offer to his likely rival.

I know you're laughing....just admit it.

I laughed!

I have to wonder what the advantage is for McCain to make the offer to his likely rival.

If Obama had accepted, I don't think there would be any real advantage for McCain, just a chance to show his rival that things have changed in the last couple of years since Obama has been there. But with Obama's rejection it is already giving McCain ammunition as people ask why Obama is willing to meet with terrorist leaders but not Iraqi leaders, our military leaders, or our own men and women serving in Iraq.

Oh yeah, another dog-and-pony show. That is really going to convince Obama to stay in Iraq forever and ever...

Yes, it would be much more productive having unconditional meetings with terrorist leaders.

You mean Qaddaffi, Saddam (back when Rumsfeld thought he was a swell guy and shook his hand), the Shah of Iran (when Ollie North sold them missiles to finance covert operations of other terrorist groups closer to home) or support Pinochet and his wave of terror against his own people or have advisers that lobby for terrorist regimes, you mean those terrorist?

Well, since you are the one supporting Obama and his plan to have unconditional meetings with terrorist leaders, then you must think those above examples turned out well and are something we should follow in the future.

First of all the charge is as empty as those that make it, and in some cases, they did turn out well (Qaddaffi for one). You can't rule out diplomacy as a tool. And Obama has never said he would talk to the "terrorist". The other option, war as the problem solver has proven not solve anything these last decade.

Obama has reportedly been working tirelessly with his top political strategists to perfect his looking-off-into-the-future pose, which many believe is vital to the success of his campaign.

TOOOOOO FUNNY

Brains and looks, not a bad combo.

Ratilfar: Do you not think that Obama can decide for himself if it is a dog and pony show or some sort of Potemkin village? He should go. The problem is that he is so invested in withdrawal that nothing will change his mind (during the campaign that is). IF he is elected and faced with the reality of the situation on the ground in the middle east he will probably see reason. One can only hope. (well actually, one can only hope he isn't elected).

Just look at McCain's last tour, that is all that you need to know.

Why participate in the farce?

Meeting with Iraqi leaders, our military leaders, and our military personnel is a farce? If Obama can't handle that, what makes anyone think he can handle being commander in chief?

It is a farce if it is created by the Pentagon to spin the war in their favor. Again look at McCain's stroll through the market. It is the "five o'clock follies" all over again.