Obama zings Australian PM

Australian Premier Defends remark on Obama, Terror

"Australian Prime Minister John Howard on Monday denied having a political motive when he said that terrorists in Iraq should be praying for Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) to become president of the United States.

Howard, a supporter of President Bush in the Iraq war, insisted his criticism of Obama was in Australia's national interest because Obama's plan to withdraw U.S. combat troops in Iraq by March 31, 2008, would represent a defeat for Australia's most important military ally.
. . .

In Iowa on Sunday, Obama respondeded by saying he was flattered that one of Bush's close allies had chosen to single him out for attack. He challenged Howard, noting that the United States has nearly 140,000 troops in Iraq, compared with 1,400 Australian troops. 'So if he is ginned up to fight the good fight in Iraq, I would suggest that he calls up another 20,000 Australians and sens them to Iraq,' Obama said."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/12/AR2007021201342.html

Who says this guy's not ready for prime time?

volunteer in Iraq.

Or maybe challenge them on when they experienced combat.

Compare Economic Size of the two Countries: 1400 Australian Troops = 26,600 USA Troops
Australia GDP = $630 Billion
USA GDP = $12,500 Billion
USA GDP = 19 X Australia's GDP
19 X 1,400 Australian Troops in Iraq = 26,600 U.S. Troops

Compare Population Size of the two Countries: 1400 Australian Troops = 21,000 USA Troops
Australia population = 20 million people
USA population = 300 million people
USA population = 15 X Australia's population.
15 X 1,400 Australian Troops in Iraq = 21,000 U.S. Troops

By relative size of economy or population, Australia has already exceeded Barak Obama's criteria for 20,000 troops compared to the USA. Prime Minister John Howard did not use "empty rhetoric," but made a valid observation as the Prime Minister of a country that is strongly committed to fighting terrorism and supporting the USA.

But I suspect you won't be hanging around here for very long...

By swiftly answering to his critics...and turning the tables on THEM...he made it about them instead of him.

How refreshing is this guy or what.