Obama in Chicago: Change is behind the change. Bush’s deal with Iraq, post-surge, has ushered in ”a transition period in which our mission is changing.” He still thinks 16 months and out ”is the right time frame,” but AP neglects to mention whether he thanked George Bush for making that possible. I’m guessing no.

Obama says he grabbed a bunch of Bushitlerites and the scary Monster, because, much like Bush, “I am a strong believer in strong personalities and strong opinions.” 

“I think that’s how the best decisions are made. One of the dangers in a White House, based on my reading of history, is that you get wrapped up in group-think and everybody agrees with everything and there’s no discussion and there are no dissenting views. So I am going to be welcoming a vigorous debate inside the White House.”