Howard V's Obama Round 3?

Was very interesting to wake up this morning and to my shock and amusement, i read John Howard has launched an unprecedented attack on a US presidential candidate, over his Iraq policy.

Australian Prime Minister, John Howard, says "victory for the US presidential contender, Barack Obama, could destroy Iraq and prospects for peace in the Middle East."

The Democrat Senator, 45, wants US troops from Iraq by March 31, 2008. He declared his candicacy for selection as the 2008 Democrat presidential candidate in Illinois on Saturday.

Mr Howard said in a Nine Network interview "that will encourage terrorists to keep fighting in the hope Senator Obama wins the presidency."

Obama, a first-term senator from Illinois, hit back at Howard, describing his criticism as 'empty rhetoric.'

Obama was quoted as saying: 'I would also note that we have close to 140,000 troops in Iraq, and my understanding is Mr Howard has deployed 1,400, so if he is ... to fight the good fight in Iraq, I would suggest that he calls up another 20,000 Australians and sends them to Iraq.'

although John howards office wasnt receiving calls earlier in the day the Oz FM Alexander Downer defended Howards comments saying "a commitment of 20,000 troops would be impossible for Australia.

'That would be half of our army,' Downer said. 'Australia is a much smaller country than the United States and so he might like to weigh that up.' Whether somebody is putting themselves up as a candidate for the Democratic Party nomination to be the President of the United States or whether it's the newsagent in your own community. It doesn't matter who it is.

I think we owe it to people to explain the gravity of the issue and our concerns about arguments for a precipitous, a very rapid withdrawal of American troops from Iraq, which will leave a horrific vacuum in Iraq, and you will find us arguing that case no matter ... against no matter who makes the contrary case.

And I think it's entirely appropriate the Australian Government expresses its view in the free world. You won't get anywhere trying to close down debate."

John Howard again fired another volley at Obama saying, Barack Obama has failed to address the substance of the war in Iraq." and that "Australia is making a "very significant and appropriate contribution" given its population.".

There has been some critisizm from both sides of US congress with Republican senator John Cornyn saying "I would prefer that Mr Howard stay out of our domestic politics and we will stay out of his domestic politics,"

i find it amusing that a country that has in the past so flagrantly interfered in Australian politics most recent example was last federal election when George Bush made much the same comment about Mark Latham the then opposition leader, should be so offended by a valid comment made by the leader of an allied country which has thrown its lot in with the US over Iraq.

Barak Obamas retorts showed a total lack of understanding or maturity when dealing on the international stage, it seems Australia hasnt shed enough blood to sate Obamas tastes and therefore has no opinion even though Mr Obamas policies dirctly effect us if he becomes the US president.