Obama urges political solution

Other developments

Barack Obama stepped into the thicket of Mideast politics Tuesday, declaring in Jordan that neither the Israelis nor the Palestinians are strong enough internally to make the bold concessions necessary for peace.

Obama said he would work to bring the two sides together “starting from the minute I’m sworn into office.” But he cautioned it is “unrealistic to expect that a U.S. president alone can suddenly snap his fingers and bring about peace in this region.”

After meeting with Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Obama flew to Israel for talks with Israeli leaders. He’ll also meet with Palestinians.

Amman, Jordan ? Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama declined Tuesday to rate the Bush administration’s troop surge in Iraq a success despite a reduction in violence, and expressed understanding of Gen. David Petraeus’ opposition to a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops.

“Not surprisingly he wants to retain as much flexibility as possible,” Obama said of the general, with whom he met in recent days while touring Iraq.

“I think he wants maximum flexibility to be able to – to do what he believes needs to be done inside of Iraq.

“But keep in mind, for example, one of Gen. Petraeus’ responsibilities is not to think about how could we be using some of that $10 billion a month to shore up a U.S. economy that is really hurting right now,” Obama said.

“If I’m president of the United States, that is part of my responsibility.”

Obama commented at a news conference after arriving in Jordan, his first stop on an election-season trip to the Mideast and Europe paid for by campaign funds.

His remarks about Iraq drew criticism from Tucker Bounds, spokesman for Republican candidate John McCain. “By admitting that his plan for withdrawal places him at odds with Gen. David Petraeus, Barack Obama has made clear that his goal remains unconditional withdrawal rather than securing the victory our troops have earned,” the aide said.