Barack Obama made his first appearance which stirred some controversy on FNS with Chris Wallace (ending the Obama Watch clock) and answered the Petraeus question from Wallace about his role in the Iraq war. Bush has tried to shift complete responsibility of the Iraq war to Gen. Petraeus and off his own shoulders with the "I listen to the generals" routine. That is until he doesn't like what they say and he fires them. Wallace asked Obama if he'd confirm Petraeus and he said he would, but that since he'd be the Commander in Chief---he sets the mission and not "the Generals."

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I will listen to Gen Petraeus given the experience he has accumulated over the last several years. It would be stupid of me to ignore what he has to say. But it is my job as President, it would be my job as Commander in Chief to set the mission. To make the strategic decision in light of the problems we're having in Afghanistan, in light of the problems we're having in Pakistan, the fact that al-Qaeda is strengthening as our national intelligence estimates have indicated and I have a whole host of tasks and I have to worry about the military has no strategic reserve right now...

Wallace tried to get Obama to say he'd fire Petraeus because that would create some big headlines, but he didn't bite. I don't remember Wallace all that concerned when Bush replaced a General that didn't agree with him...

Greg Sargent: "Obama Doesn't "Take Fox On," After All."