Iraq paying U.S. for F16s

What did the U.S. get out of the Iraq war? No Saddam, and now it's receiving payment for 18 F16 fighter jets that help secure Iraq against an Iran full of bluster and other regional threats.  It wasn't a ar for oil, which progressives would conveniently have you forget (since they were wrong).  But at least the U.S. is getting some modest financial return from the effort.

Via American Forces Press Service; (direct link not available).

WASHINGTON, Sept. 28, 2011 - The Iraqi government has transferred its first payment for 18 F-16C fighter aircraft, bringing Iraq closer to independently securing its airspace, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said yesterday. 

"These aircraft will help provide air sovereignty for Iraq to protect its own territory, and deter or counter regional threats," Little said.

The fighter aircraft, he added, "are also a symbol of the commitment to a long-term strategic partnership between the United States and Iraq. 

The fighters are the block 50/52 variant of the aircraft -- the current production version of the F-16 Fighting Falcon. The sale is valued at about $3 billion, Little said.

Provided Iraq stays 'onside', that's a win-win.

Question:  If you were president Obama, would you be taking credit for the recovery of war costs via sales of arms to an ally, or would you be too worried about what your base will think?  It's not an easy question with election season upon us.  The sale might win some support from the middle but will surely dampen enthusiasm with the liberal base.