Clinton, Obama and Edwards all adopt Bush's plan for Iraq
so says Jay Leno:If you watched, the three Democratic frontrunners said last night -- this is what they said. Hillary and Barack and John Edwards, they said setting a timetable for a complete withdrawal is irresponsible, because you can't project what the future situation will be in Iraq. And pulling out troops basically depends on the situation on the ground. Otherwise known as 'the Bush plan.' Hello?"
Just so you know what I'm talking about, the Washington Post does a nice summary:
In their debate Wednesday night in Hanover, N.H., none of the three top Democratic presidential candidates would promise to have the U.S. military out of Iraq by January 2013 -- more than five years from now.
"I think it would be irresponsible" to state that, said Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.).
"I cannot make that commitment," added former senator John Edwards of North Carolina.
And Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) put it simply when she outlined the dilemma that Democratic presidential aspirants face on Iraq. "It is very difficult to know what we're going to be inheriting," the party's front-runner said.
What are they thinking? If you get into the nuance of the argument, all 3 say they would withdraw some, but not all, of the troops (the general number is about 50,000 of our 120,000 there). Where is the logic in that? 120,000 can't keep Iraq safe and secure. Roughly half that number will be able to do so? The troops do a magnificent job, but they aren't superhuman. Iraq either needs 150,000 more troops for a full-fledged occupation or we need to get out completely to put political pressure on the Iraqi leadership to bridge their political divide. I'm tired of hearing about US citizens dying so that Iraqis can continue their squabbles.
If you are too, maybe you should look at the only candidate advocating a complete and total withdrawal from Iraq, while simultaneously working with Iraqi politicians and leaders in the Middle East to forge a lasting peace.
For those against the Iraq War, but supporting Edwards, Obama, or Clinton, I'd love to hear why in the margins.
posted by Expat Teacher @ 9:21 AM
