MyDD :: Obama sets deadline for Iraq withdrawal

Obama sets deadline for Iraq withdrawal

by BrionLutz, Wed Jan 31, 2007 at 12:34:37 AM EST

Obama has introduced legislation that sets US withdrawal from Iraq by March 31, 2008.

This certainly makes Obama the leader in US Iraq policy among the Democratic candidtates.

1. The only candidate to get Iraq right.

2. The only candidate to set a firm timetable for US Iraq withdrawal.

"The days of our open-ended commitment must come to a close," Obama said in his speech. "It is time for us to fundamentally change our policy. It is time to give Iraqis their country back."

Tags: Obama, 2000, Iraq (all tags)

Permalink :: 8 Comments :: Post a Comment

Re: Obama sets deadline for Iraq withdrawal (3.00 / 1)

Gee, only another 14 months in Iraq. What courage.

The sharpest criticism often goes hand in hand with the deepest idealism and love of country. ~RFK

by Vox Populi on Wed Jan 31, 2007 at 01:07:29 AM EST

well, complete withdrawal takes time (none / 0)

I regret that Obama did not voice this position a year ago, but better late than never.

There is no way 100,000+ troops can be brought out of Iraq in a week. But the sooner we start, the sooner we can be done over there.

See if Saxby Chambliss is helping you.

by desmoinesdem on Wed Jan 31, 2007 at 09:00:41 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama sets deadline for Iraq withdrawal (none / 0)

"Gee, only another 14 months in Iraq. What courage."

Actually it would be a bit faster considering if the bill is passed, it would not be for another couple months.

12 months would be a time for a well planned withdrawal.

Finally out of Iraq and in 2008.

Obama is the leader on Iraq. Trying to prevent us from going it. Now leading us out.

by BrionLutz on Wed Jan 31, 2007 at 09:39:35 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama sets deadline for Iraq withdrawal (none / 0)

Didn't we do all of this earlier today?

by Shaun Appleby on Thu Feb 01, 2007 at 06:48:51 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Edwards came out for withdrawal in Nov. 2005 (none / 0)

Since Nov. 2005, John Edwards has been calling for withdrawing troops from Iraq, starting immediately with all troops gone within 12-18 months.

Obama came out in January 2007 saying wait three months, then start withdrawing and have all troops out in 14 months (by March 2008).

I don't see a meaningful difference between these positions, except that Edwards was there first. Edwards has also been denouncing Bush's escalation plan, while Obama initially indicated that he thinks Dems in Congress can't do much to stop the escalation.

See if Saxby Chambliss is helping you.

by desmoinesdem on Wed Jan 31, 2007 at 08:42:04 AM EST

Obama bests Edwards and Clinton on Iraq (none / 0)

Poor Edwards is getting whipsawed.

When in Congress he votes for the war and now has to tell everyone how bad a decsion that was and how he did not exercise good judgemetn.

No longer in Congress (he likely would have lost his re-election bid, he was not popular in NC) he can only make noise from the sideline.

Obama can and has acted, putting out the exact bill the US needs to get out of Iraq.

A firm timetable that would have the US executing Obama's foreign policy as Obama runs for president.

by BrionLutz on Wed Jan 31, 2007 at 09:37:00 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Edwards came out for withdrawal in Nov. 2005 (none / 0)

I addressed this weeks ago as why I thought he made those comments... Obama has a constitutional law background. When asked those questions, I don't believe he knew either way if it was constitutionally feasible... Since that point, he has probably researched the issue to see if they can force the president to do it (or censure him or bring him up on charges for refusing) and if the senate can introduce a bill to restrict funding (since this legislation starts in the house). My guess is he can make the constitutional argument now. He seems to me to be a guy who looks at EVERY possible angle to make a decision, but once he makes it, he will stick to it... and I think he will ride this issue hard.

I agree Edwards was the first to call for it... Obama is the first candidate to propose a bill. Of course Edwards is handicapped in this regard since he is not an active Senator anymore.

http://www.imvotingrepublican.com/ McCain Sucks!

by yitbos96bb on Wed Jan 31, 2007 at 12:20:11 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama sets deadline for Iraq withdrawal (none / 0)

"Obama is the first candidate to propose a bill. Of course Edwards is handicapped in this regard since he is not an active Senator anymore."

Which creates a bit of credibility problem for Edwards. He claims he's against things he voted for and for things he voted against.

What we can say for sure is that Obama has put up the best real proposition for Iraq. Start getting US troops out and preparing for the Middle East disaster created by Bush Jr.

by BrionLutz on Wed Jan 31, 2007 at 08:49:22 PM EST

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