Obama Introducing Bill Mandating Withdrawal Of All Troops From Iraq By March 2008

[Superman Returns]

From:
<http://electioncentral.tpmcafe.com/blog/electioncentral/2007/jan/30/obama_calls_for_withdrawal_of_all_troops_from_iraq_by_march_2008>

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) today introduced binding and comprehensive legislation that not only reverses the President’s dangerous and ill-conceived escalation of the Iraq war, but also sets a new course for U.S. policy that can bring a responsible end to the war and bring our troops home.

“Our troops have performed brilliantly in Iraq, but no amount of American soldiers can solve the political differences at the heart of somebody else’s civil war,” Obama said. “That’s why I have introduced a plan to not only stop the escalation of this war, but begin a phased redeployment that can pressure the Iraqis to finally reach a political settlement and reduce the violence.”

The Obama plan offers a responsible yet effective alternative to the President's failed policy of escalation. Realizing there can be no military solution in Iraq, it focuses instead on reaching a political solution in Iraq, protecting our interests in the region, and bringing this war to a responsible end. The legislation commences redeployment of U.S. forces no later than May 1, 2007 with the goal of removing all combat brigades from Iraq by March 31, 2008, a date that is consistent with the expectation of the bipartisan Iraq Study Group.

[danalytical]

1. Is that a good idea?

I don't know. I think going in in the first place was a bad idea, downright criminal actually. I also think we need to pull most troops out. This may not be popular around here, but I think I might be open to a base there like we have in Germany or Japan. It is a strategic bullseye after all, and we are concerned about the middle east in a general sense. Realistically, I think leaving a counter terrorism, anti guerilla, and border security force there isn't a terrible idea. We still need to keep Iraq's neighbors from taking over. At least for some longer period of time. We can't go back in time or do take backs now.

[ClassWarrior]

2. The only better idea would be for it to happen sooner.

NGU.

[Megahurtz]

7. I think it should be sooner

but at least someone is saying something. Maybe that will encourage others to follow!

[geomon666]

3. Finally!

Finally somebody does something to stop this crap.

[RiverStone]

4. That sounds good, though I wonder...

If Russ Feingold's plan is even better?

A quick read seems that the Feingold proposal moves things along quicker then Obama's...

Anybody else want to compare the two? :shrug:

http://feingold.senate.gov/~feingold/statements/07/01/20070130.htm

[illinoisprogressive]

5. Both have strengths and are equally thoughtful.

[2Design]

6. no more money - this money will not be used for what they say

stop them - you act like you are dealing with reasonable people

[ohio2007]

9. they may say the cost to "redeploy" far outweigh the cost of sitting

in the sandbox.

[ohio2007]

8. Will it come up for a vote?

If he wants redeployment by May 1.....better grease up those wheels

[journalist3072]

10. This thread will be a VERY interesting test for the DU family

Just a few short days ago, when Sen. Clinton said that George Bush should NOT leave this war to the next President, and that he should be committed to bringing all the troops home before he leaves office, there was downright hostility towards her from some here on DU.

Some on here kept saying "Not good enough!"

And so I'll be interested to see what the reaction is to Obama saying bring them home in 08.

I image some will try to justify it and say well at least he wants to bring them home a few months earlier than Hillary! There will probably be some bowing down wanting to kiss Obama's feet for his proposal, while continuing to rip Hillary to shred for hers.

[IndianaGreen]

11. That's a year earlier than what Hillary was talking about, and she ain't introducing nothing

Russ Feingold is pushing for a withdrawal in 180 days!

Dennis Kucinich wants the troops to start boarding the planes home today!

[journalist3072]

12. That "one year earlier" excuse is really a poor one.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't there a lot of DUers calling for defunding of this war, or immediate withdrawal/redeployment?

I just find it the height of hypocrisy that some are willing to praise Obama for his 2008 proposal, yet take Hillary to task, rake her over the coals, for telling Bush not to leave this war for the next President to deal with.

[Catch22Dem]

17. Hillary voted for IWR and staunchly defended the war

Until the winds of public opinion blew a different direction. That's the difference and that's why DU gives her so much shit. It's because DUers tend to pay attention.

[journalist3072]

18. She has NOT defended the war! She's repeatedly taken BushCo to task

for the way they have conducted the war, and what we now know are the lies that lead to this war.

[IndianaGreen]

21. Hillary has never criticized the morality or legality of the war in Iraq

Hillary's criticism of Bush is limited to Bush's handling and planning of the war. Hillary should acquaint herself with the Nuremberg Trials. Planning a war of aggression, which is what Iraq was, is a war crime.

Pope John Paul II warned Bush that if he went into Iraq, he would do so without G-d. To a moral person like JPII (even to those that don't subscribe to his entire theology), the war in Iraq was evil, pure and simple.

Hillary failed the morality test in that the only fault she finds with Bush is that he botched the war. A moral person would say that the war in Iraq was a war of aggression, and a crime against peace according to the Nuremberg precedent.

[Warren Stupidity]

20. I'm an equal opportunity despiser.

Get out of Iraq means now: prepare the retreat and do it. Not fight for another year or more and then get out. Obama's proposal is as much bullshit as Clinton's.

[demnan]

13. You have to sort of dig him, right?

I mean I was distrustful because he's incredibly handsome, but I have to hand it to him. He's said more about the war than Clinton or Edwards.

[jefferson_dem]

14. VIDEO HERE -->

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x14844

[democrank]

15. Another year?

What do you suppose this will look like by then?


http://icasualties.org/oif/

[goforit]

16. Yes !!!....You tell them Obama!!!

[Warren Stupidity]

19. 2008? No wrong stupid half measure bullshit.

Get a spine Obama. Out now.

[Superman Returns]

24. That is just not realistic

[Warren Stupidity]

25. Oh bullshit.

It took exactly three weeks to move 140,000 troops from Kuwait to Baghdad, fighting an organized (although pathetic) army all the way. We can pack up and move out in three weeks, but heck I'll give them three months. There would be no problem at all moving right back down the highway to Kuwait we came in on.

[Superman Returns]

26. Shouldn't we leave after

a political compromise is reached that ensures some degree of stability? You see, I agree that a military solution will not work. I agree that 20,000 troops added to the fight especially won't work. I support a reasonable, and rational withdrawal. But to immediately withdraw without ensuring some stability, would be criminal and would obliterate the little international credibility we have left.

[Warren Stupidity]

27. No. That is just stay the course must succeed nonsense.

Our presence guarantees that there will be no political settlement. We cannot ensure stability - we've been there for four years and every year the stability gets worse. And still we get fooled into thinking that if we just kill Iraqis for another year then it will be better. It won't. We need to leave now.

[Divine Discontent]

28. what??/

we have NO credibility. ZILCH. until the most HATED man in the world is out of office.

we need out of Iraq (and stronger into Afghanistan to finish finding osama) totally. And QUICKER than Obama's request. I like Feingold's call for 180 days. The problem with Iraq is, it turned into a CIVIL WAR after we got rid of Saddam, and the dumbasses at the WH and Pent. didn't "foresee" this, somehow, but 3000 dead soldiers later, you think maybe they're getting the clue.



www.cafepress.com/warisprofitable <<-- antibush prodem stickers/shirts

[Unvanguard]

22. OUT. NOW.

NOW. NOW. NOW.

[amandabeech]

23. I hope that someone in Congress is thinking about Iran.

If those idiots in the White House start bombing Iran, the situation will be truly hopeless.