McCain Camp Clarifies: We Should Leave Iraq If They Want Us To

[babylonsister]

McCain Spokesman: U.S. Should Leave If Iraq Wants Us Out

July 9, 2008 02:11 PM


Aides to Sen. John McCain sought on Wednesday to clear up their boss' position on Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's recent insistence that a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops be included in any security agreement between the two countries.

"John McCain has always been clear that American forces operate in Iraq only with the consent of that country's democratically elected government," Michael Goldfarb, a McCain spokesman, told the Huffington Post. "The Senator speaks frequently with Iraq's leaders and they have made clear that they share his belief that any timeline for withdrawal must be dictated by the facts on the ground. He met with the foreign minister and President separately within the last month...He met with Maliki on his last trip to Iraq sometime in late March."

Goldfarb's remarks represent a more pronounced effort to bring McCain's position on Iraq in line with Maliki's. McCain has forsworn deadlines for troop withdrawal -- insisting that it be tied to conditions on the ground -- and he did not, initially, express support the prime minister's position.

"Prime Minister Maliki is the leader of a country and I'm confident he will act as the President and the Foreign Minister both told me in the last several days," said the presumptive Republican nominee. "It will be directly related to the situation on the ground -- just as they have always said. And since we are succeeding, I am convinced, as I have said before, we will withdraw with honor, not according to a set timetable."

more...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/09/mccain-spokesman-us-shoul_n_111691.html

[ErinBerin84]

1. and where's the media?

Talking about Jon benet Ramsey...again.

[babylonsister]

3. I don't know, but this seems to be a pretty significant departure

from his previous stance.

[anonymous171]

2. McFlip-flop is at it again!

[Name removed]

4. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[no_hypocrisy]

5. McCain and *: Yeah, they asked, but they really don't mean it.

We'll leave when they really know what they want after we tell them what they want.

[Alter Ego]

6. Ah ah ah, Senator! Maliki has already said he wants a timetable

for getting us the hell out of there. Therefore the Iraqis must feel that they're making progress. Why can't you accept that, Senator McCain?