Originally posted by: ProfJohn
You are so wrong on Iraq.... :roll:
November 2005
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Second, we need not a time-table, in the sense of a precise date for U.S. troop pull-outs, but a time-frame for such a phased withdrawal. More specifically, we need to be very clear about key issues, such as bases and the level of troops in Iraq. We need to say that there will be no bases in Iraq a decade from now and the United States armed forces cannot stand-up and support an Iraqi government in perpetuity - pushing the Iraqis to take ownership over the situation and placing pressure on various factions to reach the broad based political settlement that is so essential to defeating the insurgency.
From his Senate web site
June 2006
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As one who strongly opposed the decision to go to war and who has met with servicemen and women injured in this conflict and seen the pain of the parents and loved ones of those who have died in Iraq, I would like nothing more than for our military involvement to end.
But I do not believe that setting a date certain for the total withdrawal of U.S. troops is the best approach to achieving, in a methodical and responsible way, the three basic goals that should drive our Iraq policy: that is, 1) stabilizing Iraq and giving the factions within Iraq the space they need to forge a political settlement; 2) containing and ultimately defeating the insurgency in Iraq; and 3) bringing our troops safely home.
What is needed is a blueprint for an expeditious yet responsible exit from Iraq. A hard and fast, arbitrary deadline for withdrawal offers our commanders in the field, and our diplomats in the region, insufficient flexibility to implement that strategy.
February 10 2007 in his speech announcing is plan to run for President
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But all of this cannot come to pass until we bring an end to this war in Iraq. Most of you know that I opposed this war from the start. I thought it was a tragic mistake. Today we grieve for the families who have lost loved ones, the hearts that have been broken, and the young lives that could have been. America, it is time to start bringing our troops home. It's time to admit that no amount of American lives can resolve the political disagreement that lies at the heart of someone else's civil war. That's why I have a plan that will bring our combat troops home by March of 2008. Letting the Iraqis know that we will not be there forever is our last, best hope to pressure the Sunni and Shia to come to the table and find peace.
What happened to his opposition to a hard dead line???
😕
September 2007 at a Democratic debate
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Q: Gen. Petraeus and Pres. Bush indicated that in January 2009, there will be 100,000 troops in Iraq. What do you do?
A: I hope and will work diligently in the Senate to bring an end to this war before I take office. And it is very important at this stage, understanding how badly the president's strategy has failed, that we not vote for funding without some timetable for this war. If there are still large troop presences in when I take office, then
Q: Will you pledge that by January 2013, the end of your first term, there will be no US troops in Iraq?
A: I think it's hard to project four years from now, and I think it would be irresponsible. We don't know what contingency will be out there. I believe that we should have all our troops out by 2013, but I don't want to make promises, not knowing what the situation's going to be three or four years out.
Now he is back to not making a promise to have our troops out of Iraq.
November 2007
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As President, I will end the war in Iraq. We will have our troops home in sixteen months.
Now he is back to hard dead line, no nuanced "we have to do it right" just a hard fast "I will end the war" comment.
Iowa Caucus night
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And I'll be a President who ends this war in Iraq and finally brings our troops home;
New Hampshire primary night
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And when I am President, we will end this war in Iraq and bring our troops home;
Jan 28 response to the State of the Union speech
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So the only way we're finally going to pressure the Iraqis to reconcile and take responsibility for their future is to immediately begin the responsible withdrawal of our combat brigades so that we can bring all of our combat troops home.
Now watch the swing that happens the second he has the nomination wrapped up.
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We must be as careful getting out of Iraq as we were careless getting in - but start leaving we must. It's time for Iraqis to take responsibility for their future.
July 3, scroll down to the "original post" this is the famous two news conferences in the same day on the same issue screw up.
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?I?ve always said that the pace of withdrawal would be dictated by the safety and security of our troops and the need to maintain stability. That assessment has not changed,? he said. ?And when I go to Iraq and have a chance to talk to some of the commanders on the ground, I?m sure I?ll have more information and will continue to refine my policies.?
So no we are back to the nuanced and careful withdrawal. And the bold part is a lie as I have shown above where he talks about a 16 month time frame without any hint of wavering.
Since 2005 Obama has gone from no deadline, to a hard 16 month deadline. to a 'we must be careful how withdraw' policy with no deadline. No wonder everyone is confused.
The real interesting thing is how he changes his lines based on who he is talking to. At a campaign rally it is all "I will end the war" but in front of the media it is "the pace of withdrawal would be dictated by the safety and security of our troops."
I can't wait till his trip to Iraq when the real big flop happens.
