Will Obama pull out our troops in Iraq?

NoStateofMind

Diamond Member
Oct 14, 2005
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I just wanted to see who really thinks he is going to pull out our troops in the time frame he stated. I think it was (correct me if I am wrong) within 16 months? Regardless thats part of what he ran on in the beginning and has since taken a back seat because of economic troubles. If you support Obama, please vote in the poll. Thank you :)

Oh yeah, I plan to revisit this thread after his said time to remove troops to prove a point.
 

mxyzptlk

Golden Member
Apr 18, 2008
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I remember clearly him saying he would withdraw completely from Iraq. Then I found out that what he meant by "complete withdrawal" was leaving up to 75k troops stationed in Iraq. Now it seems that Iraq wants us out completely anyway so..

I have no effin clue, but I voted no.
 

nageov3t

Lifer
Feb 18, 2004
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Originally posted by: mxyzptlk
I remember clearly him saying he would withdraw completely from Iraq. Then I found out that what he meant by "complete withdrawal" was leaving up to 75k troops stationed in Iraq. Now it seems that Iraq wants us out completely anyway so..

I have no effin clue, but I voted no.

 

T2T III

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
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With the encouragement of Barney Frank and Nancy Pelosi ... Yes, he will. Just like any good puppet would do.
 

Fern

Elite Member
Sep 30, 2003
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No, he won't pull them all out on some *set-in-stone* timetable of his creation.

His supporters think he will. Technically it's not possible unles he closes our embassy - we alway have Marines stationed at an embassy. But, no, we'll have at a minimum advisors and trainers.

I belive his timetable is the same as McCain's - primarily dependant upon what the Iraqi's want, and based upon conditions on the ground as advised by our military.

Fern
 

Lemon law

Lifer
Nov 6, 2005
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I think Obama profoundly underestimates the complexities of Iraq, but still has the only doable over all strategy. The 75 K troops are going to be necessary to keep any of the neighboring countries from getting greedy, but costs will be cut to the bone with possible basing in Kuwait.

After that, Iraqi factions are going to have to come to some accommodations with each other or live in hellish conditions. GWB broke it and the US didn't fix it, and the world is going to be very distrustful of the US in future. As for Iraqi oil, they will hedge their bets by allowing multiple nations to have a piece of the development action.

Iraq will be viewed as a US foreign policy disaster. McCain would make things even worse.
 

ProfJohn

Lifer
Jul 28, 2006
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I don't think the troops will leave any faster with Obama than McCain,

We are too close to the finish line.
The death toll for the month of October is 13.

More Americans are dying in Chicago than are dying in Iraq.
 

bctbct

Diamond Member
Dec 22, 2005
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Iraq really isnt as complicated as most people would want you to believe.

Iraq hates us now

Iraq will hate us in 2 years

Iraq will hate us in 10 years

Iraq will hate us in 20 years

Iraq will hate us in 50 years

why waste more lives or money?
 

brencat

Platinum Member
Feb 26, 2007
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Troops will likely be substantially out by the end of his first term. Definitely not in the first year, sorry to disappoint all the pacifists out there.
 

Viditor

Diamond Member
Oct 25, 1999
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Originally posted by: Fern
No, he won't pull them all out on some *set-in-stone* timetable of his creation.

His supporters think he will. Technically it's not possible unles he closes our embassy - we alway have Marines stationed at an embassy. But, no, we'll have at a minimum advisors and trainers.

I belive his timetable is the same as McCain's - primarily dependant upon what the Iraqi's want, and based upon conditions on the ground as advised by our military.

Fern

The difference is (and McCain backs this up), Obama wants a fixed date in order to force the hand of the Iraqi government, McCain thinks that a fixed date will just demoralize the Iraqi government so he's against it...
 

bamacre

Lifer
Jul 1, 2004
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Originally posted by: brencat
Troops will likely be substantially out by the end of his first term. Definitely not in the first year, sorry to disappoint all the pacifists out there.

Yeah, anyone who opposes the war in Iraq is obviously a pacifist.
 

palehorse

Lifer
Dec 21, 2005
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The correct option is not listed for question #2... maybe during his second term... maybe...
 

Balt

Lifer
Mar 12, 2000
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I doubt it. We've thrown so much money over there I think we're going to stick around for a while. I don't think we're still going to be patrolling the streets in four years, though.
 

Blackjack200

Lifer
May 28, 2007
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Originally posted by: ProfJohn
I don't think the troops will leave any faster with Obama than McCain,

We are too close to the finish line.
The death toll for the month of October is 13.

More Americans are dying in Chicago than are dying in Iraq.

There are 20 times more Americans in Chicago than in Iraq, and most of them aren't wearing ceramic body armor. Why are you minimizing the loss of life over there?

To answer the question, I don't believe that Obama will significantly reduce our footprint in Iraq, and if he does, he will only move the forces to Afghanistan. But that's not why I'm voting for him. I'm voting for him mainly because I believe he's slightly less likely to attack Iran.

 

ProfJohn

Lifer
Jul 28, 2006
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Iraq is a war zone, Chicago is not.

People who go to Iraq have a reasonable expectation that they may be killed, people who go to Chicago do not.
 

Blackjack200

Lifer
May 28, 2007
15,995
1,688
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Originally posted by: ProfJohn
Iraq is a war zone, Chicago is not.

People who go to Iraq have a reasonable expectation that they may be killed, people who go to Chicago do not.

Oh, sorry, I thought we were close to the finish line.
 

NoStateofMind

Diamond Member
Oct 14, 2005
9,711
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Originally posted by: loki8481
Originally posted by: bamacre
And his promise of no permanent bases?

"permanent" is a tricky little word with a lot of nuances to flesh out.

Oh I get it, like the word "lie" was changed to mean "flexible" earlier this year? Words take on new meanings with politicians.