John Edwards: Withdraw from Iraq
In one of the strongest statements by a major political figure, former Sen. John Edwards (D) of North Carolina has declared that the U.S. should withdraw from Iraq in two stages:The former senator from North Carolina told reporters America should "make it clear (to Iraqis) we are leaving, and the best way is to start leaving. We should take 40,000 combat troops out now."That last sentence is an interesting rationale for withdrawal, suggesting that there's still a need for an international presence in Iraq, but that the troubled U.S. occupation is preventing world-wide involvement.
Edwards, who has said he regretted his vote as a U.S. senator authorizing President Bush to invade Iraq, said he would ask the country's military leaders for a strategy "to have the (rest of the) troops out in roughly 12 to 18 months."
"There is no chance other countries in the world will help Iraq as long as we are an occupying force," he said.
As for the latest Middle East conflict between Israel and Lebanon, Edwards was more accomodating to establishment views:
On the Israeli-Hezbollah fighting in the Middle East, Edwards noted he was on the Israel-Lebanon border only three weeks ago, and said Israel "has absolutely the right to defend itself," though he said there "needs to be an international security force in southern Lebanon."
2 Comments:
Edwards had his chance in 2004 and failed. His views are irrelevant at this points.
Edwards, arguably the most attractive and authentic of all 2008 candidates, is right on target in his assessment of the Iraq War. There is no way an international coalition will come in while the U.S. is still occupying the country, and a phased withdrawal will clarify that the U.S. is not a permanent occupying force. It would be nice if other Dem candidates would be as candid in their assessment of Bush's debacle in Iraq as Edwards.
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