Campaign 2008
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THE ISSUE: IRAQ

McCain talks about Iraq

John McCain
  • Supports the US war in Iraq, but was critical of Bush's handling.
  • Supported the troop surge, saying he'd rather lose the election than the war.
  • Says Iraq war can be won and most troops withdrawn by 2013.
  • Has said troops may need to remain in Iraq for up to 100 years in peacekeeping role.
  • Opposes scheduling a troop withdrawal, saying latest strategy is succeeding.
  • Willing to have permanent US peacekeeping forces in Iraq.
Obama talks about Iraq

Barack Obama
  • Opposed the Iraq war before he was elected to the Senate
  • Voted against one major military spending bill in May 2007; otherwise voted in favor of money to support the war.
  • Says he would withdraw US troops within 16 months of taking office in January 2009 and would leave no permanent bases. Initially had said a timetable for completing withdrawal would be irresponsible without knowing what facts he'd face in office.
  • Says his early opposition to the war shows he is best placed to make a "clean break" from the Republican approach.
  • Opposed the troop increase, but said the troop surge has worked in ways nobody could have imagined
  • Supports capping troop levels at 130,000.