Obama: Troop drawdown not enough
Barack Obama jumped quickly on President Bush's announcement that 8,000 troops will be withdrawn from Iraq in February to hit the president and Republican rival John McCain.
The drawdown is not quick enough, and does not address the growing threat in Afghanistan, Obama says.
McCain fired back, saying that Obama is "confused" by the success in Iraq and would lose the war there to focus on Afghanistan.
Obama's campaign released these prepared remarks of a speech Obama gave in Ohio:
"Today, President Bush announced very modest troop redeployments from Iraq. Meanwhile, we will continue to keep nearly 140,000 troops in Iraq while our military is overstretched, which is still at pre-surge levels. We will continue to spend $10 billion a month in Iraq while the Iraqi government sits on a $79 billion surplus. In the absence of a timetable to remove our combat brigades, we will continue to give Iraq’s leaders a blank check instead of pressing them to reconcile their differences. So the President’s talk of “return on success” is a new name for continuing the same strategic mistake that has dominated our foreign policy for over 5 years.
"President Bush also announced additional troops for Afghanistan. I am glad that the President is moving in the direction of the policy that I have advocated for years. But the most substantial increase will come when an additional Army brigade is deployed five months from now – in February, after the President has left office. His plan comes up short – it is not enough troops, and not enough resources, with not enough urgency.
"What President Bush and Senator McCain don’t understand is that the central front in the war on terror is not in Iraq, and it never was – the central front is in Afghanistan and Pakistan, where the terrorists who hit us on 9/11 are still plotting attacks seven years later. Today, the Taliban is on the offensive, al Qaeda has a new sanctuary, and its leaders are putting out videotapes. Yet under President Bush’s plan, we still have nearly four times more troops in Iraq than Afghanistan, and we have no comprehensive plan to deal with the al Qaeda sanctuary in northwest Pakistan.
"Now, the choice for the American people could not be clearer. John McCain has been talking a lot about change, but he’s running for four more years of the same foreign policy that we’ve had under George Bush. Senator McCain will continue the overwhelming focus on Iraq that has taken our eye off of the terrorists who actually attacked us on 9/11. And Senator McCain goes even further than President Bush in opposing the sovereign Iraqi government’s own support for a timetable to redeploy our troops, and he has no plan to press the Iraqis to reconcile.
"It’s time to change our foreign policy. I will succeed in Iraq by responsibly removing our combat brigades and pressing Iraqis to stand up for their future. I will rebuild our military. I will finally have a comprehensive strategy to finish the job in Afghanistan – with more troops, more training for Afghan security forces, more development resources, more anti-corruption safeguards, and more of a focus on eliminating the Taliban and al Qaeda sanctuary along the Pakistan border. And I will stop spending $10 billion a month in Iraq so that we can invest in our economy here at home.
"Last week, we heard a lot of tough talk in St. Paul, but we didn’t hear much about the Bush-McCain record. Because seven years after 9/11, we are still fighting a war without end in Iraq and we still haven’t taken out the terrorists responsible for 9/11. We heard no explanation for why Osama bin Laden is still at large, because that’s where George Bush and John McCain’s judgment has gotten us. President Bush’s speech today underscored that we cannot afford more of the same."
McCain issued this statement through his campaign:
"Today's announcement of additional withdrawals of American forces in Iraq demonstrates what success in our efforts there can look like. American troops are returning home in success and with honor because of the improvements in security that followed implementation of the surge strategy. Today's announcement makes clear that the planned withdrawal of up to 8,000 troops is based, as it should be, on conditions on the ground and the advice of our military commanders in the field.
"Senator Obama is utterly confused by the progress in the war in Iraq. He has minimized the success of the surge in stabilizing Iraq, but today said the reductions in violence exceeded expectations. The surge has greatly brought down violence, but Senator Obama would still oppose it, even in retrospect.
"Today's announcement stands in clear contrast to the reckless approach long advocated by Senator Obama. His proposal - to withdraw forces based on a political timetable, no matter the consequences for Iraq or American national security -- is profoundly irresponsible. Senator Obama's comments today demonstrate again his commitment to retreating from Iraq no matter what the cost. His focus is on withdrawal -- not on victory. I have always maintained that American forces can only be responsibly withdrawn when it is clear that doing so will not jeopardize the tremendous gains for which our troops have fought. Withdrawing U.S. troops as Iraqi forces are able to assume greater responsibility, and as our enemies in Iraq are being increasingly weakened, is the right way to bring this war to a successful conclusion.
"It is clear that we need additional forces in Afghanistan, and I support the new deployments. Senator Obama believes we must lose in Iraq to win in Afghanistan. I want to win in Iraq and in Afghanistan. As we succeed in Iraq, we must also succeed in Afghanistan. I continue to have full confidence in Generals Petraeus and Odierno as they prepare to assume their new responsibilities, and I look forward to continuing to rely on their advice and counsel as we seek to prevail in both Iraq and Afghanistan."
Let the debate begin. Senator Obama continues to display the courage necessary to change Washington as he demonstrates over and over who has the skills necessary to implement meaningful change.
What a perfect PR President Obama !
Let the debate begin. Senator Obama continues to display the courage necessary to change Washington as he demonstrates over and over who has the skills necessary to implement meaningful change.
McCain and Bush think they can talk 1/2 of the nation into these insane policies that have been going on for 8 years. Doing the same old things and expecting a different result. Yes, that is the clinical definition of insane. Does that tell you something about the people who vote for these thugs over and over and over again???
Same ol, same ol from Senator Oblahma.
The problem with Obama's approach is that he fails to recognize that the Shia government wants us to leave so they DON'T have to reconcile with the Sunni Awakening groups. They want to push us out so they can move against the Sunnis before they become a political force. A move that would likely result in a resurgent civil war, and a possible return of Al Qaeda.
What is most likely to result in reconciliation would be our continued support for Awakening/Sons of Iraq groups, which means being willing to resist the Maliki government's demands for a quick withdrawal.
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We need to get our troops out of Iraq. We are spending money that should be used to improve the US economy, and sacrificing the lives of our young men and women.
As for Afghanistan, I am concerned about a large US troop build-up here. This could be yet another endless war.
Ah, a fresh breath of...naivety. Do this, do that, but don't tell use HOW you plan to pull out troops and allow Iraq to remain stable. I think you'd find agreement from Bush, McCain and a host of ohters that more resources need to be diverted to Al Qaeda...as soon as those resources can be freed up. You don't change things for the sake of change, for a sound bite. You change them pragmatically, as world conditions dictate.
Wow...what courage! Halfway around the world, in the middle of the U.S and Obama takes this courageous stand!!! What a great armchair General; he bases his contention on his vast tactical and strategic experience, and as always, his attentiveness to the commanders on the ground.. Yes, you're correct - that certainly is a change from what has been going on up to now.
And I thought all this time that it took courage to stand for the unpopular policy of not quitting until the job is finished....
Obama-Biden 2008
This guy just doesn't get it, The reason things have heated up in Afghanistan is simple, Al Qaeda has been basically thrown out of Iraq. It also sounds as if he wants to invade Pakistan. Why would he do that when the terrorists are making videos not flying planes into buildings I would like him to explain how he is going to "rebuild" our military when he is quoted on tape as saying "He will reduce military spending by billions and he will slow production of new weapons systems. and will eliminate missile defense systems. Russia is moving military units into Venezula as we type. What are we to do about that, have a meeting...........
Once again Senator Obama is right. When it's all said and done, the senator from Illinois will be vindicated. Posterity will be on his side.
obama is wrong
There is nothing else to talk about., for the future of my two boys and many other youths around this country. Obama is an inspiration for the ones that really want to see a change in this hemisphire, not only in the U.S.
Let Obama debate McCain. Let's see what the truth is. Obama has said things one day and reversed them the next. Additionally, he'll pull out of Iraq before it is secure. Obama would have been a disaster after World War II and our history would not have been what it is.
What does Senator Obama know about military matters? Did he go to a military school like VMI or The Citadel? Did he go to West Point or Annapolis? Did he at least serve as an enlisted man in the armed forces? I mean, GET REAL. You may as well pull the local manager of burger king from behind the cash register and put them in charge of the military! He likes to say "I'll do this" and "I'll do that". DUDE, you've only been in the senate for THREE years! THREE YEARS! And the worst part about it are his supporters with their high school like mentality, like they're voting for homecoming king or something. "Obama's gonna have a new snack machine put into the cafeteria! He says he''ll make all sorts of great changes for the students!" One only has to look at the huge support he receives from the youth vote. Yes, the very group that has the LEAST experience in life love this candidate.
2X4 is exactly right!
2x4, I take it you like this war in Iraq, even though we should never have started it to begin with? John McCain graduated from Annapolis almost at the bottom of his class. Has he ever "commanded" troops in a war? No, he was captured in Vietnam. He was never a commander. And by the way, I am an older person, graduated from college, and I definitely don't have "high school mentality" What has John McCain done in the Senate for 26 years? Has he made our economy better, made our education system better, or worked to get health coverage for everyone? No, he's rich.....he doesn't have to worry about any of those things. He's a typical Republican......cater to the rich only. John McCain will be "more of the same"...not the change that this Country so desparately needs
Obama is right!
We need complete and total capitulation to the terrorists!!
Leave Irag now! Leave Iran now! Let Iran take over Iraq, we don't care! They're all the same! Let them destroy each other!
Shut the U.S. borders! Turn out the lights! (and not just in Congress when we're debating an energy policy)
Cover our eyes! Cover our ears! (except to listen to cheering germans)
Crawl back in our holes!
Let the United Nations take over the world's concerns. That's what they're paid to do.
Run away, run away, run away..........
mb, thanks for your spirited, albeit, misplaced response. i'm not sure how any former POW should feel when you imply that mccain was MERELY captured. Are you serious/for real? i mean, REALLY? that's your argument? i was pointing out how obama has no military experience. then you say that mccain graduated at the bottom of his class. let me ask you this: who would you let drive the bus, the person who flunked their written portion of driver's ed, or the 12 year old who's still riding a bike? think about it. or don't. it's just COMMON SENSE. and as far as mccain being rich and a "typical" republican, i'm a republican, and i'm far from rich. geez, when was somebody gonna tell me i'm supposed to have lots and lots of money? i like how liberals/dems like to strut around talking about how "enlightened" and "welcoming" they are, but still spew stereotypes.
Why doesn't Obama send his daughters over to fight in Afghanistan?
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