Alleged Democratic Frontrunners: We're gonna be in Iraq FOREVER!!
September 26, 2007, 10:09 pm
Top Democratic Candidates Stop Short of Withdrawal
Susan Davis reports on the Democratic presidential debate.
The three leading candidates for the Democratic nomination said they would begin immediate reductions in U.S. troops in Iraq upon taking office, but declined to pledge that all forces would be out of Iraq by 2013. “I think it’s hard to project four years from now,” said Sen. Barack Obama (D., Ill.) “If there still troops in Iraq when I take office…then I will drastically reduce our presence there.” Sen. Hillary Clinton (D., Ill.) echoed the comments stating that “It is very difficult to know what we will be inheriting.” Former Sen. John Edwards (D., N.C.) pledged an immediate withdrawal of 40,000-50,000 troops but would similarly not commit to complete withdrawal.
The three frontrunners also declined to say if they were prepared to wage war on Iran if they continue to pursue nuclear weapons. “I would do everything I can to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power,” Clinton said, citing diplomacy and the use of economic sanctions as the first methods of offense. Obama advocated direct talks with Iran. “We’ve got to talk to our enemies and not just our friends,” he said. While Edwards said economic sanctions should be used as “carrots and sticks” to get Iran to abandon its program.
Republican presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani has taken a the toughest stance on Iran, pledging to do whatever it takes to get Iran to end its nuclear pursuit. Sen. Joe Biden (D., Del.) took the harshest shot at the former mayor’s foreign policy prowess. “He’s the most uninformed person running for president,” Biden said.
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Originally Posted by Kristy
