Iraq: The Real Cost of War Can't Be Ignored

At each stop I make in this campaign, there are a lot of issues that I can talk about. Right now, too many Americans are worried about keeping their jobs, keeping their homes, and making sure their kids have quality education and quality health care.

But there is one issue that I believe is the linchpin to everything we want to do in a post-Bush world:

Ending the war in Iraq.

Some of my fellow candidates have decided to stop talking about Iraq. I'm not sure if they think the surge is working, or just that their polls tell them it is simpler and safer to follow the media's lead and just forget our brave troops and what this war is costing us.

Well, I believe that "easy" isn't necessarily right, so even if I'm the only person speaking the truth on this issue, I'm not going to stop.

I'm going to keep talking about ending this war and getting all of our troops out every chance I get.

The fact is, we cannot move forward on any of the issues that matter until we extract ourselves from this black hole that is robbing us of precious lives, money and time.

And we simply can't wait until 2013 to get this done.

Some of my fellow Democrats are willing to leave troops in Iraq for 5 years or longer -- the Republicans are talking decades -- yet still think we can make the dramatic changes here at home we need. But spending $10 billion a month on a war and working towards universal health care, building a new energy economy, and ending our dependence on foreign oil is an equation that doesn't add up.

It doesn't add up financially.

It doesn't add up morally.

It doesn't add up for America.

A few weeks ago, my campaign launched a very strong website www.2013istoolate.com which details the core problem I have with the Iraq plans of Senator Edwards, Clinton and Obama -- they won't even commit to getting all of our troops out of Iraq by 2013 -- almost five years from now.

And today, I'm proud that we've released another TV ad to bring attention back to this issue.

I'm going to do everything I can to make sure we don't forget this war, and forget what we need to do to end it.

Ending the war means getting all the troops out -- there is no room for rhetorical hair-splitting. We're either in or we're out. Now, or the war continues.

We hadn't planned on this, but I'm glad today is the day this ad is coming out -- because just yesterday Congress lost another chance to end this war, choosing instead to once again give Bush what he needs to draw out this tragedy even longer.

Where is the leadership? Just this week, with the fight over telecom immunity, we saw what can happen when a single Senator shows up and stands up for what's right, and yet, yesterday four senators in this race who say they oppose the war -- Senators Obama, Clinton, Dodd and Biden -- were all away while the president got what is essentially another blank check.

This Congress was elected to end this war and they have once again failed to stand up to President Bush. Yesterday, they didn't even show up ready to fight.

With a long history of repelling occupying forces, the people of the Middle East are very sensitive to foreign occupation. So long as U.S. troops occupy those lands, millions of Iraqis and those in surrounding nations will see American troops as jihadist propaganda portrays us -- as occupiers there to repress them and plunder their oil. If we want them to believe we won't occupy Iraq indefinitely, then we need to act like we won't -- and get our troops out.

In addition, our presence in Iraq perpetuates Iraq's political stalemate and undermines political reconciliation. As long as U.S. troops are there, the Iraqi factions have every incentive to jockey for power, rather than to reconcile and compromise.

As president, I will get all of our troops out, and I will get them out my first year in office.

A slow redeployment over many years would only prolong the suffering of Iraqis, and delay the process of reconciliation and reconstruction. The longer we take to redeploy, the longer our troops are in harm's way. While redeployment must be done carefully, as determined by our military leaders, to maximize political impact and minimize harm, we can't afford to drag it out over many years.

2013 is over five years from now. If we still have troops in Iraq in 2013, the Iraqis sure won't think the war is over. And neither will the American people.

I have profound differences with my opponents.

Senator Edwards says he will remove combat troops, but not necessarily non-combat troops, and not necessarily by 2013. This contradicts military doctrine that states non-combat troops must be withdrawn first with combat troops providing protection. Leaving non-combat troops behind will either turn them into combat troops or leave them as targets without any support.

Senators Obama and Clinton talk about ending the war, but when given the chance to commit to withdrawing troops by 2013, they both declined. They both say they will end the war, but I also remember hearing that when we elected a Democratic majority to Congress in 2006.

If we have a Democratic President willing to keep us in this war for five more years, what chance do we have of restoring our place in the world? Of creating real peace in the Middle East? Of having the diplomatic strength to broker peace in Darfur or Pakistan or North Korea?

If we have a Democratic President who is willing to keep us in this war for five more years, what hope do we have of funding full care for all of our veterans who have been injured and need our help?

What hope do we have of giving health insurance to children? Of paying teachers a living wage? Of dealing with global warming?

I think the answer speaks for itself.

I won't stop talking about Iraq, because you can't talk about solving any problem we face without talking about Iraq. We can't forget that.

Read several of the Governor's past posts on Iraq here, here and here.

Comments

[MidaFo]

America is not there to 'plunder' oil.

That would be morally positive in comparison to the reality that America is there to inhibit the rise of China; to keep hard working people poor and to live off their efforts.

You can't go much lower than that and yet although the rest of the world can see this like we see the red sun set, no matter how many articles and blogs I read I cannot find any red faces in America.

Why does everybody, opposition and government in America, hide this truth?

It is an unmitigated disaster, economically, culturally and morally.

And yes, a tragedy. But you are going to pay!

How?
So simply! By earning less and being on the bottom of the pile in the eyes of your non-American brothers. You are paying now and at this stage, even if we want to like you, nobody out here can trust an American.

[Nyland8]

Thanks for your frank and well-reasoned position on Iraq. It is the single most important issue in this country and, at 10 billion dollars a month, it affects ever other consideration before the American public.

You have my support.
Get us out of Iraq.

8

.

[mamacat]

Thank you for fighting the good fight, Gov. Richardson.
I am grateful to you for using this forum to make it easier for me, as a voter, to understand where you are coming from. I wish every candidate, of both parties, would take the time to tell us what they believe in, as you and a few others have done.

[Rog49Thomas]

There is a set of very poignant articles in that avowedly left wing newspaper Army Times, which gives a glimpse of the human sacrifices our brave troops are making in this needless war and the fine support they get post combat from President Pan's Administration (yellow ribbons and American lapel flag pins and all).

http://www.armytimes.com/news/
2007/12/ar­my_bloodbr­others_071­126/

It's a multipart series about Charlie Company, 1St Army 26th Infantry Regiment so look for the links at the bottom of the page to other sections in the article.

Those who put our troops in harm's way for no good reason and who fail to support them post combat are not patriots.

[americaforme]

Scaredy Cats...It'­s true, being sucked of our life Blood isn't a pretty picture...­All in the secrect name of Israel...H­ow come young men from Israel dont fight alongside our guys??? How come Israel Banks haven't gone belly up helping support the troops...W­e have a Bankrupt nation afraid of our shadow...W­e have incurred so much hatred for policing the world...We aren't considered compassionate,we are told we are imperialistic. My question is whats the payoff...A­re we looking for God forbid, a revolt??? Who really wants to go the way of our deep and earnst friend France,the people leveled the playing field in 1800s. Get real yes we love Israel,enough allready.T­hanks Bill for being real.

[Ravenlea]

Well said, Governor Richardson. Thank you. Please speak with equal candor and courage for impeachment.

[SD61]

One year ago, I pounded the pavements of Tucson, Arizona, along with many others, to drum up and get out the Democratic vote in the midterm elections. The clear and stunning results of that historical election sent all of us volunteers into a celebration that night. Hugs and smiles were passed around, as we watched and listened to the newly victorious Democratic "leaders" -- who we helped elect, tell us in unequivocal terms that they would end the war in Iraq. After all, the message was quite clear: we tossed out the Republicans en masse and elected you people to take care of this single, specific issue. Now DO IT.

One year later, we now realize we were LIED TO. We elected a bunch of hypocritical, impotent bums, who are obviously in collusion with the Bush and his Neocon Republican henchmen.

Instead, these nefarious politicians divert our attention by squabbling over whether water-boarding is torture, an issue which even a pre-school child could figure out. In the meantime, more innocent people DIE horrible deaths, in a war we started, and continue to fund with billions of taxpayer dollars.

Congratulations, Democratic "leaders." You have earned our disdain. I sincerely hope Governor Richardson's message in this post is truly genuine, and not just another "LOOK OVER HERE!" bait and switch tactic to pacify an increasingly suspicious and hostile electorate.

[eatsanimals]

All due respect Mr. Richardson. I strongly disagree. My son is enlisted. I am extremely proud of his decision. It is my hope that in some way his and all of our militray's effort can make our country safer for generations to come. Regardless of how you feel about Iraq, we MUST finish what was started! A leader Leads, finds a way to acheive the goal a Leader does not do what you suggest and leave the Iraqi people when we are...are making a difference.
Please sir, Enough of the blame Bush crap. Blame Hussien. Post Sept. 11th, we did what we had to do. The threat he posed could not be ignored. If he would have cooperated, none of this would have happend and I know that you know this too.

[benhercam77]

You got my vote governor. I'm so sick of that war it has bankructed our country and our souls. The newcons and pundits have been wrong
in Vienam. The dominoes, remember,they don't take into account the nationalistic tendencies of the citizen of each country. The ieaquies will not let Iran or Syria, or the saudis tell them what to do, if they put their oil on the market and let Iran olso marquet their oil, we would enjoy better prices.

[thedirtman]

Thank you Governor Richardson,

I understand that it takes a pledge to remove the troops from Iraq. We can count on nothing less. The enemy wants to keep us in Iraq because it damages our reputation and our economy. The enemy will provoke us into keeping our troops in Iraq indefinitely as long as troops remain left behind. We need to reclaim our troops now because they are dear to us and because they belong to America.

I will not forget our troops as you will not, Governor. I call on everyone to do the same. Let's call on everyone to spare the lives of our troops this coming Christmas Day. It might mean much more than getting out of Iraq. It might mean sparing the lives of our troops. Each and every one of them is worth so much more.

[NoFactsJustTruth]

Thank you again, Governor Richardson, for making me happy I'm sending YOU what I'm able. Your 'insight' is not STRAINED at all, I'm sure, by focusing on THE issue that MOST Americans say is THEIR number 1 concern,..­.ending the 'occupation for OIL and NATURAL GAS contracts' in Iraq. That is something the Dems in CONgress have proven reapeatedly is LESS important to them than STILL having this issue to use for political capital in the '08 and even the 2010 and 2012 elections.

It's obvious the DLC would rather cater to the centrist republicants than the Independent voters - that would like to see this insanity in Iraq come to an end quickly. That none of the top 3 dems seems to put the troops FIRST is VERY telling, ...that they HAVEN'T told us all.

This latest fiasco, of allowing indiscriminate retaliation strikes by Turkey into multiple Iraqi villages, against THE ONLY Iraqis that even want us there still
...PROVES we have NO business there to begin with. What an embarrassment for the preznutz.

Continue to put OUR troops, OUR country and The Constitution first, Governor, they should be the priorities for ALL candidates that would lead OUR country.
And, it should NOT strain ANYONE's sight seeing just as clearly...

as YOU do here.


~NFJT~

[taikan]

It is, indeed, important to focus on the war and on the need to end our military involvement in Iraq. However, Governor Richardson's focus on that topic isn't going to have much, if any, impact if he continues to lag in the polls due to lack of coverage in the MSM. Thus, if he intends to repeat that message every single day on the campaign trail, he must do it in a way that will attract the attention of the MSM and the support of the voters.
The MSM seems to think, perhaps correctly, that voters are "bored" with the issue of the war in Iraq, and so the MSM currently is putting its emphasis on what the candidates are saying about the economy. So long as that remains the focus of the MSM, Governor Richardson needs to discuss how the war and our military involvement in Iraq are damaging our economy, and then segue into other negative impacts of our continued military involvement in Iraq. When the MSM switches its focus, then Gov. Richardson should likewise switch his emphasis and discuss how our military involvement in Iraq is having an impact on the MSM's issue of the day. That way, he is more likely to get the coverage from the MSM that he needs in order to remain viable as a candidate, which is a prerequisite to his being elected and thus being able to bring our military involvement in Iraq to a halt.

[AJH]

Thank you for starting to round off this important message on how if we don't get out every other promise domestic or otherwise is hollow.


Clinton claims to be ready to make decisions on day one, unfortunately clearly how we get out of Iraq isn't on of them as she won't commit to getting us out. Either she has no confidence of her skill to do so(Not likely with her ego) or she has no intention of doing so and doesn't want a broken campaign promise torpedoing her second run a' la bush seniors "no new taxes".

The latter is my belief.

[sagopalm]

I've been solidly in Dennis Kucinich's corner the past few months. Bill Richardson, Joe Biden and now, Chris Dodd have been high on my list all along. Chris Dodd scored points for having some balls on Monday. I wish the media would take their focus off the three talking heads and devote it to the men that will actually change the course of the country. They all have their flaws. But their all worthy of serious consideration. You wonderful folks in Iowa and New Hampshire.­..please don't let the media tell you how to vote. We need to get out of Iraq or we're all screwed.

[cynara]

Great Ad! I'm rooting for you (and donating whenever possible..­.)