The Surge Has Failed; No Residual Troops

On Wednesday, in a desperate attempt to shore up support for his failed "surge" strategy, President Bush compared a withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq to America's withdrawal at the end of the Vietnam War. The president is wrong. We don't need anymore troop surges, we need a diplomatic surge.

We must get all our troops out of Iraq as soon as possible.

In 1968, Richard Nixon ran on a platform of ending the war with honor. It took 7 years to get the last American soldier out of Vietnam. In the meantime, tens of thousands more Americans died. Countless civilians died in Vietnam, in Cambodia and the killing fields, and millions more ultimately had to flee their homes.

Dragging out the process of withdrawal will be tragically worse in terms of U.S. lives lost and in terms of the instability we will create by staying longer.

We have now been in Iraq longer than it took to win World War II. My plan for Iraq ends the war with the fewest possible U.S. casualties and it moves the Iraqis' reconciliation process forward. My position has been consistent and unwavering.

We have to get all of our troops out as quickly and safely as possible and leave no residual troops behind.

Some say that all of the Democratic presidential candidates have the same position on Iraq. I strongly disagree.

Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards have all proposed leaving residual troops in Iraq indefinitely, which will only drag out the process to the detriment of all involved.

I would pull ALL of our troops out -- they have become targets, and only a complete withdrawal makes sense.

That means no airbases, no embedded soldiers training Iraqi forces, no troops in the Green Zone. Zero troops. I would leave the customary marine contingent at our Embassy, but if that became unsafe, then I'd bring them home too. Only then can the diplomatic process of reconciliation and reconstruction truly begin, and the US must lead the way in making it happen.

On Sunday, at the ABC debate in Iowa, I asked the other candidates directly: how many troops would you leave behind? 25,000? 50,000? 75,000? For how long?

I am still waiting for an answer.

Comments

[fpal]

14 "enduring bases" in Iraq and you, Mr. Richardson, say no residual troops! I hope you get your way.

[loslobo]

Gov Richardson, Sir I admire your positions and you seem like a friendly sort who would make a good drinking buddy. But I don’t want a drinking buddy for president, I want someone who can stand up to the Putan’s of this world, but more importantly someone who can reverse everything this criminal administration was able to do.

Here’s a thought maybe you could pledge when you’re elected President you will bring to justice EVERYTHING this fascist regime has done. (And I mean regime, a republic has checks and balances) That act along will give you a bump in the polls.

Like it or not America needs Iraq’s oil. There is no feasible energy plan. Are you going to get a nuclear reactor built every week? Are you going to turn to coal? Coal’s efficiency is what still around 10%. And don’t get me started on global warming. Let’s face it; the infrastructure is not in place for any viable alternative, so we will be forced to stay in Iraq. Or you can kiss our economy goodbye.

I am no blood for oil neo-con. I am a realist who can see the forest for the trees. We have always been an imperialist nation, hence the 130 world wide bases. To say we will have no troops in Iraq, I think is wishful thinking. Please prove me wrong because I have sons, which I have no desire to be shot up in the desert.

[thedirtman]

Please do everyone a favor and go to Richardson's website. He does have plan to make America energy independent, and it is a good one.

Second, do not worry that America needs Iraq's oil. In fact Iraq has over the years demonstrated a degree of willingness to sell to Europe. Once the oil enters the market the demand for oil will shift globally so that more oil will be available elsewhere. Our interference in Iraq has in fact made oil more scarce.

[loslobo]

Ever heard of peak oil? Do you think Exxon wouldn't lie about how much oil is left? Do you have any idea what you are talking about?

This is from the Gov’s website:

“Invite the Oil Companies to Become Energy Companies
I know people love to hate the oil companies. They have been raking in huge profits. But I want to invite them to become energy companies, and invest in our thriving new energy economy. They are invited to the table, but they aren't going to run the table the way they have for the last six years.”

This is exactly what has been wrong with this country for over 40 years; let big oil dictate this countries energy policy. Let those who profit the most form our DEPENDANCE on oil buy presidential and congressional policy.

“Cut Oil Demand: 50% by 2020
That means reducing oil imports from around 65% to 10-15%. We can do this in part by getting the 100 mile per gallon (mpg) car into the marketplace. We must work to double the Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards, or CAFE, to 50 mpg by 2020”
Pretty lofty goals all said with a straight face I’m sure. Detroit can’t even meet world standards. Please give me a break.

http://www.richardsonforpresident.com/issues/energy

[SmackwaterJack]

Governor Richardson,

You Sir, must make your message heard not only as a Governor, a candidate for President of the United States, but as a citizen, it's important that your voice is heard.

Your points are well reasoned and show an astute understanding of the war issues.

May the winds be at your back and the sun on your face.

[rssrai]

I am sorry, but I don't buy into not leaving any risidual troops in Iraq. So, you would not leave any troops to guard the US Embassy and take care of all the thousands of americans that are doing humanitarian work in Iraq. If that is how you feel, I cannot support you. To me it would be irresponsible to not leave any troops to protect amercan citizens.

[thedirtman]

It is not customary for U.S. troops to follow humanitarians around, and for the most part humnaitarians, where welcome, have not needed assistance by the U.S. military.

[kjg25171]

Richardson has said he would guard the embassy.

[gb324]

Senator Biden's plan leaves a number of troops to protect the 4000 or so Americans who will be there and to keep Iraq"s neighbors honest.

[PaulAbrams]

Biden's partition plan would require US troops for a minimum of 3 years to enable the relocations to take place. It is not a credible way of reducing US troops.

Richardson said he would leave the normal # of troops to protect the embassy---but, if that did not seem feasible, because of the situation in Iraq, he would remove them too, and our embassy personnel.

Remember: there is NO GOOD OUTCOME from the Iraq mess. So,you have to go for the LEAST BAD. Richardson is the ONLY candidate who seems to put first things first--end the loss of US life and limb, remove the US as a party because no other party can be seen to be helping the US, and then engage the parties and neighboring states. Coming from a guy who got the North Koreans back to the table, and got hostages released from Saddam, that plan is at least credible.

Your idea of leaving residual troops is very risky to those troops, and has no rationale---if 150,000 couldn't accomplish stability, why would 40,000? It also comes down to this: would you be willing to risk YOUR LIFE, or YOUR LIMBS, for the residual troop strategy? If not, how can you ask others to do so?

[LizM]

Paul,

Senator Biden is not talking about partition and the relocations are already taking place.

[kilnwmn]

One would have to ask the current regime: Why, if you don't want a permanent presence in Iraq, are you building the largest embassy in the world there with the most fortifications??

[bluescat47]

A remarkably simplistic posture by the Governor, trying to outdo his Democratic rivals in "who will get us out quickly." The National Intelligence Estimates are clear: a precipitous withdrawal at this time would be catastrophic, with potentially astounding levels of sectarian violence, ethnic cleansing, and 3rd party intervention (Iran, Turkey, Saudi Arabia). Redeployment out of this diastrous war needs to be well planned and moderate - to protect our troops and Iraqis who have sided with us. It took us over a year to withdraw from Kuwait after the Gulf War - under good conditions.
We are dealing with lives here - we need to be careful.

[ProgressivePartisan]

National Intelligence. Yep, there is one spot-on organization for representing reality. Ha ha ha ha!!!!!!!!!!

[thedirtman]

The United States Army is very ready to move, and to say that it cannot be ready to move is insulting them. The greatest Army in the world can move anywhere in six months time. There is nothing to show that redeployment will lead to greater disaster then the disaster that exists already.

[belikejeanvaljean]

Richardson has more diplomatic experience than any other candidate. I don't think he is saying this just to "outdo" his rivals. He knows what he is talking about. What we most need right now is a president who not only understands diplomacy, but practices it.

[ProfessorDuh]

What makes you think that just because the Oval Office orangutan can create a civil war, he can also stop one? He cannot. He can only delay one to save face, burning human lives every moment.

[ViscountMontie]

Just about everything in Walmart,Home Depot etc., seems to be low-priced and made in China. Have we got quotes from them on all the bombs and missiles we go through in a year? Surely it would save the American tax-payer a fortune.

[Simplicio]

Impeach Bush and Cheney, stop this criminal war against invented enemies and investigate who was behind 9/11.
Kucinich and Richardson should be the presidential team.

[thedirtman]

Actually, Richardson did say that he would be happy to have any of the other candidates as his VP.

[ProfessorDuh]

The U.S. has become the guy in the joke who murders his parents, then demands mercy because he's an orphan. After you've kicked in the door to someone else's house and killed a bunch of people there, you don't win the right to move in permanently by claiming that chaos would ensue if you left.
Gov. Richardson is right, and thank you for your courage, sir.

[thedirtman]

Thank you for seeing that there is more to Iraq than military operations, and for sharing that with us.

[EllisGill]

Richardson is pro-peace. Richardson understands diplomacy. Something Hilary is against. Hilary & Lieberman are in the same pro-war group.

[Defyant]

Gov. Bill, please you must know that this occupation of Iraq is insane. It has nothing to do with Democracy. Oil is the motivation.

With the billions of borrowed money spent every day we could have solved our energy problems, provided health care for all, and had something meaningful to show for our efforts.

Please, please, you must have some influence. I have never felt represented, and I'm rapidly coming to a point where I know my government is my enemy.

Please, do what you can to bring common sense, sane leadership, and hope back to our people.

[Novista]

Bows to Gov. Richardson.

Some interesting commentary here. I believe most of the Iraqi people want us out. Even al-Maliki invited us to leave. I think it is possible to make an exit quick and probably with minimal problems. Maybe with diplomacy, maybe by a truce, maybe with an airlift -- C5A transports can haul a lot?

The troops matter. Equipment? We're led to believe they're undersupplied, and what is there is deteriorating. Not to mention another matter not really touched on: the extended use of Depleted Uranium and residual low-level radioactivity.

At point one, 24 damaged tanks were returned to the U.S. Some were transported on open railroad cars across the country. They couldn't decontaminate them in Iraq. There's no practical means of doing so, once the aerosal dust has infected them.

So, at least some of the equipment isn't worth bringing home. Unless you think the value is greater than the threat from broken, irradiated gear.

But the troops are worth getting out quickly, even the ones who will succumb to early or multiple cancers ... and the DU problem is another thing America will have deal with in Iraq later.

[TheFoundingFathers]

Ok, Gov. Richardson says the surge is not working. Then, Carl Levin and other Dems say the surge is working or we are making progress. If Gov. Richardson is wrong and the surge is working then his whole plan is based on false assumptions. While there are still attacks from terrorists the frequency of them has been dropping. Areas that were once very active with terrorist acts are now quiet. Many of the Iraqis are reporting terrorist activity, because they don't like them either.I think we are doing a disservice to the Iraqis and those who are overthere laying it on the line by seeing how fast we can run, which gives the enemy should I say aid and comfort? While many here would say we are doing a disservice by having them overthere, the vast majority of soldiers and marines say let us do our job.
If we are losing this war, then why are the amount of murders committed in some of our indivdual United States per year more that the number of casualties in a war we are supposed to be losing. Some of our casualties were from not from acts of war but from accidents and other mishaps. If our military was not popular with the Iraqis then our casualties would be much higher. I am not a fan of soldiers losing their lives, but why do we keep selling ourselves short in what is being accomplished and just on the negative. We never lost a military engagement in Vietnam, but we lost the propaganda war. Why are we making the same mistake now?
I believe that the strategies that were initially used to fight the war in Iraq were flawed. We used flawed strategies before. If we adopt the lets win it and finish it attitude this war would be over much sooner. I would like to see all the military personnel that are in country to come home tomorrow, but not by surrender when making progress. Although many in this blog would not believe it if they were there and saw it themselves.

[Ladyrantsalot]

Two million Iraqi refugees are too afraid to return to Iraq. What do they know that you don't?

[TheFoundingFathers]

I am sure they don't want to return until they are sure there is a reasonable amount of security. We (USA) do not help the situation by showing a divided front. What is amazing are the terrorists we are fighting are not that united either, and are killing each other and other innocent people.

[Drill]

The surge has worked. I plan on vacationing this Winter in Al Anbar province. What do you think about that? God Bless our troops and God Bless The United States of America.

[kjg25171]

We will not know if the surge has worked until after we leave. Think of an out of control classroom where the teacher has to call in the principal and security. The class immediately settles down. The question is "what happens after they leave?"

[combatveteran]

Does anyone have any information on monetary payments being made to leaders in Anbar provinceby the US to fight Queda?