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.
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.
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If diplomats are going to solve this problem, then we will need diplomats in the area, and they will need protection. So I disagree with Gov. Richardson's point that if the Marines defending the US Embassy become too endangered, they should also be removed. Marines have traditionally guarded embassies and protected Americans abroad (full disclosure, I was once evacuated out of a scary, political turmoil-like situation by Marines and State Dept. staff and, as someone who has to spend a lot of time abroad, I will always be grateful to those folks). Anyway, it seems like a small point, but Gov. while Richardson's comments are endearing him to people like me who thought this invasion was a disaster from the get-go, they seem to be too sweeping to people who read the fine print. The sort of commentary above might help him win the nomination, but seem likely to complicate his journey in the general election. I say this as someone who actually supports him and is about to send my check.
When I read that comment about pulling Marines out if it got too dangerous, I naturally assumed that he would want the embassy staff out at the same time. It just goes without saying, if the situation is too dangerous for the Marines, it is too dangerous for the ambassador.
He is the first of the candidates to change his position on the war,during the campaign. Now we have three anti-war candidates. Kucinich, Gravel and Richardson . Five to go.
I will not choose between two pro-war candidates this time. Not when the majority of Americans want to end it now.If the Democrats wont give us a choice,lets go to plan B.
Edwards has issued a comprehensive proposal to end the war in Iraq—starting today: It calls on Congress to use its funding power to block President Bush's escalation, immediately begin withdrawing troops by capping funding and requiring complete withdrawal of all combat troops in 12 to 18 months.
EDWARDS ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT HE HAS "NO CONTROL" OVER WHAT HAPPENS IN IRAQ FOR AT LEAST 16 TO 18 MONTHS...
EXTRA! EXTRA!
READ ALL ABOUT IT!!!
We have to get out NOW not 18 months from now...
Funny, Edwards says nothing about HOW we will go...Just that we will "go"...Wha
Comprehensive is a word used all to often these days, dont fall for it.
Richardson and Kucinich are the ONLY Dems with a true COMPREHENSIVE plan.
I think parts of that plan Edwards has came from that Paul Mitchell trade show last year. Or maybe it was the Katrina mortgagees that he was helping to break until called on it.
Very good. Now what about our military budget? Since we spend so much more than anyone else, and we have the latest modern weapons, and we have most of the world's stockpile of WMDs, we are way too powerful for any other nation to even think of attacking us. We could cut our military budget in half, and still be prefectly safe, probably more safe because that would reduce tensions around the world. All this extra military power is just sitting around tempting us to start wars for reasons like greed. Would you agree, cutting our military budget would make us safer?
On his www.richar
Some interesting info: the U.S. spends more on its military budget, in recent years, than every other nation on Earth, COMBINED!
Governor Richardson,
Thank you for your service to this country.
You have the best Resume of all the candidates on either side of the aisle.
Good luck.
TA
This plan needs meat? No, all it needs is a schedule! We removed almost 200,000 troops from Viet Name within a year, in an on again, off again, Nixonian withdrawal plan.
One of the lessons we learned in Viet Nam was that piecemeal withdrawal puts the remaining troops in grave danger. Iraq is simple, you announce the 8 month withdrawal program, and you negotiate a cease fire with the Sunnis, Shias, and Kurds, during the withdrawal. American troops return to their Iraqi bases in a total defensive posture, standing guard while they bases are dismantled. Consumable items are transferred to a compound for distribution by UN Peacekeeping Forces to the Iraqi people. Tanks, APC's, Humvees, Cranes, etc. are taken in convoy to Basrah, and loaded on cargo ships.
Two 747's, protected by fighter jets, remove 1000 people per day from Iraq.
That is a simple, non-chaotic way to get the troops and equipment out of Iraq; and it took five minutes of thought. Think how easy a real plan, put together by logistics specialists, would be to accomplish.
Thank you, Governor Richardson, for standing up when the other three top candidates are already waffling (or in 2004 vernacular - flip flop; flip flop; flip flop).
Edwards has issued a comprehensive proposal to end the war in Iraq—starting today: It calls on Congress to use its funding power to block President Bush's escalation, immediately begin withdrawing troops by capping funding and requiring complete withdrawal of all combat troops in 12 to 18 months.
http://joh
Do you really think if we stopped funding the war that bush would pull our troops out?
What are you taking - I want some.
this is the problem, it only took five minutes of thought. somehow i can visualize bush and cheney in the oval office planning their mischief uttering the same words. see, it only took five minutes of thought!
Thank you, Governor Richardson, for continuing to take this stand. You have my vote and I plan to volunteer with your campaign.
I regret that the media has so excessively limited the coverage of candidates other than Hillary and Obama. If more people were aware of your background and stands on the issues, your polling numbers would be much higher. You give voters a true choice. Hang in there and keep saying what you are saying...
I totally agree with your sentiments about gallant Governor Richardson. A good man, indeed.
I just pray he has the pragmatism and wisdom to withdraw early enough and commit his support to Hillary, who is the only viable Democrat candidate if we intend to take back the WH.
I would encourage you to look at Biden's background and stand on the issues before making your decision. You may be surprised.
Biden has stood on the floor of the Senate and said that he will leave American forces in Iraq. You can look it up on C-SPAN and listen for yourself.
Biden loses.
Period.
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Gov. Richardson,
You have a good plan. You have the experience. You have my vote.
what is his plan? Besides "out in 6 months." What is his larger plan for the region? Does he believe a central government in Baghdad will work? What does he believe will happen once we pull out? Ther eis NO MEAT on this plan. Richardson is trying to win over the far left-wing of the party by telling them what they want to hear. It is not PHYSICALLY possible to get out responsibly in 6 months. please look at the substance of Biden's plan www.planfo
Biden's plan entails leaving a force in Iraq ...
... therefore, Biden loses the Democratic primary.
It's just that simple.
Americans want out of Iraq
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The highly qualified Governor Richardson is my choice for the Democratic nominee for President in 2008 for a number of reasons the most significant of which is his proposal for ending the Iraq catastrophe.
so... what happens to Iraq when we pull out in 6 months (which is an impossible time-frame by most military experts)..
The fact is, we don't know "what happens to Iraq" 6 months after we pull out. The fact is also, that we don't know what happens to Iraq 6 months after we stay. There is no crystal ball that is ever going to tell you what is going to happen to Iraq ... none.
What can be said with absolute certainty, however, is that whatever death we would have been directly responsible for in Iraq will not occur after we leave.
And, whatever deaths might have happened to Iraqis as a by-product of our forces being targeted will not happen after we leave.
And whatever deaths that might have occurred to Iraqis who are deliberately targeted because they are collaborators with us wiil stop ... because we won't be around to collaborate with any longer.
So leaving saves Iraqi lives in at least three different ways.
Ergo, we should leave ... ASAP
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You got my vote Richardson!!!!
Although Mr. Richardson is in fact not the 'only candidate' to advocate such a strategic pullout, he's right: it would benefit both the Iraqis and the Americans. Sadly, by force of vague and tortuous language, the majority of candidates keep lying about their stance on the most important issue of this election cycle.
http://www
Governor - why not take it to the logical next step and remove US ground troops from ALL countries EXCEPT:
a) as part of a UN mission and
b) refueling and inventory locations.
The USA can project its superpower via its carrier battle groups, subs and air power when and where required.
This would reduce cost, eliminate redeployment debates and push the USA to use more diplomacy and coalitions like the rest of the world.
Strike part (a) of the statement above, and that sounds like a good idea.
Our military bases abroad prop up economies everywhere. South Korea, for example, would collapse economically if we pulled all our military tax dollars away.
If our bases were all on American soil, think of the economic benefits to America. I'm tired of my tax dollars going abroad to benefit everyone else, and that's the heart and soul of fiscal conservativism.
Go figure. Bush is the worst non-conservative president ever.
South Korea would collapse economically if we stopped buying LG phones, Samsung TV's and Kia and Hyundai subcompacts. That's the basis of their economy, not the US military.
Chalmers Johnson (an old Cold Warrior now an appalled critic of American Empire) has written some terrific critiques of our approximately 750 military bases around the globe. Most of them don't keep Americans safe, they do incredible harm to the localities in which they are situated, and most of them only serve as a source of income for the "state enterprises" that have cropped up under the privatization schemes of the US government and US military. Your tax dollars down the drain.
The best plan is to let the regional Muslim countries solve the problem of Iraq, and allow them to replace the US troops with a Security Force of Muslims soldiers. The Muslim countries have plenty of soldiers & weapons to take over the stabilizing mission from the US. Muslim religious violence is a Muslim problem that can only be solved by the Muslim countries. The only way to prevent President Bush from "running out the clock" is to use a Senate Filibuster -- until 67 Senators agree on a US Plan to withdraw.
Agree with you ElkoJohn. Muslim peacekeepers, not Western manglers.
Another thing, if Bushco has been totally dishonest with US about his "project" there, don't we think he has been as dishonest with the Iraqis? Of course.
Governor Richardson - Why don't you and Dennis team up? A suggestion.
And your suggestion that no residual troops remain is imperative if we expect the various factions to stop the violence in Iraq.
Governor Richardson, you are a fabulous candidate and fabulous leader. Why don't you team up with John Edwards? He's the hare and you are the tortoise. A great team if I every saw one.
Dear Govenor Richarson,
After watch the debate on ABC I took notice of your stand, I could not agree more, we (you and I) are in the exact same stream of consciousness on this one. Eloquently expressed Sir!
I don't wish to burst any bubble you have or be offensive in any way, but I don't believe We, the People can pull you into the Presidency, but I am hoping you will be on a very short list to become our Secretary of State in a new administration.
All the best. Agape.
We can if you and others who think like you will join up and support him.
If you believe that, you are clueless about the American body politic, especially in the southeast, northwest, and much of the beltway. I wish it were different, but that's the reality. If it were different, we would not be in this fiasco in the first place, and would not be having this discussion. Don't kill the messenger, please.
You efforts would be better served to see to it the next administration gives the Honorable Governor Richardson a Cabinet position as Secretary of State, he would be the best our beloved Country ever had, and at a real important time.
The whole point of invading Iraq was to establish a permanent US presence, to protect the oil - and protect the oil from being traded in Euro dollars.
More then oil, the occupation (Don't call it a "war") is about economics. The Bushies should've just said that when he took office in January 2000.
But I guess they think we are as dumb as they are.
There is no way we are going to pour billions into the Green Zone
and then throw the keys into a hoard of sectarian fighting.
The Bushies want to control the flow of oil. (driving up cost)
Americans want the oil traded in US dollars. (trust me, you do)
Iraqis will fight over control of the Green Zone. (and a lot more)
It's an unwinnable catastrophe,
well worthy of charging the "Decider" with war crimes.
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Posted August 24, 2007 | 03:37 PM (EST)