McCain Indicates He Backs Obama's Iraq Pullout Plan

ABC News ^ | 2009-02-27

[rabscuttle385]

Some Democrats Unhappy With Obama Iraq Plan.

BY LUIS MARTINEZ

In a speech later today at Camp Lejeune, N.C., President Obama will announce an 18- month troop withdrawal plan from Iraq that will result in what aides say will be the end of the U.S. combat mission in Iraq Aug. 31, 2010.

However, even before the plan has been unveiled top Democrats are raising concerns that the president's plan will leave behind a larger force than they had anticipated.

Sen. John McCain, however, who had battled Obama over his Iraq plan during the presidential campaign, had indicated that he supports the president's withdrawal plan.

In advance of Obama's remarks, two senior administration officials told ABC News that the withdrawal plan will leave behind a "residual force" of between 35,000 to 50,000 U.S. troops whose new mission will be to train, equip and advise Iraqi Security Forces, support the Iraqi government and conduct targeted counterterrorism missions.

[Badeye]

This was what would have happened under any President, folks.

The MSM won’t say it, so I will.

We WON in Iraq.

Please make a note of it.

[madison10]

So they’re going to leave a weak force there to get smashed?

[rabscuttle385]

Who's the "surrender monkey" now?!!

Captain McQueeg!

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[Da Coyote]

McCain backs dhimmicrats.

This is news?

[dfwgator]

“And I for one, welcome our new Democratic overlords.”

[ClearCase_guy]

I agree with that. We won in Iraq and now it’s going in the direction of Germany and Japan and South Korea — we leave a force in place (probably for years) but we no longer need to maintain an overwhelming presence. That’s what the locals are for.

[ProfoundMan]

[silverleaf]

I dunno, things must have changed since I went to the War College

It must be the latest and greatest in military strategy- to announce your surrender plans to the enemy 18 months in advance

I cannot imagine what commander would want to risk any of his men to die in this mission of...doing what?....since regardless of what happens, we go home in 2010

Just bring them home now. Their lives and dedication are too precious to be so betrayed by the sinkus

[silverleaf]

San Fran Nan has announced her deep disappointment since she says NOT ONE TROOP should remain in Iraq

[nhwingut]

Will zero use the word “victory?”

[Semper Mark]

I can’t believe he’s actually going to Lejeune...
...could be enemy territory for obama.

[spectre]

What you wrote was the first thing out of my dear husband's mouth when he heard Obama had set the date.

"Pray for our troops" is all that's left to say.

[NavyCanDo]

Why are we missing this?
The real headline that we are all missing is Obama is adopting the Bush Pull Out Plan. Bush last year announced this draw down plan. And its pretty much the same time frame. The only difference, was the media was saying the Iraqi forces are not capable of taking over. A few months later, all but the far left anti-war pull-out now crowd are praising Obama’s decision.

[Liberty Valance]

The new Iraq plan is strangely similar to the one the Bush adminstration already had in place. We won!

[silverleaf]

he’s going to LeJeune because his handlers have arranged an ecstatic audience of women and children cheering that he is bringing daddy home from the war

[Never on my watch]

Intercepted communique from the mountains of Afghanistan:

“All Alqueda Iraq command elements,

STAND DOWN! STAND DOWN!

Begin planned 18 month recruitment, training, rearming, and fund raising operation.

Continue harassment, roadside and suicide bombing projects at reduced intervals.

Redirect stolen food and medical supplies to our operatives in Hamas and Afghanistan.

Further instructions to follow...”

[elpadre]

President Bush always said he would wind down the war as the situation on the ground permitted. He asked the Pentagon to make the determination. That is the way it should be.

However, it appears the war was won before President Bush left office and close to the point of determination.

Now, comes the fly in the ointment - Iran and Syria. Will they be ramping up and we ramp down?

[drubyfive]

Bush=Zero troops by November 2011
Zero=Zero troops by November 2011

[Kenny Bunk]

Obama, following GW's plan and timetable, will get the credit for Iraq. After that draw down to 50,000 or so peacekeepers, every last Bush appointee will be swept from the Pentagon.

He is the first African American President to settle a Major World Crisis. He will also get credit for tomorrow's sunrise, and high tide, which as you know, lifts all boats.

When Guantanamo closes, (hopefully due to the death of its last inmate from old age) Obama will also get all the credit. In 2020, when the current slump shows signs of recovery, Obama will get the credit, much as FDR got the credit in 1950 for ending the Depression. He will be the first African American President to end a Major Financial Crisis.

As Ann Coulter says, "Obama is the First African American President to order a ham sandwich from the WH kitchen." We are indeed fortunate to live in a historic moment of change.