Saturday, February 9, 2008

Candidate positions on Iraq

This is what I've surmised from the candidate's websites:

Hillary Clinton / Barack Obama
They have essentially the same position. Within 60 days, develop plan to remove some troops. Not remove all troops within 60 days, just start the process of removing some of them. Keep troops in the region to fight al Qaeda or in case instability breaks out. Get the United Nations and border countries to meet to discuss stabilization. Send billions in foreign aid.

http://www.hillaryclinton.com/issues/iraq/
http://www.barackobama.com/issues/iraq/

John McCain
He wants to increase troops and build up the Iraq police and military. He wants American and Iraq troops policing the streets. He wants the U.S. military to oversee reconstruction. He wants to put "international pressure" on neighbors Syria and Iran so they don't get involved in Iraq. Won't reduce presence unless success is achieved, and believes success is a secure democracy in Iraq.

http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/fdeb03a7-30b0-4ece-8e34-4c7ea83f11d8.htm

Mike Huckabee
He says he doesn't want troop withdrawal unless the country is stable, but then says U.S. support isn't guaranteed if the Iraq government doesn't make progress. Doesn't want any timetables for withdrawal. Wants to involve regional countries to help provide stability financially and militarily. Believes victory is turning Iraq into a democracy.

http://www.mikehuckabee.com/?FuseAction=Issues.View&Issue_id=2

Ron Paul
Wants to direct the military leadership to plan immediate withdrawal. Opposed the Iraq war from beginning. Says military is spread too thin and the U.S. can't afford the financial burden. Believes al Qaeda's plan was to get the U.S in a long war and drain its resources, as evident by the falling dollar. Says Iraqi political factions have been at war for centuries and American lives shouldn't be lost waiting for them to come together.

http://www.ronpaul2008.com/issues/iraq/

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