Barack Obama supported keeping troops in Iraq, but now he wants a “precipitous withdrawal” regardless of “conditions on the ground” or “consequences of a defeat…
Obama urges withdrawal, but allows for national interest concerns.
Obama has been a consistent critic of the rationale for the war in Iraq. His support for withdrawal includes exceptions for national interest and for the Iraqi government to meet benchmarks for progress. The pull-out legislation he proposed in 2007, which set a deadline to have all troops out by March 31, 2008, included provisions to stop the withdrawal if national interests would be jeopardized by continuing
Our Sources
Chicago Defender, "Opposition to War Mounts." By Chinta Strausberg. September 26, 2002.
Chicago Tribune, "Obama, Keyes Put on Kid Gloves." ; By John Chase and Liam Ford. October 13, 2004.
Associated Press, "Obama Willing to Support More Troops in Iraq." By Christopher Wills. September 18, 2004.
Meet the Press, transcript for January 22, 2006.
Meet the Press, transcript for October 22, 2006.
The Library of Congress THOMAS web site. Proposed legislation sponsored by Barack Obama. ; Introduced January 30, 2007.
Washington Post, Symbolic Measure to End War Voted Down 67 to 29 in Senate. By Shailagh Murray. May 17, 2007.
