But I do not -- and I don't think any of us do -- oppose the brave young men and women who have fought this war with such distinction and heroism.
Oh, my here we go again. You know what people? We have to stop allowing Hillary to pretend she is already the Democratic nominee. Here she is trying to get Republican votes while in the meantime alienating Republicans by defending herself and weakening her stance on Iraq. We must tell her that bringing the troops home now is how we support our brave young men and women who have fought this war and also, increasing benefits or reparations to veterans is how we show we support their courage and sacrifice for America.
You know, I have said, repeatedly, that I will begin to bring our troops home as soon as I am president, because it is abundantly clear that President Bush does not intend to end the war while he is still president.
In order to do that, we're doing to have to get the Joint Chiefs and my secretary of defense and advisers together to start the planning to move as quickly as possible, because I don't believe that the planning has been sufficiently undertaken in the Pentagon under this administration.
But we've got to do more. We have to try to get the Iraqi government to understand its obligations, because there is no military solutions. And they have, thus far, failed to do so.
And, finally, we need to engage in diplomacy, with respect to Iraq. You know, we have a big diplomatic apparatus. This president doesn't use it. He relies on a very small group of people. I think that's a terrible mistake.
In addition to the foreign service officers, I would bring in a lot of other distinguished Americans who have experience -- people, you know, like my colleagues, Bill and Joe and Chris. We need a lot of Americans trying to fan out across the world following President Bush, because he's going to leave so many problems.
His policies have alienated our friends and emboldened our enemies. And Iraq and Iran are tinder boxes -- the Middle East, Pakistan.
I agree with Joe -- the Afghanistan situation.
Everywhere you look in the world we've got work to do, and I think we've got to do more than just send our young men and women out. That is not an appropriate use of their power.
The Iraqi government does not “understand its obligations” because those obligations are being dictated by us and are what we think is best for them, which is clashing with their ideas on how to run their government. After giving them the gift of democracy, isn’t it great how we expect them to do as we say and not fight us back? Isn’t it funny how we allow their economy to be severely inadequate and also fight Iraqi union workers who are standing up for the rights of a people in a democratic society?
Also, Bill, Chris, and Joe---did you know you were going to be getting a job offer tonight? That’s awesome isn’t it? I mean, now that Hillary so arrogantly believes we Democrats support her and that based on corporate media polls she is the leading candidate, isn’t it great how she is willing to include you in her looming victory?
“We’ve got work to do.” It’s like George W. Bush said when debating Kerry. It’s hard work. You know what? Rather than tell us it’s hard, which is what we already know, tell us how you plan to handle the “work.” Don’t just say you will make things better. Convince us you really will do something positive and accomplish something progressive as President of the United States.
Williams: Senator Obama, was Senator Clinton's answer to the opposition of the Iraq war question consistent, in your view?
Obama: I don't think it's consistent with the Iran resolution, for example, which specifically stated that we should structure our forces in Iraq with an eye toward blunting Iranian influence. It is yet another rationale for what we're doing in Iraq, and I think that's a mistake.
Now, I agree that we've got to focus on diplomacy. The president has to lead that diplomacy, which is why I've said I would convene a meeting of Muslim leaders upon taking office because I think we have to send a strong signal that we are willing to listen and not just talk, and certainly not just dictate or engage in military action.
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
