Exploring the Candidates - Iraq

Last one today, I promise.

Iraq

Obama:
- “Since the surge began, more than 1,000 American troops have died, and despite the improved security situation, the Iraqi government has not stepped forward to lead the Iraqi people and to reach the genuine political accommodation that was the stated purpose of the surge.”
- The removal of our troops will be responsible and phased, Military experts believe we can safely redeploy combat brigades from Iraq at a pace of 1 to 2 brigades a month that would remove them in 16 months.
- Under the Obama-Biden plan, a residual force will remain in Iraq and in the region to conduct targeted counter-terrorism missions against al Qaeda in Iraq and to protect American diplomatic and civilian personnel.
- Barack Obama and Joe Biden believe that America has both a moral obligation and a responsibility for security that demands we confront Iraq’s humanitarian crisis. He will provide at least $2 billion to expand services to Iraqi refugees in neighboring countries, and ensure that Iraqis inside their own country can find sanctuary.

McCain:

- “Thanks to the success of the surge, Iraq's political order is evolving in positive and hopeful ways. Four out of the six laws cited as benchmarks by the U.S. have been passed by the Iraqi legislature.”
- “I do not want to keep our troops in Iraq a minute longer than necessary to secure our interests there. Our goal is an Iraq that can stand on its own as a democratic ally and a responsible force for peace in its neighborhood. Our goal is an Iraq that no longer needs American troops.”
- To move young men away from the attractions of well-funded extremists, we need a vibrant, growing Iraqi economy. The Iraqi government can jump-start this process by using a portion of its budget surplus to employ Iraqis in infrastructure projects and in restoring basic services.

My Opinion:

This one is obviously ripe with venom from both sides of the debate (not necessarily from the actual candidates mind you) but this is an area where I do feel one candidate is clearly better than the other.

Both candidates want troops to come home. The difference is one is pushing for a specific date (summer of 2010) and one isn’t. I know it’s appealing to say we’ll be home on June 5, 2010, or whatever day it is, but it’s not practical. You don’t tell your enemies what your actions are going to be. We need to be there as long as it take to ensure basic safety and stability in that country. If that’s 1 more year or 5 more years, then that will be the time it takes. Don’t give the enemy a chance to sit back and wait you out. Eliminate as many as you can, then leave.

Obama as spent a lot of time harping on the 92 billion dollar surplus that Iraq has when talking about our economy, yet he wants to spend 2 billion of our money to help expand services in Iraq? What sense does that make? If they have money, let them spend it on themselves.

As I read through the Obama page on Iraq I couldn’t help but be dismayed by the constant rhetoric about how Bush did this or that. Nearly the entire position on Iraq is based on Bush hate. I know that probably plays well to his constituency, but Bush isn’t running for President. How we got here isn’t going to be as important as were we go now. That’s not to say it’s not unimportant, but dwelling on the past won’t lead anyone into the future.

On this issue I give a +1 to McCain. It should probably be more because in my opinion this is the one area that is of most importance when voting for a President. He can push all the domestic issues he wants but he is at the mercy of Congress when it comes to getting his plans passed. As President though we are electing a Commander in Chief, this is the most important function the President serves.

Final Thought:

At this point, given my options, I prefer McCain to Obama.  Those who know me probably aren't that suprised in my preference.  The point of this excersice though wasn't to try to introduce some new nugget of wisdom to the masses.  It honestly was for my own personal benefit.  I wanted to be able to look at both candidates and judge them based on their words and not those of Rush Limbaugh or John Stewart etc.  At least now when I go to the polls I will be confident that I am one of the few who actually did some reading from the candidates.

There's a ton of other issues that could have been looked at.  I only chose the ones that were most important to me.  I don't really care if Obama once sat at a Denny's with Charles Manson or whatever.  The radio hosts blow that way out of proportion in my opinion.  I don't think McCain made a very smart pick in Palin.  Of course, any criticism I have of her could equally be applied to Obama, so who knows.  Those were the issues I cared about though and that's what will guide my hand at the poll.  If you care more about abortion rights, gun control, welfare reform, or free government cheese on Tuesdays then please go to the official candidates sites and do a little reading yourself.  Don't take some pinheads word for it.