Reply #36: you might alos want to read this ... and then re-read your WAPO article. [View All]

[JoePhilly]

Bush finally decides its time to set a time line in August 2008.

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/08/22/iraq.main/?iref=mpstoryview

The WAPO article you reference notes that while Obama proposes removing troops within about 1.5 years, the article also states ...

"The Obama plan, called the Iraq War De-escalation Act of 2007, would begin a troop withdrawal no later than May 1, 2007, but it includes several caveats that could forestall a clean break: It would leave a limited number of troops in place to conduct counterterrorism activities and train Iraqi forces. And the withdrawal could be temporarily suspended if the Iraqi government meets a series of benchmarks laid out by the Bush administration. That list includes a reduction in sectarian violence; the equitable distribution of oil revenue; government reforms; and democratic, Iraqi-driven reconstruction and economic development efforts. Obama's proposal also would reverse Bush's troop-increase plan."

Bush's plan, announced in August 2008, long after Obama proposed his plan, took this exact path. Recognize also that Obama's proposal did not base, which means that his withdraw could only start after he took office. The first phase was a drawn down of around 100k of the 150k, leaving behind some for EXACTLY what the paragraph above from WAPO article states.

Obama proposed this time line in January 2007, Bush adopts basically the same one in August 2008.

Of course you might also notice that the GOP is out claiming that Obama is withdrawing too fast. Which seems odd if the plan was Bush's.