This may be a REALLY stupid question but RE: Candidates and Iraq

[vi5]

What are each of their plans for Iraq should they become president? Honestly all I see on here is talk of who was against the war. But other than some mentions by Clark of bringing in NATO and the UN, I haven't seen much on that on these boards. It's all about votes and not votes and support and not support. But no matter who the candidate is, if there is no solution to the problem at hand then I'm not sure where exactly the leadership comes in.

One of the things Dems get hammered for is criticizing without offering solutions. And I fear that we are getting into that trap especially with Iraq. It does not good for any of them, pro or agains the war to simply stand up there and talk about positions on how we got there. We are there, so now what is the solution.

And perhaps I'm missing something but I've seen them focus more on the cause than the solution. I'd like to see both addressed equally.

It just seems like amidst all the talk of who voted and why, that the very large elephant in the room is ignored. That being: WE ARE THERE.

[rpf113]

1. It seems like they all have the same solution, essentially.

Get the U.N. in, get the U.S. out. In debate in Iowa Kucinich said that he wanted to immediately withdraw all troops from Iraq, but he backed off that view today and said he would slowly rotate in U.N. Peacekeepers.

The only one to differ was Gen. Clark who suggested putting Iraq under the control of NATO, which I think would make more sense.

[Indiana_Dem]

2. Well from what I've read....

Kucinich wants the troops out in 90 days and to bring the UN in.

Dean and most of the others want to bring UN in.

[HFishbine]

3. In Dean's own words

"We knew from the outset we could win this war without much help from others. But we cannot win the peace by continuing to go it alone," Governor Dean said. "Our goal should be what the Administration has promised-an Iraq that is stable, self-sufficient, whole and free. Our strategy to achieve that goal should be based on a partnership with three sides-U.S., international and Iraqi-and a program that begins with seven basic points."

Those points are:

- A NATO-led coalition should maintain order and guarantee disarmament.

- Civilian authority in Iraq should be transferred to an international body approved by the U.N. Security Council.

- The U.N.'s Oil for Food program should be transformed into an Oil for Recovery program, to pay part of the costs of reconstruction and transition.

- The U.S. should convene an international donor's conference to help finance the financial burden of paying for Iraq's recovery.

- Women should participate in every aspect of the decision-making process.

- A means should be established to prosecute crimes committed against the Iraqi people by individuals associated with Saddam Hussein's regime.

- A democratic transition will take between 18 to 24 months, although troops should expect to be in Iraq for a longer period.

"We must hold the Administration to its promises before the war, and create a world after the war that is safer, more democratic, and more united in winning the larger struggle against terrorism and the forces that breed it," Governor Dean said. "That is, after all, now much more than a national security objective," he added. "It is a declaration of national purpose, written in the blood of our troops, and of the innocent on all sides who have perished."

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An example of Dean's foresight, these proposals were made on April 9, 2003.

http://www3.deanforamerica.com/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5364&JServSessionIdr007=3uqjy3ixy1.app196a&news_iv_ctrl=1441

[vi5]

5. Thank you for that....

It was very helpful. I'm glad to have that information in my pocket now to counter people with.

[goodhue]

4. DK plan

http://www.kucinich.us/bringourtroopshome.php

[rucky]

7. Best plan by far

:)

[democratreformed]

6. Wes Clark's Iraq Strategy

Link: http://clark04.com/issues/iraqstrategy/

[rucky]

8. btw....Best Question so far today

it's amazing how little we discuss the platforms side-by-side like this.