If you haven't seen enough to know we need all the troops out, then you aren't watching the same war

[bigtree]

WASHINGTON, Oct 4 (Reuters) - Democratic presidential candidate Bill Richardson criticized his rivals on Thursday for failing to back an immediate and complete U.S. troop pullout from Iraq, saying it was time to "get all our troops out now."

In a speech at Georgetown University, the New Mexico governor said Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards all had taken a wait-and-see attitude about when to draw down U.S. troops.

"I say there has been enough waiting and seeing," he said. "If you haven't seen enough to know that we need to get all the troops out, then you aren't watching the same war that I and the rest of America are seeing."

http://www.reuters.com/article/middleeastCrisis/idUSN04339103

[RaleighNCDUer]

1. Good for him. nt

[mmonk]

2. Thanks bigtree.

A recommend and kick for a candidate with solutions.

[mmonk]

3. DU'ers claim they want an end to this war.

You claim you want someone who can reclaim our standing and respect in the world. You need to take a hard look at Bill Richardson. He has the resume for this others do not.

[Breeze54]

5. I liked him at the beginning and I do admire

his work in Darfur and other places but I disagree with him on his crime policy.

As in supporting 3 strikes you're out and the death penalty.

He doesn't even address these at his website under issues.
http://www.richardsonforpresident.com/issues/civil_rights

Unless I missed it, I can't find anything there.

That bothers me.

[H2O Man]

4. What do you think

of General Wesley Clark's ideas for resolving the Bush-Cheney crisis in Iraq? I have heard him say that the US is going to have to end the military tactics, and negotiate with neighbors including Syria and Iran, in order to stop the violence?

[truedelphi]

6. I like his ideas, but how will we negotiate when our plans are

Being pushed for all out war with Syria and Iran?

[bigtree]

7. I wish the U.S would negotiate with them up front

. . . but I think the administration will end up doing what they have done repeatedly in Iraq. They will try and disengage and will need whatever assistance these other countries will provide to keep their central government in their state of authority. Both nations already have made several commitments to 'Iraq's security' and I'd expect them to be reasonably compliant with the Maliki regime's security needs (Maliki exiled in Syria for 28 years and literally hand-in-hand with Iran's president). But I think the administration's (Cheney's) foreign policy shills still want to further or complete their neocon, PNAC agenda and try and topple these two neighbors of Iraq's while they have our military in place. I really can't see them openly negotiating with them. More likely they will allow them to continue to amass influence while they posture against them -- creating a dynamic which all but assures they will take over -- blaming the new Democratic administration for allowing it to happen with their ultimate exit.

But I like the idea of accepting the obvious prospect of Iran and Syria's ultimate influence in Iraq and building relationships rather than more walls.

[Olney Blue]

8. I'm with Gov Richardson on the war.