Obama rejects 'pause' of Iraq troop drawdown

[Barrett808]

Source: AFP

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Democratic White House hopeful Barack Obama on Monday rejected the idea of pausing US troop drawdowns in Iraq, raised earlier in Baghdad by Defense Secretary Robert Gates.

But Obama, locked in a tight struggle for the Democratic nomination with Hillary Clinton, said combat troops should be brought home as soon as possible.

"I strongly disagree with the administration's plans to 'pause' the long overdue removal of our combat brigades from Iraq," Obama said in a statement.

"We cannot wage war without end in Iraq while ignoring mounting costs to our troops and their families, our security and our economy.

"While the administration puts our drawdown on permanent pause, (Osama) bin Laden is on the loose, Afghanistan is sliding toward chaos, and we're spending billions of dollars a week in Baghdad instead of helping Americans who are struggling here at home."

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080211/pl_afp/usvote2008iraq

[jaxx]

1. Bring em home!

I read where one brigade has been brought out of Iraq....and they said there would be five. More of the hoodwinking of America brought to you by the people who never want it to end.

Go Obama!! Keep telling the truth about this war of choice.

[sakabatou]

2. Does this mean he plans for a immediate withdrawl

Or hopefully, within the first 100 days.

[Orsino]

3. You funded it, Senator. n/t

[boricua79]

7. and his counterpart VOTED for the entire package NT

[uberblonde]

4. Maybe he should stop voting to give them money?

But then he couldn't have it both ways anymore.

[unkachuck]

5. this why it's imperative....

....Obama be elected president....any pause will be distraction....

....bush will have most of the troops on their way out of Iraq by fall and election day and mcCain will put most of the troops back the following spring....

....they won't leave the oil and cut new deals without firm presidental leadership....

[lanlady]

6. you get my vote today, Barack

I'm about to go vote in the Va. primary. I've been back and forth between Barack and Hillary, but lately leaning more towards Barack based on his opposition to the war. This statement seals the deal as far as I'm concerned. He said what's needed to be said. Bring them home now, and let's deal with our own problems at home.

[focusfan]

8. I couldn't agree with Obama more

at least he knows whats important here.