Edwards: Congress should cap funding; would pull out a third of combat troops

[ProSense]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards said Wednesday that he would immediately pull about a third of U.S. combat troops out of Iraq if he were president.

Congress should also cut military funding to force President Bush to do so, Edwards said.

Edwards is going a step farther than rivals Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama (news, bio, voting record), who want to cap the number of troops in Iraq to prevent Bush's increase, but are reluctant to cut funding while soldiers are on the ground.

"At this point, the escalation is under way, so blocking it is not enough," Edwards told reporters in a conference call. "So what I'm doing today is calling on Congress to take the next step, which is to cap funding."

Edwards spoke as the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives debated a measure opposing Bush's decision to send 21,500 troops to Iraq to help the 130,000 that were already there at the beginning of the year. Edwards said the non-binding resolution being debated is not enough.

link

Until the War Ends ...

[AndyA]

1. If he were President NOW he would pull 1/3 of the troops immediately.

Not if elected, but right now. That seems reasonable.

The Iraqis must step up and take control of their country now. If they don't do it now, they never will. And something must happen to motivate them to do so. Nothing like knowing the Americans are leaving to get the ball rolling.

[ProSense]

2. Edited. Still have to ask: a third? What's the plan for the rest of combat forces? n/t

[AndyA]

3. Sadly, I don't think we can pull all of the troops out at once.

But by cutting them down by a third it would bring home many of the troops who have been on duty the longest, and are tired and very much in need of some rest.

I would hope that the rest of the troops could be concentrated in areas where they can provide protection and cover for each other, instead of being spread out thin and vulnerable to attack.

Pressure must be put on the Iraqis to step up and take control of their country, and I'm not sure that's happening. I understand they've already failed to meet the first deadline placed on them by the Bush Administration, so they are not off to a good start.

I want our troops home as soon as possible, except for the ones actively searching for that SOB Osama bin Laden and his gang. They need to get him and his followers.

[FrenchieCat]

4. Where's the plan?

I'd like to see it.

So far, I only hear a promise shaped in the form of a soundbyte.

[AndyA]

5. Edwards plan, simply:

WASHINGTON (AP) - Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards said Wednesday that he would immediately pull about a third of U.S. combat troops out of Iraq if he were president.

Congress should also cut military funding to force President Bush to do so, Edwards said.

Edwards is going a step farther than rivals Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama, who want to cap the number of troops in Iraq to prevent Bush's increase, but are reluctant to cut funding while soldiers are on the ground.

"At this point, the escalation is under way, so blocking it is not enough," Edwards told reporters in a conference call. "So what I'm doing today is calling on Congress to take the next step, which is to cap funding."

Edwards proposed capping troops at 100,000 and says all combat forces should be out of Iraq within 12-18 months.

However, Edwards said he would not go as far as another Democratic primary rival, former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, who wants Congress to cut off funds to end the war. Edwards said the war needs to end in a "smart, orderly way."

Source: http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/02/14/ap3427353.html

[chimpymustgo]

6. Thanks, AndyA. I hope Congress will get the guts and not fund the "surge".

It's the only way to stop *.

edited to add NOT

[Hawkowl]

16. Better than Obomination and Hillary

Better plan and just a better candidate.

[benny05]

8. How about getting a menu delivered to you?

http://blog.johnedwards.com/story/2007/2/14/112343/492

[Catchawave]

7. He'll be on Larry King tonight to discuss his plan !

:toast:

[ultraist]

9. Thanks for the info about Edwards on Larry King tonight! n/t

[machka]

13. Thanks for the info

setting my recorder now. :)

[dogman]

10. How does the cap work?

How do they override a veto? How do they stop him from diverting funds as CIC? How do they deal with his signing statement?

[dogman]

11. No plan?

[dk2]

12. Edwards has had a good plan,

So good it seems others always want to follow his lead.

[Doondoo]

14. That's better than what I'm hearing from some other Dems

[Mass]

15. Good to see that Edwards is on board, but, except for the

1/3 troops withdrawn now( which is good), what is the difference with what many others have offered.

[w4rma]

17. Very good. I hope you guys start to trust him more now. This guy is a very good guy. (nt)