Issue Position: Iraq

Issue Position

Issue Position: Iraq

U.S. Congress gave the President the authority to go to war, and our only opportunity to stop the war was lost. I supported Senator Obama's plan and thought our priority had to be finishing the fight in Afghanistan. I worried about, an occupation of undetermined length, with undetermined costs, and undetermined consequences.

I will immediately support the removal of our troops from Iraq. I support Senator Obama's plan to remove one to two combat brigades each month, and have all of our combat brigades out of Iraq within 18 months, and not building any permanent bases in Iraq.

I support Senator Obama's plan to launch the most aggressive diplomatic effort in recent American history to reach a new compact on the stability of Iraq and the Middle East. I believe this effort should include all of Iraq's neighbors — including Iran and Syria. This compact will aim to secure Iraq's borders; keep neighboring countries from meddling inside Iraq; isolate al Qaeda; support reconciliation among Iraq's sectarian groups; and provide financial support for Iraq's reconstruction.

I have opposed the war in Iraq from the beginning. I support Senator Obama's phased withdrawal plan of troops engaged in combat operations. I believe we should immediately begin withdrawing our troops engaged in combat operations at a pace of one or two brigades every month, to be completed by the end of next year.

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