Change of Course
Bush is seeking $50 billion more to fund the war in Iraq.
John Edwards has called on Congress to force Bush to change course on Iraq. He said that instead of arguing with the White House over whether benchmarks have been met for progress in Iraq, Congress should force Bush to change policy by setting the start of troop withdrawals in war funding bills. Edwards insists: “It’s time for the Congress to stand its ground. If there’s no timetable, there should be no funding.”
The Democratic presidential candidate is calling for the immediate withdrawal of 40,000 to 50,000 troops and the redeployment of the rest of them over a nine month period. Edwards said Congress faces a critical moment to do the will of the American people and resist what he called an incredible PR campaign by the White House to continue the current Iraq policy.
Congress and Bush are heading toward a showdown on the war, with conflicting reports on progress on the ground, since the so-called surge of 30,000 additional forces in and around Baghdad.
The Government Accountability Office recently reported that of 18 benchmarks, the Iraqi government had met three, partly met four others, but had failed to meet 11 key benchmarks. Army General David H. Petraeus is expected to deliver a more positive assessment to Congress.
Edwards argues: “Bush is stubborn and Congress needs to call him on this.” He wants the Democratic-controlled Congress to force a change in policy through the power of the purse, and push Iraqi leaders to a comprehensive political solution.
Semiautonomous regions for the Shia, Sunnis, and Kurds makes sense to Edwards, but that’s a decision for Iraqis to make. It’s anybody’s guess what will happen after American forces leave Iraq, because no one can predict with any confidence what will happen.
John Edwards has called on Congress to force Bush to change course on Iraq. He said that instead of arguing with the White House over whether benchmarks have been met for progress in Iraq, Congress should force Bush to change policy by setting the start of troop withdrawals in war funding bills. Edwards insists: “It’s time for the Congress to stand its ground. If there’s no timetable, there should be no funding.”
The Democratic presidential candidate is calling for the immediate withdrawal of 40,000 to 50,000 troops and the redeployment of the rest of them over a nine month period. Edwards said Congress faces a critical moment to do the will of the American people and resist what he called an incredible PR campaign by the White House to continue the current Iraq policy.
Congress and Bush are heading toward a showdown on the war, with conflicting reports on progress on the ground, since the so-called surge of 30,000 additional forces in and around Baghdad.
The Government Accountability Office recently reported that of 18 benchmarks, the Iraqi government had met three, partly met four others, but had failed to meet 11 key benchmarks. Army General David H. Petraeus is expected to deliver a more positive assessment to Congress.
Edwards argues: “Bush is stubborn and Congress needs to call him on this.” He wants the Democratic-controlled Congress to force a change in policy through the power of the purse, and push Iraqi leaders to a comprehensive political solution.
Semiautonomous regions for the Shia, Sunnis, and Kurds makes sense to Edwards, but that’s a decision for Iraqis to make. It’s anybody’s guess what will happen after American forces leave Iraq, because no one can predict with any confidence what will happen.
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