Barack Obama Reiterates his Stance on Iraq

[54spiritedwill54]

bring the troops home

[Nemesis459]

16 months is not practical for redeployment of combat troops. The logistics of redeploying and intergrating that many troops(equipment) in 16 months is not realistic. I want out of Iraq but not at the expense of security or responsible economics.

[Richardtheincredible]

oh good. I was afraid he was going back on his word at first.

[kaffiristan]

i sure hope he aint gonna change his mind on this, and we'll see what israel wants doing in iran but personally i dont think any strike against nuclear facilities there is going to produce any possivitive outcome, however it would be helpfull if they toned down the rhetoric in tahran(i think they have begun to).god speed prince of peace .

[MrIraq1]

hope its true...get the fuck OUT FROM IRAQ!!

[geturfreakon01]

petro dollars euro dollars saddam 2000 no wmd obama cfr gettin owned and lied too.. iran is next they sell oil in euro.

[smokenfly514]

the people in the south are so not voting for this guy haha

[geturfreakon01]

who cares who votes machines will fill in teh extras

[DerekTheComic]

NO PERMANENT BASES! Please, Barack, there should NOT be any permanent bases in Iraq if you truly want to bring substantial change to the corrupt ways of Washington.

[saturnhexagon]

Unless we're going to steal all of Iraq's oil for our own, which we're not, what is the point of this war? Al Queda is not a nation, and they can be anywhere, Al Queda is not Iraq. So let's end it and bring'em home.

[ryanselkins]

think about it. if we had pulled out of euopre in WW2 what would the world be called today. NAZI GERMANY. Why did we move into Iraq Lets go to a day known as 9-11-2001. What happened there. A terrorist attack. Sure it wasn't Iraq. But Iraq has terroist too. As soon as we move out Iraq will collapse. 9-11 Will happen again, just on a diffrent date.

[sjdixon1]

Al-Qaeda is not a threat in Iraq. While they were powerful at one point, they were always extremist. Consequently, many Sunni and Shi'a forces rejected them. Currently, the most powerful force in Iraq outside the American forces is the Mahdi Army, led by Moqtada Al-Sadr. The Mahdi Army is not extremist, but it is highly hostile to American presence. The only reason the surge has reduced death tolls is because Al-Sadr decided to wait until they were gone.

[A6025A]

Hell yeah, free Tibet!

[rappoltpierre]

hahahaha that's good dude. i'm giving you thumbs up.

[Bilalmahmood26]

He wants to end the war? what the hell, the war was declared ended by George Bush on March 1 2008. Its the remains and destruction which needs to be taken care off. SO therefore the troops have no reason to be there. What strategic planning is he talking about? The war has ENDED! The troops r supposed to return....Small bombings will continue no matter what, but the main focus of invasion was to hang Saddam and that has been achieved. Whats the logic behind staying there?

[FierceSwitters]

please, don't type

[colourit]

I agree. Just put it away.

[lock854]

Right on

[Mituhori]

FREE TIBET!

[XinnocentpedestrianX]

(continued 2)

All this being said, our main goal in Iraq should be a smart and well managed with-drawl. While Iraqis will undoubtedly fight amongst each other. Ultimately the people will back the government they voted into office.

We could stay in Iraq for another 5 years and we will still be talking about how we are going to secure the central provinces. We have given the Iraqi Government the foundation, now its their turn to build off of it.

[kevin73737]

Sure...The surge IS working. The media just don't talk about it. BUT, we can't just pull out. Remember, terrorists killed 2000 Americans. We're still fighting these radicals that want us dead in THEIR HOUSE. As far as the war, "We've got to do something. We've got to respond" was what the radical LEFTIST CNN media demanded...Obama was really the only guy against it. I'm still alive. Are you?

[XinnocentpedestrianX]

(continued) We can't simply baby Iraq all the way through the next ten years. 63% of Iraqis voted in their current government. No single event is going to topple a government voted in by the majority of its people. There will be some violence but over time Iraq will stand on its own two feet. America had a lot of trouble after separating from GB. The 1780s-1790s were a rocky time full of nothing but trouble. Ultimately the government chosen by the people prevailed and here we are today.

[XinnocentpedestrianX]

Leaving Iraq isn't a simple matter of yanking everyone out. Obviously it is going to take a relatively long time ( by that I mean pulling over a period of a couple of months) but lets not kid ourselves, it has to be done. People need to get the idea out of their heads that the second we pull out insurgents are going to fly out of the wood work and start slaughtering everyone. Its not going to happen. Every democracy at one time or another has had to stand on its own two legs.

[iLuvMcdreamyx18]

THANK YOU. that is exactly what i think.

[mogilny89p]

It is not a war it was an invasion of a country that only existed as it did because we sold them weapons, our outdated weapons. There is no war it was elimination of competition in the oil industry. The proof is in the price per gallon.

[DAVIDSILVERCA]

I completely agree with you, but wonder if its possible to do anymore. Also, so said to see how few people have watched this compared to well over 1,000,000 who will watch Obama Girl or McCain on SNL> If we are going to have a responsible discussion of candidate's merits, then we have to watch the candidates and listen to what they have to say.

[dedknedy]

well said- I agree.

[dtstrain]

We don't have 'wars' anymore that are either won or lost. We have 'operations' that can go on, stop, start, etc. as they are needed in order to expand de facto U.S. imperial rule into more and more areas of the globe. There's no reason we can't simply choose to stop that particular operation in Iraq. The people in government there now, will act to build an army when they see their security force (us) leaving and know they're necks are on the line.

[sleepisforsissies]

I LOVE OBAMA

[EatTheTele]

Al-qaida aren't in Iraq but in Afghanistan. Saddam wouldn't let them in.

[cuzzinbri]

it's the military member who gives you people the freedom to speak your minds freely but those same military members cannot speak their minds publicly and every general immediately after retiring condems the leadership. figure the odds

[Rapidfire94T]

if we pull the troops, the ones who died will have died for no reason.

[dkmehta1381]

That statement shows the weakness of the voting public and shows ignorance. If we pull troops, the ones who died, would have done so for their country even though the cause was unjust. By pulling our troops, we save the lives of our troops that are still alive. It is important to do so in a phased withdrawal as Obama suggests.

[bhb6790]

Exactly what reason do you think they gave their lives for? I'm not being mean. I honestly want to know your answer.

[brendanliamboyle]

is it better that one more person dies so that another person's reason for dying is different?

[whydidieatthatpie]

would u rather more people die?

[ryanselkins]

would you rather more soldiers die, or inocent unsuspecting people just like you aqnd me die?

[moester101]

he should pull all of them out at the same time so that there won't be a few last brigades that would be vulnerable. go obama

[JustThinkOfThis]

Well.. no, and that's not what he'll do

You're alright, just check it out more-

[Prolite]

Ignorance does not bestow truth upon others. Arrogance rips compassion from the soul. I assert that you will be left in the darkness this November ;}

[kwoo12131969]

Critics who say he has changed his stance are full of crap. He's always been consistent and will continue to be. Remember, people, he voted AGAINST this war. McCain voted FOR it. That, my friends, is the bottom line.

[nstrucky]

I am going to have to agree with ericwalker. Politicians don't have the intelligence or resources as a commander in office does to be making such specific assertions. And yes, what kind of situation are we leaving the last troops out of there in? Aren't things difficult enough over there already?

[xSassyGirl17x]

This war should be over

[xSassyGirl17x]

Go Obama!! you should pull out American forces in Iraq.. PEACE should prevail

[surfandsand2]

......All We Are Saying Is Give War A Chance

[LA2CT]

Bring our soldiers home. The Iraq War was a strategic blunder and stupid war. The battle we need to face is in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Any American who disbelives that is NOT PAYING ATTENTION.

[Teeftaller]

Obama is the man. When we catch osama bin ladin we laugh at george w bush.

[h1c9m69]

EASY SAID - THAN DONE . The period of time withdraw the troops , so a year later just have some brigades in Iraq , in that spare time the insurgent & al qaeda have a spare place to reinforce and attack the troop's waiting to go home , and you send all the troops back to Iraq again ? or you 'll be sacrifical some brigades US troops in Iraq ?

[politicalfarce]

You are brainwashed. Sunni and Shia are at each other's throats. If we stop being the police force that holds them at bay, worse case scenario they'll kill each other, but to think that the remnants of a broken country will somehow have the power to attack the United States' homeland is absurd.

To the contrary, we'll be better able to protect ourselves if we don't waste all our money and manpower down there. Let's use the troops to protect ourselves, instead of using them to protect Iraq!

[woodessence]

~I look forward to seeing who Barack Obama chooses for Secretary of Defense.

[h1c9m69]

EASY SAID - THAN DONE . Withdraw 1 or 2 brigades a month => in 16 no more troops in Iraq , after a year , just have a few brigades in Iraq . In that spare time the insurgent & Al Qaeda have a spare place to reinforce then attack the US troops waiting for go home , and then you send alls the US troops back to Iraq again ? or you 'll be sacrifical some brigades US troops in Iraq ?

[TheOperative]

Bravo! The C-in-C needs to have chutzpah! I know Obama's policy what's McCain stand for? Who knows?

[BrownPeopleGetUp]

McCain wants endless war

It drives the economy

and makes us hate foreign enemy

rather than corrupt government-

[scottymodotcom]

I can't wait to vote for Obama.

The Iraq war was never needed, and I'm amazed at how many people can ignore the obvious--it was about oil (do you really think an administration composed primary of former oil company execs would go into one of the most oil-rich countries in the world for a reason other than oil? C'mon, people!).

That said, my heart goes out to the servicemembers and their families who have sacrificed so much for an abysmal decision by our civilian leadership.

Go Obama!

[BrownPeopleGetUp]

Completely agree scottymo-

[questionful]

please explain who would attack our homeland, and how you know this would happen?

[antonyfamous]

the real idiot is george bush who got you guys in in the first place

this war is unnessecary non progressives and cost innocent live of americans and iraqi people

plus we are all going broke for it get out

[obamahippy]

It is amazing that some of the media has twice now fallen for the false arguments of McCain's campaign. Are they eating too many doughnuts and not paying attention? Refine is not equal to change any more than Clark was referring to McCain when he answered Schiffer's oddly worded question about Obama.

[obamaissoooocool]

if obama was a flower which one would he be. i think scarlet pimpernel. but that's just me you can pick another flower if you want. that's what makes america so neat

The Leader will provide

Obama 08

[younggrumpy]

Obama 08!!!!

[dvtrue]

we brought this war on george bush and his secret oil pipelines in iraq, if we our so powerfull why does this war go on and on and on, its a cover for their secret oil ops. GEORGE BUSH APPROVAL RATING IS SO LOW HERE IN IS OWN COUNTRY, EUROPE HATES HIM, AND THEY ARE ARE ALLIES, SO WHAT DOES THE MIDDLE EAST THINK OF HIM.

[Ralphdraw3]

Vote for the 100 years war of Johnny McCain -

so young Americans can die in Iraq and you will be "safe" here in the good old U.S. of A.

(McCain will throw in an extra war with Iran too - and all of these will COST YOU only around $1 trillion dollars bankrupting the government)

[miserkocho]

whats the difference?pull them out of iraq,next door to iran and afghanistan.

[JiveDadson]

Oof! I thought he was going to say we were neglecting the extraordinary problems we have at HOME. Afghanistan??? We need to get out of that place, and over 130 other countries around the world. McCain or Obamba - We are so screwed!

[calloutinchains]

OBAMA wants to bring our troops home.

This man THINKS before he DOES. We need to be deliberate and careful HOW we do it. Of course, you need the advice of the commanders on the field. That's common sense! On the other hand, Bush did everything without THINKING. That's why I support OBAMA in 2008!!!

[bigjstokes]

I wish Obama would just admit the truth that stragically, he we need to finish the progress we've made. He couldn't win the presidency this way, but I just hope he understands this in the office.

[eureworld]

I'm still undecided on this year's election, is there an official website that shows how this man has voted on matters throughout his political career? On the same note, is there an site that reflects McCains votes on political matters. I'm not interested in the media point of view, just the track history, I'll vote for whoever makes more sense based on these issues.

[SovereignBeing]

POLLS of IRAQIS:URLs tinyurlDOTcom/ 6r88qh scfcd qu8on (+/-3%) 65-87% want US out NOW 84% sympathetic to insurgency 58% say life better under Saddam 77-80% believe US intends permanent bases 86% in fear of violence;most fear leaving home 74% depressed/angry/unable to concentrate 80% report local violence 82% oppose US presence 75% fear US staying forever 79% say US provokes more violence than it stops 61% say OK to kill US troops 81% distrust US motives Ignore Neocon/Murdoch/Fox lies+propaganda

[MrDeppness]

Thank you for finally making this exit strategy clear. I think it's a great idea. Obama's policies are 100 x's better than McCain's, no doubt. But he's no Ron Paul. Not even close. However, he has the likely chance of winning in November so I stand behind the words in this video and urge Barack Obama to follow through them them completely. I've been waiting for this message for a long time.

[maingon]

don't see how Refine means you are flip flopping, to me refine means making it better.

Obama 08

[sana6]

no, pull the troops out of Iraq, b/c its not terrorists fighting you there, its the Iraqi people themselves. They view you as the occupying force and the oppressor. And you can't blame them for viewing you like that especially after what the US army did in 2003. They view you as worse than Sadam. The man has some sense, the REAL fight aganist terrorism is in Afghanistan- where the Taliban stronghold is.The media only portrays the Iraqi fighters as terrorists to cover up the failure of this war.

[youngdeacon08]

With all due respect that's why your not ever gonna be President Eric!!

don't be fooled or scared by propaganda fro the old administration of Bush, It's just to keep British and US troops in the war with public backing. Politicians need to solve this one by talking with neighbouring countries to get stability, Obama's plan! You can't solve issues long term with the gun negotiation even with the current enemy is vital there is a saying " keep you friends close but keep your enemies closer"

[soytupadre95]

obama you are my hero!

[jameskc61]

Dear Lord, please do not allow this man to win the presidency. He is dangerous and not to be trusted. Help America to WAKE UP.

[MaNarchicDRAKE]

He's not going to get any troops out of Iraq. Sureley the troops would be at their safest if they weren't there

[noLifetoRevive]

woo! obama 'o8 <3

[ceramiclion]

well okay I dont see him changing stance he is just saying he is not going to be negligent. My question is, why even say that you might take some more troops in to train iraqis? We have been there for over 5 year, you can trian a lot of people in 5 years. If they say things are more peaceful now then i would think that now is a great time to start making transition.

[lockout125]

first comment and bring the troops home

[lpeabody]

first comment failure... but yes, bring the troops home

[proudworkingteacher]

Thank you for repeating yourself. According to what I have always read under the Issues section on your website, this is the same position that you have continually expressed. Either the Republicans have not been paying attention, or they are trying to stir up trouble with their flip-flopping lies!

[MaddOutProductions]

Yet the republicans and the media are trying to focus on one word and use it way out of context and say he's "shifting his position". Why not so much focus on Mc Bush on all the times he's shifted his positions?

[jameskc61]

Bush isn't running for office. Let's stay on topic.

[SamSpadeLives]

go obama 08

[cirrusbass123]

Barrack Obama is the most upstanding and honest politician that I have seen in my lifetime. He is alway very clear and concise in his reasoning. He always seems to have a solid and consistent plan.

If you read these Mr. Obama, I have a question. After partial or complete withdrawl of combat troops, if the insurgency grows and makes progress to overthrow the new Iraqi government, would you be willing to again build combat troops to protect the progress we have made with that government?

[RICSAIMFA]

Irakis will responsibly defend themselves if insurgency grows. They have been trained sufficiently but are reluctant to act now because of USA military presence in Irak. Once USA withraw, you will see how effectively Iraki army will perform. Irakis have always been campions of wars since babylonian times. If given proper tools and training they will dismentle the insurgency and they will secure their country.

[coolrapo]

Absolutely Obama's visit may help him refine his strategies .....or else why does he even have to go there spending the money and time especially prior to the elections!

[okiebamaman]

Obama 2008 and Beyond!!!

[todnyc]

AWESOME. He does not compromise even a bit of his integrity.

[GrownupPhan]

Good strong statement. I think the way to further convince people is to make the case that violence will go down not up as Iraqui citizens see we're not there as a colonial occupier with designs on oil and/or for bases to attack Iran.

[beserker45]

Dont let the far right "swift boat" you Obama!

[LibertyOrBust]

Bush, Obama and McCain...

1. Lets end the Iraq War

2. The Generals on the ground inform the decisions

3. Pullout depends on Iraq being able to defend itself

4. Troops needed elsewhere

Obama is not going back on his word, this is what he has always said. It is his supporters who don't seem to hear him, or I should say believe his mission to end the war, but this is everyone's mission. The "situation on the ground" will keep us there no matter which of these men are president.

[theHellwithPolitics]

Don't worry Obama.. your supporters TRUST you! We know your going to do whats in the best interest of the American people!! We can't wait till your president! WE NEED CHANGE NOW!

[2004JETTA]

how is this conflicting? people are just trying to stir up nonsense Obama 08

[lovejangie1]

Sen. Obama was very clear and concise. Good job.

[Shnook]

We understand his FIRM position on Iraq but OBAMA did not need to convey to our understanding that he's willing to listen to the commanders on the war front.

..because that would be the whole point of his trip right?

The OTHER campaign is going to pounce on this but hopefully little will come out of it.

In the future, I just hope he doesn't state or misstate the obvious so that it can be manipulated by McBush or by the irrelevant right wing pundits.

OUT OF IRAQ IN 2009

[politicalfarce]

Clear as a bell.

There is nothing more obvious than the fact that invading Iraq was a mistake.

If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging!

[againsttheherd]

I hope you are having fun censoring the comments... you better get busy!! There are no posts yet!!!

[emmjay701]

The pundits are going crazy over this one, I don't get it. Of course he's going to visit Iraq to get a feeling of how to pull out. It's not a flip flop....

[BBQZombies1]

Barack's the man.

[seagreenronin]

Please don't betray us.

[bennygale]

Senator - Please vote no on FISA!

[KrisMTL]

OBAMA '08!

[unrealxXx]

i <3 you Barack!!! your amazing!!

Obama 08' !!!

[Gadgetglanman7]

Go Obama!

[wcc1991]

16 months... too long but better than staying forever.

[gangtaman]

NICE VID OBAMA