McCain Backs Obama's Iraq Withdrawal Plan

By: David Morgan
Topics: Iraq

(CBS)

Sen. John McCain, who lost his White House bid to Barack Obama last fall, is supporting the president's new plan to pull most U.S. troops out of Iraq by the fall of 2010.

McCain, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said in an interview with the Associated Press Friday he thinks the plan is "significantly different" from the one Mr. Obama pushed during his campaign.

Before the election, Mr. Obama had advocated a steady and complete withdrawal of all U.S. forces within 16 months of taking office.

McCain said that members of Congress were told in a White House meeting Thursday that the majority of troops now in Iraq would be kept there through the end of 2009 to protect against violence during elections to be held in December.

Then, even as troops begin to leave (target date: August 31, 2010), between 35,000 and 50,000 forces would be kept behind to advise the Iraqi military.

McCain said his understanding is that the troops remaining in Iraq to serve as advisors would still go on combat patrols alongside Iraqis.

"They'll still be in harm's way," he told the AP. "There's no doubt about it."

The last U.S. troops are to be out of Iraq no later than Dec. 31, 2011, the deadline set under an agreement the two countries sealed towards the end of George W. Bush's presidency.

David Morgan
David Morgan is a senior editor at CBSNews.com and cbssundaymorning.com.

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by williamsjustin21 March 2, 2009 5:45 AM EST: No one knows the natural progression of systems of economy, do they?; Reply to this comment


by briannorwood February 27, 2009 4:14 PM EST: What about McGrandpa's 100 year plan in Iraq?; Reply to this comment


by nolalou February 27, 2009 3:36 PM EST: I am sure he supports this plan. Obama is leaving troops in Iraq for an indefinite period of time. During his campaingn, one of his biggest lies was telling voters he would end the Iraq war and have our troops home in 16 months.
Posted by impeachbhb

Wrong, he is NOT leaving troops for an indefinite period. Under the agreement we have with Iraq all troops must be out by the end of 2011.; Reply to this comment


by reasoned1955 February 27, 2009 3:32 PM EST: It doesn't take to many smarts to see that you don't pull the plug on the troops that are on the ground. By keeping Halliburton and KBR is the right choice and all you do is watch them to make sure they don't over charge the government. They had a blank check with Chenney, but now the buck stops here. Now it's time to be held accountable.
Think you don't stop the supply chain to our troops just because of a change in the administration. You have a supply system in place, now keep an eye on Chenney's people..
Posted by tigerrram9 at 11:52 AM
========
Huh? What the ...?; Reply to this comment


by tigerrram9 February 27, 2009 2:52 PM EST: It doesn't take to many smarts to see that you don't pull the plug on the troops that are on the ground. By keeping Halliburton and KBR is the right choice and all you do is watch them to make sure they don't over charge the government. They had a blank check with Chenney, but now the buck stops here. Now it's time to be held accountable.
Think you don't stop the supply chain to our troops just because of a change in the administration. You have a supply system in place, now keep an eye on Chenney's people..; Reply to this comment


by ge556 February 27, 2009 2:47 PM EST: I am sure he supports this plan. Obama is leaving troops in Iraq for an indefinite period of time. During his campaingn, one of his biggest lies was telling voters he would end the Iraq war and have our troops home in 16 months.
Posted by impeachbhb at 9:34 AM : Feb 27, 2009
====

Unfortunately, you can't get elected president without lying.; Reply to this comment


by sockpuppet4 February 27, 2009 1:39 PM EST: McCain has no choice. He has proven his senility.; Reply to this comment


by mattcat25 February 27, 2009 1:24 PM EST: "It's interesting that Obama is continuing Halliburton and KBR's services. I guess Obama is on the take."
Posted by azirine at 10:14 AM : Feb 27, 2009

good point...; Reply to this comment


by McHineguy February 27, 2009 1:24 PM EST: I think this is how bipartisan government really works. Too bad so many knee jerkers dont see the win-win in this plan. Those who believe Iraq was a righteous endeavor see it winding down to an honorable end and those who see it as criminal see they cant re-write history so there will be an end. In the mean-time, there is less and less military action.; Reply to this comment


by mattcat25 February 27, 2009 12:56 PM EST: President Obama actually ended the Iraq War last summer during his survey as a US Senator on the behest of John McCain. The then Senator Obama met with the Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki and offered up a draft troop withdrawal time table which was completely accepted by the Iraqi Prime Minister.

The facts remain that this occupation of a sovereign Islamic nation should?ve never taken place and the American People were mislead by a for profit driven Wartime Economy Republican Administration that has cost the American People $Billions of Dollars and thousands of lives.; Reply to this comment