Senator: U.S. Needs "A Path Out Of Iraq"

Democrat Jack Reed Says Iraqi Government Will Not Move Forward Without A Timetable For U.S. Withdrawal

(CBS)  Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., today said that, unlike the policies being put forth by the Bush administration, the U.S. needs “a thorough and deliberate path out” of Iraq.

Appearing on CBS' Face The Nation, the Senate Armed Services Committee member said that while the timetable of a U.S. pullout of troops would depend on conditions on the ground, it would have to be instituted as policy. "And it has to be something that doesn't start and stop, it has to go forward," he said.

Reed said that the Iraqi government has failed in implementing policies that move that country closer to reconciliation, a stated reason for President Bush to have increased the United States' military presence in Iraq in the first place. Not having a timetable for withdrawal, Reed said, means the Iraqis feel "they have as much time as they need because our forces are there."

Reed took a swipe at the presumptive Republican presidential candidate John McCain when he said, "Proponents who say they want to keep [our troops] there for 100 years just reinforce the notion in Baghdad that they don't have to make these tough political decisions.

"This is a situation ultimately that has to be won by the Iraqis - not by the United States, not by our troops, but by political decisions the Iraqi government has to make," Reed said. "The longer they feel we will take the lead, the longer they feel that we are going to be there indefinitely - and when you talk about 100 years, even if it's symbolic - that sends the message, 'You don't have to do anything that's tough, the tough things we'll do.'

"That's the wrong message."

Also on the program, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., a fellow member of the Armed Service Committee, said that the troop "surge" has reduced violence in Iraq and therefore a withdrawal as suggested by both Democratic presidential candidates would be "a complete disaster.

"I've been on your show many times talking about the Rumsfeld strategy failing. We've finally got it right," Graham said. "By adding additional combat power, we've given the Iraqis a chance to turn their country around. And the biggest news of all from the surge is that Iraqi Muslims have turned on al Qaeda. The biggest loser of the surge is al Qaeda in Iraq. They've got their brains pounded out."

Also appearing on the program were columnist Ana Marie Cox of Time.com, Doyle McManus, the Washington bureau chief of the Los Angeles Times, and Roger Simon, chief political columnist for Politico.

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Read the full "Face the Nation" transcript here.

[armydog2]

The reason for the "surge" was to give the iraqi''s time for political moves to regain control of their country. It has not happened, therefore the "surge" is a complete failure. 4000 dead and no end in sight, this whole war is a failure caused by the incompetent leadership.

[lucasnico]

Three thousand, er, 4000 U.S. soldiers have now died in Iraq to avenge the September 11 att -- to search for Weapons of Ma -- to bring democracy to the peop -- 3000, er, 4000 U.S. soldiers have now died in Iraq

[rayhc1]

Currently, Russia is in bed with IRAN, and Russia is an ally with China. If the UNITED STATES invades IRAN, Russia and China will annihilate the UNITED STATES off the map. However, the "EUROPEAN UNION" will be effected differently. The MASONS can not force Ezekiel 39.

If Barack Obama wins against Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama will lose against McCain in the general ellection. Then, McCain will do more invaisions, and IRAN will be at the top of the list. This will be to initiate the TRIGGER that PRESIDENT BUSH was supposed to do during 2006.

The MASONS want to force the SEVENTH KINGDOM OF BABYLON by initiating the TRIGGER. This will only amount to a mess not the SEVENTH KINGDOM. The SEVENTH KINGDOM OF BABYLON is the "EUROPEAN UNION"/NEW ROMAN EMPIRE for seven years. This was supposed to be done by PRESIDENT BUSH during 2006; however, things have changed at the very TOP!

N.A.T.O. BASES are required in IRAQ to off-set the current situation until the solution is accomplished. The OIL PROBLEM must be resolved between the UNITED STATES, "EUROPEAN UNION", RUSSIA, AND CHINA. RUSSIA and especially CHINA need OIL and financial support from the rest of the world. This will stabilize the WORLD.

Bottom line, Hillary Clinton, eventhough there are issues, must become PRESIDENT.

[rayhc1]

Currently, Russia is in bed with IRAN, and Russia is an ally with China. If the UNITED STATES invades IRAN, Russia and China will annihilate the UNITED STATES off the map. However, the "EUROPEAN UNION" will be effected differently. The MASONS can not force Ezekiel 39.

If Barack Obama wins against Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama will lose against McCain in the general ellection. Then, McCain will do more invaisions, and IRAN will be at the top of the list. This will be to initiate the TRIGGER that PRESIDENT BUSH was supposed to do during 2006.

The MASONS want to force the SEVENTH KINGDOM OF BABYLON by initiating the TRIGGER. This will only amount to a mess not the SEVENTH KINGDOM. The SEVENTH KINGDOM OF BABYLON is the "EUROPEAN UNION"/NEW ROMAN EMPIRE for seven years. This was supposed to be done by PRESIDENT BUSH during 2006; however, things have changed at the very TOP!

N.A.T.O. BASES are required in IRAQ to off-set the current situation until the solution is accomplished. The OIL PROBLEM must be resolved between the UNITED STATES, "EUROPEAN UNION", RUSSIA, AND CHINA. RUSSIA and especially CHINA need OIL and financial support from the rest of the world. This will stabilize the WORLD.

Bottom line, Hillary Clinton, eventhough there are issues, must become PRESIDENT.

[rayhc1]

Currently, Russia is in bed with IRAN, and Russia is an ally with China. If the UNITED STATES invades IRAN, Russia and China will annihilate the UNITED STATES off the map. However, the "EUROPEAN UNION" will be effected differently. The MASONS can not force Ezekiel 39.

If Barack Obama wins against Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama will lose against McCain in the general ellection. Then, McCain will do more invaisions, and IRAN will be at the top of the list. This will be to initiate the TRIGGER that PRESIDENT BUSH was supposed to do during 2006.

The MASONS want to force the SEVENTH KINGDOM OF BABYLON by initiating the TRIGGER. This will only amount to a mess not the SEVENTH KINGDOM. The SEVENTH KINGDOM OF BABYLON is the "EUROPEAN UNION"/NEW ROMAN EMPIRE for seven years. This was supposed to be done by PRESIDENT BUSH during 2006; however, things have changed at the very TOP!

N.A.T.O. BASES are required in IRAQ to off-set the current situation until the solution is accomplished. The OIL PROBLEM must be resolved between the UNITED STATES, "EUROPEAN UNION", RUSSIA, AND CHINA. RUSSIA and especially CHINA need OIL and financial support from the rest of the world. This will stabilize the WORLD.

Bottom line, Hillary Clinton, eventhough there are issues, must become PRESIDENT.

[taotxzen]

Because "The Surge" has successfully decreased the level of violence, in particular to American soldiers, Iraq has been taken off the front page. That, however, does not mean "The Surge" is working.

If one defines success by paying local militias to keep order, confining groups to their neighborhoods, unable to safely venture beyond those defined borders then mission accomplished indeed.

There is no cooperation between the Shiite-led government and the Sunnis. Meanwhile, corruption, unemployment, and the lack of basic services translate into Iraq being a failed state in waiting.

Moreover, this does not factor the economic cost to the American people. Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz and co-author Linda Bilmes, in their recent book, "The Trillion Dollar War", estimate by 2017 the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq will cost U.S. taxpayers between $1.7 and $2.7 trillion.

These costs can only be estimates, in part, because the administration continues to fund the wars primarily through emergency supplemental request.

[realpatriot1]

jack3213,

All politicians lie about their experience and don''t kid yourself that McCain and Bush and the others in both parties have not done the same.

Running for President is 80% slaes and the product is the candidate.

What matters is the message because that''s what will constitute a mandate after the election.

[arlt1627]

Both of the Dmocratic matra''''s is "I''''m going to be quiet ( or absent) , but I am not going away") This is not what a Presidential candidate represents. Records that show they lied about their experiance is another reason we cannot trust either one of them. Fools make foolish choices. A path out of Iraq calls for someone with trusting experiance.

Posted by jack3213
-------------------
And what person of "experience" do you want to see take us out of Iraq? The one who says it''s okay to be there another (potentially) 100 years? Yep, that''s really smart too!!

[leftyintexas]

Iraq, which is predominately Shiite, will eventually be controlled by them whether the Doofus and Butthead administration like it or not. They are friends with Iran whether Doofus and Butthead like it or not. The Sunnis are friends and associates of Al Qaeda whether Doofus and Butthead like it or not. The Kurds(They control most of the oil in Iraq.) in the North of Iraq are harbouring Kurdish terror groups who carry on raids into Turkey. Now here''s today''s question for all you supporters of the Doofus and Butthead administration. What in the H-E-L-L were you thinking when you morons voted for these two losers?

[trillion1]

Hard to believe there are still morons that believe Iraq will be democratic friend in the middle east. Cut and run , retreat? Laughable coming from people who''s idol could''t handle the TX Nat. Guard and cut and ran.

[jjp735i]

Graham said. "By adding additional combat power, we''ve given the Iraqis a chance to turn their country around"

I am sorry but it''s the Iraqis that are fighting us in the first place.

[magoo2u1]

"Even if the Bush administration honestly believed that WMD bull, that is still no reason for a permanent occupation."
I don''t like Bush either. Leaving Iraq to b consumed by terrorists isn''t going to help us in the long run. The ****** has us wedged into a situation we can''t get out of. We''re spending money as fast as we can borrow it from China and we can''t leave yet. It stinks. We seem to be making progress , slowly, groups are cooperating with us to establish stability. As much as I hate to say it we have to stick with it. Insurections last 10 years and burn out. We''re stuck.

[frankbowers]

It is so distrubing that the entire republican group of senstors and legislatues can only pray for war. I thought this group was a group of Crist fearing Christian, remember Christ did not murder of kill in his 33 year life span, still all they wish to do is have American use our American women and men to continue fighting and killing even though we have nothing in the country except 300 billion of our tax dollars and we now owe China and a few others including Russia, India and Japan about 400 trillion of dollars at about 3 or 4 % interest if not more. WHY? Why do they wish to continue the war at our expense and we are not even wanted.
I think this Graham person need to ditch the tie and suit and join the Marines or the 82 or the 101st or the 5 Cal. put his life where his mouth is.
Presently we have the wrone Reid running the Senate I hope he kicks the other Reed to the curve and take over before it is too late.
The best of good byes Frank Bowers of Austin, TX

[ponco seno]

IMPEACH BUSH/CHENEY AND THEIR CRONIES.

[wdrussell1]

Even if the Bush administration honestly believed that WMD bull, that is still no reason for a permanent occupation.

[miles1967-2009]

EVERYONE should want to see a clear, sensible path out of Iraq!

Unfortunately, McCain does not have the judgment and patience to lead America out of Iraq. He is an ill-informed, myopic, close-minded man who is easily swayed by the bigoted religious right. Check out the result of his BRILLIANT support of the "Surge", not to mention the fatally wrong idea to go to war with Iraq in the first place, and not actually go after the 9/11 terrorists. Check the facts at the below link and comment:

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/18722376/the_myth_of_the_surge

[taotxzen]

ON FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF IRAQ INVASION FRONTLINE PRESENTS DEFINITIVE CHRONICLE OF BUSH''''S WAR ON TERROR

FRONTLINE presents
BUSH''''S WAR
March 24 & 25, 2008, at 9 P.M. ET on PBS

From the horror of 9/11 to the invasion of Iraq; the truth about WMD to the rise of an insurgency; the scandal of Abu Ghraib to the strategy of the surge -- for six years, FRONTLINE has revealed the defining stories of the war on terror in meticulous detail, and the political dramas that played out at the highest levels of power and influence.

Now, on the fifth anniversary of the Iraq invasion, the full saga unfolds in the two-part FRONTLINE special Bush''''s War, airing Monday, March 24, 2008, from 9 to 11:30 P.M. and Tuesday, March 25, from 9 to 11 P.M. ET on PBS (check local listings). Veteran FRONTLINE producer Michael Kirk (The Lost Year in Iraq, The Dark Side) draws on one of the richest archives in broadcast journalism -- more than 40 FRONTLINE reports on the war on terror. Combined with fresh reporting and new interviews, Bush''''s War will be the definitive documentary analysis of one of the most challenging periods in the nation''''s history.

[soldierboy37]

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S. "We''ve finally got it right"
-----------------------------------------------------

Got what right? Got right the amount of spin it takes to BS the American people on Iraq and how well things are working over there? Yeah, it worked for about minute.
Oh and here is a news flash for ya Mr Graham, we dont get to 4,000 dead joes if things are going right!
Spun like a true Republican that you are. You Republicans spew so much trash and say you care so much about soldiers but everyday your prove through your actions and words how much you really couldnt give a *** less about them.

[jegibbons]

Announcing publicly that US troop support will be withdrawn if certain Iraqi political criteria is not met by a certain Date SURE SOUNDS to like setting a date for withdrawal.(RETREAT)

Respectfully, as I recall Senator Reed was against this war from its outset. I''m not sure he is NOW bringing his objectivity to the table with regard to EXACTLY what the Iraqi government must achieve and or by when.

It would be EXTREMELY short sighted of us if in our ANXIETY to bring this to an end quickly, we lose all possibilities of securing a STRONG democratic ally in the region.

Using OUR United States'' history as example of the problems any newly formed and wobbling democracy is likely to encounter. The British monarchy had still perdeived those Colonist to be vulnerable as late as 1812, some 36 years after our Revolutionary War. When they began to impound our American seaman and thus began the second war for independence.

This War has become far more complicated than simply finding the first and most expeditious way-out to turn it off. Any hopes for a favorable outcome will require men of courage and foresight, a man like JOHN MCCAIN

[jersupporter]

MCVet is a disgruntled Vietnam Vet because they never had a parade for him. 35 years years later and he is upset about a parade. LOL What a disturbed individual. So what was the solution again? Just wondering how someone who has ever been to Iraq has the solution? Ignorance is NOT Bliss.