A final hardball war question

Posted: Thursday, September 20, 2007 9:14 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC/NJ's Carrie Dann and NBC's Lauren Appelbaum

DAVENPORT, IA -- It might not be the number-one issue for all of the voters here in the audience -- most of whom have a strong health care focus -- but Iraq's still the elephant in the room at any debate. Woodruff saved it for the final question, and it was a toughie: A year after you leave office, how many residual US troops would still be in Iraq?

Biden said it depends on what "this guy [Bush] leaves me" as far as progress on a political solution in Iraq. Clinton echoed the same: "It would be irresponsible to stand here and tell you what's going to happen" without knowing what the situation on the ground looks like in two and a half years. But she repeated her line that "We will have a reasonable, prudent, careful plan" for withdrawal. Edwards, for his part, wants to pull out all combat troops but said he acknowledges that residual forces will have to stay to protect diplomatic and humanitarian workers in the region.

Richardson says "Zero troops!" (Note that without Gravel and Kucinich in the game, this is his chance to really differeniate his stance on this issue.) But Dodd's close on his heels, and he's still holding out hope that his fellow senators will be able to act for change before Bush leaves office. On Woodruff's 2010 deadline, he says "We shouldn't have to wait that long."

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Comments

No more frighin' troops ..end of story !

All of Us (Sent Thursday, September 20, 2007 10:49 PM)

If Richardson doesn't know which union he is speaking to, How does he know how to get the troops out of Iraq? Pretty scary stuff.

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 12:03 AM)

This was the most significant exchange in the debates to day on the top issue in the campaign, and Biden, Edwards and Clinton blew it. Richardson shined.

You have to watch the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBe_nsa3Dho

Stephen Cassidy, CA (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 4:39 AM)

Why weren't Gravel and Kucinich in the game?
Are they the only ones who aren't 'on the take'?

James, Demorest Georgia (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 11:08 AM)

James - They don't have active campaigns in Iowa. That's also why they were not invited to Harkin's steak fry. It's nothing to do with their political stance or their fundraising practices.

Carrie, Eastern Iowa (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 12:29 PM)

James, the ones who are on the take are the republicans. You know that! Its getting pretty obvious that the RNC is posting or paying for postings on this site and many others, including Daily Kos. One thing though is obvious--Jerry is not on their payroll. Even the RNC wouldn't be that dumb.

J.D. in California (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 3:13 PM)

James, Demorest Georgia, the reason they weren't invited is because only candidates who have campaigned in Iowa were invited to the forum. In 2003 Kucinich had Iowa offices, staff, and made campaign appearances in the state. This year he has not been to Iowa except for the ABC debate, and the Hawkeye Labor Forum the night before, and the Livestrong forum. It is common to require a minimum effort at actually trying to win the nomination in order to provide a candidate a stage to promote his/her agenda. The question I would ask Kucinich, given he came in 5th in Iowa in 04, beating Wesley Clark, and Lieberman why is he not even competing in Iowa now? Is he, or Gravel campaigning actively anywhere, or are they both on their own ego trip, and just want to get on national TV to promote their agenda, and attack those candidates who are working night and day to win?

Sara, Cedar Rapids, Iowa (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 4:05 PM)

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