2008 Presidential Candidates on Iraq
The Associated Press
Monday, February 5, 2007; 10:52 AM
-- The 2008 presidential candidates on Iraq:
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DEMOCRATS:
_Delaware Sen. Joe Biden: Wants to withdraw most U.S. troops by end of year, leaving about 20,000 in or near Iraq, as part of plan to see Iraq governed as largely autonomous Sunni, Shiite and Kurdish regions. Opposes deployment of 21,500 more troops. Led Senate effort to pass resolution declaring war is against U.S. interest.
_New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton: Opposes troop increase, favors cap on troop levels, has not specified timetable for staged withdrawal but says U.S. should extricate itself from Iraq by 2009. Has opposed using congressional spending power to end war.
_Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd: Opposes troop increase, would cap force at about 130,000 unless Congress approves more, has not specified withdrawal timetable, would not cut off money.
_Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards: Favors immediate withdrawal of 40,000-50,000 troops, would block money for troop increase.
_Former Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel: Favors immediate withdrawal.
_Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich: Opposed U.S. invasion, favors troop withdrawal and cutting off additional money to continue the war.
_Illinois Sen. Barack Obama: Supports capping troop levels at 130,000, beginning withdrawal May 1 and completing pullout of combat brigades by March 31, 2008.
_New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson: Says U.S. troops should be redeployed by the end of the year to Afghanistan and other regions in the Persian Gulf.
_Former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack: Calls on Congress to cut off funds to end the war.


