President Obama details his Iraq troop withdrawal plans
Posted By RichC on February 27, 2009
On Friday afternoon President Obama spoke to the troops at Camp Lejeune North Carolina and laid out his plans for the promised troop withdrawal and timetable from Iraq. (WSJ) His plan is to scale back the current 142,000 troop force which is now in Iraq by the latter half of 2010. The date specific for the combat mission to end is “by August 31, 2010” with a plan to have the balance force of 35,000 – 50,000 support soldiers out by the end of 2011. The President was well receive by the Marines under his command, but never quite as loud as when he promised an increase in military pay (below).
The President’s plan of an 18 month withdrawal was quicker than the Pentagon advised by 6 months, but longer than most Democrats in congress wanted. The compromise was received positively by most Republicans who point to the reduction in violence as a sign that the democracy in Iraq is succeeding and that the ultimate mission will be successful for both the citizens of that country and a victory for freedom. All in all, President Obama may be bridging the gap between the conservatives and the liberals on this issue and gaining the confidence of those who serve directly under his command — the dedicated men and women of the United States Military.
Comments