Updated to include information that Bill Richardson would leave the Marines to guard the U.S. Embassy in Iraq.
According to iCasualties.org, as of today 3504 American soldiers have lost their lives in the war in Iraq, war John Edwards voted for (and apologized for) even though he didn't read the October 2002 National Intelligence Estimate.
So while American soldiers die, what is John Edwards doing? It's as easy as pie, just ask Edwards staffers Joe Trippi and Jonathan Prince. Give John Edwards your money, he'll give you his mom's secret pecan pie recipe.
John Edwards wants the troops out of Iraq in 12 to 18 months, but would leave some residual troops to guard the American embassy, making them a continued target of sectarian violence.
The other candidates won’t end the war immediately either.
Hillary Clinton wants to wait until October to end the war and leave residual troops.
Barack Obama wants a phased re-deployment to have combat troops out of Iraq by March 31, 2008, but would leave residual troops to engage in counterterrorism and to train Iraqi forces (again, making them a target for sectarian violence).
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Meanwhile, Governor Bill Richardson, with his considerable foreign policy and diplomatic credentials and extensive experience in these matters, is working to put an immediate end to the war. Bill Richardson may not be a rock star, but he is a serious, experienced candidate who doesn’t have to rely on gimmicks or games to put an end to one of the most pressing issues of our times.
Other than leaving U.S. Marines to guard the U.S.embassy, Governor Richardson would pull all American troops out of Iraq.
Specifically, Governor Richardson is calling on Congress to deauthorize the war in Iraq before it recesses on June 30. If Congress passes a resolution to deauthorize the war, President Bush loses all authority to continue his warmongering. Deauthorization can't be vetoed, and the President would legally be required to bring our troops home.
Article I of the Constitution gives Congress the authority to declare war. The War Powers Act clearly states that a President may not continue a war without Congressional authorization. It's time for Congress to use its legal authority to place checks and balances on the President. The American people demand it.
In addition to deauthorization, Governor Richardson is the only viable candidate who will pull all of the troops out of Iraq this year, leaving no residual troops. Bill Richardson wants our troops out of Iraq now, not sometime in the fall or whenever is convenient for the Bush Administration or the other Democratic candidates.
Governor Richardson's plan is the most comprehensive of all of the Democratic candidates. So join Bill Richardson and let's end this war today.