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McCain Sees Troops out of Iraq by 2013

Senator envisions winning war in first term in text of speech

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted May 15, 2008 7:40 AM CDT

(Newser) – John McCain thinks he can end the Iraq war and bring most troops home within his first term as president, he says in the text of a speech, obtained by the Los Angeles Times, to be delivered this morning. McCain’s doesn't acknowledge a policy change, but includes a list of what he expects to accomplish in his first term: “By January 2013, America has welcomed home most of the servicemen and women who have sacrificed terribly."

He also envisions that the Iraq war has been won, civil war prevented, al-Qaeda in Iraq defeated, militias disbanded, and Iraq as a functioning democracy. McCain once pounced on Mitt Romney for even suggesting a timetable for ending the US combat role in Iraq, but now he seems eager to show America a light at the end of the tunnel, and deflect Democrat attacks that he is a Bush rerun. In the new speech, he envisions American troops maintaining a small, non-combat presence in Iraq.

Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., speaks at Vestas Wind Energy Training Facility Monday, May 12, 2008, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

John McCain smiles while speaking at a round table discussion on the environment Tuesday, May 13, 2008, in North Bend, Wash. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., speaks at Vestas Wind Energy Training Facility on Monday, May 12, 2008, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

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McCain Sees Troops out of Iraq by 2013

Senator envisions winning war in first term in text of speech

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McCain Sees Troops out of Iraq by 2013

Senator envisions winning war in first term in text of speech

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Iraq • John McCain • timetable • McCain 2008 • Iraq exit strategy

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

For McCain, Winning Is War's Only Honorable End

US must defend honor, even preemptively; Iraq offers chance to make up for Vietnam

Maliki Pegs Obama as the Most Pliant: Krauthammer

Iraq PM thinks Dem can be manipulated, writes Krauthammer

Iraq Could Win the Election —for McCain

GOP candidate should focus on rapidly improving war

Dems Assail McCain on War

Obama would defy Petraeus to withdraw; DNC ads knock Mac's '100 years' in Iraq

McCain: Let's Slow Down the Iraq Withdrawal

Don't blow fragile democracy by decamping, he argues

About Us

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Newser By Users

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What is Newser?