Dems Have Few Options on Iraq

Political hands are more or less tied to the situation on the ground

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 30, 2007 9:08 AM CDT

(Newser) – No matter who wins the White House in '08, he or she will preside over a significant US troop presence in Iraq through the majority of their first term, say Democratic presidential candidates and their short-list picks for defense secretary. And at last week's Democratic debate, the Washington Post reports, none of the candidates would promise a full withdrawal by 2013.

Of course, it isn't really up to them. Future US troops levels will be determined by the success of 2008's post-surge drawdown and the transfer of power to Iraqi forces, assuming that regional powers don't get seriously involved. One potential defense secretary predicted that a Democratic administration might not oversee the war very differently than Bush, saying: "There's a fairly narrow band of choice here."

(AP Photo/Hadi Mizban, File) (Associated Press)

Democratic presidential hopefuls from left, Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., Rep.... (Associated Press)

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y. answers a question during a debate at Dartmouth College Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007, in Hanover, N.H. A time-honored front-runner strategy... (Associated Press)

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Poll: Obama or Clinton Would Beat McCain

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Candidates united to attack Bush for continuation of unpopular war

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Two-thirds of Americans support Afghanistan 'surge'

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Obama endorsement brings Powell's judgment into question — again

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Candidates have flaws to exploit—if attacks don't get personal first

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Dems Have Few Options on Iraq

Political hands are more or less tied to the situation on the ground

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Iraq • troop surge • Election 2008 • Iraq war • presidential election

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

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More Newser Stories

Poll: Obama or Clinton Would Beat McCain

Voters worry about age more than race or gender, survey finds

Dems Unite to Slam Iraq In First Debate

Candidates united to attack Bush for continuation of unpopular war

Two-Thirds of Americans Back Afghanistan Surge

Two-thirds of Americans support Afghanistan 'surge'

Wrong on Iraq, Wrong on Barack

Obama endorsement brings Powell's judgment into question — again

Iraq Barbs Get Sharper; Bitter Road Ahead

Candidates have flaws to exploit—if attacks don't get personal first

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Newser By Users

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