Candidates Answer Iraq Question from Iowa Worker

[ProSense]

Candidates Answer Iraq Question from Iowa Worker

by Payson Schwin, Aug 7, 2007

After the break, Keith Olbermann announced the questions would now be coming from workers across the country.

Olberman read a question from a worker from Iowa who wants to know what to do about Iraq after U.S. troops leave the country. The worker was concerned al Qaeda coming into the country without our presence there.

Many of the candidates talked about how withdrawing troops from Iraq would help us focus more on al Qaeda around the world.

Sen. Dodd said we need a “robust” effort on diplomacy. “We shouldn’t be selling arms to Saudi Arabia while they’re refusing to help us in Iraq,” Dodd said.

“As president, I’d draw 40 to 50 thousands troops out today,” Edwards said. He promised to work to push for “political reconciliation” and “serious, intense” diplomatic discussions with countries like Iran. Edwards added that we have to be prepared if things to don’t go well and genocide breaks out. “I will plan and prepare for all those possibilities,” he said.

Olbermann remarked that the candidates were singling out Obama for his statements this week in which he asserted he would use military force if necessary against al-Qaeda in Pakistan even without Pakistan’s consent. Obama responded that he was being attacked for providing a solution to a problem several of the other candidates had voted to create, that is, the war in Iraq and expanded terrorism.