Edwards parsing double talk on Iraq

[creeksneakers2]

From the October 30th debate:

She says she will end the war, but she continues to say she'll keep combat troops in Iraq and continue combat missions in Iraq.To me, that's not ending the war, that's a continuation of the war.

From October 7th Meet the Press episode:

What I would do instead is outside of Iraq, probably in Kuwait, maintain a quick reaction force. And that quick reaction force would be focused on the possibility of al-Qaeda operations, not terrorism at large.

Edwards explains the difference without nuance : :sarcasm:

But I want to be really clear about something, Tim. I’m saying something very different than what Senator Clinton’s saying. Senator Clinton has said she will maintain troops inside Iraq, and that they will engage in combat operation, combat missions, I think is her term, inside Iraq. I will not do that. To me, that is a continuation of the war, and this war needs to be brought to an end. I do think that America, like we would anywhere else in the world, is focused on al-Qaeda, focused on public enemy number one, and we have to be ready to respond if they’re planning attacks inside Iraq, attacks against us or our embassy inside Iraq, or attacks outside of Iraq. We have to be prepared to respond to that, and that’s why I’d keep a quick reaction force in Kuwait. But I would not, as Senator Clinton would, keep combat troops inside Iraq and continue combat missions in Iraq.

I'm understanding less and less about how anybody can support Edwards, beyond just hating Hillary.