Reply #3: The majority of Iraqis want us out now.

[seasat]

Here's a recent poll done for BBC of Iraqis. 47% want us to leave now. The number was 35% in February. It also shows that 93% of the Sunnis and 50% of the Shiites think it is okay to attack coalition forces. Except for the Kurds who want an independent state, a majority of Sunnis and Shiites want a unified Iraq instead of a federation or complete Balkanization.

The main reason to get out is force the groups both inside and outside Iraq to come to the table. We'll have to bend over backwards and still provide a huge amount of financial and material support but Richardson's ultimate goal is to replace our troops with a UN force consisting of Muslims. The poll shows little support for attacks on Iraqi troops and while it'll probably be a little higher, they'll probably feel the same way about attacks on Muslim troops. The various groups have little reason to come to the table while we're in Iraq. The Kurds don't have to cooperate since they are already cutting out their own state. Saudi Arabia and Iran don't have to work with the Sunni and Shia Groups they back since we're in there. However, if we put it all on the table and say we're getting out, they'll be forced to come to some sort of agreement. Otherwise, I fear, the alternative is decades of our presence there.